Flag Football Rules

2005 & 2006 NIRSA flag & touch football rules will govern play. Intramural Policies, Procedures, Eligibility Requirements, etc. and specific rule modifications will take precedent.

Player Eligibility

Intramural sports competition is divided into different leagues depending on skill level. Each team or individual is encouraged to select the level which best suits their abilities and interests. The Recreational Sports Director reserves the right to move teams/individuals to a more appropriate level when necessary. Team captains are encouraged to aid this process prior to the beginning of league play. The following leagues are offered for some (not all) Intramural Sports.

"A" League is designed for teams / individuals with high skill levels, seeking intense competition. Any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team, is allowed to play in "A" league, BUT only one per athlete per team.

"Open" League is designed for competitive play with some restrictions on eligibility (i.e. any participant, who has tried out, is red-shirting, is currently playing or has played on an intercollegiate team MUST wait one full year before participating in the "Open" league).

"B" League is designed for those with prior experience in the sport seeking a moderate level of competition and skill. Current and former (within 2 years) intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play in "B" league.

"C" League is designed for teams/individuals with a minor amount of skills and those playing "just for fun" Current and former intercollegiate athletes are NOT allowed to play "C" league.

If participants play on a team in which they are NOT eligible, the team is in jeopardy of forfeiting the game should the opponents appeal.

Field and Equipment

• The Playing Field
  • The field shall measure 30 yards wide and 40 yards long plus 10–yard end zones.
  • The playing fields will be divided into two (2) zones by one (1) line.
• Equipment
  • Teams may supply their own ball if both teams agree on the ball prior to starting the game. Otherwise, the ball will be provided by the Intramural Office.
  • The referee shall approve the game ball(s).
  • Two ball spotters will be used to mark the neutral zone. An orange color mark will serve as the offensive scrimmage line. A yellow color mark will serve as the defensive scrimmage line. The marks will be one (1) yard apart.
  • Players must wear athletic type shoes that cover the foot completely. Sandals, boots, and open toe shoes are NOT allowed.
  • Sports cleats are limited to studs with projections which do not exceed ½ inch in length and are made with nonabrasive rubber or rubber-type synthetic material which does not chip or develop a cutting edge. In the new Recreation Center (Field House) only turf shoes, tennis shoes, or soft pliable cleats may be worn. The officials and supervisors on duty have the authority to disallow any shoe, which they feel would endanger the person wearing the shoe or his/her opponents. No protest regarding shoes will be accepted by the Intramural Staff.
  • Flags:
    1. Each player must have a set of flags on at all times. Flags will be supplied by the Intramural department.
    2. Tampering with the flag belt in any way to gain an advantage including tying, using foreign materials, or other such acts is illegal.
    3. Infractions will result in player disqualification.
  • Shirts:
    1. Must be either long enough so they remain tucked in the pants during the entire downs or short enough so there is a minimum of 4" from the bottom of the jersey to the player's waistline. (The Referee will use a closed fist to measure the distance between the waistline and the bottom of the jersey.)
    2. Colored jerseys will be checked out of the Intramural Office prior to each game.
  • Players are strongly encouraged to wear long pants and long sleeves to prevent cuts, scrapes, etc. Any person with exposed cuts or scrapes must substitute out of the game until all bleeding is stopped and covered.
  • No "stickem" or similar substance will be allowed. Infractions will result in player disqualification.
  • Football pads, casts, or metal braces are not allowed (knee/elbow pads are legal.)
  • Players may wear the Navy Watch - Style knit or stocking cap. The cap may have no bill.
  • Each player must wear pants or shorts without any belt(s), belt loop(s), pockets or exposed drawstrings.
  • Players are strongly encouraged to remove all jewelry. Religious and medical alert medals are not considered jewelry. A religious medal must be taped and worn under the uniform. A medical alert medal must be taped and may be visible.
  • It is strongly recommended that all players wear mouth guards.

