Tab Ramos Sports Center Flag Football Rules Tab Ramos Sports Center reserves the right to change any game time and date. No refunds or credits are given for forfeits incurred. It is not the Sports Center s policy to cancel or forfeit games for teams that are consistently arriving late so please be courteous and arrive on time. Tab Ramos Sports Center also understands that sometimes games do run late due to conditions beyond our control. Tab Ramos Sports Center hopes that any inconveniences that may occur should not give an unfair advantage to the teams that consistently are on time and ready to play when scheduled. (If a team is not ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled time, the game will be deemed a forfeit. This does not mean that the 10 minutes are applied after the previous game. If the game is already late it will start immediately after the previous game finishes.) All league fees must be paid in full prior to the start of the third game. If a team s balance is not paid in full the team will not be permitted to play. Each team prior to the start of the third to last game must complete teams Rosters. Rosters are open but players may play for one (1) and only one team per session. All players must play in a minimum of three games in regular season play to be eligible for playoffs. Rosters are limited to 20 players in the A Division and 25 players in the B Division. If the opposing team captain challenges another player s eligibility it can be done any time during the game. Coach/manager must go to the scorekeeper or football director and make a formal protest. After the game concludes, the director of the league along with the referee will determine the player s eligibility and make a determination, not necessarily the same night and report the determination to the teams involved. The game will not be stopped and will continue to play. Any team that has an illegal player will forfeit automatically. The on-site manager will hold roster forms. Please note all rule changes / updates are in bold type.
Forfeits: If a team is not on the field after an elapsed time of ten (10) minutes, that team will forfeit. A team that forfeits and still wants to play by picking up other players (only players on other in-house teams) may do so, only if they pay the referee fee before the start of the game and the other team agrees to play. The game is still a forfeit. The teams only get the time remaining on the clock to play. A forfeit will result if a team has fielded less than 6 players. The result is an 6-0 win for the opponent. If both of the teams forfeit, the result will be a 0-0 tie. The league reserves the right to suspend any player/team for any misconduct. The Sports Centers league officials will judge each case independently. Rule 1 The Game, uniforms, and officials: The Game: A) The game of flag football shall be played between 2 teams of 7 players each on a rectangular field with an official football. 1. The set up of the offensive team is a minimum of two offensive lineman 5 remaining players as receivers, rushers and quarterback 2. The set up of the defensive team is as follows: Two rushers and 5 defenders off the line of scrimmage. 3. Lineman may only move on the snap of the football and defensive lineman must be lined up on the outside shoulder. B) The duration of the game will be 45 minutes running time. There will be a two minute warning and stop time at the end of the game only. 1. During game play the ball shall be put in play within 30 seconds after it is declared ready for play (the referee will warn teams at ten seconds remaining on the play clock). 2. During the last 2 minutes the ball shall be put in play within 25 seconds after it is declared ready for play (the referee will warn teams at ten seconds remaining on the play clock). 3. If at any time the difference between teams is greater than 17 points the clock will run the last 2 minutes of the game. 4. Each team will be allotted three (3) time-outs per game. 5. There is no Overtime during the regular season. 6. In the Playoffs for overtime, it is the same as the regular season but the game will continue until one team has scored and other hasn t. NCAA rules will be enforced for FG attempts. Field goals may be kicked only in Overtime without using a timeout.
