National Intramural - Recreational
Sports Association
Flag Football
Overview
2014
Uniform
- Black hat with white piping
- Striped Shirt (with and without FHSAA patch)
- American flag with white border
- Black shorts with belt loops
(Long black pants if cold – crew)
- Belt
- Black shoes
- Black “footy” socks
- Whistle
- Yellow penalty flag
- Blue bean bag
- Game card
- Pen or Pencil
- Down indicator
- Watch with a stopwatch on it
NIRSA 2014 Rules Changes
There were further rules changes in 2013 - 14 which continue to
bring the NIRSA rules closer to the NFHS rules in the areas of:
2-3-1 Catch Definition
• There is no longer a “force out” rule. A catch is the act of
establishing player possession of a live ball in flight and
first contacting the ground inbounds while maintaining
possession of the ball
6-2-1 Kick Catch Interference
• 10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul and a first down
7-10-2 and 3 Pass Interference
• Defensive pass interference is merely a 10 yard penalty,
there is no longer an automatic first down
• Offensive pass interference is merely a 10 yard penalty,
there is no longer a loss of down
NIRSA 2014 Rules Changes
1-2-9
Hash marks shall be 6’ long and 4” wide and intersect
the 20 and 40 yard lines. Hash marks 3’ long and 4’ wide
shall touch the goal line and extend into the playing field.
1-2-11
The field shall follow the NFHS field slope.
1-4-4
Rubber cleats with a tipped metal material are legal.
1-5-3C Players may wear a soft rubber hat.
1-6-1D Shoes with projecting metal are illegal.
2-3-3
A recovery is gaining possession of a live ball after it strikes
the ground (for punts).
7-3-1
If a B player covers an A player positioned within 5 yards
of the sideline, it is not a foul.
NIRSA 2014 Rules Changes
8-4-1
It is the player who scores responsibility to raise their arms
and allow the nearest official to deflag them. The rule now
also applies to players scoring on a try as well.
9-2-2
No player or nonplayer shall use verbiage not in accordance
with the spirit of the game for the purpose of trying to confuse
an opponent. Voice inflection by the QB is legal.
10-3-5 The enforcement spot for a foul during a touchdown scoring
B, C, D play is either the try or succeeding spot.
10-3-6 Fouls after the ready for play and prior to the try are enforced
on the try. If there is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on A,
the B captain will be asked whether the foul will be enforced on
the try or succeeding spot first. Then team A will be asked
whether they are going for 1, 2 or 3 points on the try.
NIRSA 2014 Rules Changes
10-3-13 If the same number of dead ball fouls are committed
by each team, and the order of their occurrence cannot
be determined, the fouls will offset
10-3-13 Succeeding spot fouls that occur: (A) during the last play of the
game, (B) during the last play of an overtime period or
(C) dead ball fouls that occur after the last play of the game
or overtime period – these can be carried over into overtime
unless a touchdown was scored on that play, for in that case
the penalty can only be enforced on the try.
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
1) Coin Toss
• Visiting team captain calls the game’s starting coin toss
• Visiting team captain calls the initial overtime coin toss
• Get the “heads” or “tails” call prior to tossing the coin
• Catch the coin in the air
2) Punts
• Kicks that break the plane of the goal line are immediately
dead and a touchback (to the 14 yard line)
3) Tries
• When the defense gains possession of the ball during
a try, the ball is immediately dead
4) Overtime
• When the defense gains possession of the ball during
overtime, the ball is immediately dead and the series
ends for the offense
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
1-3-3 For a try, the down box will be placed at the goal line and
will display the point value for the try (i.e. 1, 2 or 3)
40
20
G
<
X
20
40
20
20
40
20
<
X
TAMPA BAY
2
3
1
TAMPA BAY
20
G
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
1-5-4
Soft and yielding padded shirts and
compression shorts are legal.
1-5-8
Face shields that are molded to the face with
no protrusions to protect against a facial injury
are legal
3-1-1
The referee will instruct the visiting captain to choose
“head” or “tails” before the coin in tossed. The coin will be
tossed and caught in the air.
