RULES

GENERAL RULES OF THE FIELD

Each style of flag football we offer first uses our general rules common to all as a basis for each format. These rules are intended to standardize the game in areas where each style must be synchronized to make it easier for players and officials to understand the basics of the game from one format to another.

Please read these rules first for any style you play, as they apply to all styles we offer, then be sure to also check out the style-specific rules in their specific chapters that are unique to your particular format.

RULE 1: GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

SECTION 1. GENERAL PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNMENT

Article 1. We declare that The Field is a self-proclaimed governing organization for the sport of The Field football by the common consent of our participating teams. We are aware that many leagues play by a variety of rule books that differ from The Field; however, The Field strives to be the definitive supervisory body for all forms and styles of The Field tournaments based on IFAF 2023 rules.

Article 2. Our officials administer the rules of this league/tournaments not any other organization (past or present).When more details are needed than are outlined in IFAF 2023 rulebook.

Article 3. The Tournament establishes estimated dates for payment and cancellation of the registration amount. Failure to make payments on the estimated dates will proceed with a fine to the team that fails to comply with this rule, the fine will be $50. The team that makes a subscription and decides to withdraw from the Tournament, is not entitled to a refund of the money.

Article 4. Order of tie breakers to determine seeding for playoffs are as follows: Overall record, head to head: (only applies if every team with the same record played each other directly), point differential, points against, points scored, battle points, registration date, coin toss.

SECTION 2. REQUIRED PERSONAL CONDUCT

Article 1. Players, coaches and spectators must keep their comments profanity free. Disrespectful language, racist, sexist, homophobic remarks, obscene gestures/behavior, and bullying are prohibited.

Article 2. Foul play will not be tolerated. Any staff member that hears or sees anything that leads them to believe an infraction of the required personal conduct outline has been committed the person responsible may dismissed for the rest of the tournament.

Article 3. Fighting will lead to an immediate ejection for the remainder of the tournament, possible suspension or even a lifetime exclusion.

Article 4. Alcohol, other intoxicants, weapons, drones and pets are prohibited on our permitted fields.

SECTION 3.REQUIRED TEAM CONDUCT

Article 1. For the safety of our officials and their ability to administer the game all team personnel must remain at least two yards off the sidelines and inside the designated team boxes.

Article 2. Coaches may signal or call-in plays during the play clock but must be out-of-bounds before the snap. Coaches on the field-of-play during game play will be assessed a timeout.

Article 3. After all touchdowns and successful extra point attempts, the ball carrier must report to an official who will ensure avoiding game delay.

Article 4. Teams are required to position themselves on an opposite sideline from the opponent. A team occupying a sideline during a previous game with a back to back game on the same field will have priority on the same sideline until they no longer have a game scheduled there.

Article 5. If teams cannot agree on a sideline to occupy the Referee will conduct a coin toss and assign sidelines.

Article 6. Officials may require that boom-boxes or other noise producing devices be turned off or eliminated as they interfere with the game official’s ability to communicate and administer the game.

Article 7. Teams are required to clean up theirs garbage after contests.

SECTION 4.ROSTER RULES

Article 1. Rosters must be completed through the registration system or in person on paper before your first game on an official roster sheet. Team captains must invite players by entering their email address or sending them the invite link. Players must accept the invite, register themselves and accept the waiver in order to be eligible to participate.

Article 2. If the team captain is also playing, they must register themselves as a player on the roster and accept the waiver. If the team captain is not playing, their spot on the roster does not count toward the roster maximum.

Article 3. Failure to complete your roster will result in a forfeit if protested and removal from the event without refund. Rosters for National Tournaments must be filled according to province rule; 2 players from the Capital can play on any team, however none of the capital teams can use province players. 

Article 4. Players are not eligible to be on a roster for more than one team in each format (i.e.5v5 Non-Contact, etc). If a player is found to be on multiple rosters, this player will have a period of 4 hours to notify the board in which team he will play, otherwise the player will be out of the Tournament. 

Article 5. Transgender players may play on the team that matches the gender on their state or government issued identification document.

Article 6. Players must have a valid I.D. or copy of their I.D. with them at all times. In the event of a Roster Protest this is the only form accepted as proof of identity.

Article 7. The number of players that can be on a team’s roster varies by style. See individual style rules for details.

SECTION 5.PLAY OFFS

Article 1. During tournament play the number of teams that advance to playoff rounds will be determined by the number of teams in each bracket.

SECTION 6.THUNDER AND LIGHTNING PROTOCOL

Article 1. Practice and competitions will be suspended immediately when lightning is detected within 10 miles. All athletes and spectators should seek safe shelter during severe weather (but not under trees). Play shall not resume for at least 20 minutes after the last sight of lightning or sound of a thunderclap. Three long blasts from an air horn, car horn, or whistle will be the signal it is safe to continue play.

RULE 2:UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT

SECTION 1.SAFETY

Article 1. Players may not wear hard, unyielding, or stiff material items that in the view of the officiating crew may present a hazard to other players.

Article 2. It is mandatory that all players wear a protective mouthpiece while on the field-of-play. The use of hats, caps, visors, towels on the head is allowed

Article 3. Players must wear pants or shorts that do not have pockets, belt loops, zippers, or exposed draw strings. Pants or shorts with pockets that have been professionally sewn-shut are allowed at the game official’s discretion. Pants or shorts cannot be tapped or turned inside out unless the shorts are double lined.

SECTION 2. BELTS 

Article 1. The ONLY type of flag allowed for the tournament is FLAG TAG model. The referee has the obligation to check the flags of all players before a match.

