Rules
- UNIFORMS: It doesn't matter what your team is wearing for uniforms but since this is flag football your players will be expected to have their flags easily accessible on the outside of the clothing.
- RULES: Here's some of the more common mistakes/violations that occur:
- 1. RUSHER INTERFERENCE...........it is the offence's responsibility to get out of the way of the rusher. It doesn't matter what kind of pattern they are running, they must avoid the rusher! The center is usually the one that has the most trouble with this after snapping the ball.
- 2. THE QUARTERBACK CAN'T RUN........the QB is not allowed to run and only has 7 seconds to pass the ball downfield.
- 3. OFFENCE & RUSHER OFFSIDE.........the offensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped and the rusher cannot start to rush until the ball is snapped. They cannot run when the QB yells "Hut"......the ball must move!
- 4. SPINNING IS ALLOWED / JUMPING IS NOT.........a player with the ball can spin to avoid a defender but must keep one foot in contact with the ground at all times. A player with the ball cannot jump in the air to avoid a defender (including when they spin). There is always some sort of controversy with this.....tell your players they have to have one foot in contact with the ground at all times! They can't jump sideways to avoid a defender either.
- 5. FLAG BLOCKING IS NOT ALLOWED.......a player running with the ball cannot use their free arm to swipe a defender's hand away when reaching for the flag. They must run with their arms up and/or out to make their flags accessible to the defense.
- These are the major points of contention every year......some of the other rules include:
- No kicking of any kind....all possesions start at your own 5-yard line or if the ball is intercepted then possession starts where the intercepting player gets flagged by the offense.
- No fumbles........once the ball hits the ground it is dead. This includes if the center snaps the ball and the QB drops it or if the snap is poor and it rolls on the ground....the QB cannot pick it up.....the play is dead.
- A team gets 4 downs to get to half and if accomplished....gets 4 new downs to get into the endzone.
- You are not allowed running plays once you are inside the 5-yard line....passing only. Extra points taken from the 5-yard line....again...no running allowed. 2-point converts are run from the 12 yard line and running plays are allowed.