Spring 2023 8v8 Men’s Flag Football (Mondays)

THE GAME

Flag football is an 8 on 8 non-contact league. This is a recreational league where all football enthusiasts are welcome to get into the game. Keep the competition friendly and the post games celebratory!  All players must have SPORTSKIND provided shirts as their uniforms and will wear the provided flags around their waist. The object is to score more points than your opponent in a format similar to college football overtime rules.

START OF THE GAME

The referee will have the two captains play rock, paper, scissors or flip a coin. The winning captain can elect to start on either offense or defense, and teams will alternate possessions throughout the remainder of the game.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Teams will play 8 on 8.  In order for an official game with league referees there must be at least 6 players on the field. Any teams short of this number may look to utilize our substitution rules listed below but if the team is still without at least 6 players 10 minutes after the scheduled game time, the game will be an official forfeit and the forfeit policy will take effect.

SUBSTITUTIONS

If teams are short players they may pick up players from other teams within the league.  They are allowed to pick up enough players for a 7 person roster.  However, any players after 7 must be approved by the opposing team.  If a team member arrives late a substitute player must drop off to stay at the 7 person roster size unless approved by the opposing team.

UNIFORM RESTRICTIONS

All players must wear their team’s SPORTSKIND league shirt. 1 point will be given to the opposing team for each player not in uniform upon checking into the game (Exception: If player is on the official roster and shirt was ripped during the league and a replacement shirt hasn’t been purchased and delivered. Teams are responsible for replacement of ripped or torn shirts within a week of a ripped or torn shirt).

PLAYERS MAY NOT WEAR SHORTS WITH POCKETS

, or jewelry of any kind. Please note that taping your pockets is not acceptable. Each player who wears shorts/pants with pockets will be penalized 1 point. Players may not alter the SPORTSKIND provided flags. SPORTSKIND will provide all field equipment, including footballs and flags. Each team is entitled to use their own football.

GAME LENGTH

Each game will have a running clock of 35 min with no half time break. When game clock expires: 1) If the team which began the game on defense is in possession of the ball

1. a) and leading, the game will end immediately
2. b) and trailing by 12 or more points, the game will end immediately
3. c) and trailing by 11 or less points, the game will continue untimed through the completion of the current possession.

2) If the team which began the game on offense is in possession of the ball

1. a) and leading by 12 or more points (i.e. is leading by more than one "possession"), the game will end immediately
2. b) and is leading by 11 or less points, the game will continue untimed through the completion of the current possession

TIME OUTS

Each team is allowed 2 (one-minute) time outs in the game.  About two minutes before the game ends the referee will inform each team of playing time remaining in the game. If a touchdown has occurred after time has expired, the extra point conversion will be allowed. A game cannot end on a defensive penalty.

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

The ball starts on the 30 yard line. Only one offensive player may be  “in motion”, be moving as the ball is snapped. The player in motion can move laterally or backwards at the snap but not forward. Except the player “in motion,” all players must be set before the ball is snapped.  Aside from the center position, there is no minimum number of players required to line up on the line of scrimmage. After a play, the line of scrimmage is determined by the location of the players hips when the flags are pulled. The ball becomes dead when the flag belt is removed legally (If the belt/flag falls off, one hand touch will constitute as a pulled flag).

ROUNDS / FIRST DOWNS

Each round consists of a two-possession series with each team getting one possession on offense and one on defense. The team on offense will always start at the designated 30-yard line (unless relocated by a penalty). The team on offense will have 4 downs to gain a first down by crossing the 20 yard line. Then they will have 4 downs to score a touchdown.  If a team fails to earn a first down or score a touchdown (completed pass or rushing passed the designated line) in the required amount of plays, possession will go to the opposing team who will reset at the 30 yard line on offense. Teams will complete as many rounds as time allows, keeping the same order of offense first or defense first depending on what the winning captain chose at the start of the game.  With each change of possession there will be a 30 second reset.  Teams will have an equal number of attempts on offense at the end of the game (depending on final score when time is complete).