Article 2. Bring extra belts, event organizers may not have flags for sale and have no means in which to replace or repair damaged flags. Your participation is subject to having the correct and working flag belts.

Article 3. Having the correct and legal flags belts solely the responsibility of the participant. If you are not certain if your flags are legal or allowed, it is your duty to confirm with the officials or director prior to game start in order to avoid consequences of illegal equipment.

Article 4. Altered or tampered flag penalty could result in an ejection or forfeit. No shortening, cutting, using a cloth material or other substrate different from the traditional vinyl material (at the discretion of the officials and director), etc.

Article 5. Youth size The Field may not be worn in adult leagues. Adult The Field must be no less than 14” long as measured from the bottom of the popper or The Field belt when there is no popper present and no less than 1 ¾” wide. (Failure to Wear Proper Equipment – 5-yards, loss of down)

Article 6. The Flags must be a contrasting color to a player’s pants/shorts. Contrasting is at the official’s discretion.

Article 7. The flags must be on the player’s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed the flag will be considered flag guarding. The flags must be evenly distributed on the belt. Suction cups must face down and away from the body. Belts must be snug around the waist to avoid rotating.

Article 8. If a player chooses to wear a hand towel, or any other object, on their waist it will be treated as part of the belt.

Article 9. If a ball carrier starts the play wearing an incomplete, improperly worn, or improperly secured flag belt, or no flag belt at all, they may not advance the ball after taking possession of it and will be ruled down where they took possession of the ball. For example: They may catch a pass but not advance it.

Article 10. All players on the field are eligible receivers at the snap regardless of possible uniform violations.

Article 11. A missing flag violation will not delay the game or stop a live play.

SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS UNIFORM AND GEAR ISSUES

Article 1. Some type of team jersey is required; the minimal standard is similar-colored shirts. Teams must carry two colored shirts, a dark color and a light color. They do not have to be official uniforms, the light colored one can be a white T-shirt. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color.

Article 2. Players must ensure their jerseys are long enough to remain tucked in during the entire play or short enough so there is a minimum of 4” from the bottom of the jersey to the player’s waistline. (Jerseys should never cover flag belt).

Article 3. When a shirt is untucked at the snap a hold will not be called on the defender that is making a fair and legal attempt at the ball carrier’s the flag. It is the player’s responsibility to check their equipment before each snap.

Article 4. Footballs must be pebble grained leather or rubber covered and meet the recommendations of size and shape for a regulation football. Adult men’s teams must use a regulation size ball. Adult women’s teams may use a regulation or intermediate sized ball.

Article 5. Players must wear close-toed shoes. Cleats with exposed metal are never allowed.

Article 6. Players may wear eye protection to include prescription glasses or flexible sunglasses.

Article 7. Players may wear a face shield molded to the face with no protrusions to protect against facial injury.

Article 8. Jewelry that in the judgement of a game official might endanger other players must be removed before play.

Article 9. Player’s finger nails must be trimmed or taped over to protect opponents. Alternatively, players may wear gloves to protect their opponents.

Article 10. Players may wear knit or stocking-style caps. Hard-billed caps must be removed or turned around backward. Players may wear a headband made of non-abrasive material. Rubber or elastic bands may be used in hair. Soft-shelled helmets designed football players may be worn.

Article 11. Players may tape forearms, hands and fingers. Players may wear soft gloves, elbow pads, shin guards, and knee pads. Unyielding items such as braces, casts, or anything with exposed metal are not allowed.

Article 12. Officials will endeavor to identify missing, incomplete or improperly worn flag belts prior to the snap and announce for example “number X, down on possession”. The player with the missing flag violation must fix the issue during the next dead ball situation or leave the field until they have done so.

RULE 3:CLOCK MECHANICS

(length of games and stop-clock procedures are ruled by IFAF 2023) The matches will be 2 halves of 20 minutes each.

2 time outs are awarded per half per team. The first half is non-stop clock and timeouts cannot be granted in the last 2 minutes of the half during regular round (pool).

If the score difference is 30 points or more at the Referee’s notification, the clock will not stop for situations it normally would do so for in the last 2 minutes.

The Referee will inform both teams at the Referee’s notification that the clock will no longer be stopped (running clock) for the remainder of the half.

After the Referee’s notification, the established status of the clock (standard timing or running clock) will not change even if the score difference goes below 30 or reaches 30 or more points. AR 3-2-6-I to II.

SECTION 1.GENERAL TIMING PROCEDURES

Article 1. Game time is forfeit time. To avoid a forfeit, teams may use team timeouts to ‘buy’ time.

Article 2. Time outs are 30-seconds.

Article 3. The offense has a 25-second play clock to snap the ball before a delay of game penalty is assessed.

Article 4. Length of games and stop-clock procedure is base on IFAF rulebook 2023, please refer to IFAF 2023 rules books. When officials go to the ‘stop clock’ mechanic the clock will stop / start as listed below:

SECTION 2.TIME OUTS AND CLOCK PROTOCOL

Article 1. Officials may stop the clock as needed.

Article 2. Team timeouts are 30 seconds. After 30 seconds the official will audibly place the offense on a 25-second play clock. Timeouts do not roll over from the first half.

Article 3. Halftime is two minutes.

Article 4. Team captains are encouraged to yell “clock?” or “clock check?” in lieu of “time?” to avoid confusion when requesting a team timeout.

