WINTER FLAG FOOTBALL

Coed Game Format and Rules

6 v 6 Flag Game Format

Field is 23-30 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5 yard end zones.
Games are 6 players v 6 players
Regular Season Play - Two 20 minute running clock halves (1 minute break at half)
Each possession starts at the 5 yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime.
30 second play clock (45 second play clock for 8U AND UNDER Division)
The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field, then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field.
All players are eligible to receive a pass!
*Update NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! Unless there is a handoff, a lateral, backwards pass or if the QB fakes a handoff which will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB.
*Update Play clock will start and the offensive play can be run when the official is aligned with the spot of the ball and/or when the official blows their whistle
*Update After a time out, the next play will start on the officials whistle

Scoring

Touchdowns = 6 points
Extra Point (5 yard line) = 1 pt
Extra Point (10 yard line) = 2 pts

Basic Rules

Interceptions during an extra point attempt can NEVER be returned for any points. They are dead balls where the extra point is no good.
Coin flip determines choice of possession or direction (winning team can elect to defer to the 2nd half)
The clock will only stop for time-outs and injuries unless it is the last minute of the game.(it does not stop for incomplete passes, out of bounds, change of possession
TWO 30-second timeouts per half
If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after the conversion attempt
Teams switch sides at halftime.
If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS. There is NO loss of yardage.
No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)
Center cannot take a handoff from the QB.
Ball is placed where the flag is pulled, NOT where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception.
Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is spotted at that yard mark.
Absolutely no tackling or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)
Only one player can be in motion at the same time.
3 Players must be on the Line of Scrimmage or Illegal Formation; The Center counts as 1 player on the LOS.
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

Special Alert Rules

Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. THE PLAY CLOCK DOES NOT RESET WHEN A BACKWARD PASS IS MADE. This Deception Rule is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense. This rule applies to all Divisions.
*Update Interceptions can be returned for a TD, if intercepting teams flag is pulled before the end zone then possession will begin where the defender is flagged. If the interception occurs in the end zone (and the flag is pulled in the end zone) the ball will be spotted on the 5 yard line
*Update Offensive Delay of Game Penalty during the LAST 4 MINUTES OF THE GAME : During the last 4 minutes of the game, an offensive delay of game or an offensive false start penalty results in:
- 5 yard penalty
- Loss of down
- A time out will be charged to the penalized team
  - If the team has no time outs left, referee will stop the clock
MERCY RULE
If a team is up by 30 or more they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 30 pts. Than regular game rules apply.

The team that is behind by 30 or more points CAN start their offensive possession at the +10 yard line and get 4 downs to score. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 pts, than regular game rules apply

Pass Game Rules

The Offense has to throw the ball within:
8U AND UNDER – 6 seconds
10U AND UP – 3 seconds
The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what offensive play is attempted.
Forward pass can be underhand or overhand as long as it is beyond the LOS.
If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS.
There are NO FORWARD passes behind the LOS. This is a 5 yard penalty and loss of down. THE DEFENSE CAN ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY (THIS IS NOT A STOPPAGE OF PLAY)
NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK!
*Update K-4th Grade, the QB can HAND or PITCH the ball off to another player and they can throw the ball within the allotted time. If/When the QB hands or pitches or throws a backward pass to another player, this alerts the defense that they CAN cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball. The sack count does NOT reset when a lateral or backward pass is made
*Update All AGE levels have the option to throw a backward pass for a double pass play. This alerts the defense that they CAN cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball. (5th-8th grade can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass.). The sack count does NOT reset when a lateral or backward pass is made
Defense must start 2 yds off the LOS unless the ball is at the +1 then the Defense can start at Goalline.
LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME
1. The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:
  - Incompletions
  - Out of Bounds
  - QB Sack and kneel downs
  - Spiking of the football
  - Change of Possession
  - Penalties. If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official unless dead ball foul.

OFFENSE PENALTIES

Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal Formation – 5 yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal Run – 5 yard penalty and loss of down

False Start – 5 yard penalty, replay the down

Illegal Forward Pass – 5 yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS or QB throws a forward pass behind the LOS) THE DEFENSE CAN ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY (THIS IS NOT A STOPPAGE OF PLAY) THE DEFENSE MAY ELECT TO DECLINE THE PENALTY IF IT RESULTS IN AN INTERCEPTION OR TURNOVER ON DOWNS AS AN EXAMPLE

Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down

Leaping – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down

Flag Guarding (including stiff arms) – 5 yard penalty from the spot of the foul and loss of down

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty (possible ejection)

Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5 yard penalty.

No Intentionally Grounding Penalty

DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:

Defensive Pass Interference - 10 yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5 yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage.

Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Off-sides – 5 yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Illegal Rushing (before a hand-off has occurred) – 5 yard penalty and replay the down; offense decides depending on the result of the play. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

* Update Inadvertent tackle – 5 yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down. 1st down can occur as a result of the penalty yardage

Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – Automatic Touchdown

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible ejection)

Defensive Penalties inside the 10 yard line will result in half the distance to the Goalline if applicable.

ONLY IN THE PLAYOFFS

Overtime period will take place with each team receiving a possession.
Coin flip determines choice of 1st or 2nd possession
Possession begins at the 10 yard line (both teams will go in the same direction)
If a touchdown is scored, a team can elect to go for a 1 or 2 point conversion.
If the Defense intercepts the ball it’s a change of possession starting at the 10 yard line unless the Defense returns it for a TD. Game could be over if the intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing Defense or intercepting team returns it for a TD on it’s 1st Defensive possession per OT.
If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner.
Offensive team will get 2 downs to score from the +10 yard line
Teams alternate first possession each overtime period