BLOCKING

“Blocking” with hands is not allowed. This includes downfield “blocking” during an offensive play.

NO CONTACT

is allowed at the line or downfield by any defensive player guarding a receiver. Players may block with their hands behind their back at the line of scrimmage, but may not do so 5 yards passed the line. Once a defender gets past a blocker, the blocker becomes an eligible receiver.

DEFENSE/RUSHING

All defensive players must play a yard off the line of scrimmage and can rush once the ball is hiked to the quarterback. If a female is lined up at QB then only a female defensive player(s) may rush. If a male is lined up at QB then either a male or female defensive player(s) may rush.

OFFENSE

A forward pass is completed when caught by any player of the passing team who has at least one foot in-bounds. If opposing teams catch the pass in-bounds simultaneously, the tie goes to the offense. If a player steps out-of-bounds and comes back in-bounds to be the first person to touch the ball, it will be ruled an incomplete pass. However, if a player steps out of bounds, they will be eligible to catch a deflected ball. After the immediate completion of a play, the referee will place a marker at the line of scrimmage. The offense has 25 seconds to put the ball in play after it is declared ready by the head judge (ie, when the marker is placed). No player shall put the ball in play until declared ready-for-play.

PASSING, HANDLING THE BALL:

Runners

1. A runner cannot advance the ball through the scrimmage line until a legal forward pass has been completed.
2. Once the line of scrimmage has been legally crossed, all advancement restrictions are eliminated (i.e., a player may catch a legal forward pass, behind the line, and advance beyond the line and then pitch to a player who is still behind the line and they may advance with no restriction).
3. The quarterback can only run for positive yards if a defensive player has rushed (ie, crossed the line of scrimmage).
4. Rushing plays have no effect on open and closed plays

Forward Pass Completions

1. During the offensive team's possession, there may not be two (2) consecutive legal forward pass completions on downs from a same gender passer to a same gender receiver.
2. The term

   CLOSED

   means a male player may not complete a legal forward pass to a male if the previous play was a male to male completion. Also, a female player may not complete a legal forward pass to a female if the previous play was a female to female completion.
3. The term

   OPEN

   means any player can complete a pass to any other player.
4. If a passer completes a legal forward pass to a person of the same gender, the next legal forward pass completion must involve the opposite gender as a passer or receiver for positive yards. If the player receiving the pass is de-flagged before gaining positive yards, the next play remains closed.
5. In order for a closed play to become open, the direction of the pass MUST be forward.
6. Accepted penalties have no effect on open and closed plays. It is possible to lose net yardage on a closed play – then for the next play to be open – if all of the requirements to open a play are met. Positive yards gained are GROSS yards gained, not NET yards gained after the penalty has been enforced.

Intercepted passes stop the play and result in change of possession with the ball placed on the 30 yard line. A change of possession can only occur due to downs or an interception. A fumble where the ball hits the ground cannot result in a turnover (the ball is dead at the spot of the fumble) unless it is fourth down and the fumble occurs before gaining a first down.  A lateral caught by the defense will result in a turnover. p>On a change of possession, the ball will be reset at the 30 yard line for the opposing team to take over on offense.

SCORING

Touchdowns are six points. Touchdowns thrown, caught, and/or run into the end zone by a female player are worth one additional point. After scoring a touchdown, teams may elect to go for either one, two, or three extra points: 1 point – attempted from the 3 yard-line 2 points – attempted from the 10 yard-line 3 points – attempted from the 20 yard-line Successful extra point conversions thrown, caught, and/or run into the end zone by a female player are worth one additional point.  Converted extra point attempts are worth the same regardless of whether they are converted via run or pass. An intercepted extra point will result in a change of possession.

FOOTBALL PENALTIES

Penalties committed by the offense result in loss of down. Moving penalties can be accepted or declined by the defense. If declined, the play stands as ruled. If accepted, the penalty is yardage and the down is re-played. Penalties committed by the defense vary by infraction:

LOSS OF FIVE YARD PENALTIES

• Offsides
• Encroachment
• False Start (loss of down)
• Delay of Game (loss of down)
• Illegal Formation/Procedure/Snap/Shift/Motion:
  • Except for the Center, there is no minimum number of players required to line up on the line of scrimmage.
  • Any player receiving a snap directly from the Center must be at least 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
  • Offensive players must assume a set position and come to an absolute stop (except one player in motion). The player in motion may only move laterally or backwards.