The Game

• Five (5) players will constitute a team. Since this is an "Open" league, gender does not matter.
• Only one Varsity player (red-shirted, tried out or played within the last two years at the collegiate level) per team is allowed.
• A minimum number of three (3) players must be ready to play at game time or the team will forfeit. The game official's watch is the "official" game time. Five (5) minutes after game time is forfeit time. A team must finish the game with the minimum starting number. Anytime a team falls below 3 players on the field, the game is forfeited.
• The captain winning the toss shall have first choice of options for either the first or second half. The loser shall have the first choice of options for the half the winner of the toss did not select. The options for each half shall be:
  • To choose whether his/her team will begin on offense or defense.
  • To choose the goal his/her team will defend. The captain, not having the first choice of option for a half, shall exercise the remaining option.
• The game will consist of two halves; each made up of a 20 minute running clock. The game clock will stop for all time–outs and in the last one (1) minute of the second (2nd) half ONLY. In the last minute of the second half the clock will stop for: incomplete forward passes, out of bounds, time–outs, injuries, first downs, penalties, scores, inadvertent whistles, and change of possession only.
• Each team is allowed one (1) time–out per half. Time–outs will be limited to 30 seconds in duration. Teams will not be charged a time–out for an injured player. (All injured players must leave the game for a minimum of one play)
• Unnecessary delay of the game is prohibited. If the ball is not put into play within 25 seconds after being spotted by the referee, it will be considered delay of the game.
• The ball will be placed on the offensive team´s 10 yard line at the beginning of each half, as well as following touchdowns, touchbacks, and safeties.
• A team in possession of the ball has three (3) downs to score or advance into the next zone.
• If a penalty occurs during a play the zone to gain will be established after the enforcement of the penalty.
• If a penalty moves the ball beyond the zone to gain or a penalty calls for a first down the next line will be the zone to gain.
• Declined penalties will have no effect on the zone to gain and the number of the next down will be whatever it would have been had the foul not occurred.
• When the ball becomes dead, the spot of the ball is directly under the position of the ball (foremost point of the ball).
• Kicking–There is no kicking in the game.
• Snapping
  • The offensive team must have at least one (1) player on their scrimmage line (within a 1–yard zone from a line parallel with the ball) at the snap. Players in motion do not count as being on the line of scrimmage. (Penalty – Illegal Procedure)
  • The player who receives the center snap must be at least two (2) yards behind the offensive scrimmage line. ( Penalty – Illegal Procedure )
  • "Sleeper" plays are not allowed. After the ball is ready for play, each offensive player must momentarily be within 10 yards of the ball before the snap. ( Penalty – Illegal Procedure)
  • Players may use 2, 3 or 4 point stance.
• Passing, handing the ball.
  • Any player may hand the ball backward at any time. A runner may pass the ball backward or lose player possession by a fumble at any time.
  • Forward passes may be made from any place behind the line of scrimmage. Only one forward pass is allowed per down. (Penalty – Illegal Forward Pass)
  • Lateral or backward passes may be made anywhere on the field and there is no limit to the number that may be attempted in each scrimmage down.
  • Every member of a team is eligible to receive a pass. The passer becomes eligible to catch his/her own pass after a defensive player touches the ball. (Penalty – Illegal Forward Pass)
  • Intercepted passes may be returned from the opponent´s end zone.
  • The quarterback may catch the snap from center and IMMEDIATELY throw the ball to the ground to stop the clock, but may not do so to avoid loss of yardage. (Penalty - Intentional Grounding)
• Ball Carrier(s): Advancement of the ball is restricted by the following circumstances
  • Scrimmage play via the run–advancement from behind the line of scrimmage to beyond the line of scrimmage is not allowed.
  • There are no advancement restrictions once possession of the ball has been obtained beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Screen Blocking
  • The offensive screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind his/her back. Any use of the arms, elbows, torso, or legs to initiate contact during an offensive player´s screen block is illegal. This applies to the offensive as well as defensive players. A blocker may use his/her hand or arm to break a fall or to retain his/her balance. A player must be on his/her feet before, during, and after screen blocking. Penalty: Personal foul
