the canadian rule book for flag football

The Canadian Rule Book for Flag Football

Flag Football Rule Book �

Football Canada — Flag Football Rules CommitteeMembers

MarkMacDougall,FootballPEI

MikeFitzsimmons,FootballAlberta

SteveCrane,FootballNovaScotia

AndreDion,Flagbec

BillMurphy,FootballNewBrunswick

FrankTilban,OntarioFootballAlliance

KevinSweryd,FootballManitoba

GenaCook,FootballManitoba

Editor and Rules’ Interpreter

MikeThomas

Football Canada Consultant

CaraLynch Non-ContactProgramCoordinator

MeaghanDavis MarketingCoordinator

All Rights Reserved. Canadian Amateur Football Association e 2009

EgalementdisponibleenFrancaissousIetitre—ManueldesreglementscanadiensdeFlagFootball.

Flag Football Rule Book��

FootballBritishColumbia10605135StreetSurrey.B.C.V3T4C8Tel:604-583-9363Fax:604-583-9939www.playfootball.bc.ca

FootballAlberta11759GroatRoadEdmonton,AlbertaT5M3K6Tel:780-427-8108Fax:780-427-0524www.footballalberta.ab.ca

FootballSaskatchewan2205VictoriaAvenueRegina,SaskatchewanS4POS4Tel:306-780-9239Fax:306-525.4009www.footballsaskatchewan.ca

FootballManitoba221-200MainStreetWinnipeg,ManitobaR3C4M2Tel:204-925-5769Fax:204-925-5772www.footballmanitoba.com

FootballQuebec4545Ave.PierredeCoubertinCP1000,StationMMontreal,QCH1V3R2Tel:514-252-3059Fax:514-252-5216www.footballquebec.com

Provincial Associations

FootballNewBrunswick30ParkwoodAvenueSaint-John,NBE2K5LBTel:506-634-3376www.gridironnewbrunswick.org

FootballNovaScotia5516SpringGardenRoad,4thFloorHalifax,NSB3J1G6Tel:(902)425-5450extension371Fax:(902)477-3535www.footballnovascotia.ca

FootballP.E.I.P.O.Box302Charlottetown,PEC1A7K7Tel:902-368-4262Fax:902-368-4548www.footballpei.com

OntarioFootballAlliance100CrimeaStreet,UnitB11Guelph,OntarioN1G2Y6Tel:519-780-0200Fax:519-780-0705www.ontariofootballalliance.ca

For additional copies of this book, please contact your Provincial Association.

FootballCanada100-2255St.LaurentBlvd.Ottawa,OntarioK1G4K3Tel:613-564-0003Fax:613-564-6309www.footballcanada.com

Flag Football Rule Book ��

Table of ContentsTouchFootballRulesCommitteeMembers.............................................................................................................i

ListofProvincialAssociations................................................................................................................................ii

Introduction...........................................................................................................................................................v

Resources..............................................................................................................................................................v

GeneralRules........................................................................................................................................................vi

Definitions.............................................................................................................................................................1

TheCanadianRuleBookforFlagFootball.............................................................................................................13

Rule1–General........................................................................................................................................13

Rule2–FieldandEquipment....................................................................................................................14

Rule3–TeamMembers............................................................................................................................16

Rule4–Timing/Overtime/TimeOuts....................................................................................................18

Rule5–GameProcedures.........................................................................................................................20

Rule6–LiveBall÷DeadBalls.................................................................................................................22

Rule7–InandOutofBounds...................................................................................................................23

Rule8–ControlandPossessionoftheBall...............................................................................................24

Rule9–TheHuddle..................................................................................................................................25

Rule10–TheRunningGame.....................................................................................................................26

Rule11–Receiving....................................................................................................................................27

Rule12–RushingtheQuarterback............................................................................................................28

Rule13–Flagging.....................................................................................................................................29

Rule14–Passing......................................................................................................................................30

Rule15–ThePassingGame......................................................................................................................31

Rule16–Complete/IncompletePasses....................................................................................................32

Rule17–PassInterference........................................................................................................................34

Rule18–Sportsmanship/Roughing.........................................................................................................36

Rule19–IllegalActs.................................................................................................................................37

Rule20–PlayerConduct...........................................................................................................................38

Rule21–Penalties.....................................................................................................................................39

Rule22–TournamentTieBreakerSystem.................................................................................................40

Rule23–NoRunZone..............................................................................................................................41

TheCanadianRuleBookfor5v5FlagFootball.......................................................................................................42

5v5Rule1–Field......................................................................................................................................42

5v5Rule2–TeamMembers......................................................................................................................43

5v5Rule3–GameProcedure....................................................................................................................44

5v5Rule4–Scoring..................................................................................................................................45

5v5Rule5–Timing/OverTime...............................................................................................................46

Flag Football Rule Book�v

TheCanadianRuleBookfor7v7FlagFootball.......................................................................................................47

7v7Rule1–Field......................................................................................................................................47

7v7Rule2–TeamMembers......................................................................................................................49

7v7Rule3–GameProcedure....................................................................................................................50

7v7Rule4–Timing/Overtime.................................................................................................................52

7v7Rule5–Scoring..................................................................................................................................53

7v7Rule6–KickingGame(U17+up).....................................................................................................54

AdaptedRules........................................................................................................................................................58

Appendix1:SkillsBuilding....................................................................................................................................62

Appendix2:OfficialsHandSignals........................................................................................................................64

Flag Football Rule Book v

IntroductionThisRuleBookconstitutesthemajortextrequiredtounderstandandadministerthecompletesetofrulesgoverningthegameofflagfootballinCanada.

Thecontentofthisbookincludessportrelateddefinitions,generalrulesandspecificrulesforplaying5v5and7v7aswellasadaptedrulesforpeoplewithdisabilities.

Thereareseveraladditionalresourcesavailableforplayers,coachesandofficialsinvolvedwithflagfootball.Thefollowingmaterialsmaybeobtainedthroughyourprovincialamateurfootballassociationlistedinthefrontofthisbook.

FlagFootballresourcesarecontinuallyupdated.Themostrecentlistofresourcescanbefoundatwww.footballcanada.comandincludesthefollowing:

Awareness Clinic: An Introduction to Flag Football

Includes:

• BasicRulesofGame

• PositionDescriptions

• Sample3-hourClinic

• SkillDevelopmentActivities

League Convenors Guide

Includes:

• “HowTo”InformationforSettingupaNewLeague

• BudgetPreparation

• DelegatingTasks

• VolunteerRecruitmentandRetention

• SampleRegistrationForms

NCCP Community Sport Initiation

Availablethroughcoachcertificationclinicsfornovicecoachesandincludes:

• SafetyandEmergencyGuidelines

• RulesandflowofGame

• PracticePreparation

• EthicalDecisionMaking

• EffectiveCommunication

• DrillsandSkills

Flag Football Rule Bookv�

General Rules

Equipment

Thedimensionsandtypeoffootballtobeusedamongthedifferentagegroupsandlevelsofplaymayvary.

CleatspecificationsareliberalbutsharpedgesonanypartofthefootwearwillcauseejectionofthefootwearatthediscretionoftheReferee.

Safety

TheFlagRulesCommitteeconsidersallplayerstoberesponsibleforthesafetyoftheiropponentsaswellastheirteammates.Itisimperativethateachplayerexercisecontroltoavoidbodilycontactorminimizeinevitablecontact.

Measurements

Allmeasurementsinthisrulebookaredescribedintheimperialscale.

Whenfieldmarkingsdictatetheuseofmetricmeasurements,alldesignateddistancescontainedherein,withtheexceptionofthosenotedbelow,andmaybeconvertedatparfromyardstometers.Thus,afifteenyardpenaltywillbecomeafifteenmeterpenalty,andtheoffensiveteammustgaintenmeters,ascomparedtotenyards,forafirstdown.Inbothimperialandmetricmeasure,onlythreedownsareallowedtogaintherequireddistanceforafirstdown.

Ethical Play

Itiscustomaryinflagfootballwhenaplayerremovesanopponent’sflagtoendaplay,theplayermustfirstholduptheflagtoshowtherefereeandhandtheflagbacktotherespectiveopponent.Totossaflagasideortothegroundfortheopponenttopickupisconsideredunsportsmanlikeconduct.

Thefootballplayerwhointentionallyviolatesaruleisguiltyofunfairplayandunsportsmanlikeconduct;andwhethertheyescapebeingpenalized;theybringdiscredittothegoodnameofthegame,whichistheirdutyasaplayertouphold.

Rulesalonecannotaccomplishfairplay.Onlythecontinuedbesteffortsbycoaches,players,officialsandallfriendsofthegamecanpreservethehighethicalstandardssetbythegameoffootball.

Allplayersareresponsibleforthesafetyoftheiropponentsaswellastheirteammates;therefore,theymustbalancetheiraggressivenesswithameasureofcontroltoavoidbodilycontactoratleastminimizeanycontactthatdoesoccur.Coacheswillemphasizesafetyandfairplayatalltimes.Officialsaretoexercisenoleniencyinpenalizingtheinfractionsdescribedintherulesandregulations,fortorefrainfromdoingsowouldservetocondonedangerousplay.

FootballCanadaisdesignatedasaTrueSportandwiththatadoptfourcorevalues:fairness,excellence,inclusionandfun.


Definitions

Adjusted Penalties

Whenthenormaldistanceforpenaltiesisappliedresultinginanetgainfortheteamwhichincurredthelessseverepenalty.

Attendant

Anypersonwhoseroleistohelpaninjuredplayeroffthefield.

Bad Snap

Whenthesnappedballdoesnottravel5yardsbeforeithitsthegroundorisnottouchedbythequarterback.

Ball Put into Play

Theinstanttheballissnappedonascrimmageplayoraconvertattempt.

Blocking

Whenaplayerdeliberatelyimpedesanopponent’sapproachtotheball,ballcarrier,orpotentialballcarrierbymakingbodilycontactwiththeopponent.

Bobbled Ball

Whenaplayerattemptingtocompleteapasstouchestheball,losescontactwiththeball,thencatchestheballwithouttheballtouchinganotherplayer.

Bodily Contact

Whenaplayercontactsanopponentinsuchamannerastostoptheopponent’sforwardmotion,topushtheopponentbackwards,toknocktheopponentdownortomovetheopponentoffstrideorawayfromtheopponent’sintendeddirectionorposition.

Boundary Lines

Allthesidelines,endzonesidelines,anddeadlines.

Captain

Anymemberofateamidentifiedtotheofficialsbeforethegameasaspokespersonforoffensiveordefensiveunitsofateam.

Caught

SeeControl

Coach

Ateammemberwhoseprimaryresponsibilityisteamstrategy.

Completed Pass

Anypasswhichislegallycaughtinboundspriortotheballbecomingdead.

Contact

Whenaplayertouchesanypartofanopponent’sbodyorequipmentinanymanner.

Control

Whenaplayerhastheballfirmlyheldin1orbothhands,arms,orlegsorholdstheballfirmlyunderthebodywithouthavingtheballtouchtheground.Thegripontheballmustbefirmenoughtoenabletheplayertostoptherotationoftheballandtoexhibitinfluenceoveritsdirection.Theplayermustalsoexhibita‘footballmove’aftergrippingtheball.

Flag Football Rule Book�

Convert

Ascoreof1or2pointsfortheteamwhich,duringitsconvertattempt,legallyadvancestheballintotheopponent’sendzone.

Convert Attempt

Ascrimmageplaywhichateamisentitledtouseforthepurposeofscoringbonuspointsimmediatelyafterhavingscoredatouchdown.

Dead Ball

Whentheballisnotplayablebyeitherteam.

Dead Line

Thelinemarkingtheendoftheendzone;itisnotintheendzoneitself.Forthepurposesofcertainrules,whenthislineisnotentirelyparalleltothegoalline,thefurthestpointawayfromthegoallinewillbeconsideredthedeadline.

Defense

Theteamthatdoesnothavepossessionoftheball.

Deflected Punt

Apuntedballwhich,immediatelyafterbeingpuntedtouchesanyplayerandcontinuestotravelinadirectionawayfromthepunter’sdeadline.

Deliberate Grounding

Whenthepasserdeliberatelythrowstheballoutofboundsortoanareawherethereisnoreceiverinanapparentattempttoavoidalossofground.

Direct Path

Astraightlinebetweenadefensiveandoffensiveplayeratanygiveninstant.

Diving

Whentheballcarrierdeliberatelylungesforwardtogainextrayardsortoavoidbeingflagged.

Double Fouls

When1teamcommits2ormoreinfractionsonthesameplay.

Down

1of3consecutiveattemptstheoffensemayusetoadvancetheballtowardsthedefense’sgoalline.

Down the Ball

Whenthedefensecatchesalooseballorknocksalooseorfreeballtotheground.

Dribbled Ball

Whenaplayerdeliberatelyoraccidentallykickstheballwithhis/herfootorlegbelowtheknee,withouthavinghadcontroloftheballinthehand.

Dual Foul

Whenaninfractioniscommittedbybothteamsonthesameplay.


End Zone

Theareaboundedbythegoalline,endzonesidelinesanddeadline.Thegoallineispartoftheendzone.Goalposts,andanyattachedmaterialsuchaspads,areconsideredtobeintheendzone.Endzonesidelinesandthedeadlinearenotpartoftheendzone.

End Zone Sideline

Thesidelineextendedfromthegoallinetothedeadline.Itisnotintheendzone.

Extension

Whentheballcarrierextendsthearm(s)inanobviousattempttogainextradistancebymovingthefurthestadvanceoftheballforward.

Field

Theareainsidetheboundarylines.Theboundarylinesthemselvesareoutofboundsandarenotconsideredtobeinthefield.

Field of Play

Theareaboundedbythegoallinesandthesidelines.Theselinesarenotconsideredtobeinthefieldofplay.

First Down

Thefirstof3consecutivechances(“downs”)awardedtoateamtoadvancetheballtowardstheopponent’sgoalline.

Flagging

Whenanopponentremovesaplayer’sflagtostopaplay.

Forward Pass

Whentheballisdeliberatelythrownbyanyoffensiveplayerfrombehindthelineofscrimmagetowardtheopponent’sdeadline.

Foul

Aviolationoftheruleswhichallowsalearntotakeunfairadvantageoftheopponent.

Free Ball

Aliveballthatisnotinaplayer’scontrolandcanbelegallyrecoveredandadvancedbyeitherteam.Theballisconsideredtobefreefromthetimeitleavesaplayer’sbodyuntiltheinstantittouchestheground.

Free Punt

Apuntmadebyaplayeraftercrossingthelineofscrimmageorafterreceivingakickofforinterceptingapass.

Furthest Advance (of the Ball)

Thepartofthethatwasclosesttotheopponent’sdeadlineattheinstanttheballwasconsideredtobedead.

Goal Line

Thelinemarkingtheendofthefieldofplay.Thegoallineisintheendzone.

Goal Post

Thestructureintendedforscoringfieldgoalsandconvertsintacklefootball.Goalpostsarenotnecessaryinflagfootball.


Half

1or2periodsofplayingtimeinaregulargameorovertimedividedbyaperiodofrest.

Half Time

Therestperiodbetweenthe2halvesofagame.

Hand-off Pass

Whentheballishandedinanydirection,notthrown,from1playertoanother;bothplayersmustbetouchingtheballsimultaneously.

Hash Mark

Alineorspotatthe12yardlinesin5vs.5and24yardlinesin7vs.7.

Home Team

Theteamthathasfirstchoicetoreceive,kickoff,orchooseanendtobeginthesecondhalfofaregulargameoranovertimegame.

Huddle

Whenateamassemblesonthefieldtodecideoffensiveordefensivestrategyforthenextplay.

Illegal Participation

Whenafanorteammemberentersthefieldlongafteraplayhasbegunandinterfereswithaplayerwhoislegallyonthefield.

Illegal Procedure

Whenaplayerviolatesaprocedureruleatthebeginningofakickoff,convertattempt,orscrimmageplay.

Illegal Re-entry

Whenaplayerunintentionallyleavesthefieldwhileaplayisinprogress,thenreturnsandinterfereswiththeplay.

Illegal Substitution

Whenaplayerentersorleavesthefieldinanillegalmanner.

