DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE CATHOLIC ATHLETIC LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION
2007 FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
(Any rule or regulation not covered in this paper can be found in the National Federation High School Football Rules and Regulations.)
CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS AND TEAMS
All 7th and 8th graders must play on "A" Division teams. No boy who has reached his 15th birthday is eligible to play in this division.
All 5th and 6th graders must play on "C" Division teams. No boy who has reached his 13th birthday is eligible to play in this division.
Exceptions: In event the school has no "C" team, all players may play on "A" Division teams.
NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Each team consists of 9 players. During all scrimmage downs (all downs which begin with a snap) and until the ball is snapped, or kicked, on a kicking down, both teams must have 5 players (no more or no less) on the line of scrimmage at the snap. All other players must be at least 2 yards from the line of scrimmage with the exception of the T formation quarterback.
Failure of either team to have 9 men on the field is no penalty as long as they meet the requirement of having 5 men on the line.
There is no limit to the number of players on the roster.
FLAGS: Each player will wear a belt at his waistline with 2 flags attached, but not tied, one flag on each side of his body. Flags should be a minimum of 16 inches long. Colors of flags shall be either red or yellow.
Three offensive linemen must wear red flags and they may not be on the end of their line on any scrimmage down regardless of a run, pass, or kicking down. All other offensive players must wear yellow flags. On a passing play only offensive players wearing yellow flags are eligible pass receivers. All offensive players become eligible to catch a pass once it has been touched or batted by any defensive player.
All defensive players are eligible to catch a pass.
SCORING: Touchdown--6 points
Safety--2 points
Conversion--1 point (run or pass only) from the 3-yard line.
Conversion--2 points (run or pass only) from the 10-yard line.
If the defensive team intercepts the ball on a conversion attempt the ball is dead.
RULES: The Field: The field shall be 80 yards longs and 40 yards wide with 10 yard end zones at each end and a 3 yard wide sideline on each side of the field. This sideline is to be kept clear at all times, except for yard markers. Restraining line for the team box and coaches' area are the 15-yard lines.
Schools using their own fields must properly mark them.
UNIFORMS: No padding (except knee pads), headgear of any kind, may be worn by a player. Teams are to wear numbered jerseys of opposite colors, shorts, sweats or long pants. All players must wear a waistband with flags attached. Home team must change uniform if visiting team’s colors are identical to that of the home team. Tennis shoes or soft rubber cleats may be worn. No other footwear is allowed (soft rubber cleats are preferred for the safety of the child). Mouthpieces must be worn properly. Receiver gloves can be worn.
BALL: "A" Division must use official Intermediate size ball. "C" Division must use the official junior size ball.
OFFICIALS: Two officials administer the game. The decisions of the officials are final in all matters pertaining to tie game. The game cannot be played if there are not 2 officials present.
The officials have the authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules.
The officials shall decide if the ball is legal.
STARTING THE GAME: A flag, cleat, and mouthpiece check, will be administered by the officials before the start of each game
Team captains winning the toss chooses to kickoff or receive the looser of the toss chooses direction. If you kickoff in the first half you receive in the second half, and if you receive in the first half you kickoff in the second half. If one team chooses direction in the first half the other team chooses direction in the second half
Warm-up time is 15 minutes if possible.
KICKOFF: The kickoff shall be made from the kicking team's 15-yard line. At least 4 members of the receiving team shall be stationed between mid-field and the 15 yard line. If kicked out of bounds the ball is re-kicked after a 3-yard penalty. If kicked out of bounds a second time, the ball is awarded to the receiving team at mid-field. Kick out of end zone - ball is put in play on the 15-yard line. On-side kicks are illegal. No matter how far the ball travels on a kick off it will automatically go to the receiving team, regardless of who touches it. Ball must be kicked from a tee or on the ground.
TIME OUTS: Three (3) time outs of 1 minute each per half per team. Time outs not used in the first half cannot be used second half. Both teams must be ready to play after time out.