Article 5. Event directors may enter the field of play during any dead ball situation to address matters they believe should not wait till half-time or the end of the game by calling a ‘Director’s time-out’.

RULE 4:COIN TOSS

SECTION 1.COIN TOSS

Article 1. Team captains are required to bring their game ball(s) to the coin toss for inspection.

Article 2. Game officials will confirm with team captains during the coin toss that the teams are in correct and legal uniforms (pockets, flag belts, contrasting colors, unyielding materials, etc.).

Article 3. Referee will issue the first warning about unsportsmanlike conduct, excessive rough play, and language.

Article 4. During tournament play “Home” or “Away” will be determined using either a strength of play record (“seeding”) or randomly (“draft-style”).

Article 5. First possession is decided using a coin toss. The head official will ask the ‘calling captain’ their choice of “heads” or “tails”. The official will ask the opposing team to repeat and confirm the choice before flipping the coin. The head official will then confirm the call. The captain winning the toss shall choose one of the following options:

Article 6. The loser of the coin toss shall make a choice of the remaining options. Before the start of the second half, the choice of options shall be reversed. If a team captain does not attend the coin toss, the opposing team will win the toss.

Article 7. In order to keep to schedule, the game clock shall start one minute after the coin toss formalities have concluded, regardless if the teams have taken the field or not.

RULE 5:CHALLENGE PROCEDURE

SECTION 1.RULE CHALLENGES

Article 1. Only the team captain or head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Generally, officials are happy to answer quick response and general questions during the game if they do not impede the game. The priority is to spot the ball then address questions without impeding the play clock.

Article 2. If a captain or head coach believes an official has made a procedural error they may call for a timeout. If the head official agrees that there has been a procedural error (e.g., wrong down, incorrect penalty yardage, etc.) the procedural error will be addressed and the timeout will not be charged. The challenge must be made to an official before the next snap.

Article 3. In the event the captain or head coach loses a procedural challenge and the captain’s team did not possess a legal team timeout a fifteen-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed.

Article 4. Only procedural issues may be addressed, not an official’s judgment call or no-call.

Article 5. If the protesting team is unsatisfied with the ruling of the challenge on the field and would like to elevate the challenge to a league director / head of officials, they may do so.

Article 6. If the protest is ultimately lost, the protesting team will lose all remaining timeouts of that half. If the protesting team does not have any timeouts left in the half they will lose all of the timeouts in the following half.

Article 7. If the team doesn’t possess any timeouts at all they will be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

SECTION 2.ROSTER CHALLENGES

Article 1. To protest a roster, a team captain must specifically request a protest from the officials and select one individual player to challenge. This must occur while the game is in play and only one roster protest per team may occur per game.

Article 2. Challenges will be examined and fully enforced first before another or cross-protest can be issued.

Article 3. During tournament play if a player is found playing on a team illegally, the team will immediately forfeit the game the illegal player participated in. They are not allowed to protest back at that time because the game is no longer in play.

Article 4. If the protest is lost, the protesting team will lose all remaining timeouts of that half. If the protesting team does not have any timeouts left in the half they will lose all of the timeouts in the following half. In the event the captain or head coach loses a procedural challenge and the captain’s team did not possess a legal team timeout a fifteen-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed.

RULE 6: OFFENSE

SECTION 1.GENERAL OFFENSE

Article 1. Offensive players must come to a complete stop for one second before the ball is snapped unless they are the only player in motion per IFAF rulebook 2023.

Article 2. All players must substitute from their sideline only. This allows the defense to be aware of their presence and avoids deceptive plays by the offense.

Article 3. The ball must be snapped by the center.

Article 4. It is a false start if any player on offense enters the neutral zone before the snap.

Article 5. The offense may not act or move in a manner that, in the judgement of the covering official, is clearly intended to cause the defense to encroach. Verbalizing play-calls or snap counts alone are not acts or moves that should be considered unless they are in conjunction with other acts or moves. The speed, abruptness, down and distance and if any player pretends to have the ball or otherwise simulate action at the snap will be considerations.

Article 6. Direct snaps are legal to any player not on the line-of-scrimmage.

Article 7. The ball will be declared dead if any portion of the ball carrier’s body other than their hands and feet (knee, elbow, buttocks, etc.) touches the ground.

Article 8. The offense is responsible for retrieving the ball and returning it an official or to the line of scrimmage at the end of each play.

SECTION 2.FUMBLES AND MUFFS

Article 1. Unintentional fumbles and intentional laterals end the play when they hit the ground or go out of bounds and remain with the team that initiated the act. 

Article 2. Forward fumbles that hit the ground will be marked where the ball carrier’s feet were when he/she lost control and not the spot where the ball hit the ground.

Article 3. Muffed snaps will be marked on scrimmage line.

Article 4. Fumbles and laterals that hit the ground do not stop the clock. 

SECTION 3. RUNNING / JUMPING / DIVING

Article 1. Ball carriers are not allowed to leave their feet, jump, and spin as evasive maneuvers.

Article 2. Ball carriers may not hurdle over another player. Ball carriers may not dive, lunge, or fall forward in a perceived intentional manner in order to advance the ball or achieve a line-to-gain. This is a judgment call by the game officials.

Article 3. Ball carriers may extend the ball out in front of them to gain additional yardage.

Article 4. Diving by the defense to capture a ball carrier’s flag is illegal.

Article 5. Ball carriers must make every effort to avoid a defender who has established a stationary position.

Article 6. Runners may leave their feet to avoid collision or falling on another player.

