FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

 

Flag Football is an alternative to football in which flags are used in place of tackling.

Key Words

Kick-Off:                    Occurs at the beginning of the game and after each goal. The defensive team (or scoring team) drop kicks or throws the ball to the offensive (receiving) team from center field.

Line of Scrimmage: Starting line from where the ball carrier’s ball lands on a kick-off,

  or where the flag lands when pulled.

Downs:                      Offensive attempts to move the ball towards the goal; 4 downs are allowed per possession. A downed ball is the result of a pulled flag.

 

Rules and Penalties

1.   Downed Ball:       When a ball carrier’s flag is removed. Ball carrier must stop and

place the ball at the mid-field position even with point of down.

 

2.   Dead Ball:            When the ball hits the ground on an incomplete pass or fumble. Ball

is returned to the original line of scrimmage.

 

3.   Loss of Flags:      A player is ineligible if the flags are not on.

                                                Penalty:  10 yards for carrying without a flag

 

4.   Tackling:               NOT ALLOWED!!

                                                Penalty:  15 yards

 

5.   Hacking:               When the ball carrier pushes another player.

                                                Penalty:  15 yards and loss of down

 

6.   Illegal Forward Pass:      Ball is passed forward in front of the line of scrimmage.

Penalty:  Loss of down, ball is returned to original line of scrimmage.

 

7. Turnover                 When the ball is recovered by the defensive team during a fumble or an incomplete pass.

 

Team Positions

 

Offense         A minimum of 4 players must be at the line of scrimmage including the

center.  The quarterback stands directly behind the center.  All linemen

are eligible to receive a pass.

 

Defense        Must line up a minimum of 3 big steps back from the line of scrimmage. Players

may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball has been passed by the

center.

 

1.                  Teams choose sides and positions (offense or defense).

2.                  Defensive team kicks-off from center field.

3.                  Offensive team has 4 downs to score.

4.                  If the offensive team scores (touchdown), 6 points are awarded and they kick-off from center field.  There is no after touchdown point.

5.                  If the offensive team does not score, the ball is given to the defensive team at the site of the last down.  The offensive team may choose to punt on the last down but they must notify the defense before punting.

6.                  If the ball is downed in the end zone of the offensive team, a safety is called and the defensive team is given 2 points.

7.                  A blitz play may be run by the defense only once for every offensive possession (1 blitz per 4 downs).  Defensive players must yell, “BLITZ” after the ball is hiked.

8.                  Blocking is NOT allowed.

          

 

Team Strategies (Routes)

 

5 yard out     The receiver runs five yards from the line of scrimmage then diagonally out towards the side line. 

 

5 yard post   The receiver runs five yards from the line of scrimmage then diagonally in towards the center of the field.

 

5 yard hook  The receiver runs five yards from the line of scrimmage then turns around towards the quarterback.

 

Hand-off        The receiver is handed the ball by the quarterback.  The receiver may run around behind the quarterback or may stand next to the quarterback at the beginning of the play.