Creekside Sports Center Arena Flag Football Rules of Play
The Game Overview:
This is a No Contact Flag Football League that will ONLY allow SCREEN blocking behind the line of scrimmage. Play is 6 vs 6. A team must have a minimum of 4 players to start the game and avoid a forfeit. A regulation sized Professional or College football will be used and must be provided by each team. The game shall be played on our regulation sized indoor arena field. The game length will consist of (2) 24 minute halves with a continuous clock.
Registration and Rosters:
All players must have a completed waiver, valid photo ID, photo taken, and be listed and signed on the team roster form. Teams may carry up to 14 players. Players may be added until the start of the 3rd game. All rosters are frozen after the start of the 3rd game, and ANY player that has not fully registered properly, will be removed from the roster and considered ineligible. It is the Captain/Managers responsibility to make sure all players are properly registered and listed legibly on the roster.
A $100.00 non refundable deposit is required to secure a team spot each season. Cost is $600.00 per team. A minimum of ½ or $300.00 is due prior to the start of the first game, with the full balance due prior to the start of the second game. It is the Captain/Managers responsibility to make sure the team has paid in accordance to the rules. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS. The $600.00 is a TEAM fee. The season will consist of 8 regular season games with top teams (TBD) advancing to the playoffs and or Championship Arena Bowl.
House teams may be formed for individuals. The cost for an individual on a house team is $70.00.
Officials:
There will be 2 officials used in each game.
Equipment:
No Cleats allowed. Only flats, turfs, or tennis shoes are permitted on either field at Creekside Sports Center.
Each team must provide a regulation sized Professional or College football that is fully inflated. Each team is responsible for its own ball and retrieving it after an incomplete pass. All balls will be checked prior to game time or subject to being checked during game time for proper inflation.
Creekside Sports Center will provide the flag belts which must be worn by each player. Each team must have matching jerseys with a minimum 6” screen printed/permanent pressed number on the back of each jersey. Teams are required to have an alternate colored jersey in the event of a color conflict. In the event of a color conflict, it is the HOME team’s responsibility to change. There will be no shirts without sleeves, muscle shirts, tank tops, etc. All jerseys must be tucked in at all times. The lower uniform may be shorts, warm ups, pants or any other type of athletic wear. There may be no pockets or belt loops in the front, side, or rear of the lower athletic apparel.
Players may not wear jewelry of any kind.
No headgear with an extended bill may be worn. Baseball caps are not allowed.
Scoring:
Touchdown=6 points
Extra Points= 1 Point from Penalty Spot or 2 Points From Red Line
Defensive team returning an extra point try= 2 Points
Safety = 2 Points 1st Down is a dead down in reference to safety. A dropped snap or pulled flag will not result in a safety on first down only. The remaining 3 downs are live.
Continuous Game Clock Format:
The game consists of (2) 24 minute halves with a 2 minute halftime.
Each team is allowed 1 (30 second) Time Out per half.
The clock will run continuously with exception to :
1)Time Out by either team(maximum 1 per half)
2)The 2 minute warning of each half
3)Serious Injury
4)Official Time Out for unforeseen reasons
5)Extra point attempts in the final 2 minutes of either half
The Offensive team has a maximum of 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been spotted by the officials. Teams must wait until at least 1 referee is set and acknowledges being ready to start the play.
Coin Toss:
A Coin toss at the beginning of the game will be used to determine who gets the ball first. The VISITING team captain will call the coin in the air. The winner of the coin toss has the option to receive the ball, defer to the second half, or choose which end to defend. Teams will change direction in the second half.
Field Markings:
Gold Lines= End Zone
Red Lines= First Down markers (1st and 3rd of 3) and 2 point conversion line of scrimmage
White/Midfield Line= First Down marker (2nd of 3)
Penalty Spot= Line of Scrimmage to begin drives and 1 point conversion line of scrimmage.
White Dash marks surrounding field= Out of bounds
*Note: In the end zoneonly the walls are considered in play in the end zone only. Not the net.
Start of a Play:
At least 1 official must acknowledge the offense and establish the line of scrimmage and the 5 yard rushing line.
Offense must have at least 4 players on the line of scrimmage.
Only 1 player may be in motion at the time of the snap but may not be moving forward (toward the line of scrimmage) when the ball is snapped.
2 or more players may shift their position at the same time, but they must be considered reset with at least 4 players on the line of scrimmage for 1 full second prior to the ball being snapped.
A maximum of 25 seconds to snap the ball once the line of scrimmage and 5 yard rushing line have been established.
End of a Play:
The ball carriers flag has been pulled. * In the event a ball carriers flag belt falls off inadvertently(with obviously no one near the ball carrier), a 1 handed tag by the defense will conclude the play.
Any part of the ball carriers body touches the ground with exception to their hand. A hand is permitted to touch the ground.
An incomplete pass.
A fumble (ball hits the ground). A ball may not be fumbled forward. The line of scrimmage will be established from where the ball was fumbled if forward and where the ball lands if backward. There is no change of possession on a fumble unless the play was on 4th down and a touchdown or first down was gained.
Play the Game:
Teams are given 4 plays to either score or gain a first down. A team may elect to punt on 4th down. *Note: there will be no actual kicking of the ball. The ball will spotted at the opposite red line with a change of possession.
Offensive Running/Rushing:
The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been handed off to him or a defensive player has crossed the line of scrimmage.
Handoffs are only permitted behind the line of scrimmage.
Past the line of scrimmage, lateral or backward tosses/passes are permitted.
Players may screen block behind the line of scrimmage. Players may not block downfield (past the line of scrimmage).