Article 7. Passers may jump vertically to throw the ball over a defender.

SECTION 4.THE FLAG GUARDING INCLUDING STIFF-ARMING

Article 1. The ball carrier’s flags must be accessible to the defense throughout the play. Flags may not be tucked in pants, tucked under jerseys, worn improperly, looped around the waist belt, or knotted.

Article 2. Flag guarding is the act of a ball carrier denying a defender the opportunity to capture their flag in any physical way. The ball carrier shall not flag guard by flailing of arms, using their hands, arms, elbows or extremely dipped shoulders to deny the opportunity of an opponent to remove a flag.

Article 3. The ball carrier may not swat a defender’s hands away nor pin the flag against their body using the ball or hands. An official may call flag guarding if they feel that a ball carrier’s natural running motion gave the ball carrier a decisive advantage over the defender and the running motion caused part of the ball carrier’s body to block a de-flagging attempt.

Article 4. What constitutes flag guarding is up to the official’s judgment. We recommend you carry the ball with your hands held high on the body to avoid flag guarding. This is one of the most difficult transitions for traditional football players. flag guarding shall not be called if there is no defensive player within reasonable distance to capture the flag.

Article 5. The ball carrier may bend at the knees to dip low, side cut, skip, or take short hops. Extreme low dips (sometimes called a “duck-walk”) are legal and do not constitute flag guarding in themselves, as long as the player carrier’s flag are still exposed and the defensive player isn’t physically impeded (i.e. the ball carrier isn’t using his arms, hands, shoulder, ball, etc. to impede the defender. Normally flag guarding can be avoiding while “duck-walking” when the ball carrier keeps his hands and elbows high on the body (ex: at shoulder-level). 

Article 6. No penalty will be called if a ball carrier simultaneously flag guards as the defender pulls the flag.

Article 7. Tampering with the flag in any way to gain advantage is illegal.

SECTION 5.PASS PLAYS

Article 1. Only one forward pass per play. Once the ball has passed the line-of-scrimmage it cannot be returned to behind the line-of-scrimmage and thrown forward legally.

Article 2. If any portion of the passer’s body is behind the line-of-scrimmage it is a legal pass.

Article 3. All players are eligible to receive a pass unless they have stepped out-of-bounds of their own accord. Players may re-establish themselves in the field of play and catch the ball if another player has touched the ball first.

Article 4. Any offensive player who receives a backward handoff behind scrimmage can pass the ball from behind the line-of-scrimmage.

Article 5. Backward passes are allowed.

Article 6. If the passer’s flag has been pulled while the passer still has the ball in their hand, it is a sack. There is no allowance given for the passer’s arm being in motion at the time of the sack. Ball in hand at all equals a sack.

SECTION 6.CATCHES

Article 1. A pass is completed when an offensive player simultaneously places at least one foot inbounds and momentarily maintains possession of the ball.

Article 2. Simultaneous catches between a defensive and offensive player go to the offense.

Article 3. In the event of a bobbled catch, i.e., the ball is batted about by the receiver in an attempt to catch it, and the intended receiver is de-flagged before taking full possession there is no penalty for early flag pull.

Article 4. Whether or not a ball is tipped or touched in the air has no bearing on the play as it applies to fouls anywhere on the field (roughing, personal fouls, illegal contact, etc.).

Article 5. If a receiver steps out-of-bounds of their own accord and is the first to touch a pass, it is illegal touching. The play will be allowed to continue to a dead ball situation (5-yards from previous and a loss of down, if accepted).

RULE 7:DEFENSE

SECTION 1.GENERAL DEFENSE

Article 1. Stripping or attempting to strip the ball from a player’s hand, including the quarterback, is illegal.

Article 2. Defensive teams may not simulate the offensive team’s signals or cadence. (Unsportsmanlike)

Article 3. There are no “free plays” for the offense. After the head official blows the ready-for-play whistle and the snapper puts their hand(s) on the ball, no player may enter the neutral zone until the ball is moved to start the snap. Entering the neutral zone before the snap is known as “offside” or encroachment which causes the play to be immediately blown dead and the offending team is penalized five yards.

Article 4. If a defensive team intentionally commits a penalty in order to achieve a specific goal and the penalty is declined, any subsequent attempts to continue committing the penalty will result in a 10 yard unsportsmanlike penalty and automatic first down for the offense.Example: Offense has the ball 2nd down and 3 yards to gain prior to a first down. Defense intentionally jumps offsides to try and get offense to accept a first down and long line to gain. If offense declines, and defense immediately attempts same penalty again, an additional unsportsmanlike penalty will be enforced.

Article 5. A player that is not at the legal distance to rush, without entering the neutral zone, is allowed to “reset” to the appropriate distance during a live ball and become an eligible rusher.

SECTION 2.ROUGHING

Article 1. Defensive players must make a concerted effort to avoid charging into the quarterback.

Article 2. In general, defensive players may not “crash” the quarterback’s throwing arm, shoulder or body even if the ball is touched first. This rule applies to holders and kickers as well.

Article 3. It is a quarterbacks right to step into a throw, and the rushers duty to avoid contact. If contact is significant and forceful at the discretion of the officials, whether attempting to go for the flag or not, it may be deemed roughing the passer.

Article 4. An insignificant “brush-by” may be allowed by the referee but is not guaranteed.

Article 5. Making contact with the quarterback while blocking a pass or attempting to block a pass may result in a roughing the passer penalty.

Article 6. Whether or not a ball is tipped in the air has no bearing on the play as it applies to fouls (roughing, personal fouls, etc.).