Illegal Use of Hands

Anycontactwiththehandsthatismadebyaplayeronanopposingplayerwhichclearlydetainsthelatterfromplayingthepositiondesired,ortheuseofthegoalpoststochangeone’sdirection.

Impede

Toforceanopponenttochangedirectionortoslowdownwithorwithoutcontact.

In Bounds

Whentheballoraplayerhasnottouchedtheboundarylinesorapersonorobjectthatisoutofbounds.

In Flight

Withouthavingtouchedthegroundoranyobjectsincelastkicked,punted,ortouched.

Incidental Contact

Whenaplayermakescontactwithanopponentwithoutmovingtheopponentoffstrideorawayfromtheopponent’sintendeddirectionorposition.


Incomplete Pass

Apasswhichtouchestheground,official,orgoalpostassemblyorgoesoutofboundspriortobeingcaught.

Infraction

See“FOUL”

Intercepted Pass

Whenaplayer’spassiscaughtbyanopponent.

Interference

Anyobstruction,blocking,pushingoff,screening,orillegalcontactcommittedbyaplayerofeitherteamagainstanopponent.

Interference in the Remote Area

Interferencemadebyeitherteaminanarearemotefromthearrivalpointofanypass.

Interference in the Target Area

Interferencemadebyeitherteamintheareaclosetothearrivalpointtowhichthepassisthrown.

Interference with the Rusher

Whentheoffensedoesnotprovidetherusher(s)withdirectaccesstothequarterbackorpunter.

Jarred Ball

Whenaplayeraccidentallyordeliberatelyknockstheballloosefromthehand(s)oftheballcarrierwhohadgainedcontroloftheball.

Kick Off

Whenateamkickstheballtoitsopponentsbymeansofaplacekicktobeginagame,ahalf,orimmediatelyfollowingaconvertattemptorsafetytouch.

Kicking Tee

Asmalldevicetobeplacedonthegroundandusedtoholdtheballuprightforaplacekick.

Lateral Pass

See“OnsidePass”.

Line of Scrimmage

Animaginarylineextendingfromsidelinetosideline,paralleltothegoalline,thepositionofwhichisdeterminedbythepointoftheballclosesttothedefense’sgoalline.

Live Ball

Whentheballisconsideredtobeinplay.Thisbeginswhentheballissnappedorkickedoff,aftertherefereehasblownthewhistletoindicatethataplaymaybegin,andcontinuesuntiltheballisconsideredtobedead.

Loose Ball

Aliveballthatisnotinaplayer’scontrolandcanbelegallyrecoveredandadvancedonlybytheteamconsideredtobeinpossession.Theballisconsideredtobeloosefromthetimeitleavesthegrounduntilittouchesaplayer’sbody.

Major Foul

Anactwhichseverelythreatensaplayer’ssafetyorisintendedtoinjureanyparticipant.


Manager

Ateammemberwhoseprimaryresponsibilityisadministrationofteamlogistics.

Muffed

Anunsuccessfulattempttocatchalateral,kickoff,punt,orsnappedball,theballbeingtouchedintheprocess.

Muffed Snap

WhenthesnapismuffedbytheQuarterback.

Neutral Zone (Kick Off)

Theareaextendingfromsidelinetosidelinebetweenthelineofkickoffandtheline20yardsinadvanceofthelineofkickoff.

Neutral Zone (Scrimmage)

The1yardwideareaextendingfromsidelinetosidelineinfrontofthelineofscrimmage.

No Yards

Whenaplayerofthepuntingteamtouchesthepuntedballfirstoriswithintherestrainingzoneatthetimetheballistouchedbyanopponent.

Non-Punting Team

Theteamwhichdidnotpunttheballlast.

Objectionable Conduct

Theuseofintimidating,profane,obscene,insultinglanguageorgesturestoanopponent,official,orspectatorbyanyplayeroroccupantofateambench.Conductsuchasthrowingtheballatanopponent,officialoroccupantofateambenchorthethreateningorstrikingofanofficial,player,oroccupantofateambench.Prolongedargumentswiththeofficials.

Obstruction

Whenaplayerimpedesanopponent’sapproachtotheball,ballcarrierorintendedreceiverwithorwithoutcontactingtheopponent.

Offense

Theteamthathaspossessionoftheball.

Official

Anindividualonthefieldwhoisresponsiblefortheorderlyconductofthegameandtheenforcementoftherules.

Offset Penalties

Whenthenormaldistancefordualpenaltiesisnotappliedandbothpenaltiesareconsideredequalinvalue,resultinginnonetgainbyeitherteam.Thisusuallyresultsintheplaybeingwipedoutandrestartedatthepointoflastscrimmage.

Offside

Whenaplayerisinorbeyondtheneutralzonetheinstantthattheballissnappedorkickedoff;orwhenaplayerisclosertotheopponent’sdeadlinetheinstantthatateammatetouchestheball.

Offside Pass

Anypassthatgoesinthedirectionoftheopponent’sdeadline.


Onside

Whenaplayerisnotinorbeyondtheneutralzoneattheinstantthattheballissnappedorkickedoff.Whenaplayerisparallelto,orclosertotheirowndeadlinethanateammatewholasttouchedtheball,attheinstantoranytimeafterthatparticularteammatelasttouchedtheball.

Onside Pass

Whentheballisthrown,handed,dropped,knocked,batted,orpropelledinanymanner(includingbouncingoffthebody)byaplayerparallelto,orinthedirectionofthatplayer’sdeadline.

Opponent

Aplayerontheoppositeteam.

Option

Whenanon-offendingteamhasachoiceofapenaltyortolettheplaystand.Thisalsomayinvolveachoiceofapplicationofapenalty.

Out of Bounds

Whenaplayerortheballtouchestheboundarylines,orthegroundoranyobjectonorbeyondtheselines,includinganofficial,anyplayerorsubstitute.Aplayerwithpossessionoftheballtouchesanyboundaryline,thegroundoranyobjectbeyondtheselines,exceptafieldofficialoranotherplayerwhoisoutofboundswhiletheballcarrierisfullyinbounds.

Overtime

Aplayingtimeof20minutesduration,dividedinto2periodsof10minuteseach.

Pass

Aballthrown,handed,dropped,knocked,orbattedbyaplayerinanydirectionorthatbouncesoffaplayertoanydirection.

Pass Interference

Anyinterferencemadebyaplayeragainstaneligiblereceiverbeforeaneligiblereceiverhascaughtthepass.

Passer

Anyplayerwhoattemptstothrowapass.

Period

1of2portionsofspecifiedplayingtimeinahalforovertime.

Personal Foul

Anactwherebyaplayerdoesnotcontrolthebodymotionsandtherebythreatensthesafetyofothersbymakingaggressivebodilycontact.

Place Kick

Whentheballiskickedwhileitisrestingonakickingteeorisheldonthegroundbyaplayerofthesame-learnduringakickoff.

Plane of the Goal Line

Animaginarylineperpendiculartotheedgeofthegoallineclosesttothefieldofplayandextendingfromsidelinetosideline.


Play

Aperiodofactionthatbeginswhentheballissnappedorkickedoffandendswhentheballisconsideredtobedead.

Playing Time

Theperiodoftimeasindicatedbytherefereeduringwhichscrimmage,kickoffandconvertattemptsmaybeattempted.

Point of Scrimmage

Thespotinthefieldofplaywheretheballisplacedonthescrimmagelineforthenextscrimmageplay.

Possession

Whenaplayerhascontroloftheball(playerpossession)orwhenateamhastherighttoadvancetheball,beawardedafirstdownorcontinueitsdowns(teampossession).

Punt

Whenaballisdeliberatelydroppedfromthehandandkickedbeforeittouchestheground.Controloftheballmustbegainedbeforetheballwasdropped.Whenaplayerobviouslyattemptstopuntaftergainingcontroloftheballandtheballstrikesanypartofthepunter’sbody,apuntisconsideredtohaveoccurred.

Punt Receiver

Aplayeroftheteamwhichdidnotpunttheballlastandwhoattemptstoplaytheball.

Punter

Aplayerwhoattemptstopunttheball.

Pushing Off

Whenanyplayerpushesanopponent,otherthantheballcarrier,withsufficientforcetoknockthatplayeroffstrideorawayfromthatplayer’sintendeddirection.

Quarter

SeePeriod.

Quarterback

TheoffensiveplayerwhoreceivesthesnapoftheballfromtheCentreduringascrimmageplayforthepurposeofrunning,passingorpuntingtheball.

Recover

Togainpossession.

Redirect

SeeImpede.

Referee

Thechiefofficialwhoisinchargeofthegameandallotherofficials.

Regulation Field

Thesizeofthefield.60or80yardsby30or20yardsin5vs.5and110by65yardsin7vs.7.

Regulation Time

Thelengthofthegame,whichis2x20minutehalveson5v5and4x15minutequartersin7v7.


Restraining Zone

Aprotectivecircularareaof5yardsradius,thecentrepointbeingtheballwhenitistouched.

Return Punt

Apuntthatismadebyaplayerafterreceivingapuntfromanopponent.

Rouge

Ascoreof1pointearnedbyateamwhenitlegallypuntsorkicksofftheballintotheopponent’sendzoneorbeyond,andtheopponentsarenotlegallyabletobringtheballoutoftheirownendzone.(7v7only)

Rusher

Thedefensiveplayerwhocrossesthelineofscrimmagebeforeanyteammate.

Rusher’s Line

Animaginarylineparalleltoand5yardsawayfromthelineofscrimmage.

Safety Touch

Ascoreof2pointsagainsttheteamwhichdoesnotlegallycarry,punt,orpasstheballoutofitsownendzoneafter1ofitsplayershascausedtheballtoenteritsownendzonefromthefieldofplay.

Screening

Whenanyplayerwhoisnotplayingtheballextendsthearmsorwavesahandinanattempttodistractareceiver,toblockareceiver’svision,ortotouchtheball.

Scrimmage Play

Theactionbytheoffensetoscoreoradvancetheballtowardsthedefense’sgoallinebypassing,running,orpunting.ItbeginsbyasnapoftheballbytheCentretoateammate.

Set

WhentheballisrestingonthegroundorthescrimmagebagwhileintheCentre’shand(s)readytobesnapped.

Shotgun Formation

TermusedtodescribepositioningofthequarterbackandCenter.Spaceisleftbetweenthetwoplayers,allowingthequarterbacktostartfurtherbackfromthelineofscrimmage,furtherfromthedefense.

Sideline

Thelinemarkingthesideofthefieldofplaybetweenthegoallines.

Simultaneous Possession

Whenplayersofopposingteamslegallyobtainpossessionoftheballatthesametime.

Sleeper Play

Adeliberateattemptbytheoffensiveteamtodeceivethedefenseastothenumberandpositionofoffensiveteamplayerswhowillparticipateinthenextplay.Itisusuallyexecutedbyhavinganoffensiveplayer(whoparticipatedinthepreviousplay)standonthefieldinfrontoftheteambenchtherebybeingcamouflaged.A“hurryup”offenseisnotconsideredtobeasleeperplayifalloffensiveplayersareclearlyvisibletothedefenseandthereisnoapparentattempttohidetheirpositions.

Snap

TheactionoftheCentreatthebeginningofascrimmageplayinthrowingtheballfromitspositionontheground,throughthelegs,totheQuarterback.

Flag Football Rule Book�0

Stripping the Ball

See“JarredBall”

Substitute

Aplayerreplacingateammateonthefield.

Sudden Death

Anovertimegameduringwhichthefirstteamtolegallyscoreisdeclaredthewinner.

Target Area

Theareaintheimmediatevicinityofthearrivalpointofapass.

Team Member

Aplayer,coach,manager,doctor,trainer,assistant,oranypersonallowedintheteambenchareabytheteam.

Teammate

Aplayeronthesameteam.

Two Minute Warning

Whentherefereeblowsthewhistle2timesinsuccessionindicatingtobothteamsthatthe“2minuterule”isineffect.

Time

Theplayingtimepermittedasindicatedbythereferee.

Time Count

Aperiodof20secondsgiventotheoffensepriortoascrimmageplaytohuddleandputtheballintoplay.

Time In

Whentherefereehasindicatedbyawhistlethatplayingtimeintheperiodhasstarted,orhasresumedafteratimeout.

Time Out

Whentherefereehasindicatedbyawhistleandacriss-crossingofthearmsovertheheadthattheclockhasstoppedandplayingtimeisnotbeingconsumed.

Tipped Pass

Apassthatistouchedby1playerthencaughtbythesameplayer,ateammate,oranopponent.

Touchdown

Ascoreof6pointsfortheteamwhichlegallycarriestheballintotheopponent’sendzoneorlegallygainspossessionoftheballinsidetheopponent’sendzone.

Trainer

Ateammemberwhoisqualifiedtoadministerfirstaidandisidentifiedasaqualifiedpersontotheofficials.

Unobstructed Path

Whentheopponentsallowaplayertocontinuerunningtheintendedpathwithoutcausingtheplayertoslowdownorchangedirectiontoavoidcontact.


Visiting Team

Theteamthathasfirstchoicetoreceive,kickoff,orchooseanendtobeginthefirsthalfofaregulargameoranovertimegame.

Yard Line

Animaginarylineparalleltothegoalline,extendingfromsidelinetosideline,whichrepresentseachyardbetweenthegoallines.Onawell-markedfield,everyyardbetweenthegoallinesismarkedatthehashmarksandsidelines,andevery5yardsismarkedfromsidelinetosideline.


The Canadian Rule Book for Flag Football

Rule 1 – General1 Thegameofflagfootballshallbegovernedbytheplayingrules,regulationsanddefinitionsaswritteninthis

book,aswellastherulingsintheofficialCaseBook.

2 Wheneverchangesintheplayingrulesarepermittedbyleagueortournamentorganizers,theseoptionsshouldbeprovidedinwritingtoeachparticipatingteamandofficialpriortotheseasonortournament.

3 TheRefereeisresponsiblefortheadherencetotherulesandregulationsbybothteamsandallofficials.TheRefereewillmakethefinaldecisiononanyon-fieldsituationnotcoveredbytherulesandregulations.Allofficialsshouldstrivetomaintainasafeenvironmentfortheplayers.

4 Atanytimeduringthegame,ifarefereefeelsthatcontinuingtoplaythegameathandmayjeopardizeaplayer’ssafety,theofficialmayremovethatplayerfromthegameimmediately.Anexplanationshouldbeincludedonthegamesheetastothereasonwhytheplayerwasremoved.Areferee’sdecisioninthismatterisfinalandcannotbechallengedbytheplayeraffectedorhis/herteammates.Teams/playerswishingtoprotestanofficial’sdecisionmustdosoinwritingtotheLeagueExecutivewithin48hoursoftheconclusionofthegame.

5 Aparticipant(playerorofficial),sufferingfromawoundorlaceration,whereoozingorbleedingoccurs,mustleavetheplayingfielduntilappropriatemedicaltreatmentisadministered.Theparticipantmayreturntotheplayingfieldonlyafterthebleedinghasstoppedandtheaffectedareaortheopenwoundhasbeencompletelyandsecurelycovered.Therefereemustapprovetheparticipant’sreturntotheplayingfield.

6 Ifaplayerorofficialhasanypartofhis/heruniformorequipmentsaturatedwithblood,theuniformmustbecleansedorchangedimmediately.“Saturated”beingdefinedastheamountofbloodbeingsufficienttosoakthroughthegarmentandontotheskinorsuchthatthebloodwouldeasilybetransferredtoanotherparticipant.


Rule 2 – Field and Equipment

1. The Field

Thestandardfieldofplayfor5v5is60x30yardsor80x20yardsdependingontheageandabilityofplayers.In7v7,thefieldis110x65yards.Thesizeoffieldmaybealteredforspecificeventsandtosuittheneedsorresourcesofindependentleagues.

Fieldspecificationsandmarkingsarediagramedanddetailedonpage40,45&56.

1.1 Goalpostsarenotrequiredforthegameofflagfootball.Iftheyexistonthefield,theymustbepaddedtopreventinjuryandmustbeintheendzoneifpresent.