3-3-2
The visiting team will now call the initial coin toss
in overtime
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
3-3-3 When team B secures possession of the ball during
overtime the play immediately becomes dead and the
series ends for team A
3-4-9 The concussion guidelines have been added, if a player
is suspected of a concussion, a qualified medical professional
must approve the player’s return
4-1-2 When a punt breaks the plane of R’s goal line, it is dead
and a touchback - the ball will be put into play at the
14 yard line
7-3-1 Anytime during or after the ball is marked ready for play,
each team A player must momentarily be at least 5 yards
inbounds before the snap – per the 2014 rules change if a
player fails to do this but is picked up and covered by the
defense it will not be a foul
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
8-5-3 The try will immediately end when team B gains possession
of the ball
9-4-1F If a nonplayer interferes with or deflags a runner, the
penalty is a 10 yard unsportsmanlike conduct foul,
disqualification of the nonplayer and an awarded
touchdown for the offended team
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
9-1-1F Being outside of the team box, but not on the field now
carries the following:
1st Offense – Warning
2nd Offense – 5 yard penalty
3rd and Subsequent Offenses – 10 yard penalty
Team Box
20
G
<2
X
0
40
20
<
X
TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY
20
G
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
10-3-6 & 7 If there is a foul by the defense (other than an
unsportsmanlike conduct or nonplayer foul) during
a down which results in a touchdown, the scoring team
may accept the result of the play and then choose to
either have the foul enforced at the succeeding spot (try)
or at the start of the next series (14 yard line).
If either team commits an unsportsmanlike or nonplayer
foul during the down of a touchdown scoring play, the
opponent may accept the result of the play and have
the foul penalized on either the try or the start of the
next series.
If after a touchdown and prior to the ready for play
for the try, either team commits a foul for which the
basic spot of enforcement is the succeeding spot,
the offended team may either choose to have the penalty
enforced from the try or the next series (14 yard line).
Past NIRSA 2012 Rules Changes
10-3-6 & 7 If there was a change of possession during a touchdown
scoring play and there is a foul by the opponent after
the change of possession, the score counts and the
fouls can be assessed either on the try or the next
series (14 yard line).
Past NIRSA 2012 Changes For Officials
Officials Uniform / Mechanics (Major Changes)
I-19
A blue bean bag only will be used
I-19
If long black pants are used they should be solid black,
however, if all crew members have the NFHS uniform
it can be used (black pants with the white stripe)
I-22
The “catch” signal should be used on receptions close
to the sideline that are caught in the field of play.
The “bobble and out of bounds” signal should be used
for unsuccessful catches where possession is not gained
inbounds but rather after the player goes out of bounds
II-1-3L Throw your hat when an offensive player other than
the runner steps out of bounds
There are several other minor changes we will cover at
another meeting when we address mechanics in depth
Field Markings
Press Box
20
Team 40 Box
20
BJ KICK OFFS !!!
NO
10 Yards
X
X
Dead Ball
G
Try<Intercepted
20
Is DEAD
20
40
LJ
40
20
20
<
1
1
2
3
TAMPA BAY
14
R Yard Line
15 Yards
G
TAMPA BAY
20
10
3
1 Points
2
Point
Yard Line = 3
Basics Of The Game
Teams
• 7 Players (5 minimum needed to start the game)
• Should be wearing contrasting colors (up to the visiting team)
Uniform
• Jerseys should either 1) be long enough to be tucked in OR 2) be short
enough to end 4 inches above the waist line (a closed fist in distance)
• Shorts must have NO pockets, belt loops or exposed draw strings
• NO billed caps (stocking caps are permitted though)
• NO pads above the waist (exception is a soft forearm band with plays)
• Any playbook must be tucked out of sight (can not throw it on the ground)
• NO towels are to be worn by players (towel on the ground for the ball OK)
• NO knots tied in the jerseys
• NO jewelry
• NO casts (doctor’s note is irrelevant, still illegal)
Basics Of The Game
FHSAA Modifications To The Uniform
• NO sunglasses
• Mouth pieces are MADATORY
• Players must wear solid colored jerseys with numbers on the front and
back. The number on the front much be at least 6 inches high and
centered. The number on the back must be at least 8 inches high and
centered.