PLAYING TIME: The game shall consist of four (4) quarters, each quarter being made up of a total of 20 plays for 7th and 8th Grade, (exception—towards the end of the season if both coaches agree it is getting dark, they can go 20/15). 5th and 6th Grade teams rotate the number of plays in each quarter 20-15-20-15 for the entire season. Each play shall count, exclusive of accepted penalty and try for an extra point. There shall be a 2-minute rest period between quarters and 5 minutes between halves. All offensive plays by either team will count toward the total of 20 plays. No play will be counted on which there is a penalty accepted.
TIME IN HUDDLE: Maximum time in huddle is 25 seconds. (Penalty = 3 yards)
HUDDLE: All players must be in the huddle prior to each offensive play and standing on the playing surface at all times.
FIRST DOWNS: A team has 4 downs to move the ball from one zone to the next. (15 yards)
SLEEPER PLAY: All players must be in the huddle prior to each offensive play and standing on playing surface at all times. No sleeper plays.
TOUCHBACK: Any ball forced across goal line by the opponent and recovered by a team behind its own goal line. Any kickoff or punt that breaks the plane of the receiving teams goal line. Pass intercepted behind goal line is a touchback if downed.
Official’s judgment if he thinks interceptor tries to run the ball out of the end zone, interceptor may run ball out at his own risk. Ball is put in play at first 15-yard line.
DOWNING: Player must stop when whistle is blown. A runner is downed when either flag is pulled from his belt, if flag falls off, of if a knee touches the ground. If a pass is thrown as player is downed, the ball must leave passes hand first.
When any receiver or ball carrier accidentally looses either flag and obtains possession of ball, the play is dead at the point of possession.
FORWARD PASSES: Two forward passes are legal as long as the first pass is behind the line of scrimmage.
BLOCKING: Must be done without the use of hands or extended arms. Shoulder blocking is recommended. Elbows cannot be thrown forward. Blocker cannot leave feet. Defensive team can use hands except on head of blocker. Neither team can use hands to hold opponent. Downfield blocking is allowed. Crab blocking is not allowed. Line of scrimmage is 2 yards either side of marked ball.
PUNTS: No punts can be blocked (free punt). If punt is blocked it is kicked over.
Players on the line of scrimmage must remain motionless until ball is kicked. (Penalty = 3 yards)
A player may not raise his arms or in any way try to distract punter. (Penalty = 3 yards)
FUMBLES: All fumbles are dead immediately at point of contact with ground.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Free substitutions between downs.
PENALTIES: See attached sheet.
DEAD BALL: If center snap strikes the ground it is considered a fumble and is therefore a dead ball, including snaps for punts.
TIE GAME: Tie at the end of regulation play remains a tie. Ties are not played off. League standings: wins count 2 points, ties count 1 point, loss counts 0 points.
PROTESTS: Protest of a game must be in writing and signed by coach, athletic director, and principal of protesting school. Protest must be submitted to the league within 72 hours of the game and must be accompanied by a 50-dollar check that will be refunded if the protest is upheld.
PENALTIES
-Illegally handing the ball forward -- (3 yards)-(loss of down)-(spot of foul)
No player may hand the ball forward except as follows:
An offensive player who is behind the line of scrimmage, may hand the ball forward to a backfield teammate who is also behind the line of scrimmage or to a teammate who was on the line of scrimmage when the ball was snapped, provided that teammate left the line of scrimmage, faced his own end line and was at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage when the player received the ball
-Illegal forward pass -- (3 yards)-(loss of down)-(spot of foul)
The illegal forward passed are:
a. A pass from the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.
b. A pass caught, batted or muffed by an ineligible receiver who is in or behind the neutral zone.
c. A pass after team possession has changed during the down.
-Intentional grounding pass -- (3 yards)-(loss of down)-(spot of foul)
A pass which is purposely uncompleted or thrown into an area not occupied by an eligible offensive receiver to save loss of yardage.
-Illegal delay -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
An action or inaction, which prevent promptness in putting the ball in play, is delay of game. This includes:
a. Failure to snap or free kick within 25 seconds after the ball is ready-for-play.
b. Unnecessarily running the ball after it has become dead.
c. A coach-referee conference after all the permissible charged time-outs for the coach's team have been used, and during which the referee is requested to reconsider the application of a rule and no change in the ruling results.
d. Any other conducts which unduly prolongs the game.
