Flag Football Rules

  ELIGIBILITY AND ROSTER

1. Age Requirement – All players must be 18 years of age or older by the last game of the season. Younger players may apply to play in the league through the league office. 
2. Divisions - there will be a competitive division and recreational division for playoffs only.   
3. Uniforms - All teams must have uniforms. You may purchase your own jerseys or have us supply your team for a fee. 
4. Free Agents (solo players) - you may register as a solo player and we will create a team for you.   
5. Players - we play 7 on 7 football.  Teams typically carry 10-14 players. 
6. Students who are enrolled in high school are not eligible without league permission. 
7. The league cannot be responsible for loss or injury incurred while participating in league games or activities, therefore all players and coaches are required to sign a waiver card before playing in said games or activities. 
8. Players may be added to the roster at anytime during the year with league permission. Players must play two league games to be eligible for playoffs.  
9. Once a player has been entered on an official roster sheet and participates in a game, he/she automatically becomes a member of that team and may not be cut from that roster or move to another team.
10. Captains are required to submit their team rosters prior to the first game. If they wish to add player during the season, they must submit the new name as an addition online. Players must play in two games to be eligible for play-offs.

EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE 

1. Each player/team must wear an approved uniform and each jersey must be numbered without duplication. 
2. Jerseys must be tucked in at all times and not protruding so as to impede the pulling of the flag 
3. Shoulder pads, elbow pads, padded pants, or helmets, are not permitted 
4. No player shall wear or use equipment / clothing, which in the opinion of the official endangers or confuses his opponents. 
5. Teams will supply their own ball for their offence.  Pro Sports will have some "practice balls" available for emergency situations. We allow teams to choose their own ball. 
6. Rip Flags, goal post protectors, scrimmage markers, and kicking tees will be provided by the league (we recommend each team purchase a kicking tee as well) 
7. (OUR GAMES ARE PLAYED AT OMISCHL PARK ON THE TURF FIELD, PROPER FOOTWEAR MUST BE WORN) 
8. Players who do not have an official uniform must wear the same colour shirt as their team. This should be a rare occurrence.  The official has the right to refuse participation if the jersey is deemed a different colour, or causes confusion. 

GAME PROCEDURES

1. There shall be a maximum of seven players per team on the field at all times. Seven players on offence hereafter referred to as TEAM A. Seven players on defence hereafter referred to as TEAM B. 
2. Each team will designate two captains prior to play and these players numbers will be made clear to the officials. 
3. Only captains will be allowed to consult with the officials. 
4. The decision of the officials can only be disputed when backed up by the rules under which the league is governed. A captain is entitled to a brief explanation of any decision, but prolonged discussion/argument is not allowed.   This explanation may be denied if the time remaining in the game is sensitive.
5. WALKING THE SIDELINE - Players not on the playing surface cannot walk the sideline to follow the play. The reason for this is simple logistics. In no sport are you allowed to leave your bench area.   You are expected to stay within 10 yards of then bench area or 35 yard line.
6. In the case of a foul, the captain of the non-offending team shall be given the choice of penalty or option(s) provided. 
7. A coin flip or like will decide the opening game procedures. The winner of the coin flip will decide to kick or receive the ball. The loser of the coin flip will decide which end zone to defend. Teams will switch ends at half time. The team receiving the kick at the start of the game will kick-off at the start of the second half. 
8. Each game is 50 minutes in length. This shall be two 25 minute halves with a five minute half time break.  The clock will start on-time for every game. 
9. Starting time for each game shall be exactly as indicated on the league schedule. Each team shall have 10 minutes to field a minimum of six players in order to start the game. At the end of this waiting period, if any team cannot meet this requirement, they shall forfeit the game. If the minimum limit is reached within the waiting period, that time shall be deducted from the first half time frame, and the team causing the problem shall be assessed a 20 yard penalty on the opening kick-off. 
10. Any team forced to forfeit two league games during the regular season shall be disbanded by the league. The disbanded team shall forfeit their entry fee or remainder thereof. Any players on the disbanded team that may wish to continue playing will be distributed among the remaining teams by means of a draft, if the remaining teams so desire and/or they have room on their roster. The draft will be held by order of the standings with the last place club choosing first. 
11. Once the official whistles the play in, Team A has 15 seconds to snap the ball. Time violations result in a 10 yard penalty against the offending team or half the distance to the goal line if less than 10 yards to the goal line. 
12. The game shall not be stopped for any reason without permission of the official. If the official finds it necessary to stop the game for injury, the injured player must leave the game for at least one play. 
13. If a player must leave the game for injury occurring in that game, his team may continue to play even if they have started the game with the minimum of six players. 
14. The game will not be stopped for injury unless the official whistles the play dead. 
15. All game times are straight-time. The official will keep track of all time. 
16. The referee or timing device will count 5 steamboats slowly while holding his/her arm upright until said steamboats are completed. Team A will have those 5 steamboats in which to put the ball into play before Team B will be allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and rush the quarterback.  The QB can scramble and throw but he cannot advance the ball running. 
17. Team B shall not cross the line of scrimmage until the count has expired, or the QB has released the ball.  If the QB fumbles the ball, the play is whistled dead.  There are no fumbles in our league. 
18. The line of scrimmage is identified as the front leg on the counting tee.
19. End of Half and End of Game drives - the team in possession of the ball when time expires at half time and the end of the game will have the option to finish their drive.  If the ball is in the air for a pass, punt or kick-off, the play will continue and the team with possession at the whistle will then have the option to finish their drive.  Note - this will cut into your half time break. 