Basics Of The Game
Flag Belts
• Spring clip only – NO metal rings or buckles
• NO knots tied in them
• Must be a contrasting color to the shorts being worn
• Failure to have a flag belt on at the snap (5 yard penalty)
• Refusing to correct not wearing a flag belt when warned (10 yard penalty)
Basics Of The Game
Flag Belts
• If a player in possession of the ball has their flag belt removed, they are
down at that spot (spot the clip on the belt is detached not where the belt
falls to the ground or is thrown to)
• In removing a flag, an opponent may make minor contact with a player
from the shoulders down
 can NOT contact the face, head or neck
 can NOT hold, push or knock down the runner in an attempt to
remove the flag
• If the flag belt falls off during play and before the player gains possession
OR the belt falls off and CLEARLY no one has caused it to come off,
then the player is downed by 1 hand tag between the shoulders and knees
 If a player in possession of the ball has their flag come off err on the
side that someone was responsible for causing it to come off (if in
doubt the runner is down)
Basics Of The Game
Defensive Holding
• An opponent shall not hold, grasp or obstruct the forward progress
of a runner when attempting to remove a flag belt or make a legal tag
 10 yard penalty
Aspects Of Timing
Game Clock
• Kept by the Back Judge
• 48 Minute game divided into 4 quarters of 12 minutes
 1st 22 minutes of each half is a continuous clock
Stops only for: 1) Team time outs
2) Official time outs
3) End of the quarter
 Last 2 minutes of each half is run using normal timing rules
• There is a 2 minute warning at the end of each half (this is NOT a formal
1 minute time out, just an announcement to each team of 2 minutes left).
After the 2 minute warning is given, the clock starts on the snap and the
Back Judge announces the time remaining after EVERY play and time out.
• Each team has 3 time outs per half, conferences permitted during these
time outs are the same as in NFHS tackle football
Play Clock
• 25 seconds – kept by the Referee
Aspects Of Timing
Half Time
• 5 Minutes
Mercy Rule (19 Points)
• At the 2 minute warning of the final period, if the margin of the score is
19 points or more and the prior play had no accepted live ball fouls,
then the game is over
• If after the 2 minute warning of the final period, the margin of the score
becomes 19 points or more and the prior play had no accepted live ball
fouls, then the game is over
Pray for mercy!
Scoring
Touchdown
• 6 points
• The player scoring the touchdown should have their flag belt removed by
the closest official to assure they have not tampered with the belt
 10 yard penalty from the previous spot, ejection of the player,
loss of down (if offense guilty) or automatic 1st down (if defense guilty)
Try
• Variable value based on where attempted from:
 3 Yard Line = 1 Point
 10 Yard Line = 2 Points
 20 Yard Line = 3 Points
• Once a team decides on a try, they can only change it if either team A or
team B calls a timeout.
• Penalties do NOT allow a change in try or alter the points awarded
• If the defense gains possession during a try, the ball is DEAD immediately
Scoring
Safety
• 2 Points
• The team scoring the safety gets the ball at their own 14 yard line, there
is NO free kick
Field Goals
• There are NO field goals or kicks designed to score points
Coin Toss
Coin Toss
• Conducted 3 minutes prior to game time
• The visiting team calls the coin toss
• Referee will ask the visiting captain to call “heads” or “tails” prior to
tossing the coin. Once the coin is tossed, it will be caught in the air.
