Intramural / IFC Flag Football Rules
EQUIPMENT:
The Field
- The playing field measures 80 yards, with end zones being 10yards each.
- The field will be divided into 4 20 yard zones and 2 10 yard end zones
- The width of the field will be 40 yards
The Ball
A regulation football will be used. Both teams should agree on the use of the ball. The teams may offer to use their ball if both teams agree.
Uniforms
- All teams must provide their own clothing. If the two teams have uniforms of similar color then one team will have to use pennies if available. A coin toss will be used to determine which team will wear the pennies.
- Shoes are required at all times. Gym shoes, or molded rubber or nylon cleats are allowed. No other type of cleats or spikes are allowed.
THE GAME:
Only five players may wear flags on offense. The remaining three players are ineligible for runs and receiving passes.
Duration
- The game shall consist of two 20 minute halves. You will be given a 5 minute break for half time.
- The clock will run continuously except for the last 2 minutes of each half. The clock will then stop when the ball goes out of bounds and on incomplete passes.
- You have 25 seconds to get ball in play once the ball has been spotted.
Timeouts
Each team is allowed one, one minute time out per half.
- The official may call an official time out for injuries, equipment repair, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc. it is the officials discretion.
Scoring
- Touchdown = 6 points
- Points after touchdown (tried from the 3 yard line)
- Run = 2 points
- Pass = 1 point
Players
- A maximum of eight players shall be allowed on the field at any given time.
- A team MUST have eight players to play.
- Free substitution is allowed any time there is a dead ball.
PLAYING REGULATIONS:
Starting the Game
- A coin flip will decide preference for possession and choice of goal.
- A team MUST have eight players to start the game or it is considered a forfeit and a $50.00 forfeit fee must be paid to continue playing.
- If anytime a team has less than eight players on the field it is a forfeit.
- Teams will change goals after halftime.
- The ball will be placed on the teams 7yard line to START the game.
Fumbles
All fumbles are dead and the ball may not be advanced, except in the case of a fumble between the center and quarterback. The ball remains in possession of the team that fumbled the ball at the point of the fumblers forward progress.
EXCEPTION: Lateral passes, if muffed, are dead at the point of contact with the ground and will be marked at the spot.
First Downs
Four downs are allowed to move the ball ten yards to get another first down, then the four downs start over.
Downed Balls
- The ball carriers flag must be seized to stop play.
- Any holding, pushing, tackling, or rough play will constitute a penalty.
- If the ball carriers flag drops off accidentally play will stop once he/she has been touch by hand.
- The ball carrier is considered down if either one or both knees touch the ground.
Passing
- Only the five players with flags are eligible to receive passes.
- The passer must be behind the line of scrimmage while making a forward pass.
Lateral Pass
A lateral pass can be thrown to anyone of the players with a flag anywhere on the field at any time.
Hurdling
Hurdling by the ball carrier is illegal. The ball carrier may not leave the ground to jump over or avoid a defensive player. Ball carriers facing possible contact are required to attempt to avoid contact even if it means running out of bounds.
Free Punts
- Punts may be caught or touched by receiver, but not returned. The ball will be spotted where it goes out of bounds or caught, or touched by the punting team, or where it comes to rest inbounds. Punts entering the end zone will be placed on the seven yard line.
- Punter must punt behind the line of scrimmage
- There is no rush on punts.
FOULS
Unnecessary Roughness
- It shall be a foul for both offense and defense to tackle, trip, or rough up any other. Use of forearm lift, running through a block, or throwing a blocker to the ground constitutes roughness. Penalty = 10 yards and loss of ball if by the offense.
- The defense may not hold the ball carrier or push out of bounds.
- Defensive players may not leave their feet to take out offensive blockers.
Penalty = 10 yards from end of run.
- Any bad sportsmanship constitutes elimination from the league. This is to the discretion of the official.
- If the last player between the ball carrier and his goal line commits a foul against the ball carrier, the ball carrier will be credited with a touch down.
Blocking
No blocker is to leave his feet, use his hands or arms to impede the progress of any defensive player outside of the 5 yard zone from the line of scrimmage.
FOULS / PENALTIES
- Foul on the offense and the offense scores – no point, automatic acceptance of the penalty, replay the down.
- Foul on offense and offense fails to score – no point, no penalty. The ball is put in play as after a kickoff.
- Foul on defense and offense scores – point counts
- Foul on defense and offense does not score – half the distance to goal line and replay down
