Flag Football Rules
I.
Conduct and Sportsmanship
a. Good sportsmanship is essential during all RecSports activities. Individuals or teams who demonstrate poor
sportsmanship may be dropped from a league or event at any time without refund. Additionally, teams that do not
maintain an acceptable sportsmanship rating will be ineligible for the playoffs. For additional information,
concerning the sportsmanship rating system, please refer to RecSports Handbook which is available upon request
from the Pacific Recreation Office.
b. Rules and Policies are subject to change without notice at any time.
c. Team Managers: Team managers are responsible for all team members and spectators. Obscene or abusive
language by participants or spectators will not be tolerated and will be penalized accordingly. Team managers are
expected to inform all participants of rules and policies prior to participation.
i. Responsibilities
1. To collect and pay the team entry fee
2. Must completely fill out the team roster (on the entry form) upon submittal
3. Attend all meetings pertaining to their team’s activity
4. Submit the appropriate team roster and make roster changes and additions when necessary
(according to the eligibility rules)
5. Pick up original and any updated schedules
6. Notify team members of date, time, and place of all games, including rescheduled games.
7. Enter line-up on appropriate score sheets/game rosters.
8. Be knowledgeable of all playing rules governing the sport they are participating in
9. The captain is the sole representative of their team and will also be held responsible for the actions
of their team, spectators and/or specific players.
10. Teams are responsible for their schedules. Reschedule requests will be acknowledged if they are
given, in writing, 48 hours in advance of their scheduled game. No guarantees.
d. Team Captains: One of the players signed in for a game shall be designated the team captain. The captain is the
representative of his/her team and may address officials on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential
information in a courteous manner only, provided it does not disrupt the flow of the game.
e. Ejection/Suspension: Any player who is ejected for any reason will be subject to additional disciplinary actions.
Any player ejected is automatically suspended from participating in any RecSports activity until a meeting with a
member of the Pacific Recreation staff. To schedule a meeting with a Pacific Team member please call Pacific
Recreation at 209-746-2811.If a meeting does not occur within three business days of ejection, additional
disciplinary actions will be taken. These actions may include any of the following or any combination of the
following: suspension from the RecSports program, permanent suspension from the RecSports program, referral to
the Judicial Affairs for review, and/or referral to Public Safety for review.
i. Ejection Criteria:The following acts are prohibited and will result in immediate ejection from a game. An
incident report will be completed and submitted to the Pacific Recreation staff for further review.
1. Playing under an assumed name
2. Use of abusive language (regardless of what language is being spoken) toward a supervisor, official,
opponent, teammate, or spectator
3. Leaving the team area for any reason to participate in an altercation
4. Threatening behavior toward a supervisor, official, opponent, teammate, or spectator
5. Making physical contact in a threatening manner toward a supervisor, official, opponent, teammate,
or spectator
6. Playing under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substance
7. Other infractions will be addressed according to the RecSports Handbook which is available upon
request from the Pacific Recreation Office.
ii. Fighting Policy: Fighting (physically striking, kicking, or attempting to strike or kick another player,
spectators or staff) will not be tolerated. Players involved in a fight will be immediately ejected and will be
subject to additional disciplinary actions, which will include suspension from the RecSports program and
may include referral to the Judicial Affairs and/or Public Safety.
II.
Injuries
a. We (the Office of Student Life and Pacific Recreation) are not responsible for any injuries that occur while
participating in the RecSports program.
b. All participants are encouraged to obtain a physical exam prior to participating in any physical activity.
Additionally, participants are encouraged to maintain adequate health insurance while participating.
c. In the event an injury occurs during a RecSports activity, please immediately notify the official, manager, or
supervisor who is working the contest so arrangements can be made to treat the injury and to complete an injury
report. If needed, staff members can call for an ambulance to assess the injury and/or transport the injured
participant to the hospital.
III.
Eligibility
a. All intramural sports activities are limited to current students, staff, and faculty members. All others, including
alumni, are prohibited from participating in any RecSports activities.
b. Photo Identification: All participants are required to present a current Pacific identification cardprior to
participating,. Individuals unable to do so will not be allowed to participate. Any team unable to begin a game with
the minimum number of players will forfeit the game.
c. League Playoff Eligibility
i. All teams must have an average Sportsmanship Rating of 3.0 to be eligible for the playoffs.
ii. Tie-breakers include, in order: head-to-head result, # of forfeits, point differential, points allowed, and
points scored.
iii. A playoff meeting will be held on in the BFC Garage at the conclusion of the regular season to decide
playoff schedules/seedings. All playoff teams are required to have a representative in attendance.
IV.