1.2 League/Tournamentorganizersshoulddecidethegroundrulesregardingobstructionsandinformtheteamsandofficialsofthesedecisionsinwritingpriortotheseason/tournament.Whenobstructionsarenotcoveredbythegroundrules,theRefereewillconsulttheteamstoarriveatgroundrulesthataresatisfactorytobothteams.

1.3 Theteambenchareasshouldbeonthesamesideofthefieldunlesscircumstancesdictateotherwise.Theteambenchareaistobemarked.Allteamaccessories,suchasbuckets,bagsandequipment,shouldbeplacedatleast5yardsfromthesidelines.

1.4 Teammembersmuststayintheteambenchareaorbepenalizedforobjectionableconductunlesstheyaregivenpermissionbyanofficialtoleavetheareaorareenteringthefieldduringthelegalsubstitutionasaplayer.Onlyteammembersareallowedtostayintheteambencharea;anyoneelseintheareamustleaveimmediatelyortheteamwillbepenalizedforobjectionableconduct.

1.5 Anyspectatorthatinterfereswiththenormalcourseofthegamewillbeejectedfromthefieldarea.Itisthelocalorganization’sresponsibilitytoensurethattheejectedspectatorcomplieswiththedecision,toensurethesafetyofallplayers,staffmembersandofficials.

1.6 Ifaspectatorinterferesduringtheplay,theofficialwillevaluatetheimpactoftheinterferenceandactaccordingly.Forexample,ifitisobviousthatatouchdownwouldhavebeenscoredwithoutthespectator’sinterference,theofficialwillallowthetouchdown.Iftheimpactisnotclear,thedownwillbereplayedattheinitiallineofscrimmage.

2. The Ball

2.1 Teamsmayusetheirownballormutuallyagreetouseonegameball.

2.2 Thedimensionsandtypeoffootballtobeusedwillvaryamongthedifferentagegroupsandlevelsofplay.Itissuggestedthateachleague,tournamentoperatorororganizationsetitsownspecificationsregardingthedimensionsandtypeoffootballtobeused,basedonitsownneedsanddesires.

2.3 WilsonK2 – U9leagues

WilsonTDJ – U13leagues

WilsonTDY – U15leaguesandWomen’sleagues

WilsonF1000 – F1001–SeniorMen’sLeagues

2.4 Noteamorplayerispermittedtomakealterationstothenaturalsurfaceoftheballbeingused.Teamsdoingsowillbepenalizedforobjectionableconduct.TheRefereemustremoveanyballthathasbeenaltered.

2.5 Playersarenotpermittedtouseadhesivematerial,paint,greaseoranyotherslipperysubstanceappliedtoequipmentoronaplayer’sperson,clothingorattachmentsthataffectstheballoranopponent.

3. The Kicking Tee (7v7 only)

3.1 Thekickingteemustnotraisethelowestpartoftheballmorethan2inchesoffthegroundoritwillbedeemed‘illegalprocedure.’Thekickingteamisresponsibleforremovingthekickingteefromthefieldaftertheplayisdead.Failuretodosowillresultinobjectionableconductpenaltyagainsttheteam.


4. Uniforms

4.1 Officialtournamentjerseysmustbewornduringplayandproperlytuckedintoshorts.Iftwoteamsareusingsimilarjerseys,thewinnerofthecointosshastheoptiontochangesweatersunlessone(1)teamagreestochangeitscolorsvoluntarily.

4.2 Allplayersmustweardifferentnumbersandensuretheyarevisible.Changingjerseynumbersduringagameisdeceitfultotheopponentsandprohibited.Uniformscannotcontainanyequipmentthatwouldcauseinjurytoanyplayer,suchasflexiblepadding.

4.3 Playersmustnotwearshortsorpantsthathavepockets,belt,pressstudsorclipsofanykind.Shortsorpantsmustbeofasolidcolorthantheflags,toavoidcamouflageofflags.Playerscannottapeorsecuretheirshortsorpantstomeetthisregulation.Shortpocketsmaybesownshutsothatanopponent’sfingerdoesnotgetcaughtandpassesinspectionofthegameofficial.

5. Player Equipment

5.1 Allplayersmustwearaprotectivemouthpiece;therearenoexceptions.

5.2 Aplayerispermittedtowearathleticsupport/protector,completelycoveredbyclothing.Tapeorbandagesarepermittediftheyarenon-abrasiveorareofanon-hardeningmaterialinawetordrystate.

5.3 Jewelrymustberemovedpriortothestartofthegame.Ifitisnotpossibletoremovethejewelryitmustbecoveredupcompletely,paddedandsecured.Medicalbraceletsmaybewornbuttheymustbefastenedsecurelysoasnottocauseinjury.

5.4 Headwearpermittedislimitedtoreligiousheaddressthatisproventobesecurelyfastenedandnotharmfultoanyparticipants.

5.5 Otherheadgearincludingcaps,bandanasortuquesarenotpermitted.

5.6 Sunglassesarenotpermittedunlessprescribedbyamedicaldoctor,inwhichcaseaprescriptionnoteisrequiredandthesunglassesaretobesecuredwithasportband.

5.7 Kneeandelbowguardsmustbeflexibleandcontainnohardmaterial.

5.8 Armcastsmaybewornonlytoprotectaninjuryandmustbeflexibleandcontainnomaterialsinawetordrystate.Kneebracesmaybewornbutmustbecompletelycoveredbypantsorbyadhesiveortensorbandagessuchthatnopartofthebraceisexposed,soafingercannotbeplacedbetweenanyedgeofthebraceandtheleg.Fingersplintsmaybeworntoprotectaninjury,butthefingersplintmustbeappropriatelypadded.TheRefereewillhavethefinaldecisionontheacceptabilityofthistypeofequipment.

5.9 Ifaplayerorofficialhasanypartoftheiruniformorequipmentsaturatedwithblood,theuniformmustbecleansedorchangedimmediately.“Saturated”beingdefinedastheamountofbloodbeingsufficienttosoakthroughthegarmentandintotheskinorsuchthatbloodwouldeasilybetransferredtoanotherparticipant.

5.10 Playersmaywearcleatsbutmustberubbercleats.Thereisnominimumormaximumnumberofcleatstobeworn,butcleatsmustbeapartofthenaturaldesignoftheshoesandingoodcondition.Shoeswithheelsarenotacceptable.Spikesorsimilarsharppointedtypeshoessuchastrackspikes,metalbaseballcleats,orgolfshoesarenotpermitted.

6. Team Equipment

Differenttypesofflagsareavailable,including:

6.1 Loopedbelts,inwhichthebeltistightenedaroundthewaistanddoesnotcomeoff.FlagsareattachedwitheitherVelcroorsuctionsockets.Loopedbeltsarenotsuggestedasthereisriskofappendagesgettingstuckinthebelt,causinginjurytoboththeflaggerandtheflagwearer.

6.2 Clippedbelts,inwhichthebeltisfastenedaroundthewaistwithaquickreleaseclipareavailableindifferentsizes.

6.3 Clothflags,inwhichtwoflagsarewornbyeachplayer,oneoneachhip.Thewhitesectionoftheflag(8inchesx2inches)mustbeworninsidethepants.Thecoloredsectionoftheflag(14inchesx2inches)


mustbewornontheoutsideofthepants.Theofficialsmustalwaysbeabletoseeapartofthewhitesectionoftheballcarrier’sflagotherwiseapenaltyforflagguardingwillbecalled.

6.3 Everyeffortmustbemadetokeeponeflagoneachhip.Flagbeltsaretheresponsibilityoftheoffensiveplayersandmustbepulledtightbeforeeveryplaytoavoidshiftingoftheflagsduringaplay.Theflagsmustnotbealteredorcut,andthesocketsmustnotbegluedorchangedinanyway.Theflagbeltsandflagsmustbeclearlyvisibleandmustnotbecoveredinanywaybytheplayers’uniforms.

6.4 Ifaplayeriswearingunacceptableattire,equipmentorshoes,theplayermustleavethegameforatleastoneplayandremovetheequipmentbeforereturning.Iftheplayerreturnstothegamewiththeunacceptableequipment,theteamwillbepenalizedforobjectionableconductandtheplayerwillbeejected.

Note: Inspectionsofplayers’attireandequipmentwillbeinspectedbytheofficialatthebeginningofeachgame.Therefereehasthefinaldecisionandwilldecideonanyon-fieldrulingwhichisnotcoveredbythisrulebook.


Rule 3 – Team Members

1 Players

1.1 Thenumberofplayersandrulesdirectingminimumnumberallowedandsubstitutionsaredifferentfor5v5and7v7.Refertopage41orpage47forthisinformation.

1.2 FlagFootballisagamethatisenjoyedbyeveryone.Teamscanbeallmale,allfemaleorco-eddependingontheleagues,nationaltournamentsandinternationalcompetitions.

2 Substitutions

2.1 Substituteplayersmayenterthefieldonlyfromtheirbenchareaandonlywhentheballisdead.Theymaynotenterthefieldoncetheoffensiveteambreaksitshuddle.Aplayerwhoentersthefieldtocommunicateaplaytoateammatemustremainonthefieldforthenextplay.Thepenaltyforviolatingtheserulesisillegalsubstitution.

2.2 Aplayerleavingthefieldforasubstitutionorbecauseofinjurymustgodirectlytotheteambencharea.Anydelayordeviationfromthisroutewillbeapenaltyforillegalsubstitution.

3 Captains

3.1 Teammembersidentifiedtotheofficialbeforethegameasspokespersonsforoffensiveanddefensiveunitsofateamshallbeconsideredteamcaptains.Eachteamispermittedamaximumofcaptainsasspecifiedin5v5and7v7.Incaseofinjuryorejection,analternatecaptainmaybeidentifiedtotheofficials.

3.2 Onlyateamcaptainisentitledtoanexplanationoftherules,includingchoicesforpenaltyoptions.Onlyateamcaptainisentitledtorequestanequipmentcheck.

4 Coaches and Managers

4.1 Acoachormanagerthatisaplayergetsnospecialtreatmentwhileonthefield,unlessidentifiedasateamcaptain.Whileoffthefield,acoachormanagermuststayinthebenchareaorbepenalizedforobjectionableconduct.

5 Injured Player

5.1 Adoctor,trainerorassistantmaynotenterthefieldtolookafteraninjuredplayerwithouttheReferee’spermission.Acoach,manager,doctor,trainerorassistantmanynotcoachtheplayerswhileonthefieldduringaninjurysituation.Ateamviolatingtheseruleswillbepenalizedforobjectionableconduct.


Rule 4 – Timing / Overtime / Time Outs

1 Length of Game

1.1 Theofficialgameis40minutes(2x20minutehalves)in5v5.Theofficialgamein7v7isapproximatelyonehourandisdetailedonpage50.

2 Referee Responsibility

2.1 Therefereeshallbetheofficialtimekeeperandshallbegovernbythetimingregulationsindeterminingtheamountofplayingtimethathaselapsed.

2.2 OnlytheRefereecanstopandstarttheclock.WhenevertheRefereestartstheclock,thesignalsforstartingtheclockmustbegivenfirst,andthentheclockistobestarted.WhenevertheRefereestopstheclock,theclockmustbestoppedfirst,thentheappropriatesignalsgiven.

3 The Play Clock

3.1 Theclockrunscontinuallyandisonlystoppedfortimeoutsandinjuries.

3.2 Whentheclockhasbeenstopped,itstartsagainatthesnap.

4 Overtime

4.1 Intheeventofatiedgameunlessotherwisenotedonleagueortournamentregulations,overtimewillbeplayed.Theperiodbetweentheendofthegameandthestartoftheovertimeperiodwillbe2minutes.Acointossdeterminesfirstpossessionofovertime.Therewillbenotimeoutsgrantedduringtheovertimeperiod.

4.2 Referto5v5and7v7rulesforthevariationsinovertimeprocedures(refertopage44for5v5andpage50for7v7)

5 Time Outs

5.1 Eachteamhastwo(2)60-secondtimeoutsperhalf.Thesecannotbecarriedovertothesecondhalforovertime.

5.2 Eachteamcaptainwillbetoldwhen10secondsremainsinthetimeout.Teamsmayshortenthe60secondtimeperiodiftheybothagree.

5.3 Timeoutscanonlybecalledbytherefereeandanyon-fieldplayer,throughtherefereeandonlywhentheballisdead.

5.4 Aftertheteamtimeout,alloffensiveplayersmustreturntothehuddle.Violationofthisruleshallbepenalizedasillegalprocedure.

5.5 Clockwillstopforthelengthofthetimeout.

6 Team Time Outs

6.1 Stoppedtime/interruptedplayusedforanequipmentcheckarenottobechargedasateamtimeout;abuseofthisprivilegewillbepenalizedforobjectionableconductagainsttheteamcaptainwhorequestedthetimeout.

6.2 Timeoutsusedtochecktheproperapplicationofarulewillbechargedasateamtimeoutiftherulewasproperlyapplied,andtheteamwillreceiveadelay-of-gamepenalty.Iftherulewasnotproperlyapplied,theRefereewillcorrecttheapplicationandthetimeoutwillbechargedasanofficial’stimeout.

6.3 Foracheckonaruling,thetimeoutmustbemadebeforetheballissnappedonthenextplay,oriftherulingwasmadeonthelastplayofthehalf,beforeone(1)minutehaselapsedaftertheendofthehalf;otherwisetheruleapplicationcannotbequestioned.

6.4 TheRefereewillexplaintherulingtothecaptain.IfthecaptainagreeswiththeReferee,theteamwillbechargedtheappropriatepenalties.IfthecaptaindisagreeswiththeReferee,theRefereemustconsulttherulebook.Whenthecorrectruleandpenaltyisapplied,theRefereewillwhistletimein,andthenstarttheclock.


6.5 Teamscannotusetimeoutstoquestionsanofficial’sjudgmentcall.Violationofthisrulewillbepenalizedbychargingtheteamswithateamtimeoutplusapplyadelayofgamepenalty.

7 Injury Time Outs

7.1 OnlytheRefereemaycallanofficial’stimeouttoallowateamtoattendtoaninjuredplayer.IfthetimeoutiscalledbytheReferee,theinjuredplayermustberemovedfromthefieldforatleastone(1)play,unlesstheinjuredplayer’steamcallsatimeout.TheRefereehasfullauthoritytodelaythegameuntiltheinjuredplayerissafelyremovedfromthefield.

7.2 Unnecessarydelayinremovingtheplayershallbepenalizedfordelayofgame.


Rule 5 – Game Procedures

1 Pre-game Conference

1.1 TheRefereeisresponsiblefortheadherencetotherulesandregulationsbybothteamsandallofficials.TheRefereewillmakethefinaldecisiononanyon-fieldsituationnotcoveredbytherulesandregulationsinthisbook.

1.2 Approximatelythree(3)minutespriortothescheduledstarttimeofthegame,andimmediatelyfollowingtherestperiod,atleastone(1)captainfromeachteamwillmeetwiththeRefereeatcenterfieldtoreviewthefieldconditionsandfieldmarkingsandconductthecointoss.

1.3 Acointossdeterminesfirstpossession.Thewinnerofthecointossstartswithpossessionofthefootball,whilelosersofthecointosshavechoiceofendzonetodefend.

1.4 Theteamthatlosesthecointossgetspossessionatthebeginningofthesecondhalf.

2 General Play

2.1 Theoffensiveteamtakespossessionoftheballatits5-yardlineandhasthree(3)playstocrossmidfield.Whenateamcrossesmidfield,ithasthree(3)playstoscoreatouchdown.Iftheoffensefailstoscore,theballchangespossessionandthenewoffensiveteamtakesoveronits5-yardline.

Note:InCanadianFlagRulestherearethree(3)playstocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown,whileinIFAFFlag5v5Rulesusedininternationalcompetition,therearefour(4)playstocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown.

2.2 Tobeginaplay,theballmustbesnappedbytheoffensiveCenter,fromthepointofscrimmagetothequarterback.Thereisnominimaldistancerequiredbythequarterbackwhocanbeeitherupclosetothecenterorinshot-gunformation.

1yardisrequiredbetweentheoffensiveanddefensiveline.Playersmaynotlineupforaplaywithin1yardforwardtheLineofScrimmage.