Article 7. A roughing penalty will not be enforced if a quarterback initiates contact with a defensive player while in the throwing motion; for example, during the passer’s follow through the player’s arm makes contact with an opponent’s hand, arm, or shoulder. In this instance the impetus of the contact is the action of the quarterback and not the defender. This is a judgment call.

SECTION 4.THE FLAG PULLING MECHANICS

Article 1. Flag football is a finesse game versus the brute strength game of traditional tackle football.

Article 2. Flag pulling is the legal removal of a flag from an opponent in possession of the ball. Legal flag pulls must begin with the hands leading toward the opponent’s hips and flags.

Article 3. No player shall make any contact with an opponent which is deemed unnecessary or excessive and which incites roughness. 

Article 4. No player has the right to over-aggressively ‘body up’, ‘wrap up’, ‘play through’, ‘bull rush’, charge, spear or lead with a shoulder against an opponent even to capture a flag. Players must play to capture the flag, not to commit Illegal Personal Contact.

Article 5. Pushing out on the sidelines is not permitted unless the defense was making a fair, legal, and reasonable attempt to pull the ball carrier’s flags, i.e. the defender’s hands were aimed low at the ball carrier’s hips and flags and not high up on the body.

Article 6. Pushing, striking, holding, slapping or tripping while attempting to pull a flag is not permitted.

Article 7. A defensive player may not pull the flag of a player who is not in possession of the ball.

Article 8. Any defensive player who removes the flag from an offensive ball carrier is encouraged to show good sportsmanship and hold the flag above their head to assist the officials in locating the spot where the capture occurred.

Article 9. Players may be penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing, spiking, obscuring, or delaying the ball carrier in recovering their pulled flag.

Article 10. If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during the play the de-flagging we apply IFAF rule and the play ended were the player catch the ball.

Article 11. When a ball carrier flag guards and a defensive player pulls the ball carrier’s flag simultaneously, no penalty will be called for flag guarding.

Article 12. If a defensive player physically contains, tackles, or attempts to tackle the ball carrier (e.g., bear hugs, holds, wrestles with, obstructs, pushes the ball carrier out-of-bounds, tackles, or attempts to tackle, etc.) without making a clear, legal attempt to pull the ball carrier’s flag, the offensive team will be awarded at least one line-zone-to-gain or fifteen-yards (offended team’s choice) from the spot of foul and an automatic first down.

SECTION 4.PASS COVERAGE

Article 1. Pass interference normally occurs above the waist; entangled feet are not considered pass interference. Incidental contact is not considered pass interference.

Article 2. A player may “find” their opponent by reaching out and placing a hand on him/her as long as touching does not delay or impede him/her. This is not considered pass interference.

Article 3. Contact away from the direction of the pass is not considered pass interference. 

Article 4. Whether a pass is catchable or uncatchable has no bearing on pass interference.

Article 5. A player may use their arms or hands to intentionally obstruct the receiver’s view (face guarding) of the ball without turning their own head to play the ball as long as contact is not made with the receiver.

SECTION 5.INTERCEPTIONS

Article 1. Interceptions may be returned. In the event of an interception, the intercepting team must secure the ball with “clean hands,” i.e., they must not have committed a foul before or simultaneous to the interception.

Article 2. If the intercepting team gained the interception with “clean hands” they will be awarded a first down where the ball becomes dead (flag pull, stepping out-of-bounds, fumbled, etc.)

Article 3. The ball will be spotted wherever the ball was at the time of the flag pull or the ball carrier left the field-of-play.

Article 4. Fouls by the intercepting team after an interception will be assessed from the spot of the foul. Fouls by the intercepted team after the interception will be assessed at the end of the run.

RULE 8:SCORING

SECTION 1.POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (TRY)

Article 1. Following a touchdown, once the scoring team has informed an official of which point conversion choice they want to attempt the decision cannot be changed unless the scoring team uses a team timeout.

Article 2. If a penalty occurs during an extra point attempt, the penalty will be assessed but the extra point value remains the same.

Article 3. Decisions cannot be changed after a penalty. For example, if the offense attempts a 1-point TRY and is penalized five yards for a false start, they cannot change their mind and go for a 2-point TRY.

Article 4. Unsportsmanlike conduct and personal fouls during successful touchdown attempts will be assessed at half the distance to the goal during the TRY attempt (e.g., 2-point TRY attempts will be spotted at the 5-yard line and 1-point attempts at the 2 ½-yard line) or on the kickoff. All other defensive penalties may be declined by the offense and the score will stand.

Article 5. Dead ball fouls committed by the offense that do not carry a loss-of-down penalty (false start, offside, etc.) will result in penalty yardage assessed and the down replayed.

Article 6. Fouls by the offense during a TRY attempt that carry a loss-of-down penalty (flag guarding, illegal advancement, illegal forward pass, etc.) will result in the TRY being “no good” and the attempt will not be repeated.

Article 7. Fouls committed by the offense in unsuccessful TRY attempts will be declined by the defense and the TRY will be “no good” and will not be replayed.

Article 8. Fouls simultaneous to the snap (illegal shift, illegal motion, illegal formation, etc.), if accepted, will result in penalty yardage assessed and the down replayed.

Article 9. Fouls by the defense during an unsuccessful TRY attempt will result in a retry after the options are administered. The offense may opt to accept or decline penalty yardage before the retry.

Article 10. Interceptions on any TRY can be returned by the defense for two points regardless of TRY point attempted.