FIELD AND END ZONE DIMENSIONS 

1. Our league will be playing on official Canadian football fields. The field will be divided in half (length wise) Two games will take place at the same time. (similar to Ultimate Frisbee) 
2. The thick white side line marking are “in-play”. Out of bounds begins at the outer edge of this marking. 

RULES OF PLAY 

1. Each player will be provided with a belt and two rip flags. The belt must be worn around the waist with the rip flags attached to each hip with a Velcro strip. There MUST BE NO IMPEDIMENT to access the rip flag.  Any player purposely trying the impeded the flag shall be ejected from the game and serve a one game suspension. 
2. The counting tee’s shall indicate 4 seconds for the men’s league to put the ball into play. The mixed league tee shall indicate 5 seconds to put the ball into play. Following these time intervals, the Team B may rush the quarterback.
3. In the event of a counting tee failure, the referee shall count on their own device and call the five seconds out loud.
4. The line of scrimmage is the forward leg of the counting tee.
5. To stop play, the rip-flag is pulled from the player in possession of the ball by the defender and the flag raised above the head so as to signal the official. If the rip flag is pulled prematurely a ten yard penalty will be assessed from the point of the foul. 
6. A player who does not have two flags attached may catch a thrown ball but the play is whistled dead upon the catch. 
7. Should a flag fall off while carrying the ball, the play will be whistled dead at the point the flag leaves the belt. 
8. Teams have four downs each possession but can obtain a first down every time they pass a 35 yard line. 
9. If during a pass, lateral, running play, punt, or kick-off that the ball should be physically touched and then make contact with the ground, the play is dead. There are no fumble recoveries of any kind. There are no on-side kick-offs. A dropped ball is dead. There is no stripping of the ball.