2.3 Anautomaticfirstdownbypenaltywilloverruletheotherrequirementsregardingthree(3)playstomakeeitherafirstdownorscore.

2.4 Iftheoffensiveteamfailstocrossmidfield,possessionoftheballchangesandtheoppositionstartsitsdrivefromits5-yardline.

2.5 Allpossessionchanges,exceptinterceptions,startontheoffensive5-yardline.

2.6 Ifanoffensivepenaltypastmidfieldoccurs,whichtakesthenextdownbehindmidfieldmarker,theoffensiveteammuststillmakeatouchdownin3plays.

2.7 “No-runningzones,”arelocatedfive(5)yardsinfrontofeachendzone.WhenOffensestartsaplaywithinthefiveyard“norunningzone,”theballcarriercannotrunacrossthelineofscrimmage(mustbeapassplay).

2.8 Thequarterbackcannotrunwiththeballpastthelineofscrimmage,unlesstheballhasbeenhanded,tossedorpitchedtoanotherplayerandthenreturned.

2.9 Oncetheballcarrierhascrossedthelineofscrimmagetheballcannotbehandedoff,tossed,pitchedorpassedforwardinanyway.

2.10 Anoffensemayusemultiplehandoffsbehindthelineofscrimmage.Onlybackward&lateralhandoffsareallowedduringthedown.

2.11 Forwardpass–Ballmustbeonorthrownfrombehindthelineofscrimmagetobelegal.

2.12 Kickoffsaredisallowedin5v5.Rulesthatoutlinekickingarefoundinthe7v7section.

2.13 Teamschangeendzonesatthehalf.Thetimecanalsobealteredbasedontheskillleveloftheathletes,numberofparticipantsandsizeoftheplayingsurface.


3 Touch Downs

3.1 Atouchdownisscoredwhenaplayerhaslegalpossessionoftheballintheopponent’sendzone.

3.2 Theballisconsideredtobeintheendzonewhenatleastonehipoftheballcarrierisonoroverthegroundintheendzone,orwhenitcrossestheextendedplaneofthegoalline.

3.3 Whentheballisintheendzone,itisconsideredtobestillintheendzoneuntilitisbroughtentirelyoutoftheendzoneintothefieldofplay.

3.4 Theteamscoringthemostpointsduringregulationtimeisdeclaredthewinner.Iftheteamsaretiedafterregulationtimeandawinnermustbedeclared,theteamscoringthemostpointsduringovertimeisdeclaredthewinner.


Rule 6 – Live Ball / Dead Ball

1 Live Ball / Dead Ball

1.1 Live Ball

TheballisliveaftertheRefereehassignaledplaytobeginandtheballhasbeensnappedbytheteaminpossession.Theballwillremainliveuntiltheballisruleddeadaccordingtothedead-ballrules.Ateamcannotadvancetheballorscoreunlesstheballislive.

1.2 Free Ball

Afreeballisaliveball,suchasatippedball,thatisnotinaplayer’spossessionandcanbelegallyrecoveredbyeitherteam.Theballcanbecaughtandadvancedbythesameoffensiveplayerwhoinitiallylostpossessionorbyadefensiveplayer.Anyplayermayrecovertheball.Theballisconsideredtobefreefromthetimeitleavesaplayer’sbodyuntiltheinstantittouchestheground.

1.3 Dead Ball

Theballisdeadwhenanyofthedead-ballconditionsaremet.Aliveballbecomesdeadwhenanofficial’swhistleisblown.Theteaminpossessioncanadvancenofurtherwhentheballisdead.

1.4 Substitutionsmaybemadeonlywhenballisdeadandapprovedbytheofficial.Ifaballcarrier’sflagfallsoff,theplaywillbewhistleddeadandtheballwillbespottedwheretheflagfelloff.Playersareeligibletocatchapassorreceivetheballbyhandoff,tossorpitchiftheirflaghasfallenoffbutunabletoadvance.Theplaywillbecalleddeadwheretheplayer(withnoflag)caughttheball.

1.5 Therearenofumbles.Theballbecomesdeadatthespotinwhichtheballwasdropped.

IftheQBdoesn’tgainpossessionoftheballduringthesnap,theballwillbeplacedatthelineofscrimmageandresultinalossofdownsorturnoverondowns.

1.6 Aplayisruled“dead”when:

• Anofficialblowshiswhistle.

• Ballcarrier’sflagispulledorballcarrierotherwisebecomesillegal.

• Ballcarrierstepsoutofbounds

• Ballcarrierdivesorjumps

• Pointsarescored.

• Whenanypartoftheballcarrier’sbody,otherthanhishandorfoottouchestheground.

• Whentheballtouchesthegoalpostassembly

• Whentheballtouchesanofficial(itshallbeconsideredashavingtouchedtheground).

• Whentheflagoftheplayerwithpossessionoftheballfallsofforoutofposition.

1.7 Whenthewhistleisblowninadvertentlybyanofficial,theplayshallstandunlesstheRefereedecidesthatthewhistleaffectedtheresultoftheplay.TheRefereewilldecidewhichteamisadverselyaffectedbythewhistle;thatteammaychoosetolettheplaystandwhenthewhistlebleworrepeatthelastplay.

1.8 IftheRefereecannotdecidewhichteamisadverselyaffected,theplayshallberepeated.

1.9 Anyfoulswhichoccurduringtheplayandareallowedtostandwillbeadministeredastheywouldbeinaregularplaysituation.Dead-ballfoulswillbeadministeredinallcases.


Rule 7 – In and Out of Bounds

1.0 In Bounds

1.1 Theballisinboundswhenitiswithintheboundarylines.Theballisconsideredtobestillinboundswhileitisoveroroutsidetheboundarylinesuntilittouchestheboundarylinesoranypersonorobjectthatisoutofbounds.

1.2 Anypersonwhohasnottouchedtheboundarylinesandhasnottouchedtheground,apersonoranobjectthatisonorbeyondtheboundarylines,isconsideredtobestillinbounds.

2.0 Out of Bounds

2.1 Theballisoutofboundswhenittouchestheboundarylinesorthegroundbeyondtheboundarylines.Theballisoutofboundswhenittouchesanobjectorapersonthatisoutofbounds.

2.2 Anypersonorobjectthatistouchingtheboundarylinesorthegroundbeyondtheboundarylinesisoutofbounds.Anairborneobjectorobjectsuspendedovertheplayingfieldisconsideredoutofbounds.


Rule 8 – Control and Possession of the Ball

1 Control of the Ball

1.1 Aplayerisconsideredtohavecontroloftheballwhentheplayerhastheballfirmlyheldinone(1)orbothhands,armsorlegsorholdstheballfirmlyinone(1)orbothhands,armsorlegsorholdstheballfirmlyunderthebodywithouthavingtheballtouchtheground.Thegripontheballmustbefirmenoughtoenabletheplayertostoptherotationoftheballandtoexhibitinfluenceoveritsdirection.

2 Possession of the Ball

2.1 Ateammusthavepossessionoftheballtoscoreatouchdownortoearnafirstdown. Whenateamobtainspossessionfromtheopponents,theywillbeawardedafirstdownwheretheballbecomesdead.Afterbeingawardedafirstdown,ateamkeepspossessionforthree(3)downsorthree(3)plays,unlesstheopponentsgaincontroloftheball,oreitherisawardedfirstdownbypenalty.Duringthethree(3)downsorthree(3)plays,theteaminpossessionmustgaintherequireddistanceforfirstdownorscoreatouchdown,otherwiseitwillgiveuppossession.

2.2 Aplayerisconsideredtohavepossessionoftheballifthatplayerhascontroloftheball.Ifcontroloftheballislost,theplayernolongerisconsideredtohavepossessionoftheball.

2.3 Ateamisconsideredtohavepossessionoftheballwhenone(1)ofitsplayershaspossessionoftheballorawardedpossessionbytherules.Ateamlosespossessionofwhentheopponentsinterceptsapassorgaincontrolofafreeball.

3 Dead Ball

3.1 Theballisdeadwhenanyofthedead-ballconditionsaremet.Theballisalsodeadwhenanofficialblowsawhistlewhiletheballislive.Theteaminpossessioncanadvancenofurtherwhentheballisdead.

3.2 Substitutionsmaybemadeonlywhenballisdeadandapprovedbytheofficial.

3.3 Ifaballcarrier’sflagfallsoff,theplaywillbewhistleddeadandtheballwillbespottedatthespotwheretheflagfelloff.Playersareeligibletocatchapassorreceivetheballbyhandoff,tossorpitchiftheirflaghasfallenoffbutunabletoadvance.Theplaywillbecalleddeadwheretheplayerwithoutaflagcaughttheball.

3.4 Therearenofumbles.Iftheballisdroppedduringaplay,theplayiswhistledcompleteandtheballisplacedatthepreviouslineofscrimmage.

3.5 Playisruled“dead”when:

• Anofficialblowshiswhistle.

• Ballcarrier’sflagispulledorbecomesillegal.

• Ballcarrierstepsoutofbounds

• Ballcarrierdivesorjumps

• Pointsarescored.

• Whenanypartoftheballcarrier’sbody,otherthanhishandorfoottouchestheground.

• Whenittouchesthegoalpostassembly

• Whentheballtouchesanofficialitshallbeconsideredashavingtouchedtheground.

• Whentheflagoftheplayerwithpossessionoftheballfallsofforoutofposition


Rule 9 – The Huddle

1 Huddle

1.1 Theoffensiveteamonthefieldmustholdahuddleafteratime-out,achangeofsidesonthefield,orachangeofpossession.Ahuddleisnotmandatoryinanyothercases.Aninfractiontothisrulebringsapenaltyforillegalprocedures.

1.2 Theteamonoffensehasthirty(30)secondstoputtheballinplay.

Theofficialwillgiveareasonableperiodoftimeforbothteamstoregroupandwillthenwhistlethethirty(30)secondsperiodtostart.Iftheballisnotputinplaybeforetheendofthethirty(30)seconds,theoffensewillreceiveapenaltyfortimeoutviolation.


Rule 10 – The Running Game

1 Running

1.1 Thecenteristheplayerwhogivestheballtothequarterbackviaasnap.Thecentercannottakeadirecthandoffbackfromthequarterback(nocentersneakplay).Anyviolationofthisplayisillegalprocedure.

1.2 Thecentermusttakeapositionfacingthedefensewiththefeetstraddlingthelineofscrimmage.Theballmustbesnappedoffthegroundandbetweenthelegsinone(1)motioninthedirectionfromtoetoheel.Anyplayerwhosnapstheballshallbeconsideredasthecenter.

1.3 Thelineofscrimmageandpointofscrimmageshallbedeterminedbytheofficialsaccordingtothedead-ballrulesandscrimmageregulations.

1.4 Thequarterbackistheplayerwhoreceivestheballdirectlyfromthesnap.

1.5 Tossesorsweepsbehindthelineofscrimmageareallowedandarerunningplays.

1.6 Theplayerwhotakesthehandoff,tossorpitchcanthrowtheballfrombehindthelineofscrimmage.

1.7 Noplayerisallowedtomovetotrytodrawtheopponent’soffside.

Thequarterbackcannotusetacticstotrytodrawtheopponentoffside(illegalprocedure).Thedefensiveunitonthefieldcannotshouttermsthatwouldconfusetheoffenseanddrawthemoffside(penalty).

1.8 Alldefensiveplayersareeligibletorushoncetheballhasbeenhandedoffortossed,orthereisaplayactionfakeorfakehandoff.

1.9 Spinningisallowed,buttheballcarriercannotdiveforwardorjumptoavoidadefensiveplayerorgainyardage(nodiving).Onefoot,atleast,mustremainincontactwiththeground.

1.10 Itisuptotheballcarriertoavoidcontactwiththedefender.

1.11 Theballisspottedwheretheballcarrier’shipsarewhentheflagispullednotwheretheballis.Theballshallbeplacedsotheitslongaxisisparalleltothesidelines.


Rule 11 – Receiving

1 Receiving

1.1 Allplayersareeligibletoreceivepasses(includingthequarterbackiftheballhasbeenhandedoffortossedbehindthelineofscrimmage)

1.2 Allplayersmustbecompletelybehindtheirsideofthescrimmageneutralzoneattheinstanttheballissnapped,exceptthecenter.Violationofthisprocedureisanoffsidepenalty.

1.3 Anynumberofplayerscanbeinmotionwhentheballissnapped;onlythecentermustbeatthelineofscrimmage.

Note:IFAFFlag5v5FlagFootballRulesstatethatoneplayermaybeinmotion,butnotinmotiontowardsthelineofscrimmageatthesnap.

1.4 Playeroutofbounds–ifaplayergoesoutofbounds,withoutinterference,theplayermaynotreturntothefieldorcatchtheball.


Rule 12 – Rushing the Quarterback

1 Rushing

1.1 Allplayerswhorushthepassermustbeseven(7)yardsfor5v5andfive(5)yardsfor7v7fromthelineofscrimmagewhentheballissnapped.Anynumberofplayerscanrushthequarterback.Playersnotrushingthequarterbackmaydefendonthelineofscrimmage.Therushermustrushcontinuously.Oncetheballishandedoffortossed,orfakehandoff,thesevenorfiveyardrulenolongerisineffectandalldefendersmaygobehindthelineofscrimmage.Abeanbagmarkedbythegameofficialthatwilldesignatesevenyardsfromthelineofscrimmage.

1.2 Remember, blocking and tackling are not allowed.

1.3 Arusherlined-upwithintwo(2)yards(sidetoside)oftheseven(7)yardmarkerisentitledtoafreerushatthequarterback–therushermaynotbeinterfered.Iftherusherislinedupoutsidethetwo(2)yards(sidetoside)oftheseven(7)yardmarker,theyarenotentitledtoafreerushatthequarterbackandcanbeinterfered.


Rule 13 – Flagging

1 Flagging

1.1 Topreventtheballcarrierfromadvancing,anopponentmustpulloffoneortwoflagswithoutpreventingtheballcarriertomoveforward.Theballisdeclareddeadatthispoint.Oncethedefenderhasremovedaflag,theyaretoremaininplaceholdtheflagupfortherefereetoconfirmtheplayhasstoppedandreturntheflagtotheballcarrier.Ifadefensiveplayerdoesnotimmediatelyreturntheflagbacktotheballcarrier,theofficialwillissueawarningtothecaptainoftheteamatfault.Ifthesituationrepeatsitself,nomatterwhichplayerisinvolved,theofficialwillissueaplayermisconductpenalty.

1.2 Defensiveplayersarenotallowedtopullanopponent’sflagunlesstheyaretheballcarrier.Aflagcannotbepulleduntiltheballcarrierhastheballintheirhands.Thepenalty,ifthepassiscompleteresultsinanautomaticfirstdown5yardsfromwheretheballiscaught.Iftheplayisincomplete,itisanautomaticfirstdownandtheballisplaced5yardsaheadofthepreviouslineofscrimmage.

1.3 Theofficialswillwhistlewhentheyseethatadefensiveplayerhasremoved(flagged)oneoftheflagsoftheballcarrier.Ifaballcarrierdoesnothaveallhisorherflags,theplayerisdeemedineligible.Ifaflagisnotplacedcorrectlyfollowingadefensiveplayer’sintervention,theofficialmaydecidetolettheplaycontinue,orwhistletheplaydown(flagprotectionpenalty).

1.4 Anineligiblepassreceiverwholosesaflagatthelineofscrimmagecanstillreceiveaforwardpass,buttheballwillbedeclareddeadatthepointofreception.Playerswindingflagsonbeltswillbewarnedthefirsttime,nexttimeremovedfromthegame.


Rule 14 – Passing

1 Pass

1.1 Apassisaballthrown,handed,dropped,knockedorbattedbyaplayerinanydirection;aballthatisbouncedoffaplayerinanydirectionisalsoconsideredtobeapass.Apassmustbecompletedoverthelineofscrimmage.

2 Onside Pass

2.1 Anonsidepassisaballthatispropelledfromaplayer’sbodytowardsthatplayer’sdeadlineorparalleltothatplayer’sdeadline,regardlessofhowitwaspropelled.