• All officials are present for the toss on the field
• 3 Choices are possible:
 Offense or Defense
 Goal to Defend
 Defer to the Second Half
Basics of Play
Press Box
20
14
Yard Line
Always
1 Yard
Apart
X
X
Defensive
Line Of
Scrimmage
<
20
40
20
20
40
20
1
G
Offensive
Line Of
Scrimmage
G
Down Box
Always On The
Line To Gain
TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY
Team 40 Box
<
20
Basics of Play – 7 Players
Press Box
Team 40 Box
20
4
Players Minimum
X
On The Line Of Scrimmage
(In Motion Does NOT Count)
20
40
2 Yards
<
2
0 Distance
G
Minimum
(NO Hand-Hand Snaps)
20
40
20
1
G
<
X
TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY
20
Basics of Play – Series And Spots
Press Box
Team 40 Box
20
<
20
40
20
20
40
20
12
G
X
<
X
TAMPA BAY
TAMPA BAY
20
G
Basics of Play – Line To Gain
Press Box
20
Team 40 Box
20
X
Unsportsmanlike
Conduct Hey Ref,
10 Yard Penalty
You Suck!
20
40
20
20
40
20
1
<
2
G
<
TAMPA BAY
X
TAMPA BAY
“Double Stakes”
Two Lines To Go
For A 1st Down
G
Screen Blocking
Past Source Of Inconsistency
• Moving screen blocking is completely legal
• If contact is made that creates an advantage, then that is
when the screen block becomes illegal
• The philosophy that is used is borrowed from basketball rules
Screen Blocking
Key Points
• Under NO circumstance can you use your hands, elbows, arms or shoulders.
A player’s arms MUST be either 1) at their side or 2) behind their back.
• Blocks become ILLEGAL when contact is made and an advantage gained:
 Using your hands or arms to push, hold or hit someone
 Swinging arms and “whirly bird” motions that make contact or impede
a rusher
 Using your body to lean into a player and push them out of the way
 Bulldozing a player in a legal position
 Tripping and leg whips
 Taking a position so close to a moving opponent that they can not
avoid contact by stopping or changing direction
 Interlocked blocking
 Leaving one’s feet to initiate a block
Passing
General
• ALL players are eligible receivers
• Only 1 forward pass per down from BEHIND the line of scrimmage
Offensive Pass Interference
• Only occurs beyond the line of scrimmage
• From the time of the snap until the ball is touched
by any offensive player
 10 yard penalty only
Defensive Pass Interference
• Only occurs beyond the line of scrimmage
• From the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched by either team
• Hindering an opponents vision without attempting to make a play on the ball
(no contact is required for face guarding)
• Deflagging a receiver before the pass arrives beyond the line of scrimmage
 10 yard penalty only
Passing
Downing The Passer
• If the ball is clearly in the quarterback’s hand when
the flag belt is pulled, the quarterback is sacked.
This is true even if the arm is going forward.
 If in doubt, the pass is away
Roughing The Passer
• No defensive player shall contact a passer who is standing still or fading back
after the ball is thrown
 Charging into the passer
 Slapping or chopping the passer’s hand or arm
• Roughing the passer does NOT apply to:
 An illegal forward pass
Kicking
Punts
•
Prior to the ready-for-play on 4th down, the referee asks the offensive
captain whether they are going to punt or go for it. The decision is
announced to both teams
•
Once a team decides to punt or go for it they can NOT change their mind
unless:
1) There is a time out called by A or B
2) The period ends
3) A foul occurs prior to or during the down that results in the offense
getting to replay 4th down
•
Neither team can advance past their scrimmage line until the ball is kicked
•
Must kick the ball immediately once the kicker receives the snap
 In the final 2 minutes of each half, if this occurs it is a 5 yard penalty and
the game clock is reset to what it was reading at the snap. After the
penalty enforcement, the clock will restart on the snap.
