Arizona State University Intramurals “Where Recreation is Education”
FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Rules
The 2009-2010 NIRSA Flag Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual (14th edition) shall apply to all games played with the following adaptations and points of emphasis:
RULE 1-THE GAME, FIELD, PLAYERS AND EQUIPMENT
Art. 1-The Game-Men & Women: Men's and women's teams consist of 7 players each. A minimum of 5 players are required to start or continue a game. A game may be continued with less than 5 players as long as the team has a chance to win. (see forfeits). Roster maximum is 15 players.
Art. 2-The Game-CoRec: A CoRec team consists of 8 players (4 men & 4 women). A CoRec team needs a minimum of 6 players (3 men and 3 women OR 4 women and 2 men) to start a game. Teams with 7 players shall be 4 men and 3 women or 3 men and 4 women. There will never be more than four players of one sex on the field at one time. The game may be continued with less than 6 players as long as the team has a chance to win. (see forfeits). Roster maximum is 15 players.
Art. 3-Team Captains: Each team shall designate a team captain or captains. The captain's first choice during the coin toss is irrevocable (see forfeits). Only the captain shall speak with the official(s) during the game.
Art 4-Persons Subject to Rules: Team representatives, including players, substitutes, replaced players, coaches, trainers, spectators, and other persons affiliated with the team are subject to the rules of the game and shall be governed by decisions of the officials assigned to the game.
Art 5-Referee's Authority: The Referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. The Referee's decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.
Art. 6-The Field: is divided into four 20 yard zones and two ten yard end zones. A team in possession of the ball shall have four consecutive downs to advance to the next zone by scrimmage. The line to gain shall be the zone in advance of the ball, unless the distance was lost due to penalty or negative yardage was incurred on that series of downs. In such a case, the original zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series of downs is the line to gain.
Art. 7-Player Equipment
Jerseys must be either:
a. Long enough so they remain tucked in the pants/shorts during the entire down. No Knots.
b. Short enough so there is a minimum of 4" from the bottom of the jersey to the player’s waistline.
Pants/Shorts: Each player must wear pants or shorts without any belt(s), belt loop(s), pocket(s), or exposed drawstrings. The pants or shorts must be a different color than the flags.
Flagbelt: Each player must wear a one piece belt with three flags permanently attached. The Intramural Department will provide flag belts. A flag belt must be free of any knots.
Shoes: Each player must wear shoes. They must be made of soft, pliable upper material (canvas, leather or synthetic) which covers the foot attached to a composition bottom. Shoes with metal, ceramic, screw-in, or detachable cleats are illegal.
Football: The referee shall decide the legality of any ball. The game ball will be provided. The teams are responsible for retrieving the ball and having it ready for each play. The offensive team may keep the ball in their huddle. The men shall use the regular size ball ONLY. The regular, intermediate, youth or junior size ball shall be used for Women’s and CoRec games. The Referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his/her discretion. During the game each team must use a legal ball of its choice when in possession.
Art. 8- Player Equipment-Illegal: A player wearing jewelry, billed hats, using sticky or foreign substance on equipment or body shall not be permitted to play. Players with leg and knee braces made of hard, unyielding material must have both sides and all edges covered with padding at least 1/2" thick.
-Players may carry a play book inside their clothing as long as it is not made of an unyielding material.
RULE 2-DEFINITIONS
Art. 1-Neutral Zone: The one yard expanded neutral zone is between the forward point of the ball (orange spotter) and the defensive scrimmage line (gold spotter).
Art. 2-Fumble: is a loss of player possession other than by handing, passing or kicking the ball.
Art. 3-Muff: is an unsuccessful attempt to catch the ball, the ball being touched in the attempt.
Art. 4-Removing the Flag Belt: When the flag belt is clearly taken from the runner, the play shall end and the ball is declared dead. An opponent who removes the flag belt from the runner should immediately hold the flag belt above his/her head to assist the official in locating the spot where the capture occurred. The ball is dead a the spot the ball was when the belt became unclipped. If a flag belt inadvertently falls to the ground, a one hand tag between the shoulders and the knees constitute capture. A player who removes the flag belt may leave his/her feet.
RULE 3-PERIODS, TIME FACTORS, FORFEITS
Art. 1-Forfeits: If at the scheduled game time a team does not have the minimum of 5 players (6 for co-rec), they will be given 10 minutes to get the minimum number. However, after 5 minutes the game clock will start and the first half will be reduced to 15 minutes. If at anytime during the 10 minute forfeit period the minimum number of players arrive, they will be allowed to play. But the offending team will be assessed the following penalties:
a. Lose the right to protest the game.
b. Lose all option in regard to the coin flip for both the first and second halves.
A team that doesn't have the minimum number of players after the 10-minute extension will receive a forfeit. If a team forfeits a game, the team captain will be charged a $20.00 fee.
Art. 2-Coin Toss: First half shall start at the center of the field for the coin toss. The captain winning the toss shall have the first choice of the following options: 1) choose in the first half or 2) defer to the second half. The appropriate captain shall:
a. choose whether his/her team will start on offense or defense, or
b. choose the goal his/her team will defend.
The captain, not having the first choice of options for a half, shall exercise the remaining option.
Art. 3-Playing Time: Playing time shall be 40 minutes, divided into two halves of 20 minutes each. Half time will be five minutes. The clock will run continually for the first 20 minutes unless stopped for a time out. During the final two minutes of the SECOND half, the clock will stop for an incomplete forward pass, out of bounds, safety, team timeout, first down, touchdown, penalty and administration, referee timeout, touchback, & a team being awarded a new series.