3 Offside Pass

3.1 Anoffsidepassisaballthatispropelledfromaplayer’sbodytowardstheopponent’sdeadline.

3.2 Ahand-offinaforwarddirectionisconsideredanoffsidepass.

3.3 Violationoftheserulesareanoffsidepasspenaltyagainsttheteamthatcommittedtheoffsidepass.Nopenaltyisinvolved,justadeadball

3.4 Anoffsidepassisnotlegalevenwhenitistouchedbyanopponentfirst.

4 Forward Pass

4.1 Aforwardpassisaballdeliberatelythrownbyanoffensiveplayertowardstheopponent’sgoalline.Thefirstpassthrownbytheoffenseduringaplaywillbeconsideredaforwardpass.

4.2 Aforwardpassislegalwhenitisthrownfrombehindthelineofscrimmage;itmustbethefirstforwardpassthrownbytheoffenseduringeachplay;itmustbethrownbeforetheballiscarriedoverthelineofscrimmage.Anyforwardpassthatviolatestheseruleswillbetreatedasanoffsidepass.

4.3 Forthepurposesofdeterminingalegalforwardpass,whenevenonhipsoftheballcarrierisoverthelineofscrimmageorpasserisoverthelineofscrimmage,theballisconsideredtobeoverthelineofscrimmage.


Rule 15 – The Passing Game

1 Passing

1.1 Thequarterbackhassevensecondstothrowtheball.Ifapassisnotthrownwithinthesevenseconds,theplayisdead,withalossofdownandtheballisspottedfiveyardsbackfromthepreviouslineofscrimmage.

1.2 Oncetheballishandedoffortossedorfakehandoff,thesevensecondruleisnolongerineffect.

1.3 Onlyoneforwardpassthrownisallowedinadown.

1.4 Interceptionschangethepossessionoftheball.

1.5 Shovelpassesareallowedbutmustbemadebehindthelineofscrimmage.

1.6 Onceaplayercatchestheballpastthelineofscrimmage,theyarenolongerallowedtolateraltheball.(5v5only)

1.7 Interceptionscanbereturnedbythedefense.

1.8 Oninterceptionsthatoccurandremainintheendzone,theballbecomesdeadandturnedovertotheinterceptingteamatits5-yardline.(7v7goesto10yd.line)

1.9 Shouldaninterceptionoccurintheendzoneandtheballcarrierleavetheendzone,theballwillbelongtotheinterceptingteamatthespottheballbecomesdead.Howevershouldtheballcarrierreturntotheendzoneandbedeflaggedortheballbecomesdead,exceptinacaseofprematurewhistle,theresultwouldbeasafetyfortheotherteam.


Rule 16 – Complete / Incomplete Passes

1 Complete Pass

1.1 Apassiscompletedwhenareceiverisinpossessionoftheball.

1.2 Whenanopponentcausesthereceivertolandoutofboundsand,inthejudgmentoftheofficials,thereceiverwouldhavetouchedthegroundinboundswithouttheopponent’saction,thereceiverwillbeconsideredtohavelandedinbounds.

1.3 Whenareceiverhascontroloftheballevenforaninstant,thenlosescontrolbecauseofbodilycontactcausedbyanopponentortheground,thereceiverwillbeawardedacompletepass.

1.4 Apassisruledascompletetoareceiverwhenanopponentispenalizedforpassinterferenceagainstthatreceiverinthetargetarea.

1.5 Whenaplayercatchesapasstippedbyateammate,thepasscompletionisawardedtotheplayerwhocaughtthepass.

2 Simultaneous Possession

2.1 Acompletepasscaughtsimultaneouslybyteammatesshallbeawardedtotheteammatewhofirsttouchedthepass.Acompletedpasscaughtsimultaneouslybyplayersonoppositeteamsshallbeawardedtotheplayerwhoseteamhadpossessionbeforethepasswascaughtsimultaneously.

3 Tipped Pass

3.1 Tippedpassesarelegal.Ifthepassisanonsidepass,theballcanbeadvancedwhencaught.

4 Bobbled Pass

4.1 Iftheplayerwhocaughttheballwasthelastplayertotiptheballandhadbeenflaggedbyanopponentaftertippingtheball,thepassisconsideredcompleteandtheballisconsidereddeadwhentheplayerwasflagged.

4.2 Whentheballcarrieraccidentallylosescontroloftheball,thencatchesitwithouttheballbeingtouchedbyanotherplayer,theplaycontinues.Iftheballcarrierwasflaggedbyanopponentafterlosingcontroloftheball,theplayisconsidereddeadwhentheballcarrierwasflagged.

4.3 Whentheballcarrierdeliberatelythrowstheballintotheair,thencatchesittoavoidbeingflagged,theballisdeadimmediately.

5 Intercepted Pass

5.1 Anypassthatisincompletebytheteaminpossessionbutcaughtbytheopponentsisaninterceptedpass.

6 Incomplete Pass

6.1 Anythrownpassisincompleteandtheballisimmediatelydeadwhenittouchestheground,thegoalpostoranofficial,orgoesoutofboundsbeforebeingcaught.

7 Blocked or Deflected Forward Pass

7.1 Aforwardpassthatisblockedbyarusherisconsideredtobeanincompleteforwardpasswhenithitstheground.Iftheballiscaught,theappropriateoffside/onsidepassrulesapply.Theoffensecannotthrowasecondforwardpass;thiswillberuledanoffsidepass.Adeflectedpassisruledaregularforwardpassplayablebybothteams.

8 Deliberate Grounding Pass

8.1 Whenthepasserdeliberatelythrowstheballoutofbounds,ortoanareawherethereisnoreceiver,inanobviousattempttoavoidalossofground,thepasserwillbepenalizedforgrounding.(7v7only)


9 Forward Pass vs. Dropped Ball

9.1 Whenthepasserattemptsaforwardpassandlosescontroloftheballafterstartingthepassingarminaforwardmotionandfollowingthroughwiththeintendedpassmotion,theballisdeadwhenithitsthegroundandtheplayisconsideredtobeanincompleteforwardpass.

Iftheforwardmotionofthethrowingarmhadnotstartedwhencontroloftheballwaslost,theplayisdeadatthatspot.


Rule 17 – Pass Interference

1 Pass Interference

1.1 Passinterferenceoccurswhenaplayertakesawayanopponent’spositionaladvantage

1.2 Passinterferenceinthetargetareacanapplywhenthepassisintheairandtheplayerwhohadpositionaladvantagehadareasonablechanceofgettingtothearrivalpointfortheball.Whenthesetwoconditionsdonotapply,anypassinterferencethatoccurswillbeconsideredtohaveoccurredintheremoteareas.

1.3 Passinterferencebytheoffenceorthedefenseisillegal.Theteamthatviolatesthepassinterferenceregulationswillbepenalizedasdeterminedbytheofficial.

2 Contact

2.1 Aplayerhascommittedbodilycontactwhenthatplayermakescontactwithanopponentandmovestheopponentoffstrideorawayfromtheopponent’sintendeddirectionorposition.Contactbetweenopponentsislegalprovidedthatthecontactresultsfromasimultaneousandlegitimateattempttoplaytheballandoccursatthearrivalpointofthepass;thiscontactislegalonlywheneachplayerisintentonplayingtheballandeachplayerisinanequallyfavorablepositiontoplaytheball.

2.2 Whencontactoccurswithoutmovingtheopponentofstrideorawayfromtheopponent’sintendeddirectionorposition,passinterferencehasnotoccurred;thisisincidentalcontact.

3 Path to the Ball

3.1 Allplayershaveanequalrighttoadirectpathtothearrivalpointoftheball.However,aplayerinanunfavorablepositioncannotcommitbodilycontactwithanopponenttoreachtheball,eveniftheballwaseventuallytouchedbythatplayer.

3.2 Aplayerwhoisinanequaloradvantageouspositiontoplaytheball,comparedtoanopponent,isconsideredtohavetherighttothepathoftheball.Whenthatrightistakenawaybyanopponentusingbodilycontact,passinterferencehasoccurred.

3.3 Aplayer,whoistakingapathorapositiononthefieldinordertocatchapass,ordefendagainstapass,hasarighttothatpathorpositionunlessanopponenthasalreadytakenit.Aplayerwhotakesanopponent’sestablishedpathorpositionusingbodilycontactisguiltyofpassinterference.

3.4 Whentwo(2)opponentscrosspathsandmakecontact,theplayerwhohadclearlydeclaredtheintendedpathfirsthastherighttothatpath;theopponentisguiltyofpassinterferenceunlessthecontactwasincidental.Iftheofficialscannotdeterminewhodeclaredtheirpathfirst,passinterferencehasnotoccurred.

3.5 Whenopponentsgettheirfeettangledupwhilerunningtheirrespectivepathscausingoneplayertolosebalance,apassinterferencepenaltyisnotautomatic.Therelevantpositionsandintendedpathsoftheplayersmustbetakenintoaccount.

3.6 Inalltheabovecases,theplayerwhoisintheadvantageouspositiontoplaytheballmustcontinuetodisplayintenttoreachthearrivalpointoftheball.Otherwise,anycontactbytheopponentinasincereefforttoreachthearrivalpointoftheballwillnotbeconsideredpassinterference.Adeliberateattempttoblocktheopponentfromreachingthearrivalpointoftheballispassinterference.

4 Pick Play

4.1 Anoffensiveplayercannotpreventadefensiveplayerfrompursuinganotheroffensiveplayerbyimpedingthatdefensiveplayer’sdirectpathtotheteammate.Thedefensiveplayermustbemovingtowardsthesecondoffensiveplayertobeconsideredpursuingthatplayer.

4.2 Ifthefirstoffensiveplayerisplayingtheball,thatplayercannotbeconsideredasimpedingthedefensiveplayerfrompursuingthesecondoffensiveplayer.

4.3 Violationoftheseregulationsispassinterference.


5 Stationary Position

5.1 Adefensiveplayerwhohasmaintainedastationarypositionsincetheballwassnappedshallnotbepenalizedforpassinterferenceifrunintobyanopponent.

6 Playing The Ball

6.1 Aplayermustbefacingtheballasitarrivesinthetargetareatobeconsideredtobeplayingtheball.Whentheballstrikesaplayerwhoisplayingtheballandwhoisimpedinganopponent’sapproachtotheball,thisispassinterferenceinthetargetarea;forthepurposesofthisregulation,theopponentmustbemovingtowardstheballtobeconsideredimpeded.

7 Screening

7.1 Astheballarrivesintheimmediatevicinityofareceiver,aplayerwhoisnotplayingtheballcannotextendthearmsorwaveahandinanattempttodistractareceiver,toblockareceiver’svisionortotouchtheball.Violationofthisruleinpassinterferenceintheremotearea;iftheballistouchedorthereceiver’sdirectlineofvisiontotheballisblocked;thisispassinterferenceinthetargetarea.

8 Non-catchable Pass

8.1 Whenanofficialconsidersapasscannotbecaughtevenwithextraordinaryeffort,nopassinterferencepenaltyshallbeassessedevenwhenpassinterferenceoccursbyeitherteam.Thereforenopenaltycalleitherway.


Rule 18 – Sportsmanship / Roughing

1 Sportsmanship

1.1 FoulPlayWillNotBeTolerated.

1.2 Trashtalking/tauntingisillegal.(Trashtalkistalkthatmaybeoffensivetoofficials,opposingplayers,teamsorspectators.)Iftrashtalking/tauntingoccurs,therefereewillgivea15ydunsportsmanlikepenalty,lossofdownorautomatic1stdownondefence.Ifitcontinuestheplayerorplayerswillbeautomaticallyejectedfromthegame.

1.3 Shiftinginawaythatsimulatesthestartofaplayoremployinganyotherunfairtacticforthepurposeofdrawingone’sopponentoffside.Thiscanbeconstructedonlyasadeliberateattempttogainanunmeritedadvantage.

1.4 Playerscannotcrossthelineofscrimmagetolistentotheopponents’huddle.Playerscannotvoicesignalsormakesoundsthatareintendedtoconfusetheopponents’signals.

1.5 Afterthecentersetstheballforthesnap,adefendercannotmovedirectlyinfrontofthecenterandpreventthecenterfrommovingforwardafterthesnap.Anydefensiveplayermustbeatleastthree(3)yardsfromthecenteratthetimeofthesnapifintendingtoassumeastationaryposition.Defenderscanbe1ydfromthecenteratthetimeofthesnapwithinthenorunzone.

1.6 Violationoftheserulesisanillegalprocedurepenalty.

2 Roughing

2.1 Iftherefereewitnessesanyactsofflagrantcontact,tackling,elbowing,cheapshots,blockingoranyunsportsmanlikeact,thegamewillbestoppedandtheplayerwillbeejectedfromthegame.

2.2 Aplayerisnotallowedtotripanopponentusingthearm,lowerlegorfoot.

2.3 Afterthewhistleisblowntoindicatetheballisdead,aplayerisnotallowedtoruninto,throwthebodyagainstordeliberatelyfalluponanopponent.

2.4 Theballcarrierisnotallowedtoelbow,shoulder,orthrowthebodyintoanopponentorattempttojumpthroughdefendersblockingthepath.

2.5 Aplayerisnotallowedtocontactthepasser’sarminthethrowingmotionusingbodilycontact.

2.6 Aplayerisnotallowedtousebodilycontactonapassreceiverbeforeoraftertheballistouched. Ifthebodilycontactwascausedbyalegitimateattempttocatchordowntheballwhilebothplayershadequallyfavorablepositionstotheball,nofoulhasoccurred.

2.7 Aplayerisnotguiltyofcontactingthereceiverifthebodilycontactwascausedbyasuddenstoporchangeindirectionbytheopponentandtheplayermadeeveryattempttodiminishthecontact.


Rule 19 – Illegal Acts

1 Use of Hands

1.1 Playerscannotusetheirarmsorhandstoimpedeorredirectanopponent,exceptwhenthatopponentobstructstheirdirectpathtotheballcarrier.Playerscannotusethegoalpostswiththeirhandsorarmstopushoffortochangedirection.Violationoftheserulesisillegaluseofhands.

1.2 Whenaplayerisplayingtheball,anopponentcanredirectthatplayerwiththehandsinanefforttocontinuepursuingadirectpathtothearrivalpointoftheballortheintendedreceiver.

1.3 Playersmaytouchanopponenttofeeltheirrelativepositioningaslongastheopponentisnotimpededorredirected.Playersmaytouchthegoalpostswiththeirhandsifsuchtouchingdoesnothelpthemchangetheirdirection.

2 Obstruction

2.1 Obstructioniswhenaplayerimpedesanopponent’sdirectpathtotheball,theballcarrierortheintendedreceiver,withorwithoutcontactingtheopponent.

2.2 Aplayermayassumeastationarypositioniftheintentisobviouslytoavoidobstructinganopponent.Aplayermaycutacrossthepathofanopponentiftheopponent’sprogressisnotimpededorredirected.Violationoftheserulesisanobstructionpenalty.

2.3 Whentheballcarrierusesstationaryteammatesasameansofblockingtheopponentfromgettingtotheballcarrier,suchstationaryteammatesarenottobepenalizedformobstructionunlesstheymovefromtheirspot.(Note:thisruledoesnotapplytocenter/rusherinterference)

3 Illegal Re-entry

3.1 Aplayerwhostepsoutofboundsduringtheliveballcannotre-enterthefieldtoplaytheball,pursueaballcarrierorpursueanintendedreceiver.Aplayerwhoispushedoutofboundsbyanopponentorgoesoutofboundsasaresultofaslipperyfieldisnotconsideredtohavegoneoutofboundsunlessthatplayermakesnotimmediateefforttogetbackinbounds.Violationoftheserulesisanillegalre-entrypenalty.

4 Illegal Participation

4.1 Aplayercannotleavethebenchareatoenterthefieldandplaytheball,pursueaballcarrier,pursueanintendedreceiverorobstructaplayer;thisrulesalsoappliestofansandteammembersinoroutoftheteambencharea.Violationofthisruleisanillegalparticipationpenalty.


Rule 20 – Player Conduct

1 Major Foul

1.1 Aplayerorteammemberisnotallowedtostrikeortripanopponentoranofficialwiththedeliberateintenttocausebodilyharm.AnyotheractofroughnessorunfairplayconsideredbytheRefereetothreatenthesafetyofparticipantisnotallowed.

