FLAG FOOTBALL RULES & CREED

WEATHERFORD OPTIMIST CLUB

7 ON 7 FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

GRADES 1 – 4

1. Field Dimensions

• Field Length – 45 yards
• Field Width – 120 feet
• End Zone – 10 yards deep

2. Starting the Game

• Visitors will have first possession.
• Ball will always be placed in center of field.
• Running clock begins with first snap of the ball.
• One coach will be allowed on the field from each team during the game.

3. Moving the Ball

• No kicking/punting
• Field is marked at 15 intervals with cones (3 first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown).
• Possession always begins at the 45-yard line in the center of the field.
• Offenses always move in the same direction.
• 1st – 2nd Grade League – The offense may run up to two plays in a 4-down series.
• 3rd – 4th Grade League – The offense may run one play per 4 down series.  Run plays cannot be made consecutively.  The same run player cannot run the ball on the next run play.

4. Special Rules

• No blocking.  This will be strictly enforced.
• The quarterback must use at least a three-step drop (shotgun is fine); rollouts are also permitted.
• The quarterback is allowed 6.0 seconds to throw the ball in the 3rd and 4th grade league, and 10.0 seconds in the 1st and 2nd grade league.  The head official begins a stopwatch upon the snap from the center and stops the watch as soon as the quarterback releases the ball.

5. The release must be under 6.0/10.0 seconds for the play to be a positive one for the offense.

6. If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 6.0/10.0 seconds, he waits until the play is over (the play is blown dead) then he shows the clock to the quarterback.  The result of the play is a loss of down.  The defense cannot claim an interception, nor can the offense claim a play for positive yardage.  It is simply a loss of down.  No play results.

• Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball (snap must be from the ground) once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be loss of down PLUS 5 yards.
• 1st – 2nd Grade League will use flags.  When the flag is removed, the player is down.  The offensive player may not use interference to impede the defense player from access to the flag.
• 3rd – 4th Grade League will use flags.  When the flag is removed, the player is down.  The offensive player may not use interference to impede the defense player from access to the flag.
• Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession.  A muffed snap is not a fumble.  The 6.0/10.0 second count continues.
• Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense.  There will be no chucking.  Deliberate bumping or grabbing will be a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5 yards).
• Offensive pass interference is the same as NCAA rules.
• Interceptions may be returned (“no blocking” rules apply.)  If an interception is returned beyond the 45-yard line, it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue.
• Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot.  Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball TO THE REFEREE will result in a 5-yard penalty from the succeeding spot.
• Offensive center is an eligible receiver (teams must have a center.)
• No taunting or “trash talking” (5-yard penalty & expulsion if flagrant).
• The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 4 or less plays or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking.)
• Defensive pass interference is automatic first down at the spot of the foul plus 5 yards (half the distance to the goal if inside the 5-yard line).
• The referee has the authority and ability to eject players from the game.  The result of which will be the player’s ejection from the game as the according penalty.  The penalty is an automatic first down and five yards if on the defense.  If on the offense, it is five yards and loss of downs.  If the penalty is considered by the official to be a dead ball penalty, the same rules apply.

7. Scoring

• 6 points for a touchdown.
• 1 point for successful PAT attempted from the 3-yard line.
• 2 points for successful PAT attempted from the 10-yard line.
• 1st – 2nd Grade – The PAT may either be a run or pass play.
• 3rd – 4th Grade – The PAT must be a pass play.
• Interception on PAT results in IMMEDIATE dead ball.
• The ONLY way for the defense to score is to return an interception for a touchdown.

8. Time

• 10 minute quarters (continuous clock for each game).
• Each team will be allowed 1 - 30 second time out per half.

9. Tie-breaker

• Coin flip determines first possession (with winner choosing to have either first or second possession).  The teams will flip-flop possession until game is decided.
• Each team will start an offensive series from the 15-yard line.  The team with the most yards or score will win the game.  If both teams score, the this rules is repeated until one team out-gains in yards or outscores the opponent.
• No PAT’s during overtime.

10. Offensive Formations

• The offense must use a legal formation.  At least one player must be on either side of the center, i.e. four receivers left one to the right, or four to the right, one to the left are both acceptable formations.  Five receiver to one single side of the center constitute an illegal formation.

11. Squad Members

• Offense (quarterback, center, 3-4 receivers, 1-2 running backs)
• Defense (4 secondary, 3 linebackers)
• Substitutes:  Optional at any time on both side of ball

12. Officials

• Referee