Article 11. If multiple changes of possesion occur on a TRY, resulting in the original offensive team scoring, they will be awarded points based on the original attempt. i.e. 1 point if they were originally going for 1, or 2 if they were going for 2, etc.

SECTION 2.SAFETIES

Article 1. It is a safety when: a. The ball becomes dead with any part on or behind the goal line, except for an incomplete pass or fumble from outside the end zone, and the team defending this goal line is responsible for the ball being there. An accepted penalty for a foul leaves the ball on or behind the offending team’s goal line. AR 8-4-1-I to III

Article 2. Snap after a safety: After a safety, the ball shall be put in play by the scoring team at its own 5-yard line.

RULE 9:OVERTIME

SECTION 1. Tie Breaker

Article 1. Only one coin toss is allowed during overtime regardless of the number of overtime periods played.

Article 2. The tiebreaker system shall be used when a game is tied after 2 halves and the competition mandates a winner needs to be determined.
a. After a 2 minute intermission, the Referee shall toss a coin at midfield as at the beginning of the game. The winner of the coin toss will choose to start each following period on offense or defense. The other team will elect which end of the field will be used.
b. No charged team timeouts shall be granted.
c. The first extra period shall consist of 2 series with each team putting the ball in play by a snap at the middle line for one series of downs (no first down at middle). Should the defense score  during the first series, other than on the try, then the extra period is over.
d. Each team retains the ball during its series until it scores (including try downs for 1 or 2 points) or exhausts its series of downs. The ball remains alive after a change of team possession until it is declared dead. The series is then ended even if there is a second change of team possession during that down.
e. If after the first period (with 2 series including tries) the score is still tied, the second and following periods consist of series with each team playing a 1-point try from the 5-yard line. The overtime ends when the score after a period is no longer a tie or the defense scores during the first series of a period.
f. The team scoring the greater number of points during overtime shall be declared the winner.

RULE 10:OFFICIATING

SECTION 1.GENERAL OFFICIATING

Article 1. Officials do not have to call everything they see but they must completely see everything they call.

Article 2. Game officials may not use any recording or replay in making any decision relating to the game.

Article 3. Officials must not tolerate taunting, baiting, and unsportsmanlike acts.

Article 4. Game official must err on the side of safety while officiating.

SECTION 2.ENDING THE GAME / FORFEITS

Article 1. The game may not end with a penalty unless it is declined.

Article 2. Penalties by the offense that include a loss of down with time expired in either half (i.e., there is no time on the clock) will not extend the half or game.

Article 3. Offsetting penalties will not extend the half or game.

Article 4. Forfeits that occur prior to game will be recorded as 28-0 for 5v5 games. Forfeits that occur during the game will be recorded at these scores or the actual score of the game at the time of the forfeit, whichever is the larger differential.

Article 5. A forfeit will not be official until expressely issued by a director only and deemed final.

Article 6. Team’s and players participating in multiple styles that are not guaranteed to be scheduled separately, or in the same schedule block, are required to have enough players to participate to avoid a forfeit and no rescheduling or holding the game up will be administered.

Article 7. It is each team’s responsibility to have enough players present at the coinflip in order to avoid a forfeit, even in the event of other divisions or fields running behind. The only time a game will be held up officially is when those styles have specifically been guaranteed not to overlap as detailed on the event page. If you are not certain if your teams games will overlap, make sure to double check prior to schedules being released.

Article 8. No period or half can end if there is an obvious timing error or any other irregularity has occurred and verified.

Article 9. Four unsportsmanlike and / or personal fouls by one team will result in a forfeiture.

SECTION 3.PREVENTATIVE OFFICIATING

Article 1. Officials should aim to assist teams to avoid penalties (preventative officiating). Cautions and teaching points are appropriate most times.

Article 2. It is not the mission of the game officials to flag every small, nuanced infraction of traditional high-level football unless it produces a significant unfair advantage. Preventative officiating examples include:

Article 3. Prior to a snap, officials can require and warn players to adjust their flags to their proper alignment. Repeated warnings of this nature can result in an unsportsmanlike penalty.

SECTION 4.MECHANICS OF OFFICIATING

Article 1. No penalty or penalty flag stops a live play.

Article 2. Be ‘game-aware’ of where you should be to make your best call.

Article 3. Officiating is a team sport. Keep regular eye-contact with fellow officials and mimic their commands and hand signals.

Article 4. Remember to ‘dead ball’ officiate. Just because the play is over doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay attention.

Article 5. Officials must highly endeavor to announce down and distance before any snap. While it always the team coach’s responsibility to be game aware, the officiating crew should always endeavor to keep them informed.

Article 6. All officials will respect the calls of other officials. However, it is purely acceptable for an official to ‘come over the top’ of another official if the official had a better angle or saw something the other did not.

SECTION 5.MOMENTUM RULE

Article 1. If the ball is intercepted between the 5-yard line and the goal line and the player’s momentum takes them into the End Zone where the ball becomes dead in their possession or the intercepting team fouls in the end zone (example: flag guarding) the ball belongs to the intercepting team and the penalty will be assessed from the spot where it was intercepted. It is not a touchback. It is not a safety.

SECTION 6.CONTACT ABOVE THE SHOULDERS

Article 1. Safe play is our utmost concern. Officials will penalize any noteworthy contact above the shoulders (head, neck, or face) between players, even if accidental.

SECTION 7.ILLEGAL PERSONAL CONTACT

Article 1. No player may make contact with an opponent that is judged to be unnecessary or provokes rough-play or retaliation.