SCORING 

1. Touch downs - A touch down is scored only when both feet and ball have crossed the end zone line. A passing touchdown does require first foot down in bounds only, however on the end zone line both feet must cross.
2. Rouge – 1 point is scored when the ball is punted into the Team B’s end zone and cannot be advanced out of the end zone by Team B. This takes place if Team A punts the ball through the end zone as well.  A punt is dropping the ball from approximately waist height and kicking it prior to it striking the ground. 
3. Safety - 2 points and defending team gets the ball on the 35 yard line of the offensive team. This happens when a player is tackled in their own endzone during an offensive play
4. After a rouge the team scored against will scrimmage the ball at their own 35 yard line. 
5. Convert – 1 or 2 points are awarded after a touchdown by a scrimmage play from the 10 yard line. If Team A runs the ball into the end zone it is worth 2 points (meaning no forward passes occur on the play).  If Team A throws the ball into the end zone it is worth 1 point. 
6. Conceding a score on a punt– A player in possession of the ball in his own end zone may concede a rouge by kneeling on the ground, or by stepping out of bounds in the goal area.  This is 1 point. Receiving team keeps the ball and plays from the 20yard line.
7. Interception in the End Zone – Upon intercepting a pass, the player in possession of the ball may attempt to advance the ball out or may voluntarily step out of bounds or concede in the end zone without penalty. His team will take possession on its own 20 yard line. 
8. Tees – The kicking team may employ a tee for placement kicks, but that tee may not be more than “1” in thickness. Tees are provided by the league. 
9. Substitution of Players – Players may be substituted freely at any time during the game, prior to the official whistling time in. 
10. Sidelines - Where the sideline on Omischl Field is a thick white line on one side of the field, a player will be considered out only when their foot is touching green on the outside part of this thick white line. 
11. Kick Off's – Kickoffs shall originate from the kicking teams 45-yard line (subsequent to penalties) There shall be a 20 yard restraining line and all kickoffs must travel at least 20 yards to be in play. If the kicking team kicks the ball out of bounds during the kick off ,the receiving team may  (1) take ball where it went out of bounds or (2) at their own 45 yard line. 
12. Kick Off 5 yard rule -Receiving team must be given 5-yard restraining zone when the ball is kicked off.  If the kicking team commits this infraction, a ten yard penalty will be accessed at the end of the play.  There are no on-side kicks.
13. Touch back on kickoff - if Team A kicks the ball into the end zone during a kick-off and the team receiving decides they cannot advance the ball, they may take a knee and declare a touch-back. The ball will then be placed on the 20 yard line of the team receiving the ball. 
14. Punts, Quick Kick Punts – May be attempted on any down and do not have to be announced. 
15. Punt and Recovery – The ball may be punted at any point on the field but may not be recovered by the kicking team. A punted ball that is touched and then hits the ground is a dead ball. There are no fumble recoveries.
16. Return of punt – Receiving team must be given 5-yard restraining zone when the ball is punted.  If the punting team commits this infraction, a ten yard penalty will be accessed at the end of the play. 
17. Punting – If the ball is punted on any down, it is considered a change of position. The play is dead through a ripped flag or drop of the ball. 
18. Punt reception – If a punted ball hits the ground without human contact, the receiving team is expected to play the ball promptly. If a delay occurs, the play is whistled dead.
19. Blocked Punt on 4th Down – If a punt is blocked on the 4th down, at the line of scrimmage, the ball automatically becomes the possession of the receiving team at the completion of the play. Either team may recover the ball if it is airborne. If the ball contacts the ground, the play is dead. 
20. Ball Striking Goal Post – Any ball striking the goal post is considered dead and out of bounds.  
21. Running and Passing – All players on the field are eligible to pass, run, or receive the ball with the restrictions listed below: 
22. Quarterback – the quarterback may not cross the line of scrimmage with the originally snapped ball. He must first pass or lateral the ball to a teammate and then receive another legal pass or lateral. Only one forward pass is permitted per down. 
23. Laterals – May be performed anywhere on the field and are allowed without limit. If a lateral attempt is ruled as a forward lateral by the official, the ball shall be ruled dead at the point of the infraction.   
24. Forward Passes – These must originate from behind the line of scrimmage. If the quarterback/ball carrier goes out of bounds in Team A’s goal area, it will be ruled a safety. Should the quarterback cross the line of scrimmage before passing, it shall be ruled offside and the play whistled dead. Offside is a 10 yard penalty with loss of down. A quarterback who attempts to run the ball shall be whistled dead and offside assessed. If the line of scrimmage is less than ten yards from Team B end zone, the penalty shall be half the distance to the end zone.  A receiving player must have at least one foot inbounds to make an eligible catch and cannot be touching the out of bounds when the catch is made. 

PENALTIES  (POF - POINT OF INFRACTION)