Rule 2 - Uniforms: 1) Each team must be in uniform as follows: 2) Shirts must be of the same color 3) Shirts must have numbers or no stats will be taken until the entire team is outfitted in numbered jerseys 4) Following the conclusion of the second game, all teams must have matching colored jerseys. 5) Players will be ineligible for the playoffs with a matching colored jersey and number. If not, they must check in with the scorekeeper prior to the game. 6) Shirt must be tucked inside the pants 7) No jewelry 8) Supervision The game shall be played under the supervision of 2 officials, the duties of the officials are as follows: A. General oversight B. Control of the game C. Sole authorities for the score D. Sole judge of forfeiture of game E. Sole authorities for the playoff structure-tie breakers will be as follows: (1) head to head (2) least points scored against (3) point differential (4) coin toss Rule 3 Ball in play, dead ball, out of bounds A live ball becomes a dead ball as provided in the rules or when an official blows his whistle (even though inadvertently). The ball is declared dead: 1) When it goes out of bounds or when it and the ball carriers flags touch or cross the goal line. 2) When any part of the ball carriers body (other than a hand or foot) touches the ground. 3) When any points are scored 4) A failed PAT 5) When a backward pass or fumble hits the ground 6) Any snap that hits the ground 7) The ball shall be put in play within 30 seconds after it is declared ready for play (the referee will warn teams at ten seconds remaining on the play clock). Rule 4 First Downs 1) A team, in possession of the ball, shall have four consecutive downs to advance the ball to midfield. 2) If a team reaches midfield in the given 4 downs they are given another 4 downs to reach the end zone. 3) If a team does not reach midfield in the allotted 4 downs the defensive team is awarded possession of the ball at the line of scrimmage. 4) A personal foul on the defense will result in an automatic first down. Rule 5 Scrimmage, snapping, and passing the ball 1) The snapper, after assuming the position for the snap may not move the ball until the ball is subsequently snapped.
Any movement will result in a 4-yard penalty. 2) The offensive blockers must be within two yards of the line of scrimmage. 3) The defensive players must be one yard back of the line of scrimmage at the beginning of each play and may not advance until the ball is snapped. 4 ) They must cross the line of scrimmage and rush after the ball is snapped. 5) Only eligible players may receive a forward pass. 6) Only ends and backs are eligible to touch or catch a pass. 7) An offensive player who voluntarily goes out-of-bounds during a passing down loses eligibility until an opponent or teammate has touched the ball. A violation of this rule is a loss of down and a 4-yard penalty. 8) Illegal Forward pass is also a loss of down penalty when the entire Passer is beyond the line of scrimmage and passes the ball. 9) Intentional grounding is a loss of down when the quarterback throws the ball from inside the tackle box and it does not make the line of scrimmage. If it is in the endzone, the opposing team will be rewarded a safety 10) A pass is complete when the receiver has control of ball and one foot is in bounds or when he has control and one knee is in bounds. Knee=one foot. 11) A snap must be behind the line, a snap forward will result in a 4 yd penalty and loss of down. 12) In order to use the Pistol Offensive Set with a quarterback and running back in the backfield, it is an immediate rush by any number of defenders as long as the running back is lined up no farther than the outside shoulder of the offensive lineman. If the offensive player passes through the tackle box the same rules apply. *Note: Any snap made outside the tackle box will be deemed illegal and cause an illegal motion penalty. Rule 6 Scoring 1. Touchdown = 6 points 2. PAT (pass) = 2 points 3. PAT (run) = 1 point 4. FG = 3 points 5. Safety = 2 points 6. Return PAT = 2 points In order for a touchdown / extra point to count the ball and both flags must cross the goal line.
