Flag Football Rules
The Game
A team shall consist of maximum of seven players, a minimum of five.
Length of field: 50 yards = 5-yard end zones and (2) 25-yard halves.
Length of game: (2) 18 minute halves with 5-minute halftime. During each half, the first 16 minutes is running time, stopping the clock only for a touchdown, safety, or team timeout.
The IM supervisor gives a two-minute verbal warning. During the final minutes of each half, the clock will be stopped any time the play is dead.
Possession: Each team is given four downs to advance the ball over the centerline. If this is achieved, four additional downs are given to score.
Timeouts: (1) timeout per game of one-minute duration.
Kickoffs/Punting
Kickoff: At the beginning of each half and after touchdowns or safeties, kickoff from the 10-yard line by a punt or place kick. The kicking team must stay behind the 10-yard line until the ball is kicked. The receiving team must have a minimum of four receivers behind the centerline.
On the kickoff, a ball that hits the ground before someone touches it is live.
Punting: Before the down, the offensive team must inform their opponents of the intention to kick.
A ball kicked out-of-bounds is either a foul (penalty 5 yards from kick) or re-kicked. The receiving team has the choice of which penalty will be enforced.
Following a touchback, the ball is placed at the 10-yard line.
A muffed catch (touched ball not caught) is marked dead on that spot.
Neutral Zone
A rush count will be five. (penalty = 5 yards or offense may take play)
A defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the line of scrimmage. (penalty = 5 yards or offense may take play)
The offensive line players must remain stationary for one second prior to the snap. ( penalty = 5 yards)
The player receiving the snap may be no more than 2 yards from the line of scrimmage (penalty = loss of down)
If the snap hits the ground it is dead.
Two offensive players must touch the ball before it is advanced. (NO QB rush)
Passing
All players are eligible to catch a pass.
One foot must come down in bounds on a pass completion.
Pass interference will be penalized with a first down + 10 yards from original line of scrimmage. Pass interference constitutes an obvious attempt to impede (such as hands on the face).
The ball must pass the line of scrimmage for pass interference to be called.
Blocking
On defensive blocking, hands may only touch the opponent inside the shoulders on the chest. No Pushing. No Holding. (Penalty = 5 yards for each offense)
On offensive blocking, hands and arms may be used for protection but elbows must be held in. No Pushing. No Holding. No stiff-arming. (Penalty = 5 yards for each offense)
NO BLOCKING BELOW THE WAIST. NO ROLL BLOCKING. PLAYER WILL BE EJECTED.
Deflagging
The flag belt must be worn legally attached.
An offensive player can not guard the flag belt with his body. (Ball is considered dead at point of infraction). To avoid being de-flagged; you may spin or jump.
A ball carrier that has fallen to the ground, even though not legally de-flagged is considered down at that point.
Scoring
Touchdown: 6 points. Safety: 2 points. PAT: 1 or 2 points
A player scoring a touchdown must be able to legally detach his flags and show the IM supervisor if asked to do so.
Mercy Rule: If a team is 17 or more points ahead when the 2-minute warning is announced for the second half, the game shall be considered over.
Point after (PAT): Ball placed three yards from the goal for 1 point or 10 yards for 2 points. The team gets one chance to advance the ball for a PAT with either a run or pass.
Overtime: if the game ends in a tie, each team shall have one series of four downs to score from the 10-yard line. If successful, the PAT may then be attempted. If the game is still tied after the first extra set of downs, this ends the first overtime. A second set of extra down is then awarded to each team. The game is scored a tie if the score remains tied after two overtimes.
Sportsmanship Rules: IM rule #35 will be strictly enforced. Rosters will be checked regularly. UN-sportsmanlike action will not be tolerated.
One NO SHOW will put your team on probation. Once on probation, either one additional no show or forfeit will remove your team from competition the remainder of the season.
Additional players may be added UP TO 3:00 p.m. on the day of your game. Forms are available in the IM office.