Players may not hurdle a player or leave his feet to advance the ball, jumping however, is legal as long as it doesn’t do the aforementioned items. Jumping over a player that is on the ground is legal. Passers may jump to throw a pass as long as his action does not contact a defensive player.
Offensive Passing and Receiving:
All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been lateralled or handed off behind the line of scrimmage.
Any pass directed towards the offensive goal behind or beyond line of scrimmage is a legal pass.
Players may leave their feet in order to catch a ball.
Defense:
Defense may line up in any formation. There are no requirements for any defenders to be on the line of scrimmage.
Players rushing the quarterback must be at least 1 yard from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. The rusher(s) may not hit the quarterbacks arm or knock the ball out of the quarterback’s hand. However, the rusher may block/bat down the ball once it passed pitched or thrown back. Players that are not 1 yard from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, may not enter the backfield (cross the line of scrimmage) until the ball has been handed off, lateralled, or thrown. The 1 yard will be marked with a beanbag prior to the start of any play. If the defense rushes the quarterback (crosses the line of scrimmage), there is no 5 second count and the quarterback may run.
Defenders may not try to strip or steal the ball.
Defenders may not pull a players flag before the receiver has touched/caught the ball.
All defenders must play the flags.
Interceptions may be returned. An interception in the end zone with no intent to run out of the end zone will result in a change of possession with the intercepting team starting at the first red line and not the penalty spot.
The ball carrier/receiver is down when his flag is pulled and raised above his head. The defender either drops the flag at the spot or sportingly, returns to the offensive player.
Defenders must avoid contact with the ball carrier/receiver when attempting to pull the flag. The defender may not hold the carrier or his clothing, or impede him by contact in any way when attempting to pull a flag.
Defenders may leave their feet to attempt pulling a ball carriers flag, however may not cause/have any contact.
No bump and run coverage.
No face guarding.
Blocking (Offense or Defense):
This is a NO CONTACTleague. Only screen blocking is allowed.
A blocker may legally obstruct an opponent without using any part of the body to initiate contact. Screen blocking shall take place without contact. The blocker shall have their handsand arms at their sides or behind their back. A screen blocker cannot use their hands,arms,elbows,legs,or body to initiate contact. Blockers may move when they are behind the line of scrimmage, but must be stationary when up field (across the line of scrimmage). Any contact by blockers will be ruled as a personal foul.
Screen blockers may not take a position closer than a normal step when behind a stationary opponent nor be so close to an opponent that they cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. Screen blockers may not lead block for a runner, or continue to move up field.
Penalties/Flags:
The officials will call the games to the best of their abilities. There will be no challenges or protests allowed.
5 Yard Penalty:
Face Guarding
Illegal motion or shift
False start
Offsides/Encroachment
Defensive delay of game
Holding
Illegal Contact
Hurdling or Illegal Jumping
Forward Lateral (from spot of foul)
Not enough players on the line of scrimmage
Illegal Rushing (starting closer than 5 yards away, using hands to get around a blocker, contact)
Illegal Blocking behind Line of Scrimmage (using hands, arm, or any part of the body to deter a rusher)
Illegal Blocking Downfield (from spot of foul)
Stiff Arming
Illegal Use of hands
Illegal Deflagging
Stripping ball
Touching/hitting center before they have a chance to get their head up
5 Yard Penalty and Loss of Down:
Offensive Delay of Game
Intentional Grounding (Safety if in the end zone)
Illegal forward Pass
Illegal participation (no flag belt from start of the play)
Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yards from LOS
Flag Guarding (from spot foul)
Offensive Pass Interference – (10 yards from LOS)
15 Yard Penalty:
Roughing the Passer
Sideline Violation
Excessive Celebration
Tackling
Tripping
Trash Talking
Foul Language
Tying or Knotting Flag Belt
Illegal Contact above the shoulders (hands to the face)
Unsportsmanlike Conduct (May also include game ejection or facility suspension or ban)
Unnecessary Roughness (May also include game ejection or facility suspension or ban)
Taunting or Instigating foul play (May also include game ejection or facility suspension or ban)
Intentional Contact
Verbal abuse of an official (May also include game ejection or facility suspension or ban)
15 Yard Penalty and Automatic Ejection(may further include multiple game suspension, facility suspension, or ban from premises)
Physical contact with an official
Striking an opponent or attempting to Strike an Opponent
Verbal assault of an official or an opponent
*ALL PLAYERS AND TEAMS MUST FURTHER ADHERE TO ALL CREEKSIDE SPORTS CENTER FACILITY RULES AND POLICIES.*
Overtime:
There will be no overtime in regular season games. Tie scores will be recorded as such.
Playoff Overtime:
In the playoffs or championship game, if the game is tied at the end of the game, a coin toss will be used to determine possession of ball. The team winning the coin toss has the option to go on offense, first or second. The officials will determine which direction the teams will go. The order of possession will be swapped alternately for multiple overtimes.
The ball will start at the mid line (white) with the offensive team having 4 plays to score. If a touchdown is scored, the team has the option of going for 1 or 2 as the point after attempt. Each team will have an offensive opportunity. It is NOT sudden death. In the event neither team scores in a playoff game (not final/championship game), the team that moves the ball furthest down the field will be declared the winner. Beginning with the second overtime, teams MUST go for a 2 point conversion. There must be a score in the Final/Championship game.
An interception returned for a touchdown will end the game.
A safety will end the game.
Tiebreakers
At the end of the regular season, divisional tiebreakers are determined as follows:
- Head to head competition
- Point Differential (points for minus points against) between tied teams
- Overall point differential
- Points Against
- Coin Flip
Flag Football Definitions:
Ball Carrier= Player with possession of the ball.
PAT=Point after a touchdown attempt
L.O.S.=Line of Scrimmage
Revised October 2014