Rule 7 Conduct of Players and Others Subject To The Rules 1. Whenever, in the judgment of any game official, the following acts are deliberate or flagrant, the player may be ejected from the game: a. Using fists, kicking or kneeing. b. Using locked hands, elbows or any part of your forearm. c. Tackling the ball carrier as in regulation football. d. Striking the opponent above the shoulders. e. Any other deliberate or flagrant act. 2. Common Penalties: a. Abusive language or taunting-first offense is a warning for the team, second is a penalty and third is an ejection of the player. b. Any acts of unfair play. c. Any person on the field of play at any time without the permission of the official. d. Punching the ball in order to knock it out of the ball carrier s hand. Players may attempt to grab the ball as long as the ball is being carried like a loaf of bread. e. Using a hide out play by placing a player or players near the sideline attempting to deceive the opposing team. All players must line up inside the yellow lines when using the no huddle offense. Any player lining up outside these lines if no huddle is used requires an immediate whistle for illegal formation and a 3 yard penalty. f. Pulling or removing the flag from an offensive player that does not have the ball. g. No player shall block in a manner that would cause his feet, knees or legs to strike an opponent. All blocking shall be done with the feet in contact with the ground. h. There shall be no high-low blocking i. There shall be no tripping; there shall be no clipping. j. The ball carrier shall deliberately run into a defensive player or lower their shoulder. k. No defensive player shall deliberately knock the ball carrier out of bounds. Players may guide or gently nudge players out of bounds where there is no danger to the ball carrier. l. The ball carrier cannot stiff arm a defensive player attempting to de-flag him. m. The ball carrier cannot protect the flags by blocking with arms or hands the opportunity of an opponent to pull or remove a flag. n. Defensive holding of the ball carrier: Defenders may not have one hand, arm or shoulder fixed on the ball carrier while attempting to deflag him. o. The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when in the act of removing a flag. If he is the last man between the Runner and goal line a touchdown will be awarded. 3. Blocking: Blockers must be on feet when blocking.
a. Blockers hands may not be locked. b. Blockers may not swing, throw or flip elbow, forearm or fist. c. No blocking below the waist. d. Cross body blocking is illegal. e. No downfield blocking is permitted. All players must remain stationary. Rule 8 - Summary of Penalties: 1. The following penalties are spot fouls a. Flag Guarding b. Downfield Blocking c. Stiff Arming d. Holding so as to stop forward progress (ball is placed 4 yards from the conclusion of the play). e. If a player intentionally pull downs a ball carrier and they are the last player between the ball carrier and the endzone, the team and player will be rewarded a touchdown. 2. The following penalties are a loss of 4 yards a. Delay of game if this occurs within the last two minutes of the game a 10 second run off will be applied to the game clock. b. Starting play before the ball is declared ready for play. c. False Start d. Helping the runner e. Defensive Holding f. Flag guarding g. Offsides A team may only go intentionally offsides once in any series. If a team continues to go offsides intentionally the ball will be placed at the top of the opposing teams defensive circle outside the endzone. 3. The following penalties are a loss of 8 yards. a. Offensive pass interference. b. Defensive pass interference. c. Striking, kicking, kneeing, elbowing. d. Unsportsmanlike conduct, e. Tripping. f. Running into the opposing player. g. Illegal use of the hands. h. Stiff-arm. 4. The following penalties are a loss of 4 yards plus loss of down a. Illegal forward pass (past the line of scrimmage) b. Illegal pass to a lineman
Rule 9 Field Goals Field Goals will take place during the last 5 minutes of the game only. Teams will kick only towards the bar and will then switch sides back if needed after the attempt. All decisions of the referee crew will be final whether it is called good or no good. Statistics will be kept on percentage of made field goals, attempts, and longest if possible. The following will be the guidelines for trying a field goal: 1) The team will be charged a time out for the attempt. If you have no timeouts remaining you will not be allowed to attempt a field goal. 2) You may only attempt 2 field goals per game due to time constraints. 3) The offensive team, (kicking team), will have 4 lineman, a snapper who will remain upright, a holder and a kicker. The snapper will be able to block once the ball is snapped. 4) The defensive team, (receiving team), will only be permitted to have 4 lineman. The remaining three players must remain on the field behind the lineman but cannot rush past the line of scrimmage. 5) The ball must go between the uprights and into or above the netting. Anything below the netting, off the wall or off to the side of the goal posts will result in the ball being dead and the receiving team will gain possession from the spot of the kick. 6) If the ball ends up short, it is a dead ball. No returns are permitted and the line of scrimmage will be from where it was kicked. Rule 10 - Mercy Rule (losing team will have one last possession to attempt to continue the game as they must score): 45 pts. @ 20 minutes 26 pts. @ 10 minutes The game will continue until the allotted time for the game is used or the game is deemed dangerous by the referees no stats will be kept at this point. Updated 7/6/15 H.Gaber & K. Fodor