-Illegal formation -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
Not having exactly five men on the line of scrimmage at snap of ball. This applies to both the offense and defense.
Not having a player with yellow flags on the end on the offensive line.
-Offside, Encroachment, or False Start -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
If referee sees outside player on offense or defense offside before the snap, he should warn him before the snap. If he doesn't get back, assess the penalty.
After the snapper has made his final adjustment of the ball, it is encroachment for any player to break the plane of the line of scrimmage, except for the snappers right to be over the ball. No player shall encroach on the neutral zone after the ball is ready-for-play by touching the ball or the opponent or being in or beyond the neutral zone to give defensive signals. If any player encroaches into the neutral zone the play is dead at the time of encroachment and the penalty is assessed.
It is a false start if:
a. A shift or feigned charge simulates action at the snap.
b. Any act that is clearly intended to cause an opponent to encroach.
c. Any offensive player on the line between the snapper and the player on the end of his line, after having placed a hand(s) on or near the ground, moves his hand(s) or makes any quick movement unless the movement is caused by an irregularity such as calling players off the line for receiving a new signal or the defense stepping into the neutral zone. If the false start causes the defense to encroach, only the false start is penalized.
-Illegal kicking or batting -- (3 yards)-(Spot of foul)
No player shall intentionally kick the ball other than a free kick or scrimmage kick.
No player shall bat a loose ball other than a pass or a fumble in flight. The passing team may not bat a backward pass in flight forward. Any pass in flight may be batted in any direction, unless it is by an ineligible pass receiver.
-Guarding flags and hurdling to avoid loss of flag -- (No penalty)(Ball is dead at point of infraction)
Ball carriers shall not protect their flags by blocking with arms or hands the opportunity of an opponent to pull or remove a flag.
Hurdling is an attempt by a runner to jump with one or both feet into the air to avoid the loss of flag from a defensive player who is still on his feet.
-Offensive pass interference -- (12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(loss of down)
It is interference:
a. If any offensive player who is five yards beyond the line of scrimmage interferes with an eligible opponent's opportunity to move toward, catch, or bat the ball.
b. If an ineligible offensive player touches a forward pass beyond the neutral zone before a defensive player has touched it.
-Interference with opportunity to catch a kick -- (7 yards)-(Spot of foul)
While any kick is in flight beyond the kicking teams free kick line on a free kick or beyond the neutral zone on a scrimmage kick, no player on the kicking team can touch the receiver or obstruct the receiver’s path to the ball. This applies even if no fair catch signal is given, but does not apply if the act is after the receiving team has touched the kick.
-Straight arm -- (7 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
A ball carrier may not use his arm to physically fend off a defensive player who is trying to pull his flag.
-Leaving feet to block -- (7 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
-Clipping and illegal blocking -- (7 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
Clipping is the charging or falling into the back of an opponent. Such cases shall not be ruled clipping unless the official sees the initial contact. Doubtful cases involving a side block or the opponent turning his back to the blocker are to be judged according to whether the opponent was able to see or ward off the blocker.
Blocking in the back is allowed within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage.
A player may not block an opponent below the waist.
A player shall not trip an opponent.
An offensive player may not use hands, extended arms, or throw elbows forward during a block.
Any player may not use hands or arms to hold an opponent.
A defensive player may use his hands except on head of blocker.
-Tackling, Unnecessary roughness, Striking, Kicking, Elbowing, An offensive player deliberately running over a defensive player, A defensive player deliberately running over a offensive player in an attempt to pull flag. -- (12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(Disqualification if flagrant)
-Unsportsmanlike conduct -- (12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(Disqualification if flagrant)
Players may not:
a. Use profanity insulting or vulgar language or gestures.
b. Taunt.
c. Use disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with the offensive team's signals or movements.
d. Spike the ball into the ground.
e. Throw the ball high into the air or from the field of play.
f. Fail to place the ball on the ground or return it to a nearby official.
g. Pulling one’s own flag and holding it up so that the referee will blow his whistle and end the play.