Team Rosters
a. The official game roster will consist of the team roster form that is submitted to Pacific Rec.
b. Teams must have a minimum of seven (7) players on their roster and a maximum of fourteen (14) players are
permitted.
c. It is assumed that teams are playing in the appropriate skill level. Pacific Recreation Staff reserves the right to move
any player or team up a division.
d. Individual players may participate in up to 2 leagues, depending on their eligibility (men’s/women’s and co-rec).
An individual cannot play on 2 men’s, women’s, or co-rec, teams in any league.
e. Roster additions are allowed through the completion of a team’s last regular season game. Players may be added onsite in person. Players must have played one game and be checked off on one scorecard during the regular season to
be eligible for the playoffs.
f. Only names of those players present at game time are allowed to appear on the scorecard. Players arriving late are
allowed to be added to the scorecard without penalty provided they do so prior to entering the game.
g. Restrictions:
i. Current varsity athletes are not allowed on rosters for corresponding sports. This includes anyone who has
practiced or played (i.e., on the official player roster) with an intercollegiate sports team at any time during
the academic year. These athletes must sit out one academic semester before being eligible to participate in
their corresponding sport. Former varsity athletes are only allowed to play in the highest skill division
offered for each sport (typically A).
ii. Any participant who is or has been a professional player or athlete is ineligible to compete in the sport or its
related sport in which he/she was a professional. A professional player or athlete is defined as one who has
received monetary remuneration for his/her athletic services.
iii. The team roster may include no more than 2 former varsity intercollegiate football athletes. A violation of
this policy will result in the team’s automatic disqualification from league play.
V.
Players & Substitutions
a. Teams are comprised of seven (7) players. A team may not begin a game with less than five (5) players.
Co-Rec: Teams are comprised of eight(8) players, including four (4) men and four (4) women. Six (6) players are
required to start the game and avoid forfeit. The game may continue with less than 6 players as long as the team has
a chance to win. There shall not be a gender difference of more than 2 at any time.
b. Substitutions are only allowed on dead balls.
VI.
Equipment
a. Illegal Equipment/Jewelry: Referees will not permit any player to wear equipment which in his/her judgment is
dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate.
Illegal items include, but are not limited to:
i. A guard, cast or brace made of hard or unyielding leather, plaster, pliable (soft) plastic, metal, or any other
hard material, even if covered by soft padding, are not allowed when worn on the elbow, hand, finger, wrist,
or forearm. Leg braces and knee braces must be covered with at least a half inch of slow recovery rubber or
similar padding so that no metal or hard edges are exposed.
ii. Head decorations, headwear, bracelets, rubber bands, Lance Armstrong and other soft bracelets, metal
barrettes, bandanas, and headgear with a bill or hard outer surface.
iii. Exception: Medical alert bracelets or necklaces may be worn if taped down. Also, a headband no wider
than two (2) inches and made of non-abrasive unadorned single-colored cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather, or
rubber may be worn. Rubber/cloth elastic bands used to control hair may be worn.
iv. Officials will not permit any player to participate if, in his/her judgment, items such as a player’s fingernails
or hairstyle may constitute a safety concern.
b. Jerseys: All players must wear a shirt under the RecSports scrimmage jersey. Teams may provide their own
numbered shirts if desired.
c. Shorts/Pants: Players must wear basketball or athletic type shorts/pants. Shorts/pants must not have pockets,
pouches, loops, belts, zippers, buckles, buttons, or snaps. Shorts may not be worn inside out.
d. Shoes: All players must wear shoes. Standard sneakers, molded one-piece rubber soled shoes and multi-turf shoes
are permitted. Shoes that have metal cleats or any exposed metal are illegal.
e. Flags:Each player must wear the one (1) piece, triple-flag belt provided by the department. Flags should be worn
with two (2) at the sides and one (1) at the rear.
i. Wrapping, tying or in any way securing the flag to the uniform or belt other than by prescribed rules is
illegal.
ii. Flags must not be hidden under the shirt, jersey, or scrimmage vest (i.e., all shirts, jerseys, or scrimmage
vests must be tucked in).
iii. Knotting or tying a flag in a manner deemed inappropriate by the official is prohibited and may be grounds
for ejection of the violating player.
f. Ball: Teams must use a large (regulation) size football. Each team is responsible for ensuring that the selected ball is
on the field prior to their offensive set of downs.
Co-Rec: Teams may use a junior size football while on offense.
g. Mouth guards are recommended for all participants.
VII.