1.2 Violationoftheserulesisamajorfoulandtheplayerorteammembermustbeejectedfromthegame.Thiswillresultina15ydunsportsmanlikeconductpenalty,lossofdownorautomatic1stdownondefence.

2 Personal Foul

2.1 Anyactofroughnessorunfairplaythatiscommittedbyaplayerorteammember,butisnotconsideredbytheRefereetobeamajorfoul,isapersonalfoul.Allplayersmustattempttocontroltheirmomentumwhenapproachinganopponent.

2.2 Violationistheserulesisapersonal-foulpenalty

3 Objectionable Conduct

3.1 Aplayerorteamisnotallowedtouseprofanelanguage,makeverbalthreats,orutterdemeaningorintimidatingremarksoractionstoanotherplayer,teammember,fanorofficial.Persistentargumentsfromanyplayerarenotallowed.Aplayerisnotallowedtofakeaninjuryorlossbalanceinanobviousattempttodelaythegameorcauseapersonalfoultobeassessedagainstanopponent.

3.2 Violationoftheserulesisanobjectionableconductpenalty.IftheviolationisconsideredbytheRefereetobeofaseriousnature,theplayerorteammembermustbeejectedfromthegame.

4 Player Ejection

4.1 Anejectedplayerorteammembermuststayinthebenchareaandrefrainfromberatingplayers,officialsandfans.Whenanejectedplayerorteammemberviolatestheserules,thatpersonmustleavethepark.

4.2 Iftheejectedindividualdoesnotleavetheparkwithin3minutesorreturnstotheparkduringthegame,theRefereemustawardthegametotheopponents.

4.3 TheRefereemusttakeanofficial’stimeoutwhilecarryingouttheseprocedures.


Rule 21 – Penalties

1 Penalties

1.1 Allpenaltiesare5yards.Thedownwillberepeatedunlessotherwisenoted,andwillbeassessedfromthelineofscrimmage.

1.2 AllpenaltiesmaybedeclinedexceptforFalseStartandpenaltiesforimproperattire(deadballfouls).

1.3 Penaltieswillnotexceedhalfthedistancetotheopposingteam’sgoallinefromthelineofscrimmage.

1.4 Gameofficialsdetermineincidentalcontactthatmayresultfromnormalrunofplay.Allpenaltieswillbeassessedfromthelineofscrimmage.

1.5 Gamescannotendonadefensivepenalty,unlesstheoffensedeclinesit.

1.6 Penaltiesafteraninterceptionshallbeassessedafterthereturnisoverand/ortheplayisblowndead.

2 Defensive Penalties

2.1 Offside–5yards

2.2 Substitutionfouls–5yards.(playerentersfieldafterballisblowndeadreadyforplay,i.e.todeceivetheopponentsor6menonthefield)

2.3 Disconcertingsignals–5yards.(signalstodistract/simulateoffensivesignalspriortosnap)

2.4 Interferencewithopponentorballatthesnap–15yards

2.5 Illegalrushing–5yards.(startingrushfrominside7-yardmaker)

2.6 Interference–5yardsandautomaticfirstdown.

2.7 Illegalcontact–5yardsandautomaticfirstdown.(holding,blocking,etc)

2.8 Illegalflagpull–5yardsandautomaticfirstdown.(beforereceiverhasball)

3 Offensive Penalties

3.1 Flagguarding–5yards.

3.2 Delayofgame–5yards.

3.3 Substitutionfouls–5yards.

3.4 Falsestart–5yards(cannotbedeclined).

3.5 Illegalsnap–5yards

3.6 Offensiveholding–5yards.

3.7 Diving/Jumping–5yards.

3.8 Playeroutofbounds–5yards(ifplayergoesoutofboundsbyhisowncognisense,playercannotreturntothefieldandcatchtheball).

3.9 Illegalforwardpass–5yardsandlossofdown.(asecondforwardpassoraftertheballhascrossedthelineofscrimmage)

3.10 Offensivepassinterference–5yardsandlossofdown.(illegalpickplay,pushingoff/awaydefender)

3.11 Runninginsideanorunningzoneisalossofdownatthepreviousspot.

3.12 Rusherinterference–5yardsandlossofdown.


Rule 22 – Tournament Tie Breaker System

1 Tie Breaker System

Inanycontest,thefinalscoremayresultinatie.Ifawinningteamisdeemednecessary,thenovertimeshallbeplayed.Proceduresfor5v5,seepage44andfor7v7,seepage50)

Inaroundrobintournament,thewinneristhatwiththebestrecordintheend.

Ifteamsaretiedwiththesamerecord,thentheteamsmayplayaheadtoheadcontesttodeterminethetournamentwinner.

Ifthereisstillatie,thenthetournamentmaybeconcededbytheteamwiththemostpointsintheentiretournament.

Alternatively,thewinningteammayalsobejudgedbythetotalpointaccumulationofateamintheentireseasonifapplicable(forleaguetournaments).


Rule 23 – No Run Zone

1 No Run Zone

1.0 IfarunhappensintheNoRunZone,theplaywillbewhistleddeadandthepenaltyisalossofdown.

1.1 OnceintheNoRunZoneyoucannorununtilyougetafirstdownoutsidetheNoRunZoneorscoreatouchdown.


The Canadian Rule Book for 5vs5 Flag Football

5v5 Rule 1 – Field

1 Field

1.1 FieldDiagram–minimumfieldmarkings

1.2 FieldDimensions:

Length:60(or80)yards

Width:30(or20)yards

EndZones:Maximum10yardsdeep,minimum7yardsdeep

NoRunningZones:within5yardsofeachgoalline.

Endz

one

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

Endz

one

30 y

ds

5 yd

s.

5 yd

s.

1st Down

60 yds10 yds 10 yds

12 ydsmark

12 ydsmark

2 Bench Area

Endz

one

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

Endz

one

minimum 5 yds.

20 yds.

Bench

minimum 5 yds.

20 yds.

Bench


5v5 Rule 2 – Team Members

1 Players

1.1 Teamsneedaminimumoffour(4)playerstobeabletocompeteandamaximumoffive(5)playersonthefieldatanygiventime.Theofficialrostersizewilldependontheguidelinessetforthbyleagues,nationalandinternationaltournaments.

1.2 Ateammayhaveamaximumoffive(5)playersonthefieldduringaplay.

Ateammayuseaminimumoffour(4)playersduringaplay.Ateamwhichhasmorethanfive(5)playersonthefieldatanytime,whiletheballisliveshallbepenalizedforillegalsubstitution.

1.3 Ateammusthaveaminimumoffour(4)playersandamaximumoffive(5)playersonthefieldatthescheduledtimeorbepenalizedfordelayingthestartofthegame.Theteamwillforfeitthegamebyascoreof1-0iftheydonothaveaminimumoffour(4)playersandamaximumoffive(5)playersonthefieldwithinfifteen(15)minutesoftheschedulesstartofthegame.

1.4 WhenateamrefusestostartorcontinueagameattherequestoftheReferee,itwillbepenalizedfordelayingthegame.Onthethirdrefusal,theteamwillforfeitthegamebyascoreof1-0;ifthenon-forfeitingteamisintheleadatthispoint,thescorewillstand.

2 Captains

2.1 Eachteamispermittedamaximumof2teamcaptains


5v5 Rule 3 – Game Procedure

1 General Rules

1.1 Theoffensiveteamtakespossessionoftheballatits5-yardlineandhasthree(3)playstocrossmidfield.Onceateamcrossesmidfield,ithasthree(3)playstoscoreatouchdown.Iftheoffensefailstoscore,theballchangespossessionandthenewoffensiveteamtakesoveronits5-yardline.

1.2 Tobeginaplay,theballmustbesnappedbytheoffensivecenter,fromthepointofscrimmagetothequarterback.Thereisnominimaldistancerequiredbythequarterbackwhocanbeeitherupclosetothecenterorinshot-gunformation.

1.3 Anautomaticfirstdownbypenaltywilloverruletheotherrequirementsregardingthree(3)playstomakeeitherafirstdownorscore.

Note:InCanadianFlagRulestherearethree(3)playstocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown,whileinIFAFFlag5v5Rulesusedininternationalcompetition,therearefour(4)playstocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown.

1.4 Iftheoffensiveteamfailstocrossmidfield,possessionoftheballchangesandtheoppositionstartsitsdrivefromits5-yardline.

1.5 Allpossessionchanges,exceptinterceptions,startontheoffensive5-yardline.

1.6 Ifanoffensivepenaltypassedmidfieldoccurs,whichcausestheballtobeplacedbehindmidfieldmarker,theoffensiveteammuststillmakeatouchdownin3plays.

1.7 “No-runningzones,”arelocatedfive(5)yardsinfrontofeachendzone.Whentheballisonorinsidethe5-yardlinegoingtowardstheopponent’sendzone,theballcarriercannotrunacrossthelineofscrimmage.(norunningplays)

1.8 Thepassercannotrunwiththeballpastthelineofscrimmage,unlesstheballhashanded,tossedorpitchedtoanotherplayerandithasbeenreturned.

1.9 Oncetheballcarrierhascrossedthelineofscrimmagetheballcannotbehandedoff,tossed,pitchedorpassedinanyway.


1.11 Forwardpass–Ballmustbeonorbeyondthelineofscrimmagetobelegal.

1.12 Therearenokickoffsinthegameof5v5flagfootball.

1.13 Teamschangeendzonesathalftime.

2 Bean Bags

2.1 Two(2)beanbagsareneeded.Onetoindicatethelineofscrimmageandanothertoindicatetherusher’sline.Anoptionistohaveathirdbeanbagtomarkwheretheplayisdead.


5v5 Rule 4 – Scoring

1 Obtaining Points

1.1 Touchdown:6points

Extrapoint:1point. (Playedfrommidpointof5-yardlineonly)

Extrapoint:2points (Playedfrommidpointof12-yardlineonly)

Safety:2points

Note: Aninterceptionreturnedtoopponent’sendzoneonanyextrapointplaybythedefensewillresultinthedefensescoring2pointspluspossessionfornextseriesatits5-yardline.

2 Convert

2.1 Ateamscoringaconvertfromthe5yardlineisawardedone(1)point.Ateamscoringaconvertfromthe12yardlineisawardedtwo(2)points.Whenapenaltyaffectsthenormalpointofscrimmageofaconvertattempt,theawardingofone(1)ortwo(2)pointswillbebasedonwheretheoriginalconvertattemptwasscrimmagedpriortoanypenaltyapplicationorrepeatedconvertattempt.

2.2 Aconvertisscoredwhenaplayerhaslegalpossessionoftheballtheintheopponent’sendzoneduringaconvertattempt.

2.3 Iftheteamchoosestheadditionalpointfromfive(5)yards,thisiswithinthe“no-runningzone”andtheballmustbethrown.

3 Safety Touch

3.1 Ateamscoringasafetytouchisawarded2points

3.2 Ateamscoresasafetywhentheiropponentscausetheballtobebroughtintotheirendzoneandtheballisruleddeadintheendzonebeforetheycanbringitoutlegally,ortheballisconsideredtohavenotlefttheendzone.

3.3 Asafetytouchisnotawardedwhenaplayer’smomentum,whileinterceptingapassinthefieldofplay,causestheballtobebroughtintotheendzone,whereitiseventuallyrulesdead;theinterceptingteamshallbeawardedafirstdownatthepointofinterception.


5v5 Rule 5 – Timing / Over Time

1 Timing

1.1 Gamelengthis40minutes.(2x20minutehalves)

1.2 Thetimeisrunningexceptthelasttwominutesofeachhalfwillbe“officialtiming”Iftheballcarrierisoutofbounds,thegameclockwillstop,ifapassisincomplete,theclockwillstop–timewillNOTstopaftereveryplay.Theplayerswilllearnhowtomanagethegameclockasintacklefootball.

1.3 Clockwillstoptowarnteamsthattherearetwo(2)minuteslefttoplayineachhalf(notimeoutisgiven).Teamswillbewarnedwhentherearetwo(2)minuteslefttoplayinbothhalves.Theofficialwillmaketwo(2)whistleblowstosignaltwominutes.

1.4 Periodforhalf-timewillbe2minutes.

2 Over Time

2.1 Theteamwinningthecointossstartswiththeballonthemidline.

Eachteamhasthreeattemptstoscoreafterwhichtheotherteamgetsthreeattemptsfromthemidline.Ifthescoreisstilltiedaftereachteamhasusedtheirattempts,bothteamsstartagainfromthemidlineandtrytoscore.Extra-pointsafterthescoreareplayedasinregulationtime.Exceptwhenthescoreistiedafter2attemptsbybothteams,theyhavetoplaytheirextrapointtriesfromthe12-yardline.Turnoversendtheteam’sattemptsandcanbereturnedforascore.

2.2 Eachtimetheballisspottedtheoffensehas30secondstosnaptheball.


The Canadian Rule Book for 7v7 Flag Football

7v7 Rule 1 – Field

1 Field Definition and Markings

1.1 Thefieldofplayshallbe110yardslongby65yardswide.Inadditionthereshallbeanendzone20yardslongateachend.Theseareasshallbemarkedasshowninthefielddiagram.

1.2 Sidelines–linesmarkingthesidesofthefield.

1.3 Hashmarks–Twoseriesofhashmarks,paralleltothesidelinesandrunningthelengthofthefieldfromonegoallinetotheother.Eachhashmarkis24yardsfromthenearestsideline.Theballmustalwaysbesnappedbetweenthesetwolines.

1.4 GoalLines–thelinesmarkingtheendofthefield.

1.5 EndZone–theareaboundedbythegoalline,endzonesidelinesanddeadline.Thegoallineispartoftheendzone.

1.6 FieldofPlay–theareaboundedbythegoallinesandthesidelines.

1.7 Thefollowinglinesareparalleltothegoallines,runningfromonesidelinetotheother,oneithersideofthemidfieldline:

• MidfieldLineat55yards–runsparalleltothegoallinesanddividesthefieldofplayintwoidenticalsections.

• DeadLine–theline20yardsbehindeachgoallineandparalleltoit.

• Kick-offlineat45yardstostartathalfandafteratouchdown.Kick-offlineisusedafterasafetyandsinglepoint.

• Startinglineat10yardsofscrimmageafteraninterceptioninsidetheendzone.

• ConvertLinefor2pointsat10yards.

• ConvertLinefor1pointat5yards.

5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Cen

tre50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5

Dea

dlin

eEn

dzon

e

Endz

one

Dea

dlin

e65

yds

24 y

ds

Goa

l lin

e

Fiel

dof play

Goa

l lin

e

110 yds20 yds 20 yds


2 Field Dimension & Measurements

2.1 Allmeasurementsareinyardsandtakenfromtheinsideofthelines.

Ideal Field Other Options

FieldWidth 65 Minimum50

LengthofPlayingField 110 Minimum90

LengthofEndZone 20 Minimum10

HashMarks(fromsidelines) 24yardline 20yardline

Midfieldline 55yardline Midfield

Kick-offlinetostartahalfandafteratouchdown 45yardline 10yardsawayfrommidfieldline

Kick-offlineusedafterasafetyorasinglepoint 35yardline 20yardsawayfrommidfieldline

Startinglineofscrimmageafteraninterceptioninsidetheendzone 10yardline 10yardline

Convertlinefor2pts 10yardline 10yardline

Convertfor1pt 5yardline 5yardline


7v7 Rule 2 – Team Members

1 Players

1.1 Teamsneedaminimumofsix(6)playerstobeabletocompeteandamaximumofseven(7)playersonthefieldatanygiventime.Theofficialrostersizewilldependontheguidelinessetforthbyleagues,nationalandinternationaltournaments.

1.2 Eachteammayhaveamaximumofseven(7)playersonthefieldduringaplay.Ateammayuseaminimumofsix(6)playersduringaplay.Ateamwhichhasmorethanseven(7)playersonthefieldatanytime,whiletheballisliveshallbepenalizedforillegalsubstitution.

1.3 Ateammusthaveaminimumofsix(6)playersandamaximumofseven(7)payersonthefieldatthescheduledtimeorbepenalizedfordelayingthestartofthegame.Theteamwillforfeitthegamebyascoreof1-0iftheydonothaveaminimumofsix(6)playersandamaximumofseven(7)playersonthefieldwithinfifteen(15)minutesoftheschedulesstartofthegame.