1. Offside – Offensive Offside occurs when any player on Team A crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. The play is whistle dead immediately.  Offensive offside is a 5 yard penalty and a loss of down. Defensive offside occurs when Team B crosses the line of scrimmage before five steamboats and no ball has been fumbled or has left the quarterbacks hands. A 10 yard penalty is awarded at end of the play and the down is replayed.
2. Warding Off – The player in possession of the ball may not use his arms or hands to impede the pulling of the rip flag. To be whistled dead at point of foul. 
3. Hurdling, Jumping, or Spinning – Ball carriers may not hurdle, jump, spin etc to avoid having their flags ripped.  If any player in possession of the ball is guilty of these tactics the official shall whistle the play dead at point of infraction.   A player is allowed to correct their running direction once after catching the ball.
4. Quarterback Spinning – the quarter back may spin to elude a sack behind the line of scrimmage only.  If the QB becomes a legal receiver, he/she then follows the regular rules of warding off. 
5. Ball Caught While Player on the Ground – Any player who receives the ball on a pass, punt or lateral while on the ground may not advance the ball past the point of reception. The official shall whistle the play dead at this point or on any play where the ball carrier slips, trips, or is forced to the ground. A player is on the ground when a knee, elbow, or hand touches the ground.  A hand making contact with the ground does not constitute a down call. 
6. Pass Interference – If Team B is guilty of pass interference Team A will be given a first down at the POF. If pass interference occurs in the end zone, then Team A gains possession at Team B one yard line. If Team A is guilty of pass interference then a ten yard penalty and loss of down is assessed at the original line of scrimmage. 
7. Defensive pass interference will result in the ball being placed at the POF and automatic first down. 
8. Pass Interference takes place when a player is held, pushed, blocked, or shielded from catching a pass. 
9. Offensive Pick during Pass – A pick is any play in which a player on Team A interferes with a player from Team B in order to impeded his coverage of any other Team A player or to gain some advantage whether intentional or not intentional.  (Play is whistled dead and the penalty is loss of that down and 5 yards from scrimmage line.) 
10. Blocking Interference – No player shall interfere with an opponent at any time. A clear and direct path to the ball carrier must always exist for an opponent to pursue the ball carrier. There is no blocking.  The official shall whistle the play dead at POF. 
11. Pushing Out of Bounds – A player may not push a player in possession of the balls out of bounds in order to stop the play. (10 yard penalty from POF) 
12. Initiation of a Fumble – An attempt must be made to pull the rip flag. Intentionally stripping the ball is not permitted. (10 yard penalty at conclusion of play, or from POF if ball is fumbled and ruled intentional, this is referee discretion) 
13. Tripping, Tackling, Kicking or Inappropriate Physicality – No player may use these tactics to impede the progress of an opposing player. The official may eject players from the game if he deems necessary based on the severity of the infraction. (25 yard penalty from POF) Ejection from a game comes under league review and could result in further game suspensions. 
14. Charge, Straight Arm, Lowering of the Head, Inappropriate Physicality – A player in possession of the ball may not use any of these tactics in advancing the ball. The ball carrier must remain upright and may not make any attempt the ward off an opponent in his pursuit. Ball carriers running into traffic are expected to ease up and concede the tackle in a sportsmanlike manner (25 yard penalty from POF and possible ejection from the game/league for dangerous play) 
15. Fighting or Intent to Injure – Any player ejected from the game for any tactic deemed a deliberate attempt to injure another player shall be ejected from the league with no refund. (if less than five games remain in the season counting playoffs, the suspension shall be carried to the next season. Any player fighting will be ejected from the game and receive a three game suspension which can be carried into the next season. Any player ejected twice for fighting or attempt to injure or both shall be banned for life. 
16. Objectionable Conduct – Unsportsmanlike conduct such as language or gestures will result in 25 yard penalty. A player receiving their second OC will result in an ejection and review by the league. The use of profane, obscene, insulting language, or gestures and threats of any player, official or spectator, by any player or occupant of the bench area shall be penalized as objectionable conduct. (25 yard penalty)(possible league review and further suspension).  Ejected players are required to leave the park grounds completely. 
17. Demeaning Remarks – Any demeaning remark uttered to a player or official by any player or occupant of the bench area shall be penalized as objectionable conduct. (Demeaning shall be interpreted to mean any act with the intention of degrading or debasing the character of said person(s) or the lowering of dignity or reputation of said person(s) (25 yard penalty)(possible league review and further suspension) 
18. Abuse of Officials – Any player threatening or abusing an official shall be ejected from the game plus will receive a two game suspension. (regular season or playoffs and carries to the next season) They are also subject to league review and further suspension. A second offence in the same season will result in removal from the league with no refund and a further review of the league with possible further suspensions the next season. 
19. Physical Abuse of an Official – Permanent expulsion from the league for life and potential legal action. 
20. Canadian Flag Rule Book - rules will be consulted for any other rule interpretations or explanations. 

MIXED LEAGUE GAME EXCEPTIONS OR VARIATIONS TO THE RULES 

The games will be played following the same rules and procedures as the Men's league with the exception of: 

1. Teams may choose their own game ball and all types are allowed.
2. A first down is earned once you reach your own 35 yard line .  Another first down can be earned if you reach the 35 yard line of the opposing half.
3. Only four of the 7 players on the field can be male.
4. Quarterbacks have 5 steamboats to put the ball into play.

ADJUSTMENTS

Pro Sports Management reserves the right to modify rules for safety, fair play, and league betterment at any time..