2006 Seahawk Flag Football Game Rules


General

  1. Coin toss determines first possession.

  2. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on the closest 5-yard line.

  3. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from the closest 5-yard line.

  4. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.

Players/Game Schedules

  1. Teams must field a minimum of six (6) players at all times.

  2. Teams consist of a maximum of 12 players (6 on the field with 6 substitutes).

Timing/Overtime

  1. Games are played to 40 minutes running time.

  2. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. The tie is broken using the Kansas City tie breaking format.

  3. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.

  4. Each team has three (3) 30-second time outs per half.

  5. The clock is stopped when a touchdown is scored. The clock is restarted when the referee spots the ball for the new offensive team.

  6. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Scoring

Touchdown: 6 points

Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or

2 points (played from 12-yard line)

Safety: 2 points

Running

  1. The quarterback cannot run with the ball.

  2. Direct hand offs and pitches must be executed behind the line of scrimmage. Offense may use multiple hand offs and pitches.

  3. “No-running zones,” located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations. Forward passes and laterals (backward pass) are allowed.

  4. The player who takes the hand off can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

  5. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

  6. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).

  7. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled.

Receiving

  1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).

  2. One player is allowed in motion at a time.

  3. A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

  1. Passes may be forward or lateral (backward pass).

  2. Shovel passes are allowed.

  3. The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.

  4. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

Dead Balls

  1. The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.

  2. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.

  3. Play is ruled “dead” when:

  1. Ball carrier’s flag is pulled.

  2. Ball carrier steps out of bounds.

  3. Touchdown or safety is scored.

  4. At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).

  5. Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.

  6. Ball carrier’s flag falls out.

Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback

  1. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.

  2. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.

Attire

  1. Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes.

  2. Inspections must be made.

  3. All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.






Penalties


The referee will call all penalties.


  1. Sportsmanship/Roughing:

FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

If the referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be disciplined. The offending team will be assessed a 15 yard penalty from the point of the foul.


A player WOULD be considered tackled if (1) they are pulled to the ground by any means (2) they are shoved to the ground OR out of bounds by hard body contact (3) they are tripped by the defender diving at the feet or at a flag and contacting the feet.

A player would NOT be considered tackled if (1) they fell down due to incidental contact AFTER the defender has made a play for the flag.

*Important to note that hard body contact prior to (ie: leading to) a play on the flag should be considered tackling as defined in #2 above.

Defense:

  1. Offsides

    5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and replay down

  2. Interference

    10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and automatic first down

  3. Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.)

    10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and automatic first down

  4. Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball)

    10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and automatic first down

  5. Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and replay down

Offense:

  1. Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.)

    5 yards (from line of scrimmage) and replay down

  2. Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)

    10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down

  3. Flag guarding

    10 yards (from point of foul) and loss of down

  4. Delay of game

    Clock stops, 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down

  1. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.

  2. Only the head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations.

  3. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.