• Foul
  • A player who screens shall not:
    1. Take a position closer than a normal step behind a stationary opponent.
    2. Make contact with a stationary opponent when he/she assumes a position at the side or in front with him/her.
    3. Take a position so close to a moving opponent that his/her opponent cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. The speed of the player to be screened will determine where the screener may take his/her stationary position. This position will vary and may be 1 to 2 normal steps or strides from the opponent.
    4. Move to maintain his/her established legal screening position unless he/she moves in the same direction and path as his/her opponent.
    5. If the screener violates any of these provisions and contact results, he/she has committed a personal foul. Penalty: Personal Foul.
• Use of Hands or Arms by the Defense–Defensive players must go around the offensive player's screen block. The arms and hands may not be used as a wedge to contact the opponent. The application of this rule depends entirely on the judgment of the official. Penalty: Personal Foul.
• Running
  • Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for opponents to pull or remove the flag belt. Flag guarding includes:
    1. Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de–flagging.
    2. Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de–flagging.
    3. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de–flagging. Penalty: Flag Guarding .
  • The runner shall be prohibited from contacting an opponent with extended hand or arm. This includes the use of a "stiff arm" extended to ward off an opponent attempting to de-flag/tag.
  • The runner shall not grasp a teammate or be grasped, pulled or pushed by a teammate.
  • Spinning while running is considered part of running and is allowed provided the runner maintains contact with the ground.
  • Hurdling in an attempt to gain yardage by a ball carrier is illegal and will constitute a personal foul.
  • Obstruction of Runner. The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when in the act of removing the flag belt or making a legal tag. Penalty: Holding.
  • Charging. A runner shall not charge into an opponent in his/her path nor attempt to run between two opponents, unless the space is such as to provide a reasonable chance for him/her to go through without contact. Penalty: Personal Foul.
  • NEW RULE: When a team is faced with third down with no zone to gain, the offensive team cannot retreat into the previous zone in order to gain another set of downs. All progress must be forward, or a turnover occurs.
  • THE RUSH: Instead of using "alligator" counts, the rush can start as soon as the ball is snapped. There will be a neutral zone of approximately 6 yards. This increased zone distance will take the place of calling out "alligators".
• Dead Ball
  • A fumble, muffed ball, center snap and lateral or backward pass which strikes the ground is dead at the spot. The ball shall go to the team that fumbled it at that spot, unless the play occurred on fourth down.
  • NOTE: Any fumble that does not hit the ground may be advanced by the player catching it.
  • When any part of the runner other than a hand or foot touches the ground, the ball is dead.
  • A runner is down:
    1. 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.
    2. When a runner is legally tagged with one hand between the shoulders and knees, including the hand and arm, once the flag belt is no longer attached
  • Scoring
    • The player scoring the touchdown must raise his/her arms so the nearest official can de–flag the player. If the player is not de–flagged with one pull and the official determines the flag belt has been secured illegally, the touchdown is disallowed.
    • The player is disqualified. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 5 yards from the previous spot. If by Team A, loss of down. If by Team B, automatic first down.
    • The point value of scoring plays shall be:
      1. Touchdown: 6 points
      2. Safety 2 points
      3. Extra Points:
         • Originally from 3–yard line 1 point
         • Originally from 10–yard line 2 points
         • Originally from 20–yard line 3 points
  • Extra Points:
    1. After a touchdown is scored, the offensive team may try for either: a one (1) point, two (2) point or three (3) extra point attempt.
    2. The ball shall be placed on the three (3) yard line for the one (1) point attempt, the ten (10) yard line for the two (2) point attempt and the twenty (20) yard line for the three (3) point attempt.
    3. Defensive players who intercept a pass or fumble during the try and return it for a touchdown shall score 3 points.
    4. Once the captain has made the decision for one (1), two (2) or three (3) point attempt, a team may not change its mind without using a time-out. If the distance of the attempt is changed by penalty, the attempt will be for the point value of where the penalty is enforced.
