CSAL Flag Football Rules 2018 (updated 9/4/18) The Basics 1. A coin toss determines first possession. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its -yard line. 2. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line. 3. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense s 5- yard line. 4. Interceptions may be returned. 5. Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes. Possession changes to loser of coin toss unless deferred and the clock does not stop. Timing/Overtime 1. Games are played to 40 minutes running time (two 20 minute halves) with a 5 minute half-time. The clock will stop for injuries, timeouts, or when a rule needs to be clarified. 2. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. A coin toss will determine who has the ball first. a. Regular Season OT Rules-each team will have 4 opportunities from the opponent s 12 yard line to score. First downs can be earned due to a defensive penalty. If the game is tied after each possession, the game will end in a tie. A team will have a chance for an extra point (1 point or 2 point conversion) after a score. b. Post season Overtime-A team will be given 4 opportunities from the opponent s 12 yard line to score. First downs can be earned due to a defensive penalty. Beginning with the 2 nd overtime period, the first team to score will win. A team will have a chance for an extra point after scoring (1 or 2 point conversion). Possession of the ball will be
determined by the team who wins the coin toss. The team with the ball during the first overtime will play defense first during the second overtime. Possession will continue to alternate at the start of each overtime. 3. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced. Each team has two 60-second time-outs per half. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. 4. One time will be granted to each team during each overtime period. Attire 1. Shirts must be tucked in during play. 2. Shorts with pockets must be taped. 3. Shorts/shirts must be a different color than flags. 4. Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections may be made. 5. All players must wear a protective mouthpiece THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS!! 6. Players are not required to have numbers. Effective the 2019-2020 season, all uniforms must have numbers on their back. 7. Flags will be provided to at the field. Players/Game Schedules 1. Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times. Teams consist of a maximum of 12 players five on the field. A game may start with four players. Teams with less than 4 players will result in a forfeit game. 2. Each team is guaranteed a minimum of eight scheduled game. Winner of each pool will advance to the next round. Scoring 1. Touchdown: 6 points 2. Safety: 2 points 3. Extra Point: 1 point (played from the 5 yard line) or 2 points (played from the 12 yard line) Interceptions made during an extra point are dead balls DEFENSIVE PENALITIES (ONLY CALLED BY THE OFFICIAL) 1. Offside: 5 yards automatic first down. 2. Interference: 10 yards and automatic first down. 3. Illegal contact: (holding, blocking, etc.) 10 yards and automatic first down. 4. Illegal flag pull: (before receiver has ball) 10 yards and automatic 1ST down 5. Illegal rushing: (starting rush from inside 7- yard mark) 10 yds and automatic 1ST down OFFENSIVE PENALITIES (ONLY CALLED BY THE OFFICIAL) 1. Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) 5 yards and loss of down 2. Flag guarding 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down. 3. Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) 10 yards and loss of down 4. Delay of game Clock stops, 10 yds & loss of down 5. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it. Only the team captain/coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. 6. Players & coaches cannot question judgment calls. 7. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the
Sportsmanship/Roughing 1. If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. 2. Foul play will not be tolerated. 3. Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. 4. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage. Running 1. The quarterback cannot run with the ball (unless on hand offs). 2. Pitches, laterals, options, shuffle passes, double handoffs, and behind the line of scrimmage passes are allowed in the area of play not designated as No Running zones. 3. Offense may use multiple handoffs. 4. No-running zones located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. 5. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush. Spinning is no allowed; the ball is considered dead at the spinning spot. 6. Players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving). 7. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. 8. Pitches and laterals may occur once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. Passing 1. Pitches, laterals, options, shuffle passes, double handoffs, and behind the line of scrimmage passes are allowed in the area of play not designated as No Running zones. 2. The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. 3. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect. Interceptions may be returned. 4. No Run Zone-all forward passes must cross the line of scrimmage before the receiver can touch the ball. 5. Quarterbacks can become a receiver only when the ball crosses the line of scrimmage. Receiving 1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). 2. Passes intended for the quarterback must be thrown beyond the line of scrimmage. 3. As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time. 4. A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
Dead Balls 1. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball. 2. Play is ruled dead when: a. Ball carrier s flag is pulled b. Ball carrier steps out of bounds c. Touchdown or safety is scored d. Ball carrier s knee hits the ground e. Ball carrier s flag falls out Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground. Rushing the Quarterback All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed. Coaches Every team must have at least one adult coach. A maximum of three adult coaches allowed on the sideline. For the 3rd/4th Grade Division and 5th/6th Grade Division only, one coach may be on the field with his/her team to provide instructions but must do so without interfering when the ball becomes live. Other reminders: 1. Teams who are playing against a 4 person team do not need to play with 4. The team has an option of playing with either 4 or 5 players. 2. Blocking is defined as the offensive player impeding the defense from grabbing the flag. Rushers must take an angle to the quarterback away from the the offensive line. 3. Mercy Rule: When a team is leading by 28 points, the other team is allowed to play with 6 defenders while the team leading may only have 4 defenders playing. Once the lead is less than 28 points, the game will return to 5v5. 4. All players must be rostered on the CSAL website. 5. Guest players may play as long as they are registered on the CSAL website and announced to the opposing coach before the game begins. Guest players may play only to make a full squad-5 players. 6. Girls may hike the ball from the side. Boys hiking the ball to a female quarterback may also hike the ball from the side. 7. Football sizes: 3/4 Division (size 6 Pee Wee) 5/6 Division (size 7 Junior) 7/8 Division (size 8 Youth). 8. Coaches are responsible to input their own scores. 9. Playing Time Requirements (all levels): 10 or fewer players, players will play all offense or all defense. 10. Playoffs: a. Top 2 teams from each region will participate in the playoffs. Up to 3 teams may be invited to participate in the playoffs. This will be announced to the coaches at the pre-season coaches meeting.
b. Playoffs will be played on one day (weather permitting). c. Tiebreaker: a. Winning percentage b. Head-to-Head game result c. Total wins d. Points against e. Play in game if needed