1.4 WhenateamrefusestostartorcontinueagameattherequestoftheReferee,itwillbepenalizedfordelayingthegame.Onthe3rdrefusal,theteamwillforfeitthegamebyascoreof1-0;ifthenon-forfeitingteamisleadingatthistimethescorewillstand.

1.5 Aplayeriseligibletoplay,ifhe/shehasarrivedpriortothe2ndhalfkick-off.

2 Captains

2.1 Eachteamispermittedamaximumof4teamcaptains


7v7 Rule 3 – Game Procedure

1 General Rules

1.1 Thegamestartswithakick-off(oneteamkickstheballtotheopposingteam).Thereceivingteambecomestheoffensiveteamandthekickingteambecomesthedefensiveteam.

1.2 Tobeginaplay,theballmustbesnappedbytheoffensivecenter,fromthepointofscrimmagetothequarterback.Thequarterbackmustbeatleastfive(5)yardsfromthelineofscrimmagewhentheyfirsttouchtheball.

1.3 Theoffensiveteamtriestobringtheballtotheopponent’sendzonebypassingorrunningit(touchdownorkick).Theoffensiveteamhas3triesordownstogain10yardsandcomplete1pass.Iftheysucceed,theoffensiveteamhasearneda1stdownandgetsanothersetof3downstomovetheballdownfield.Iftheydonotscoreorgeta1stdown,theoffensiveteamlosespossessionoftheballandbecomesthedefensiveteam.

1.4 Iftheoffensiveteamthinksthattheywillnotgeta1stdown,theycandecidetogivetheballbacktotheopponentbykickingtheballtothem,asfarawayaspossiblefromtheirownendzone.

1.5 Thedefensiveteamonthefieldtriestopreventtheoffensefromscoringorgettingafirstdown.Todoso,theyhavetostoptheballcarrierbyflagginghimorherorbyknockingdownapassbeforeitiscompleted.

1.6 Whenthedefensiveteamsucceedsinpreventingtheoffensefromgettingafirstdownorbyinterceptingapass,theteamsexchangerolesonthefield.Offensebecomesdefenseandviceversa.

1.7 Adefensiveteamcanalsoscorepoints.Iftheoffensiveteamisstoppedinitsownendzone,thedefensescoresasafety.Ifthedefensiveteaminterceptsapassandrunstheballbacktotheopponent’sendzone,theyscoreatouchdown.

1.8 Theteamthatscoresatouchdowngetsanextradowntotrytoscoreaconvert:theycanchoosetotryandscoreeither1or2pointsonaconvert.

1.9 Aftertheconvert,playresumeswithakick-offbythescoringteam(nowthedefensiveteam)whowilltrytopreventtheopponentfromscoringorgettinga1stdownduringtheirballpossession.

1.10 Thequarterbackcanrunwiththeballpastthelineofscrimmage.

1.11 Oncetheballcarrierhascrossedthelineofscrimmagetheballcanbehandedofforlateraled.


1.13 Forwardpass–Ballmustbethrownfrombehindthelineofscrimmagetobelegal.

2 Choice of Kick-Off

2.1 Forthefirsthalf,thecaptainofthevisitingteamshallchoosetokickoff,receivethekickordefendanendofthefield.Thecaptainofthehometeamshallthenchooseoneofthetworemainingchoices.

2.2 Forthe2ndhalf,thecaptainofthehometeamshallchoosetokickoff,receivethekickoffordefendanendofthefield.Thecaptainofthevisitingteamshallthenchooseoneofthetworemainingchoices.

2.3 Afterthecaptain’schoicehasbeengivenbytheRefereetotheopposingcaptain,thechoicecannotbechanged.

3 Down

3.1 Aftertheballbecomesdeadonakickoff,theteaminpossessionshallbeawardedafirstdownandwillhavethree(3)attemptsordownstogain10yards.Theballshallbeadvancedbycarryingitorthrowingitusinglegalscrimmageplay.Iftheoffensegainstherequireddistanceintheseriesofthree(3)downs,afirstdownisawardedagain.

3.2 Iftherequireddistanceforafirstdownisnotgainedinthethree(3)attempts,theballisawardedtothedefenseatthepointwheretheballbecomesdeadafterthethirdattempt.


3.3 TheRefereeisthesolejudgeastowhetherornotafirstdownhasbeengainedbytheoffense.Thecaptainofeitherteammayaskforameasurement,buttheRefereehastheauthoritytoignoretherequestiftheRefereeisconvincedthatacorrectdecisioncanbemadewithouttheaidofmeasurement.

4 Equipment

4.1 Thekickingteemustnotraisethelowestpartoftheballmorethantwo(2)inchesofftheground.Thepenaltyisillegalprocedure.Thekickingteamisresponsibleforremovingthekickingteefromthefieldaftertheplayisdead.Failuretodosowillresultinanobjectionableconductpenaltyagainsttheteam.

5 Bean Bags

5.1 Three(3)beanbagsareneeded.Onetoindicatethelineofscrimmageandanothertoindicatethe5yardrusher’sline.Athirdbeanbagofadifferentcolorisneededtomarkthefirstdown.


7v7 Rule 4 – Timing / Overtime

1 Timing

1.1 Thegameisdividedinto4periodscalledquarters.

1.2 Notcountingtimeouts,the1stand3rdquartersconsistof15minutes.

1.3 After10minutesofplayinthe2ndand4thquarters(notcountingtimeouts),therefereeinformsbothteamsthat2minutesremainbeforethelast5playsofthequarter.Followingthethreeminutewarningsignal(notcountingtimeouts),therefereeinformsbothteamsthatonly5playsremainbeforetheendofthehalf.These5playsdonotincludeconverts,kick-offsordownsreplayedbecauseofapenalty.

1.4 Thetimeclockstartsonthereferee’swhistleatthebeginningofplayineachquarter.Thetimeclockrunscontinuouslyexceptduringtimeoutsandthelast5playsofahalf.Otherwise,thetimeclockcanonlybestoppedandrestartedontheheadreferee’ssignal.

1.5 Duringthelast5playsofthe4thquarter,theheadrefereecanstopthegameifheorshefeelsthatthesecurityoftheplayersiscompromised.

1.6 Eachhalfwillbeginwithakickofffromthekickingteam’s45yardline.

The1stand3rdquarterswillendwhennotimeremainsintheperiodwhentheballbecomesdeadattheendofalegalplay.

1.7 Atthestartofthe2ndand4thquarters,theteamswillchangeends.Theballwillbeputintoplaybytheteamentitledtodoso,attheappropriatepointdeterminedbytheendofthelastplayofthepreviousquarter.

1.8 Ahalfshallendwhennotimeremainsintheperiodwhentheballbecomesdeadattheendofalegalplay.

1.9 Theclockmustbestoppediftheballfallsoffthekickingtee.

1.10 Whenatouchdownisscoredonthefinalplayofaperiod,theconvertattemptmustbecompletedbeforethatperiodisconsideredcompleted.

2 Overtime

2.1 Whenthescoreistiedattheendofthegame,overtimeproceduresareasfollows:

• A3-minuterestperiodisallowedattheendofthe4thquarter;

• Teamcaptainswillassembleforacointoss(likepre-game);thewinnerofthecointosschoosestostartonoffenseorondefense.

• Eachteamhas3attemptstoscorea1or2pointconvert,attheirconvenience.

2.2 Ifthescoreisstilltiedafterthe3convertattemptshavebeenplayedoneachside,therewillbea1-minuterestperiod.Eachteamwillthenhaveonechanceatanotherconvertattempt(inthesameorder)untiloneteamoutscorestheother.

3 Changing Sides

3.1 Attheendofthe1stand3rdquarter,thetwoteamschangesidesonthefield.

3.2 Theteaminpossessionoftheballwillthenrestartthenextplayatapointcorrespondingexactlytothepointwheretheballbecamedeadattheoppositeendofthefield,andinexactlythesamemannerasifplayhadnotbeeninterruptedbytheendofthepreviousperiod.

4 Half Time

4.1 Attheendofthe2ndquarter,a5minuterestperiodisallowed.Withtheapprovalofthecaptainsonbothteamsandtheheadreferee,thelengthofthehalftimeperiodcanbemodified.


7v7 Rule 5 – Scoring

1 Obtaining Points

1.1 Touchdown–6points;Safety–2points

1.2 Single:

Ateamscoresasingle(1point)whenoneoftheplayerskickstheball:

• Insidetheopponent’sendzoneandtheplayiswhistleddeadortheballgoesthroughtheendzoneorcrossesthebackline.

or

• Insidetheopponent’sendzoneandtheballleavestheendzonebycrossingthesideline.Exception:onakick-off,theballmustfirsttouchthegroundinsidetheplayingfieldbeforeasinglecanbeawarded.

1.3 Ateamthathasconcededasinglewilltakepossessionoftheballontheirownsideofthefield,20yardsfrommidfield,betweenthe2hashmarks.


7v7 Rule 6 – Kicking Game (U-17 + up)

1 Kicking

1.1 Akickedballisonestruckbyaplayer’sfootorlegbelowthekneetointentionallygivepossessionoftheballtotheopposingteam.

1.2 Threetypesofkicksexistin7v7flagfootballfordivisionsU-17andhigher.Theyare:kick-off,puntandfree-kick.

1.3 Whentheballcontactsafootorpartofalegofaplayerwhileateamistryingtogainpossessionandisnotintentionallykickingtheball,itisconsiderednottobeakickandtheballistreatedasalateralpasswithapplicablerules.

2 Immunity

2.1 Thefirstplayertotouchtheballkickedbytheopponent(returner)hasa5yardimmunityarea:noplayeronthekickingteam(includingthekicker)canbeinsidethe5yardareawhenthereturnertouchesthefootballforthefirsttime.Infractionsresultinapenaltyfornotrespectingimmunity(penaltywithoptions;seedifferenttypesofkicks).Ifaplayerfromthekickingteamtouchestheballfirst,theballiswhistleddeadandtheimmunityruleisineffect,evenifnoplayerfromthereceivingteamiscloserthanthe5yardarea.

3 Kick Off

3.1 Thekick-offisexecutedasthe1stplaytostartahalforafteratouchdown.Itcanalsobeexecutedafterasafety.

3.2 Onkick-offsthatoccurafteratouchdowntostartahalf;thefootballisplacedbetweenthehashmarksonthesideofthefieldofthekickingteam,10yardsawayfrommidfield.Forkick-offsafterasafety,theballisplaced20yardsawayfrommidfield,betweenthehashmarksandonthesideofthefieldofthekickingteam.Theapplicationofpenaltiescanmodifytheplacementofthefootball.

3.3 Duringakick-off,theballmaybeplacedontheground,heldbyanotherplayer,oritcanbeplacedonakickingtee.Ifplacedonthetee,thefootballmustnotbemorethan2inchesofftheground.Aprocedurepenaltymaybecalledforinfractions.Theteamexecutingthekick-offisresponsibleforremovingthekickingteefromthefieldoncetheballiswhistleddead.Theteamreceivingthekickprovidesthefootball.

3.4 Ahuddleisnotmandatoryforakick-off.Thekickingteamhas20secondsaftertheofficial’swhistletokicktheball.Oncethetimehasexpired,theofficialwillstoptheplayandgiveapenaltyfordelayofgame.

Ifthereisasecondpenaltyfordelayofgame,theopposingteamwilltakepossessionwheretheballwasspotted.Afterthepenaltyfordelayofgame,theofficialmustinformbothteamsoftheimplicationsofasecondpenaltyfordelayofgame.

3.5 Oncetheofficialhaswhistledthestartofthe20seconds,noplayer,eitheronoffenseordefense,mayenterthefield(penaltyforillegalsubstitution).Theofficialwillmakesurethereare7playersonthefieldforeachteam.Ateamthattakestoomuchtimetolineup7playersonthefieldforkick-offwillreceiveapenaltyfordelayofgame.

3.6 Thereceivingteamonakick-offcanexecuteaforwardpass.

4 Offside on a Kick Off

4.1 Neutralzone:theneutralzoneistheareabetweenthekick-offline,theline20yardsinfrontofthekick-offlineandthe2sidelines.

4.2 Attheexactmomentwhentheballiskicked,allplayersonthekickingteam(exceptfortheholder)havetobebehindtheball(ifnot,penaltyforoffside:5yardpenaltyandre-kick,orthereceivingteammaydeclinethepenaltyandtaketheballatthepointwheretheplaystopped).

4.3 Untiltheballiskicked,playersonthereceivingteamsmustremainontheirsideoftheneutralzone(ifnot,penaltyforoffside:5yardpenaltyandre-kickorkickingteammaydeclinethepenaltyandthereceivingteamtakespossessionoftheballatthepointwheretheplaystopped).


5 Kick Off Out of Bounds

5.1 Akick-offisoutofboundswhen:

• Theballgoesoutofboundswithouttouchingtheplayingsurfaceorendzone,anyplayerorgoalpost;

• Theballgoesoutofboundsbycrossingthesidelinesofthefieldofplayaftertouchingtheplayingfield,butwithouttouchingaplayerorthegoalpost;

• Anoutofboundskick-offbringsapenalty(withoptions).

5.2 Unlessitistouchedbyaplayeronthereceivingteam,theballmusttravelatleast20yards(withorwithoutanybounce)towardstheopponent’sendzone(ifnot,penaltyforillegalprocedure–5yardswithoptions).

6 Kick Off Penalties

6.1 Delayofgameonakick-off:nooptions• Kickinglinemovedback10yardsandre-kickbytheteamatfault

• 2ndconsecutiveinfractionbythekickingteam:lostofpossessionatthekickingline.

6.2 Offsideonkick-off:optionsforteamnotatfault• Kickinglineismoved5yardsbacktowardstheteamatfaultandre-kick;

• Penaltyisdeclinedandthepossessionoftheballistakenatthespotwheretheballwhistleddead.

6.3 Kick-offoutofbounds:optionsforthereceivingteam• Kickinglineismoved5yardsbacktowardstheteamatfaultandre-kick;

• Receivingteamtakepossessionoftheball25yardsfromthekickingline;

• Receivingteamtakepossessionatthepointwheretheballwentoutofbounds.

6.4 Noyardruleonakick-off:optionsforteamnotatfault• Kickinglineismoved5yardsbacktowardstheteamatfaultandre-kick;

• 15yardpenaltystartingatthepointofinfractionandballpossessionforthereceivingteam.

• Penaltyisdeclinedandthepossessionoftheballistakenatthespotwheretheballwaswhistleddead.

6.5 Illegalsubstitutiononakick-off:optionsforteamnotatfault• Kickinglineismoved10yardsbacktowardstheteamatfaultandre-kick;

• Penaltyisdeclinedandthepossessionoftheballistakenatthespotwheretheballwaswhistleddead.

7 Punting

7.1 Apuntisexecutedtogivepossessionoftheballtotheopponentsbypushingthemasfarbackaspossibleintotheirzone.Apuntcanbeexecutedatanytime,onanydownandwithoutbeingannounced.

7.2 Apuntmustbeexecutedbehindthelineofscrimmage.

7.3 Apuntisexecutedbyaplayerwhoreceivestheballbythecenter,thenreleasestheballwiththehandstokickitbeforeittouchestheground.Afterthesnapfromthecenter,thepunteristheonlyplayerallowedtotouchtheballbeforethekick(ifnot,penaltyforillegalprocedure).

7.4 Duringapunt,theproceduresofpuntingtheballinplayarethesameasforanormaloffensiveplay.Also,aminimumof5playersmustbeontheLOSandnoplayerofthekickingteamisallowedtocrosstheLOSbeforetheballiskicked(ifnot,penaltyforillegalprocedure).

7.5 Ifthekickedballisfallinginanareawheretherearemanyplayers,theofficialcanwhistletheplaydeadwhiletheballiscomingdown.Theballbecomesofficiallydeadatthespotwheretheballmadecontactwiththegroundoraplayer.The“noyard”ruledoesn’tapply.

7.6 Ifapuntgoesoffthefieldbycrossingasidelineinsidetheplayingsurface,theballwillbespottedattheexactyardlinewhereitwentout.Ifitgoesoffthefieldinsidetheendzone,thentherulesofasinglewillapply.