Article 2. In the judgement of the game official, when one player uses enough force to knock another to the ground by pulling, tripping, bear-hugging, charging, sweeping, flinging, shoving, ‘bodying-up’ etc. Whether or not the player goes to the ground is irrelevant.

SECTION 8.DISQUALIFICATIONS AND EJECTIONS

Article 1. Disqualifications, Ejections and Unsportsmanlike Conduct are the only three penalties that cannot be declined. They are completely the option of the game officials. The yardage portion of the penalty may be declined but infraction itself cannot.

Article 2. The difference between disqualification and ejection is completely the determination of the presiding referee and may not be appealed.

Article 3. Disqualifications are normally reserved to address lower-level transgressions.

Article 4. A disqualification will last for the remainder of the contest the player was disqualified for.

Article 5. A disqualified player may play in the next scheduled contest.

Article 6. An ejected player may not play in the next scheduled contest. They must sit out at least one additional game.

Article 7. Any official may disqualify a player.

Article 8. To eject a player all officials must agree and it must be reported to the Director prior to play resuming.

Article 9. Ejections / disqualifications may occur for but are not limited to:

SECTION 9.UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Article 1. Disrespect toward an official, coach, spectator or another player will constitute unsportsmanlike conduct.

Article 2. Players shall not ‘showboat’, taunt, spike the ball or flag belt toward an opponent, or be excessive in any way, to include using force against or verbally attack or harass another player.

Article 3. Celebrations are fine but keep them short, conservative and not directed at an opponent.

Article 4. Use of inflammatory words or gestures is prohibited.

Article 5. If unsportsmanlike conduct occurs during a live play and the team did not score on that play, the penalty will be assessed from the new line-of-scrimmage, i.e., will be added to or subtracted from the end of the play.

SECTION 10.INADVERTENT WHISTLE

Article 1. If an official blows an inadvertent whistle they will declare the ball dead where the ball was at the time the inadvertent whistle. The team against which the action offended may have the option of accepting the play (i.e., the yards gained and the down advances) or replaying the down from the original line-of-scrimmage.

Article 2. If the ball was in the air when the inadvertent whistle occurred it will be returned to the line-of-scrimmage and the down will be replayed.

Article 3. If a penalty marker is thrown prior to an inadvertent whistle, an accepted penalty will be administered as in any other play situation. When the foul is accepted, the inadvertent whistle is disregarded.

Article 4. When an inadvertent whistle is triggered by an unfair act or an act used to deceive or confuse a game official the officiating crew may use their collective judgement to fairly adjudicate the situation. It may result in yardage awarded, a score granted, and/or the guilty player disqualified, etc. It is solely up to the officiating crew to decide.

5V5 NON-CONTACT COED RULES

The following 5v5 non-contact coed flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved.

These rules are an extension of our 5v5 Non-Contact rules so read through those, along with the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer. Below are the changes to this style for coed:

RULE 1: COED CHANGES

SECTION 1.ELIGIBILITY

Article 1. 5v5 Non-Contact Coed flag football teams must consist of 2 womens on the field at the same time or be subject to forfeit. A typical team would consist of 3 mens and 2 womens, but you may use more womens than required, but no less than 2. As long as you have 3 womens and a minimum of 3 total players on the field you are eligible for play.

SECTION 2.EQUIPMENT

For women’s and coed formats a Youth (size 7) football is allowed.

SECTION 3.SCORING

Article 1. Touchdowns – 6pts for mens, 7pts for womens

Article 2. Extra Points – 1pt or 2pts for all. 

Article 3. If the score difference is 30 points or more at the Referee’s notification, the clock will not stop for situations it normally would do so for in the last 2 minutes.
The Referee will inform both teams at the Referee’s notification that the clock will no longer be stopped (running clock) for the remainder of the half.
After the Referee’s notification, the established status of the clock (standard timing or running clock) will not change even if the score difference goes below 30 or reaches 30 or more points. AR 3-2-6-I to II.

5V5 BEACH RULES

The following 5v5 Beach flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved.

These rules are an extension of our 5v5 Non-Contact rules for adults, or 5v5 Youth rules for youth, so read through those, along with the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer. 

5V5 YOUTH RULES

The following 5v5 non-contact flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved.

Read through the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer, then also make sure and check out the style-specific rules below that are unique to this format.

RULE 1.OVERVIEW

SECTION 1. THE FIELD

Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 50 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard end zones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. End zones should not be shorter than 5 yards.

SECTION 2.THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by an The Field director.

Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game until halftime. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. A coin toss determines 1st possession. The team can elect to have offense, defense, defer or direction. Choice in the 2nd half will be awarded to the team that did not have the choice 1st half.

Article 4. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.

Article 5. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

SECTION 3.EQUIPMENT

Article 1. Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Approved football sizes:

• Official (size 9) – Ages 14 and over
• Youth (size 7) – Ages 12-14 & Womens
• Junior (size 6) – Ages 10-12
• Pee Wee (size 5) – Age 9 and under

Article 3. Teams must wear Youth Shruumz or Sonic Flag-a-Tag flags (if custom flags are worn they must be of equal dimensions as Sonic flags). Flags will not be allowed that have been altered (cut, taped, etc.). Mushroom Flags are not allowed for youth. The flags cannot be the same color as a player’s shorts.

SECTION 4.COACHES

Article 1. Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help young people learn to play and enjoy football. Parents are encouraged to support their youth and their coach at all times.

