WINTER FLAG FOOTBALL

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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

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

• 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.

• 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

• 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.