7.7 Duringapunt,thereceivingteamcannotexecuteaforwardpass.


8 Roughing The Kicker

8.1 Ajudgmenthastobemadebytheofficialwhencontactismadewiththekicker.Voluntaryanddeliberatelyviolentcontactmadewiththekickerresultsinaroughingthekickerpenalty.Accidentallycontactoronethatismadewiththeattempttoavoidcontactbythedefenderwillresultinapenaltyforcontactingthekicker.

9 Punt that does not Cross Line of Scrimmage/ Goal Line

9.1 Theballisdeadwhenittouchestheground,aplayerorifitgoesoutofbounds.The“noyard”ruledoesnotapply.

9.2 Puntthatdoesnotcrossthegoalline:whenapuntisexecutedfromtheteam’sownendzoneanditdoesnotcrossthegoalline,asafetywillbeawardedtothereceivingteam.

10 Tipped Punt

10.1 Atippedpuntisakickedballtouchedbyaplayer(offenseordefense)immediatelyafterbeingkicked,beforeitcrossesthelineofscrimmageandstillcontinuesitspathtowardstheopponent’sendzone.Atippedpuntisconsideredanuntouchedball.

10.2 IftheballcrossestheLOS,alltherulesofpuntingapply.Ifitdoesn’tcrosstheLOS,theballwillbedeadthemomentittouchestheground,aplayer,orgoesoutofbounds.Thereceivingteamwillthentakeoverpossessionoftheballatthepointwheretheballwaswhistleddead.The“noyard”ruledoesnotapply.

11 Blocked Punt

11.1 Ablockedpuntiskickedballtouchedbyaplayer(offenseordefense)immediatelyafterbeingkicked,beforeitcrossesthelineofscrimmageanddoesnotcontinueitspathtowardstheopponent’sendzone.The“noyard”ruledoesnotapply.

11.2 Iftheballtouchesthegroundorgoesoutofbounds,theplayisdead.Thereceivingteamgetspossessionoftheballatthepointwhereitwasblocked.

12 Blocked Punt Recovered

12.1 Whenablockedpuntisrecoveredbythekickingorreceivingteam,theballremainsinplay.Whenthekickingteamrecoverstheblockedpunt,continuationoftheplayisconsiderednormal–theteammaykick,passorruntheball.

12.2 Ifapuntisblockedortippedbythereceivingteaminsidetheendzoneofthekickingteam,andtheballdoesnotcrossthegoallineorgoesoutofboundsinsidetheendzone,thereceivingteamscoredatouchdown.

13 Punt Penalties

13.1 Noyardrule:optionsfortheteamnotatfault

• 15yardpenaltyfromthepointofinfractionand1stdownisawarded;

• Penaltyisdeclinedandballisspottedatthepointwheretheplaywasstopped.

13.2 Illegalprocedureonapunt:optionsfortheteamnotatfault

• Lossof5yardsforkickingteamandre-kick.


13.3 Contactwiththekicker

• 10yardpenaltyfromtheLOSandreplaydownforthekickingteam;iftheyardsgainedbythepenaltyaresufficient,a1stdownisawardedtothekickingteam.


13.4 Roughingthekicker

• 15yardpenaltyandautomatic1stdownforthekickingteam.


14 Free Kick

AkickexecutedbyaplayeraftertheballhascrossedtheLOS.

14.1 Thefreekickisexecutedandisgovernedbythesamerulesasapunt.

Exceptions:

• Allplayerscankicktheball;

• TheruleofnotcrossingtheLOSbeforetheballiskickeddoesnotapply;theplayersofthekickingteamarefreetomove,butthenoyardruleforthereturnerisineffect.

• AfreekickcanbeexecutedfrombehindtheLOSonlyiftheballhadpreviouslycrossedtheLOSandcamebackbehinditafterwards;otherwisethekickbecomesapuntandpuntingrulesapply.

• Ifablockedfreekickisrecoveredbythekickingteam,forwardpassesarenotallowed.

• Atippedfreekickisafreekicktouchedbyanopponentimmediatelyafterbeingkickedandstillcontinuesitspathtowardstheopponent’sendzone.Theplayerwhotippedtheballhadtobewithin5yardsofthekickerwhenhetippedtheball.Atippedfreekickisconsideredanuntouchedfreekick.

15 Punt/ Place Kick

15.1 Theballisdeadafterapuntwhenittouchesthegroundbehindthelineofscrimmageorsnapped,andthereisnoplayontheballbyeitherteam.

15.2 Theballisdeadafterapuntwhenittouchesthegroundafterbeingmuffedinanoffsidedirectionbyanyplayerofthereceivingteamatanytime.Theballisdeadafterapuntwhenitisdownedbyaplayerofthepuntingteam.Inallthesecases,aballtouchinganypersonorobjectoutofboundsshallbeconsideredtohavetouchedtheground.

15.3 Theballisdeadimmediatelyafterapuntorplacekickonaconvertattempt.

16 Kick Off

16.1 Theballisdeadafterakickoffwhenitisdownedbythekickingteam.


Adapted RulesFlagfootballcanbeadaptedforteamsofindividualswithdisabilities.Thegameisplayedasoutlinedinthe5v5rulesandadaptivemethodsofplayareasfollows:

1 Field

Standard outdoor field

Standardlength:60or80yards

Standardwidth:30or20yards

NoRunningZone:Within5yardsofendzone

Endz

one

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

Endz

one

5 yd

s.

5 yd

s.

5 yd

s.

5 yd

s.

1st Down

10 yds 10 yds

No

Run

ning

Zon

e

Adapted

NoRunningZones:5yardsfromeachgoallineand5yardsbeforethemid-fieldline.Anyballsnappedfromthesezonesmustbepassed.

*Purposeofthe“NoRunningZones”istoavoidshortyardagepowerrunsthatcangetoutofcontrol.

Flagfootballcanbeplayedbyathletesusingwheelchairsorothermobilityassistivedevicesinsideoroutsideonaflatsurfacesuchasparkinglotorbasketballcourt.

2.1 Whenusingagymnasium,theboundariesforbasketballworkwell.

Eachteambeginsatthefoullineandhas3playstocrossthecenterlinetomakeafirstdown.

Fieldsizeshouldcorrespondontheskillleveloftheathletesandnumberofparticipants.Itisnecessarytoroutinelyevaluateplayandmakeadjustmentsasnecessary.


2 Players

Standard:

MinimumPlayers:4

PlayersperRoster:6

Playersonfield:5

Adapted (recreation):

Adaptedteamslikelywillincreaseteamrosterto10to15playersandplaywith5to10onthefield.Theorganizerscansetthenumberofplayersonthefieldtoreflectlevelofparticipants.Forleagueorroutinegames,organizersmaychoosetotradeplayersinordertobalanceteams.

Competitive Adaptation for Unified Sports Teams

2.1 Therostersizeistobedeterminedbytheindividualorganizer(i.e.SpecialOlympics)

2.2 Therostermayincludeable-bodied“partners”whoplayalongsideanathletewithaphysicalorintellectualdisability.

2.3 Athletesandpartnersmustbesimilarinageandskill.

2.4 IntheUnifiedSportsguidelines,whenapartnerispassingthefootball,anotherpartnerisineligibletoreceivethepass.

3 Game Procedures

Standard Snap

Tobeginaplay,theballmustbesnappedthroughthelegsoftheoffensivecenter,fromthepointofscrimmagetothequarterback.Thereisnominimaldistancerequiredbythequarterbackwhocanbeeitherupclosetothecenterorinshot-gunformation.

Adapted

TheCentercantosstheballbacktotheQuarterbackwithoutsnappingtheballbetweenhis/herlegs.

TheQuarterbackcanstarttheplaywithballinpossession.

Standard Downs

InCanadianFlagRulestherearethree(3)playstocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown,whileinIFAFFlag5v5Rulesusedininternationalcompetition,therearefourplaystocrossmid-fieldorscoreatouchdown.

Thenumberofdownscanbealteredbasedontheskillleveloftheathletes,numberofparticipantsandsizeoftheplayingsurface.

Standard Quarterback Run

Allpossessionchanges,exceptinterceptions,startontheoffensive5-yardline.

Adapted

Possessionchangesstarton10yardline.

Standard Time

Thequarterbackcannotrunwiththeballpastthelineofscrimmage,unlesstheballhashanded,tossedorpitchedtoanotherplayerandithasbeenreturned.

Adapted

Thequarterbackmayneverruntheball.


Standard

Teamschangeendzonesathalftime(after20minuteshasbeenplayed).

Adapted

Considertheageandskilllevelofparticipants,numberofparticipantsandthesizeandqualityofplayingsurfacetosetthetimeofgame

4 Player Equipment

Standard Flag Placement

Aflagisplaceoneachhip

Adapted

AflagisplacednthebackofwheelchairwithVelcro

Standard Ball per age group:

U-11 WilsonK2

U-13 TDJ

13+ TDY

Adapted Ball

Gripperballforanyplayerswithlimiteddexterity

Oneballsizesmallerthanstandardforagegroupotherwise

5 Earning Points

Standard Points

Touchdown:6points

1pointconversion (Playedfrommidpointof5-yardlineonly)

2pointsconversion (Playedfrommidpointof10-yardlineonly)

2pointsawardedforasafety

Adapted

Limitoptionto1pointconversiononlywithorwithoutthenorunningzone.

Forwheelchairball,twowheelsmustbeintheendzonewhiletheplayerhaspossessionoftheballtoscoreanypoints.

Asafetytouchisnotawardedwhenaplayer’smomentum,whileinterceptingapassinthefieldofplay,causestheballtobebroughtintotheendzone,whereitiseventuallyrulesdead;theinterceptingteamshallbeawardedafirstdownatthepointofinterception.

6 Timing

Standard Tim

Gamelengthis40minutes.(2x20minutehalves)

Timeallowedforhalf-timebreakis2minutes.

Adapted

5or10minutehalftime

7 Wheelchair Safety

Theneedforcontactinflagfootballiseliminatedwiththeuseofflags.Incidentalcontactbetweenwheelchairswilloccurandispartofthegame,butflagrantattemptstohurtanopponentusingawheelchairwillnotbetolerated.

7.1 Dangerouscontactsuchashittinganotherplayerfrombehindisnotpermitted.Thisisreferredtoasspinningwhereanathletestrikesanopponent’swheelchairbehindthemainaxiscausingittospin.


7.2 Directphysicalcontactbetweenathletesisnotpermittedandisreferredtoasillegaluseofhandsorreachingin.

7.3 Holding,whereanathleteusestheirhands,armsorfallingintoanopponentisnotpermitted.

7.4 Itisrecommendedthatallwheelchairsbeequippedwithspokeprotectorsandanti-tipdeviceattheback.

7.5 Allwheelchairsmustbeequippedwithadequatestrappingtoholdtheathletessecurelyinplaceduringtheactivityandtomaintaingoodseatingposition.


Appendix 1

1 Skill Building

Thefollowinggamesaredesignedforathletesnewtoflagfootball.Thefocusisonfundamentals:throw,catch,flagpulls.

Thegamescanbesetupasaskillscompetition,wheretheathlete’sfinalscoreisdeterminedbyaddingallthescorestogether.

Suggestedspaceforthesegamesis20yardsby20yards

2 Catching

Purpose

Tomeasuretheathlete’sabilitytorunarouteandcatchafootball.

Equipmentneededincludes4woosemarkersand2footballs

Fourwoosemarkerswillbesetupina5yardsquare.Theathletebeginsatonecorner,runsstraightaheadandaroundthewoosemarker,thenrunsdiagonallydowntothecornerwoosemarkerandthenheadsstraightforthefinalmarker.Theathletewillrunacapital“N”shapeandwillreceivetheballatthelastwoosemarker.Dependingontheskilllevelofthethrower,theycanbeplacedatthemarkerbesidetheathleteforashortpassoratthesamemarkerforalongerdiagonalpass. Eachathletewillcompletethewholeactivitythreetimes.

Atotalof24pointscanbeawardedforthisstationafter3attempts:

• 5pointsforcatchingtheball

• 2pointsforblockingorknockingtheballdown

• 1pointforeachofthetwoconessuccessfullyreached

• 1pointforreachingthefinalmarkerforthecatch

• 0pointsformissedattempts

3 Throwing

Purpose: Tomeasuretheathlete’sabilitytothrowafootballaccuratelyandfordistance.

Equipmentneededincludes2woosemarkers,3hoolahoopsand5footballs.

Theathletebeingtestedstandsinthestartboxthatis1yardby1yardsetupbehindthefirsthoolahoopandattemptstogetthefootballinoneofthetargets.

Thetargetsareplaced2yards,5yardsand10yardsawayfromthe‘start’boxonadiagonal

Eachathletehas3trialswith5attemptsineachtrial.

Atotalof45pointscanbeawardedforthisstationforall3trials:

• 10yardtargetis3points

• 5yardtargetis2points

• 2yardtargetis1point

• 0pointsformissingatarget


4 Throwing for Distance

Purpose: Tomeasuretheathlete’sabilitytothrowafootballfordistance.

Equipmentneededincludes2woosemarkers,5footballsandlongmeasuringtape.

Theathletebeginsbehindthestartline,withenoughroomtobeabletotakeaoneortwostepsinpreparationofthrowing.

Theathletehas5attemptstothrowthefootballasfaraspossiblewithoutsteppingoverthestartline.

Additionalcoachesornon-participatingplayersmarkwhereeachfootballfirsttouchesthegroundandthelongestdistanceof5attemptsismeasuredforthescore.

Iftheathletestepsovertheline,theyhaveamaximumof2repeatattempts.

Theathletes’scoreisthelongestofthe5attempts.

5 Flag Pulling

Purpose

Tomeasuretheathlete’sflagpullingability.

Equipmentneededincludes8woosemarkers,3setsofclothflags,1stopwatchand3volunteers.

Theathletewillbeginatthestartinglinemarkedbythewoosemarkersandruntothethreevolunteerswearingtheclothflags.Thevolunteerswillbestanding2yardsapart,10yardsfromthestartline.

Theathletewillruntothefirstvolunteer,removeaflagandrunbacktothestartlinetodroptheflag.Thiswillberepeatedfortwomoretimes.

Thiseventwillbescoredbytime:

• 10-15seconds = 20points



• 26–30seconds = 14points






• 56secondsandup = 2points


Officials’ Signals

Team Time OutT sign with hands

1 2 3First DownOne arm pointing

forward

Second DownHands upright at

shoulder level

4

5 6 7 8

9

Third DownArms crossed at chest

level

Touchdown or 2 Pt. Convert

Both arms extended above head

Safety Touch Hands together above

head

Single PointOne arm extended

above head

OffsideHands on hips

Clock StartsFull arm circles to

simulate clock

10 11 12Clock StopsHands criss-crossed

above head

Personal FoulEither arm extended

sideways with closed fist

Major FoulChopping left wrist


13 14 15 16

17 18

Objectionable Conduct

Waving hand behind back

Pass Interference in Target Zone

Pushing forward from shoulders

Illegal Use of Hands or Pass Interference

in Remote ZoneGrasping wrist at chest

level

ObstructionArm extended and

grasp wrist

ProcedureHands rotated in forward motion

Incomplete PassShifting arms in

horizontal plane

19 20

21

Direction of PassHand pointing to

direction pass was thrown

Time Count Violation or Delay of Game

Arm in circular motion

Offside Pass Horizontal arc with

either hand

22 23 24Intentional Grounding

Passing motion and pointing at ground

Illegal Re-entry Both arms extended

sideways

Illegal Substitution Hand patting on top

head


25 26 27Restraining Zone Infraction

Arms loaded

Penalty Declined Shifting arms at knee

level

Official’s Time Out Both hands placed on

chest

28 29 30

31 32

EjectionSaluting motion

Dead-Ball Foul One arm extended overhead with palm

open

Headtouch Hand on back of head,

palm open

Roughing KickerPersonal Foul Signal Either arm extended

sideways with closed fist.

Roughing the Passer Personal Foul Signal +

Arm raised above head in a passing motion.

Leg raised about 6” of the ground. Arm

pointing down towards foot.

the canadian rule book for flag football

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