Article 2. Coaches (1 Coach per Team) in the 13U and under divisions only are permitted on the field to assist players with their position alignment and mentoring on offense only (no coaches allowed on the field while on defense). At the snap, on-field coaches must be 5 yards behind the quarterback and are not allowed to continue instructing or coaching until the play ends.

Article 3. Coaches of all other age divisions may not come on to the field of play during a game unless a player is injured. Coaches who come on the field of play anytime during a game will be penalized. One sideline warning per game will be issued after which the following penalties will result:

Article 4. Only two coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines. ONLY THE HEAD COACH CAN ADDRESS THE GAME OFFICIALS.

SECTION 5.PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same :

RULE 5.PENALTIES

5V5 THRONES RULES

The following 5v5 non-contact flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved. Rosters up to 16 players allowed.

Read through the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer, then also make sure and check out the style-specific rules below that are unique to this format.

Women’s over 30 years old must be MOM’s (legally or naturally) Mom’s that play on a competitive leagues are allowed up to two (2) per team.

Men’s team over 30 years must be a dad (legally or naturally) DAD’s that play on a competitive leagues are allowed up to two (2) per team.

Anyone over 35+ years old can play withour restrictions, but most follow the rule of the amount of players in a competitive league per team. 

RULE 1.OVERVIEW

SECTION 1. THE FIELD

Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 50 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard end zones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. End zones should not be shorter than 5 yards.

SECTION 2.THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by an The Field director.

Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game until halftime. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. A coin toss determines 1st possession. The team can elect to have offense, defense, defer or direction. Choice in the 2nd half will be awarded to the team that did not have the choice 1st half.

Article 4. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.

Article 5. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

SECTION 3.EQUIPMENT

Article 1. Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Approved football sizes:

• Official (size 9) – Ages 14 and over
• Youth (size 7) – Ages 12-14 & Womens
• Junior (size 6) – Ages 10-12
• Pee Wee (size 5) – Age 9 and under

Article 3. Teams must wear Youth Shruumz or Sonic Flag-a-Tag flags (if custom flags are worn they must be of equal dimensions as Sonic flags). Flags will not be allowed that have been altered (cut, taped, etc.). Mushroom Flags are not allowed for youth. The flags cannot be the same color as a player’s shorts.

SECTION 4.COACHES

Article 1. Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help people learn to play and enjoy football. 

Article 2. Coaches of all other age divisions may not come on to the field of play during a game unless a player is injured. Coaches who come on the field of play anytime during a game will be penalized. One sideline warning per game will be issued after which the following penalties will result:

Article 3. Only two coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines. ONLY THE HEAD COACH CAN ADDRESS THE GAME OFFICIALS.

SECTION 5.PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same :

RULE 5.PENALTIES

5V5 YOUTH RULES

The following 5v5 non-contact flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved.

Read through the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer, then also make sure and check out the style-specific rules below that are unique to this format.

RULE 1.OVERVIEW

SECTION 1. THE FIELD

Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 50 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards.

SECTION 2.THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME – upon approval by an The Field director.

Article 2. Minimum 4 players to start a game until halftime. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. A coin toss determines 1st possession. The team can elect to have offense, defense, defer or direction. Choice in the 2nd half will be awarded to the team that did not have the choice 1st half.

Article 4. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has four plays to cross mid-field. On 4th down, teams have 5 seconds to declare to go for it or punt. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession.

Article 5. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception or failed 4th down conversion, where defense takes over at the spot.

Article 6. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

SECTION 3.EQUIPMENT

Article 1. Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Approved football sizes:

• Official (size 9) – Ages 14 and over
• Youth (size 7) – Ages 12-14 & Womens
• Junior (size 6) – Ages 10-12
• Pee Wee (size 5) – Age 9 and under

Article 3. Teams must wear Youth Shruumz or Sonic Flag-a-Tag flags (if custom flags are worn they must be of equal dimensions as Sonic flags). Flags will not be allowed that have been altered (cut, taped, etc.). Mushroom Flags are not allowed for youth. The flags cannot be the same color as a player’s shorts.

SECTION 4.COACHES

Article 1. Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help young people learn to play and enjoy football. Parents are encouraged to support their youth and their coach at all times.

Article 2. Coaches (1 Coach per Team) in the 13U and under divisions only are permitted on the field to assist players with their position alignment and mentoring on offense only (no coaches allowed on the field while on defense). At the snap, on-field coaches must be 5 yards behind the quarterback and are not allowed to continue instructing or coaching until the play ends.

Article 3. Coaches of all other age divisions may not come on to the field of play during a game unless a player is injured. Coaches who come on the field of play anytime during a game will be penalized. One sideline warning per game will be issued after which the following penalties will result:

Article 4. Only two coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines. ONLY THE HEAD COACH CAN ADDRESS THE GAME OFFICIALS.

SECTION 5.PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same :

RULE 5.PENALTIES

7V7 SCREEN RULES

The following 7v7 screen flag football rules for men and women are The Field approved.

Read through the General Rules first, as they apply to every style we offer, then also make sure and check out the style-specific rules below that are unique to this format.

RULE 1.OVERVIEW

SECTION 1.THE FIELD

Article 1. 70 yards from goal line to goal line with two end zones of 10 yards each.

Article 2. Field shall be divided into 2 zones of 25 yards each.

Article 3. Field shall be a minimum of 25 yards wide .

Article 4. IFAF rules will be follow for this style. 

SECTION 6.PENALTIES 

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same:

RULE 1.PENALTY CHART