Length/Timing of Game
a. The match time limit will be enforced from game time! Teams not present with the required minimum
number of players ready to play five (5) minutes after start time will forfeit the game.
b. Games will consist of two (2), twenty (20) minute halves with the clock running continuously until the One Minute
Warning in the first half and the Two Minute Warning in the second half. From that time on, the clock will stop in
the following situations.
i. Scoring (touchdown* and safety*)
ii. Time-Outs (team* and official^)
iii. Incomplete pass*
iv. Out-of-bounds*
v. Penalty and administration^
vi. Touchback*
vii. The awarding of a new series*
viii. An advertent whistle^
ix. Following first touch^
x. A team attempting to conserve time illegally-starts on the ready^
xi. A team attempting to consume time illegally-starts on the snap^
Note: During situations with an *, the clock will start on the next snap of the ball. During situations with an ^, clock will
start when the referee signals the ball ready to play.
c. Halftime will be three (3) minutes long.
d. No extra periods will be played during league play in the regular season. All games will end as a draw if the
score is tied at the end of regulation.
e. Forfeit Fee: A forfeit will require the team to pay a $10 forfeiture fee is paid at the BFC. A failure to pay the
forfeit fee by the second day following the forfeit fee by 5:00pm will result in the team being dropped from the
league. Two forfeits by the same team will automatically disqualify the team from the league. Any team that is
disqualified from a RecSports competition will also forfeit the all participation points accumulated for that sport.
f. Default/Concede:Each team is allowed one default/concede. The team manager must notify RecSports24 hours in
advance of scheduled game to avoid forfeit fee.
g. Mercy-Rule: If a team is winning by 30 points with 5 minutes or less remaining in the second half the contest shall
be stopped.
h. Time-Outs: Each team is allowed two (2), thirty-second time-outs to be used at any time throughout the game.
During playoffs, unused time-outs do not carry over to overtime; however, each team will be allowed one (1), thirtysecond time-out per overtime period.
i. Overtime:Overtime will not be used during regular season games. In the playoffs, we will use NCAA type overtime
periods. It will be untimed and each team will start from the opponent’s 10-yard line with the goal line as the line to
gain. Each team will have 4 downs to score and the extra point will be tried. At the end of each “round” if there is a
winner, the game is over.
VIII.
Scoring
a. Touchdown = 6 points
b. Safety = 2 points
c. Extra Points:
i. From the 20 yard line = 3 points
ii. From the 10 yard line = 2 points
iii. From the 3 yard line = 1 point
d. No field goals are allowed
e. Defense CAN return any extra point attempt for three (3) points.
IX.
Game Rules
a. Play will be generally governed by standard NIRSA (National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association) flag
football rules except where RecSports rules allow for variation.
b. Offensive rules to note:
i. Start of the Game: No kickoffs, the ball will be put in play from the offensive team’s 14 yard line.
ii. Downs: Teams have four downs to reach a new zone (marked at both 20 yard lines and the midfield 40 yard
line) or score a touchdown. Otherwise, they turn the ball over on downs.
iii. Line: The offensive team must have a minimum of four (4) players on the line of scrimmage and all players
must be within fifteen (15) yards of the ball during the huddle.
iv. The offensive team is not required to wait for the line judge to say “Line Set”. However, if the line is
not set, a penalty will be administered.
v. Snap: Teams have twenty-five (25) seconds to snap the ball after the referee signals the ball ready to play.
No direct snaps are allowed (i.e., no under center snaps when the QB is in direct contact with the Center).
The person receiving the snap must be at least two (2) yards behind the line of scrimmage. Except for a
player who is in legal motion at the time of the snap, all offensive players must be set for a full second
before the snap.
vi. Blocking: Offensive screen blocking shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her
hands and arms at his/her sides or behind his/her back. Any use of the arms, elbows, or legs to initiate
contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal. A player may use his/her hand or arm to break a
fall or to retain his/her balance. A player must be on his/her feet before, during, and after screen blocking.
vii. Carrying the ball: Carriers shall not strike, slap, stiff arm an opponent to prevent them from reaching the
carrier’s flag. Carriers may also not run through a defensive player and must attempt to evade the defense.
viii. Fumbles: A fumbled ball or muff which strikes the ground becomes dead at that spot and belongs to the last
team in possession unless they turn the ball over on downs.
ix. Passing: All players are eligible pass receivers except during closed plays in Co-Rec play.
c. Defensive rules to note:
i. Line: Prior to the snap, the defense shall not line up within one (1) yard of the line of scrimmage. The
neutral zone must always be maintained (indicated by an orange and a yellow cone).
ii. Downing: Ball carriers are considered downed when the flag is clearly taken from them (the buckle clearly
breaks) or if a knee touches the ground. The defense may not hold or run through a ball carrier and must
“play the flag.” If the flag belt inadvertently falls to the ground, a one-hand tag between the shoulders and
knees constitutes downing. All plays are marked from the spot of the ball when the flag is pulled, not
from the spot of the player.