Art. 4-Start each half: Unless moved by penalty, the ball shall be snapped on the 14 yard line to start each half.
Art. 6-Tie Game: (This applies to playoffs only) In case of a game ending in a tie score, the field captains shall be brought together and a coin toss will be flipped to determine the options, as in the start of the game. There will be only one coin flip during the overtime period. Field captains will alternate choices, if additional overtime periods are played. The winner of the toss shall be given options of offense, defense, or direction. The team will go in the same direction. Each team will be given four downs from the same ten yard line (ten yards for a touchdown). The object will be to score a touchdown. Each team has four downs to score (unless a new series is awarded). Try-for-points will be attempted following a score. If the defense intercepts the ball, it may be returned for three points. All overtime periods are played toward the same goal line. The goal line shall always be zone line-to-gain in overtime.
Art. 7-Time-Outs: Each team is entitled to 2 charged time-outs PER HALF. Time outs do not carry over. Each team is entitled to one time-out during the entire overtime.
RULE 4-BALL IN PLAY, DEAD BALL
Art. 1-Ball Declared Dead: A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound the whistle or declare it dead:
a. When any part of the runner other than a hand or foot touches the ground.
b. When a backward pass, fumble or muff touches the ground. A snap which hits the ground before or after reaching the intended receiver is at the spot where it hits the ground.
c. When a runner has a flag belt removed legally by a defensive player. A flag belt is removed when the clip is detached from the belt.
e. Anytime the ball in player possession touches the ground the ball shall be declared dead at the spot.
Art. 2-Protected Scrimmage Kick:
a. The team captain may request a protected scrimmage kick on any down. The captain must declare to the referee if his/her team wants a protected scrimmage kick.
b. The kicking team must maintain at least 4 players (co-rec-5) within one yard of their scrimmage line until the ball is kicked. Neither team can cross their scrimmage line until the ball is kicked.
c. The kicker must kick the ball immediately upon receiving the snap.
d. A protected scrimmage kick which falls to cross K's scrimmage line is dead where it hits the ground or is touched.
e. The ball may be advanced out of the end zone.
RULE 6-SNAPPING, PASSING AND HANDING THE BALL
Art. 1-Scrimmage Play
a. At least 4 players (co-rec requires 5) must be on the offensive scrimmage line at the time of the snap.
b. Co-Rec Rule Only-A male ball carrier cannot advance the ball through team A's scrimmage line. EXCEPTION: After a change of team possession.
c. A backward pass or fumble which touches the ground between the goal lines is dead at the spot where it touches the ground and belongs to the team last in possession of the ball unless lost on downs.
d. Motion - Anyone who goes in motion must be only going parallel or backward at the snap. A player in motion is not considered to be one of the 4 players (5 players - Co-Rec) on the scrimmage line.
e. Center may snap the ball between the legs or outside the legs.
f. The ball may be moved by approval of the Referee due to poor field conditions.
Art. 2-Forward Pass
a. All players of either team are eligible to touch or catch a pass. During a scrimmage down and before team possession has changed, a forward pass may be thrown provided the passer's feet are behind his/her team's offensive scrimmage line when the ball leaves the passer's hand. Only one forward pass may be thrown per down.
b. Co-Rec Rule Only- During the offensive team's possession, there may not be two consecutive forward pass completions from a male passer to a male receiver. If a male passer completes a forward pass to a male receiver, the next forward pass must include a female passer or a female receiver. This rule DOES apply to the try-for-point. There are no restrictions concerning a male passer completing forward passes to a female receiver or female to female or female to male. PENALTY: Illegal forward pass-5 yards and loss of down.
Art. 3-Forward Pass Interference
Offensive Pass Interference: After the ball has been snapped and until it has been touched by a receiver, there shall be no offensive pass interference beyond team A's scrimmage line while the ball is in flight. It is also pass interference if an eligible receiver is deflagged/tagged prior to touching the ball on a pass thrown beyond team A's scrimmage line. PENALTY: 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage and a loss of down.
Defensive Pass Interference: After the pass is thrown and until it is touched, there shall be no defensive pass interference beyond team A's scrimmage line while the ball is in flight. PENALTY: 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage and an automatic first down.
RULE 7-SCORING PLAYS
Art. 1-Point Values
a. Touchdown----------------------------6 points
Female Score (co-rec only)--------9 points
Female pass to male for TD--------9 points
b. Safety-----------------------------------2 points
Successful Try-For-Point
a. Running or passing from 3 yards-----1 point
b. Running or passing from 10 yards---2 points
c. Running or passing from 20 yards---3 points
d. If a team B player intercepts a pass or aired fumble during the try and returns it for a touchdown, they score 3 points.
"19 point Rule" (applies to men's & women's): If either team is ahead by 19 or more points at the 2 minute warning of the second half, the game is over. "25 point Rule" (applies to Co-Rec): same procedure as above.
THERE IS A 35 POINT MERCY RULE AT THE 10 MINUTE MARK IN THE SECOND HALF. If at any time after the 10 minute mark in the second half a team goes ahead by 35 or more points, the game will be called.
Art. 2-Player Responsibility After Touchdown: The player scoring the touchdown must raise their arms so that the nearest official can deflag the player. If the player is not deflagged with one pull and the official determines the flag belt has been secured illegally, the touchdown is disallowed, the player is disqualified and it is a foul. PENALTY: 10 yards from the previous spot and loss of down.
RULE 8-CONDUCT OF PLAYERS
Art. 1-Blocking
a. The offensive screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have their hands and arms at their back. Any use of the arms, elbows or legs to initiate contact during an offensive player's screen block is illegal. PENALTY: Personal Foul, 10 yards.