-Roughing a player out of bounds -- (12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(Disqualification if flagrant)
A defensive player may not push or block a ball carrier out of bounds without making a attempt to pull ball carrier's flags.
-Canning offensive center -- (12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
The center may not be touched until he has stood up to block.
-Failure to properly wear required equipment during a down -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
Failure to wear mouth piece -- (Player is dismissed from game until corrected)-(No penalty)
-Illegal substitution, it is a dead ball foul - (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
No substitute shall enter during a down.
Between downs any number of eligible substitutes may replace players, provided having the replaced players off the field before the ball becomes alive completes the substitution.
A replaced player, or a substitute who has been unable to complete the substitution, is required to leave the field at the side on which his team is located.
During the same dead ball interval, no substitute shall become a player and them withdraw and no player shall withdraw and then reenter as a substitute unless a dead ball foul occurs, there is a charged time out or a period ends.
-Free kick infraction: free kick out of bounds -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(Re-Kick)
If re-kick also goes out of bounds, the receiving team takes possession at mid-field.
-Blocking after a valid or invalid fair catch signal -- (7 yards)-(Spot of foul)
A receiver who has given a valid or invalid fair catch signal cannot block an opponent until the kick is ended.
-Invalid or illegal fair catch signal -- (3 yards)-(Spot of foul)
A valid fair catch signal is the extending and lateral waving of one arm only, at full arm's length above the head by any member of the receiving team.
An invalid fair catch signal is any signal by a receiver:
a. That does not meet the requirements of a valid fair catch signal.
b. After the kick has touched the receiver.
c. After the kick has touched the ground.
An illegal fair catch signal is any signal given by a runner after the kick has been caught.
-Ineligible receiver downfield -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)-(Loss of down)
An ineligible receiver is illegally downfield if he is beyond the neutral zone before a pass, which goes beyond the line of scrimmage, is in flight.
-Helping the runner -- (3 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
An offensive may not push, pull or lift a runner.
-Illegal participation -- (7 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
Unless blocked or pushed out of bounds, no player shall participate by touching the ball or hindering an opponent after having been out of bounds during a down.
No replaced player or substitute shall hinder an opponent, touch the ball, influence the play, or otherwise participate.
The use of a team attendant or substitute in a substitution or pretended substitution to deceive opponents at or immediately before the snap or free catch.
The reentrance of a disqualified player or an injured player that is not replaced for at least one down.
A player lying on the ground to deceive the opponents at or immediately before the snap or free kick.
Having 10 or more players participating at the snap or free kick.
-Pulling receivers flag before pass is caught --(12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
If the pass is caught may take the completion or a 12-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage previous spot. If the pass is dropped it is a 12-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage previous spot.
Receiver stepping out of bounds before coming back in to catch ball -- (Loss of down)-(Ball at line of scrimmage previous spot)
-Person illegally on field -- (Warning for coach)
-Defensive pass interference --(12 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
After the passer throws the pass, and until it is touched, there shall be no defensive interference (that which interferes with the offensive player's opportunity to move toward, catch or bat the ball) beyond the five-yard zone while the ball is in flight. Only one chuck of the receiver is allowed within the first five yards of the line of scrimmage.
It is not interference if unavoidable contact occurs when two or more eligible’s are making a simultaneous, bona fide attempt to move toward, catch or bat the ball.
If a defensive player has touched the ball, restrictions end for all offensive and defensive players
If the ball has been touched by an offensive, restrictions end for eligible offensive players and all defensive players.
If an offensive player has touched the ball, ineligible offensive players may block but may not use their hands or arms to ward off an opponent since they may not legally touch the ball.
-Illegal contact with passer- (7 yards)-(Line of scrimmage previous spot)
In rushing the passer, the defender may try to block a pass, but cannot touch the passer above his shoulders, which also include his arm when raised above his shoulder before the ball is released. If in the judgment of the official the contact with the passer after he has released the ball is minimal there is no penalty. If the contact is not minimal in the judgment of the official then there is a penalty.
-Communicable disease procedures- Bleeding must be stopped, the open wound covered and if there is an excessive amount of blood on the uniform it must be changed before he athlete may participate.