  • Tie Games:
    1. Regular season – if the game is tied, no overtime will be played, the game will be recorded as a tie.
    2. Tournament play – A coin will be flipped by the Referee to determine the options as in the start of the game. Unless moved by penalty, each team will have the opportunity to score by using three plays from the ten (10) yard line. If the defensive team intercepts the pass or fumble and returns it for a touchdown, they win the game. If they do not return the interception for a touchdown, the ball will placed for the Team B series. No time-outs will be allowed during overtime.
  • Mercy Rule - If a team secures a 35 or more point lead at any time during the last 2 minutes of the game, the game shall be over.
• Force Safeties, and Touchbacks
  • The team responsible for the ball being behind the goal line is the team whose player:
    1. Carries the ball across that goal line.
    2. Applies an initial force which carries the ball across that line (pass, snap, fumble).
    3. Incurs a penalty which leaves the ball behind the line
  • Safety:
    1. It is a safety when a runner carries the ball from the field of play across his/her own goal line and then it becomes dead behind the goal line in his/her team´s possession. (Exception: Momentum Rule)
    2. It is a safety when a player passes, fumbles, snaps, muffs, or bats a loose ball from the field of play across his/her goal line and the ball subsequently becomes dead behind the goal line in his/her team´s possession.
    3. A player on offense commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted and measurement is from a spot in his/her own end zone.
    4. The ball then belongs to the opposing team at their own 10 yard line.
  • Momentum Rule:
    When a Team B player intercepts a forward pass between his/her 5 yard line and the goal line and his/her original momentum carries him/her into the end zone where the ball becomes dead in his/her teams possession behind the goal line, the ball belongs to Team B at the spot where possession was gained.
  • Touchback:
    1. It is a touchback when the ball is out-of-bounds behind a goal line (except for incomplete forward pass), when the ball becomes dead in possession of a player behind the player´s own goal line, or when the ball becomes dead not in possession behind a team´s own goal line, and the opposing team is responsible for putting it there.
    2. All touchbacks will be spotted on the team´s 10 yard line unless moved by penalty.
  • Player Restrictions
    No player shall commit a personal foul during a period or an intermission. Any act prohibited here under or any other act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul. No player shall:
    1. Punch, strike, strip, steal, or attempt to steal the ball from a player in possession.
    2. Trip an opponent.
    3. Contact an opponent who is on the ground.
    4. Throw the runner to the ground.
    5. Hurdle any other player, unless they are lying on the ground.
    6. Contact an opponent either before or after the ball is declared dead.
    7. Make any contact with an opponent, which is deemed unnecessary of any nature including using fist, locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand, as well as the legs, knees, and/or feet.
    8. Deliberately drive or run into a defensive player.
    9. Clip an opponent.
    10. Position himself/herself on the shoulders or body of a teammate or opponent to gain an advantage.
    11. Tackle the runner by grasping or encircling with the hand(s) or arm(s) and taking the opponent toward the ground as in tackle football. This will result in player disqualification. Penalty: 5 yards, and if flagrant, the offender shall be disqualified.

Player/Team Conduct

• Teams are awarded points every game for sportsmanship (based on evaluations by game officials). A maximum of five points may be awarded per game. Teams must have 19 points (based on a five game schedule) to advance to the championship tournament. If teams play more than five games, their points awarded per game must average 3.8 points. Points are awarded as follows:
  • 5 Points= Outstanding sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 4 Points= Average sportsmanship displayed by all members of the team.
  • 3 Points= One unsportsmanlike foul was assessed to a team/player and/or a team played with an ineligible player and/or had an excused loss.
  • 2 Points= Two unsportsmanlike fouls were assessed to a team/player(s) or a player was ejected from the game.
  • 1 Point= The game officials ejected a player and then had to ask them to leave the field.
• If a player is ejected from a game, they must report to the Recreational Sports Office and complete a Suspension Form. The player will be ineligible to participate in the League or any programs offered by the Recreational Sports Office until the Suspension Form is received and the Director of Recreational Sports meets with him/her to determine the player´s continued eligibility.