Flag Football is a five-on-five game filled with fun and action. In this game, the offensive team plays for a first down at midfield and a touchdown in the end zone. Running and passing plays are allowed, although there are “no-running zones” at midfield and near each goal line. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer and grabs flags to make “tackles.”

Attire
Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.  Team jerseys are supplied and need to be tucked in under the flag belt if they hang below the waist.  Shorts color may vary but needs to be different than your team flag color.

The Basics
A coin toss determines first possession. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line. Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes. Possession changes to loser of coin toss and the clock does not stop.  No blocking is allowed. Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times.

Timing/Overtime
Games are played to 40 minutes running time. The clock is stopped with less than 2 minutes of time remaining in each half for changes of possession. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. The first team to score wins. 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. Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Scoring
Touchdown:  6 points
Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or 2 points (12-yard line)
Safety: 2 points

Running
The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
“No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations.
The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).
The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are allowed. (The ball must pass the line of scrimmage)

Receiving
All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing
Shovel passes are allowed. This means underhand, the ball must still pass the line of scrimmage.
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.
Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

Dead Balls
The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
The ball must start touching the ground and the snap must be clean.
Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
Play is ruled “dead” when:
• Ball carrier’s flag is pulled
• Ball carrier steps out of bounds
• Touchdown or safety is scored
• At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed)
• Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground
• Ball carrier’s flag falls off
Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback
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.

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.

Sportsmanship/Roughing
If the referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the referee may penalize the offending teamand the player or players will be ejected from the game.

Field Diagram

Penalties
All penalties will be called by the referee.

Defense:
Offsides
5 yards & automatic first down

Interference
10 yards & automatic first down

Illegal contact--holding, blocking
10 yards & automatic first down

Illegal FLAG pull--before receiver has ball
10 yards & automatic first down

Illegal rushing
10 yards & automatic first down

         (Starting rush from inside 7-yard marker or before snap)

Offense:
Illegal motion--More than one person moving or false start 
5 yards & loss of down

Illegal pass-- A pass thrown from beyond line of scrimmage
5 yards & loss of down

Offensive pass interference--Pushing off/away defender
10 yards

FLAG guarding 
10 yards

Delay of game 
10 yards & clock stops

The referee will ask the captain whether they want to accept or decline offensive penalties that are NOT dead ball penalties with a loss of down.

All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

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

Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.

If either captain has a question or concern about a call both captains and referees will meet in the center of the field to discuss the situation in a calm, productive manner.  Referees may penalize captains if their conduct is not appropriate.

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

League Rules

Playing Time/ Positions:
Cascades Flag Football is an instructional league, it is important that all players play a similar amount of time at a variety of positions.  Amount of playing time should not be based on playing ability, size, or age. Each player must play at least ½ of the game.  Players should also practice and play at different positions in order to learn and improve in the different facets of the game.  The quarterback position should be shared between at least two players during each game.

Cancellations/Make-ups:
All game and practice cancellations and make-ups will be determined by the league.  The primary method of communication in situations of inclement weather will be the league website calendar and if possible an email sent by the league to players.  You may also call our office to find out whether the field will be closed at 703-444-8805 x112. 

If a practice is cancelled during the week, weather permitting it will be made up on that Friday, if two practice days are cancelled during the week Friday make ups will be reduced to 1 hr.

If games are cancelled, weather permitting they will be made up with the same time schedule on that Sunday.

Practices:
Each team has one 1 ½ hour practice each week throughout the season.

Captain Equipment:
Captain's will be provided with footballs, cones, flags, pump, play calling armband, tee, and bag at the beginning of the season.  This equipment needs to be returned to the league at the end of the season.

Ball sizes:
All teams will use the Official sized ball for practices and games.

Game Procedures:
All spectators & players must settle behind the marked line 3 feet behind the field’s sideline.

Spectators should be seated on one side of the field while teams are gathered on the opposite sideline.

Coach Positioning During Games:
No coaches are allowed on the field for either offense or defense.