iii. Tackling: Tackling is strictly prohibited. If a defensive player tackles a ball carrier who, in the judgment of
the official, had an open field for a touchdown, a touchdown will be awarded. The defensive player will be
disqualified and a penalty will be enforced. Defensive players are also not allowed to push ball carriers outof-bounds.
iv. Rushing: Defensive players must go around the offensive player’s screen block. The arms and hand may not
be used as a wedge to contact the opponent. The application of this rule depends entirely on the judgment of
the official. A blocker may use his/her arms or hands to break a fall or retain his/her balance. The following
actions are prohibited: any contact, spearing, or arms leaving the body (except for making a football move
like receiving the ball).
d. Special teams/kickoff rules to note:
i. No kickoffs will take place. The ball will be put in play from the offensive team’s 14 yard line.
ii. In the event of a safety, the team that scored will also be awarded the ball at its 14 yard line.
e. Special teams/punting rules to note:
i. Quick kicks are not allowed. A punt must be declared by the offensive team to the official and may be made
during any down. When declared, the ball must be kicked while the offense has a minimum of four (4)
players on the line of scrimmage. The defensive team may not rush the punter, and the offensive team must
stay on their side of the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. No blocking may occur during the punt of
return.
ii. While a punt is in the air, the kicking team may not touch the ball, touch the receiver, or obstruct a
receiver’s path to the ball.
iii. Any punt that crosses the goal line is dead and ruled a touchback. However, punts caught in the end zone
may be returned.
iv. If the return team muffs a punt and the ball fall to the ground, the ball is dead and the receiving team takes
possession where the ball hits the ground.
f.
Co-Rec rules to note:
i. Offense/running the ball: Advancement from behind the line of scrimmage to beyond the line of scrimmage
is restricted to only females. A male runner cannot advance the ball through the line of scrimmage
unless a legal forward pass beyond the line has occurred. Laterals may be made by either sex to either
sex once beyond the line of scrimmage.
ii. Open/closed plays: During the offensive team’s possession there may not be two (2) consecutive legal
forward pass completions from a male passer to a male receiver. If a male passer completed a legal forward
pass to a male receiver, the next play is “closed,” meaning the next legal forward gain must involve a female
passer or a female receiver and result in positive yards. Plays remain closed until this occurs. Once positive
yards are gained with a female passer or receiver, the following play is then “open,” meaning a male-tomale completion is allowed. This rule applies to an entire drive, including the try for extra point(s) after a
touchdown. *Note: A female runner who crosses the line of scrimmage DOES NOT open the play
(must have a legal forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage). If two (2) consecutive positive
yard plays involve only males, an Illegal Forward Pass or an Illegal Advancement penalty will be assessed.
However, penalties, whether accepted or declined, have no effect on open/closed play status. Exception: A
defensively tapped ball can be caught and advanced by anyone at any time.
iii. Offense: Teams must have at least five (5) players on the line of scrimmage at the snap.
Five (5) Yard Penalties
Ten (10) Yard Penalties
Fifteen (15) Yard Penalties
Illegal Procedure
Encroachment
Illegal Snap
Less than four (4) people on line
Delay of game
Less
five (5)
on line (Co-Rec)
Illegalthan
motion
or shift
False start
Delaying start of either half
Offensive pass interference*
Defensive pass interference^
Blocking (using hands, arms, etc.)
Striking, kicking, kneeing
Tripping or striking head or neck
Illegal participation
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Unduly rough or flagrant conduct
Note: * indicates loss of down
^ indicates automatic first down
Clothing covering flag/Illegal shorts
Intentional grounding*
Illegal forward pass*
Roughing the passer^
Quick kick
Illegal hurdling or diving
Stiff arming
Guarding the flag
Knotting, wrapping, or tying flag illegally
g. General Penalties (For a more detailed list of penalties and enforcements pleas see the NIRSA Rulebook)
X.
Protests
a. Protests based on the judgment calls of officials will not be accepted.
b. The officials and supervisors assigned to the game will make decisions regarding any rule interpretations not
covered in these rules or those outlined by the chosen governing body of rules.
c. Supervisors can be used for rule clarification only and cannot overturn judgment calls made by officials.
d. Rule interpretation protest: Team captains wishing to protest a rule interpretation must do so immediately. The
protesting captain must inform the official of the protest at the time of the disputed play. The official will explain the
ruling and interpretation. If the captain still wishes to protest, the supervisor will be notified. If the rule interpretation
can be resolved immediately then the supervisor will do so on the spot. If not, the supervisor will file the protest and
play will resume. Once play is resumed the rule in question is no longer able to be protested.
e. Eligibility protest: team captains wishing to protest the eligibility of an opponent must file a written Protest Form