Brian Piccolo Park
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES & GUIDELINES
- The League will be governed by FRPA and FFFA Rules, with Brian Piccolo Park guidelines.
- All players must be eighteen (18) years of age prior to the first game to play.
- Team Rosters are due at the Captains Meeting. Incomplete rosters will not be accepted and team forfeits all games until the roster is received. A team may add or drop players up to the third regular season game.
- A player can only be on one (1) team roster per league night. If detected, team(s) using the player will receive a forfeit; the player will receive a two-game suspension; and, if said player is caught a second time, he/she will be suspended for the remainder of the season.
- If a team suspects the opposing team of playing with illegal player(s) it must be immediately brought to the referees’ attention by the team captain before the start of the game or at the immediate game entry of the suspected illegal player(s) for the suspicion to be recognized. The referee will inform the other team captain to verify the suspected illegal player(s) or remove the illegal player(s). If the player(s) is not verified or removed the referee will make a note of the player(s) in question on the score sheet and that the game will be played Under Review for the League Coordinator. If the player(s) is then found illegal by the League Coordinator the team will lose by forfeit and the player(s) will be suspended for two games.
League Games
- All teams are responsible for playing scheduled league games. Special accommodations will not be made. Game times are 7:30p, 8:20p, 9:10p, and 10:00p.
- Game times will rotate throughout the season and each team will play at each of the game times.
- Two forfeits will disqualify teams from the league.
- If a team cannot make a scheduled game and needs to forfeit they will need to call and leave a message or email to the Park Office or League Coordinator no later than 3pmof the game day.
- Team Captains are responsible for verifying and signing the final game score sheet with the referee after the game.
- Teams winning their division will move up to the next level on that night. Teams winning less than two (2) games will be moved to a lower division, if opening exists.
- Teams must show up with at least six players or it will be a forfeit. If both teams show up with less than six players, a double forfeit will occur.
Ejections
- Any player ejected from a game shall be declared ineligible for the teams next played game.
- If a player is ejected for a second time during the season, the player can be suspended for the remainder of the season, including playoffs.
- Any player who is ejected from a game and continues to harass the official(s) or the opposing team can have additional games added to their suspension.
Threats of Violence
- Any person who makes a threat of violence against a Referee, League Official, or another player will be suspended for the remainder of the season and subject to arrest.
- Any person who makes an act of violence against a Referee, League Official, or another player will be banned for life and subject to arrest.
- If any player is suspended for violence, he/she may not be present at the ball field during his/her suspension, and if does appear, his/her team is subject to forfeit.
Fans
- A team is responsible for the behavior of its fans. The team manager and/or captain will constantly strive to keep the fans and players from becoming unruly, verbally and/or physically abusive towards a Referee or opposing player.
- A Referee may charge a team with an “UNSPORTSMANLIKE” penalty or a forfeit based on any undesirable behavior of the team’s fans.
- The fan(s) must leave the facility within two minutes or a forfeit will be charged against that fan’s team.
Animals
- Animals are not permitted on the fields.
Insurance
- The team manager will advise each player of the team that the FRPA, FFFA, and/or BrowardCountyParks have no insurance covering accidents which occur during participation in FRPA or FFFA Flag Football and that league’s tournament, or sponsoring agency.
- Officials are not liable for any injury caused to any individual as a result of that individual’s voluntary participation in an FRPA or FFFA sanctioned Flag Football event.
- The team provides insurance coverage for its players.
Rosters
- Rosters are limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) players.
Jersey/Shirts
Teams must wear like-colored, different-numbered jerseys.
Uniform shirts must be cut at the solar plexus or tucked into pants/shorts.
Failure to meet this regulation subjects player to removal of said shirt or player may not participate.
Shorts/Pants
- Teams may wear any type of shorts/pants as long as they have no pockets.
- Shorts/pants may not have pockets, belts, belt loops, tie strings, or belt tunnels.
- These may not be taped.
- Any player found wearing these shorts must remove them, or not play.
- *No Exceptions to This Rule*
Jewelry
- All jewelry other than medically necessary and/or wedding bands are prohibited. Team “Warnings” will be issued at pre-game.
- The first offense will result in a five-yard penalty and a second offense will result in the player’s removal from the remainder of the game.
- This does not constitute an ejection unless un-sportsmanlike conduct/behavior accompanies the action.
Shoes
- Molded-bottom cleats and soft-bottom sneakers/jogging shoes are permitted.
- Any shoe that has steel-tipped cleats or steel-reinforced toe or heels, or a square-toe, is not permitted.
Ball
- Each team must supply its own ball and non-metal kicking tee with a base not exceeding 2” in height.
Flag Belt
- Only “Triple Threat Flags” are permitted for league play.
- Teams must supply their own “Triple Threat” flag belts.
- Flag belts may never be altered or secured other than according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Any alterations or improper securing of the flag belt will be considered deliberate.
Extra Points
- A Two (2) Point Conversion will be attempted from the 10-yard line.
- A One (1) Point Conversion will be attempted from the 5-yard line.
- Rush line will be a 5-yard rush on Two (2) Point Conversions and Goal Line during One (1) Point Conversions.
Time Between Plays
- There will be forty (40) seconds between plays, beginning with the end of the prior play. This includes all scoring plays. Any penalty enforcement following a play will result in official blowing “Ready for Play” whistle and there will be a 25 second interval before ‘delay of game' is enforced, also Official and Team Time-Outs.
Twenty (20) Yard Line Rule
- Once a defending team elects to put the opposing team on the twenty yard line in lieu of a kick-off, the defending team loses the right to kick the ball for the remainder of the game.
- All kicks must travel forward one (1) yard or must be re-kicked.
Profanity
- Team will be warned in pre-game on use of profanity. Penalties are as follows:
- Any profanity directed at a player, spectator, Official, or Staff Member will result in a minimum of ejection from the game. – NO Exceptions -
- There may be additional suspension upon review by the League Director.
Any profanity used will be penalized as follows as long as it is not directed at any person:
- First Offense Team: Fifteen (15) yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Second Offense Team: Fifteen (15) yard penalty, with offending player’s removal from the game. (Player is eligible to return for the next game).
Forfeit Time
- The game will be forfeited at ten (10) minutes after the scheduled starting time of the first game. The forfeit time for all remaining games will be the scheduled starting time.
- The Referee’s time is the official time.
Tie-Breakers
- First: Head-to-Headgame record.
- Second: Head-to Head point differential.
- Third: Record against higher-seeded teams.
- Fourth: Least number of points scored against.
- Fifth: Total Points Scored.
Protests
- Protests are not recognized by the League. Formal complaints can be made to the League Coordinator.
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