•
NO quick kicks, though a team can punt on ANY down IF they announce it
 10 yard penalty
Kicking
Punts
•
After the kick, the punt is a LIVE BALL WHEN IT HITS THE GROUND
UNTOUCHED (ONLY time in the game the ball can hit the ground
and it is NOT ruled dead)
•
If first touching occurs by K, the ball is live while in the air but dead once it
hits the ground
 Bean bag the spot
•
Once the ball touches R and hits the ground it is dead:
 Muff
 Fumble
 Blocked Kick
•
If R blocks the kick at the line, and K recovers BEFORE the ball hits the
ground BEHIND the line of scrimmage – they CAN advance the ball
•
If K recovers a muff by R BEFORE the ball hits the ground, it is K’s ball
at that spot but they can NOT advance the ball
•
Once the kick breaks the plane of R’s goal line, the ball is DEAD and it’s
a touchback (2012 rule change)
Kicking
Punts – Major Differences From Tackle Football
•
NO fair catches
 Any signals given by the receiving team during the punt
are considered an unfair act penalized by the all-but-one
principle
 The ball remains live and the play is allowed to continue
•
A touchback results in the ball being placed on the 14 yard line
Football Moves
Spinning
• Completely LEGAL
Diving
• LEGAL
 so long as NO contact is made
• ILLEGAL
 if the defender trips or tackles the runner
in the attempt to dive for the flag
 if the runner dives into a defender to gain additional yardage
 if a blocker dives into a defender to throw a block
Stripping The Ball Or Attempting To Strip The Ball
• ALWAYS ILLEGAL, defenders must go for the flag belt only once a player
has possession of the ball
Stiff Arm
• ALWAYS ILLEGAL
Football Moves
Flag Guarding
• Placing or swinging the hands or arms over the flag belt
• Slapping a defender’s hand away from the flag belt
• Placing the ball over the flag belt
 If the ball is knocked out of the runner’s hand when the ball is being used
for flag guarding it is not a foul on the defense necessarily
• Lowering the shoulder and arm to take away a defender’s angle on the flag
Special Enforcements
Unusual Aspects To Penalties
•
A live ball foul by the defense during a play that results in a touchdown for
the offense can either be enforced:
1) on the Try
2) from the 14 yard line at the start of the succeeding drive
•
Two or more encroachment penalties by the defense during the same dead
ball interval results in the second and all future encroachments in that dead
ball period changing from a 5 yard penalty to a 10 yard penalty
 Doesn’t have to be consecutive, just the same dead ball period
•
Ejected players may remain on the bench, but if they are a continued
source of disruption then they are to leave the field (out of sight and sound)
•
4 Unsportsmanlike penalties total by any team during the game results in
an automatic forfeiture of the game
 Be sure you know the difference between personal fouls and
unsportsmanlike fouls
•
There are NO 15 yard penalties
Overtime
Overtime
• 3 Minute intermission
• Referee brings the players, coaches and other officials to center field and
explains the overtime procedure. Questions are answered prior to the
coin toss. All but the captains then return to the sideline.
• Visiting team calls the initial coin toss (there is only ONE coin toss the option
alternatives back and forth for multiple overtime periods thereafter)
• At the coin toss and subsequent overtime periods the captains have 2 options:
• Offense or Defense
• End of the field to use (choose wisely – that end is used for ALL overtimes)
• A series begins 1st and Goal from the 10 yard line unless moved by penalty
• Each team is given 1 time out for the ENTIRE overtime period
• If the defense intercepts the ball or recovers a fumble in air, it’s a DEAD ball
immediately and the series ends for team A (2012 rule change)
If In Doubts
• If in doubt, continue the game
• If in doubt, consider the safety of all paramount to the game
• If in doubt, it is a catch
• If in doubt, it is not a foul
• If in doubt, a snap close to the ground remains live
• If in doubt, a flag belt that comes off was removed by a player
• If in doubt, the quarterback released the ball prior to the flag belt being removed
• If in doubt, an out-of-bounds punt is short of the zone line-to-gain
• If in doubt, a team A player is on the line of scrimmage
• If in doubt, the quarterback is receiving the snap at least 2 yards back
• If in doubt, the pass is backwards
• If in doubt, a passer is behind the line of scrimmage throwing a forward pass
• If in doubt, the pass is legal
• If in doubt, it is a touchback
• If in doubt, an out-of-bounds punt near the goal line is a touchback
MANDATORY FHSAA Requirements
REGISTER WITH THE FHSAA
Deadline January 3
RULES VIDEO ONLINE
None
TEST
February 4 - 13
Online Exam