• Illegal Forward Pass (loss of down)
  • An offensive player cannot cross the line of scrimmage and then throw a forward pass.
  • The offensive team cannot throw more than one forward pass per down.
• Intentional Grounding (loss of down).
• No Diving (spot foul) – No player may dive in order to gain positive yards, including crossing the goal line.

LOSS OF TEN YARD PENALTIES

• Defensive Pass Interference/Illegal Use of Hands/Illegal Contact (automatic first down)
• Offensive Pass Interference (loss of down)
• Roughing the passer (automatic first down)
• Flag Guarding/Stiff Arming/Any Intentional Contact (loss of down)
• Illegal Blocking (loss of down) – No player may use his hands to block opponent. Offensive players may not run down field past 5 yards from the line of scrimmage in front of or parallel to the ball carrier, whether you intended to block or not. They may run behind to receive a lateral.
• Illegal Flag Removal
• Illegal Participation
• Stripping the Ball/Attempting to Strip the Ball
• Hurdling a Player/Attempting to Hurdle a Player
• Illegal equipment (loss of down); including but not limited to:

• Tying, modifying or in any way changing the intended use of flags to make it more difficult for the defense to pull.

• Unsportsmanlike conduct, abusive or insulting language, or gesture to another player or referee, and taunting are not permissible under any circumstances. The player may be disqualified for the above actions if judged by the referee to be flagrant and will be suspended for the remainder of the game and possibly the next game. In a severe case of unsportsmanlike conduct, the player will be suspended from playing any SPORTSKIND event indefinitely.

OVERTIME RULES (Playoffs Only)

In elimination games, rock/paper/scissors is played by the captains with the winning team deciding on first or second possession. Teams will attempt to score in the same end zone. Each team will then have four downs to score from the 20 yard line. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for one, two, or three extra points.  If a tie occurs after the first round, then teams will repeat using the same format. However, the team that defended first is now on offense first. If a third round is needed, then the teams must go for two or three extra points. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the round. No first downs will be awarded except in the case of a penalty.

CONCLUSION

We enforce a “Zero Tolerance Policy” in regards to behavior of players, captains, and fans. Taunting, trash talking, or abusive language will not be tolerated.  Referees and league staff will have the right to reprimand or eject players, managers, or fans depending on the severity of the situation. Abusive behavior toward the referee will not be tolerated. In extreme cases, the player will be asked to leave the premises without refund. The severity of the punishment will be based on the discretion of the referee and league staff. Only captains of the respective teams are allowed to approach the referee with questions or concerns in a respective manner. Teams charging the field of play to question or complain a call will be subject to automatic forfeit for that game. Alcohol and smoking are not allowed on playing fields. Any rules not covered or protests will be handled by the Referee. There will be no refunds allowed for rain delays or cancellations.  If the league is postponed due to weather, we will reschedule to a later date.  There will be no refunds if you are not able to furnish a team on the makeup date. Flag Football is played in the rain if at all possible unless the Referee or Facility Representative decides it is necessary to postpone due to dangerous field conditions or lightning.  If lightning occurs, all attempts will be made to resume play 30 minutes after the last lightning flash is viewed and the official deems it safe to resume play. The games will resume as scheduled if at all possible, or shortened if necessary. FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.  ANY INSTANCES OF FIGHTING MAY RESULT IN A TEAM FORFEIT OF THE LEAGUE WITHOUT REFUND AND POSSIBLE EXPULSIONS FROM FUTURE LEAGUES AND TOURNAMENTS. ALL DECISIONS OF THE LEAGUE STAFF ARE FINAL.  THE LEAGUE STAFF SHALL ALSO HAVE THE FINAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE GAME SCHEDULES, GAME DURATION, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE RULES OR OF THE LEAGUE.