Flag Football

MAJOR RULE CHANGES INCLUDE

1. Two feet, one knee, or one elbow must land fully in bounds and prior to any other part of the body landing out of bounds to constitute a completed pass.

2. Three forfeitures by any one team will result in disqualification from the league and league playoffs, thus meaning it is wise to notify us of any times you definitely cannot make before the season begins.  If unable to make a scheduled game time, a team may avoid adding a forfeit to their total by notifying the student intramural director at least five (5) hours before the game is scheduled to begin.  This will result in only a loss, rather than a forfeit.  Notification can be done on AIM @ BUIntramurals

3. Each individual player may only be on one team in each sport.  Any player wishing to play for a second team must notify the opposing team of their desire to, for one game, play for a different team so that they have a roster.  Only if that team approves may the player play for the second team.  If caught breaking this rule, player's team faces forfeiture of the game.

- Rules and Regulations -

1. The Playing Field
a. The field shall measure 40 yards wide and 45 yards long with 8 yard end zones.
b. The playing field will be divided into three (3) zones by two (2) lines.

2. Equipment
a. Balls and belts will be provided by the Athletic Department.
b. Shoe Policy: Each player must wear sneakers or plastic cleats. Shoes with metal, ceramic, screw in or detachable cleats are illegal. Game officials have the authority to disallow any shoe which they feel would endanger the person wearing the shoe or his opponents.
c. Shirts - must be either long enough so they remained tucked in the pants or short enough so as not to clearly touch the belt.
d. Pants - each player must wear pants that completely cover the knees. Players are encouraged to wear long pants and long sleeves to prevent cuts.
e. No stickum or similar substance will be allowed. Infractions will result in player disqualification.
f. Football pads, casts or metal braces are not allowed.
g. Baseball Caps may not be worn.

3. Players
a. A maximum of 15 players on the team's roster.
b. Seven (7) players will constitute a team.
c. A team must have five (5) players to start and finish a game.

4. The Game
a. The minimum number of five (5) players must be ready to play within ten (10) minutes past the scheduled game time. A team must finish the game with the minimum starting number. Any time a team falls below the minimum number that game is forfeited.
b. Length of game - Two (2) 20 minute periods of running time. Clock stops only after a score and during timeouts and the final minute of each half becomes stop time.
c. Mercy Rule - If a team scores a 30 point lead or more at half-time or at any time during the second half, the game shall be declared over.
d. Overtime - In case of a game ending in a tie score, an overtime period will be played. A coin toss will determine the options as in the start of the game. The home team captain shall call the toss. The winner of the toss shall be given options of offense or defense or the abiility to choose which end of the field, the loser will get the remaining option.  Each team will start 1st and goal from the 10 yard line. The object will be to score a touchdown. If the first team with possession of the ball scores, the second team will also have four downs to score. If the defense intercepts the ball and returns the interception for a touchdown, the game is over. If the interception is not returned for a touchdown, the ball will be placed at the 10 yard line to begin their series of four downs. This process is repeated until one of the two teams scores more than the other in a particular series. 

5. Scoring
a. The following methods shall be used in scoring a game:
1. Touchdown - 6 points
2. Safety - 2 points
3. Successful Extra Point from 5 yard line - 1 point
4. Successful Extra Point from 10 yard line - 2 points
b. On the extra point attempt a team is given one choice which cannot be changed even if a penalty should occur. If you declare you are going for 2 points, you will only be able to score 2 points even if a penalty changes the line of scrimmage.

6. Plays
a. Each team is allowed two nonconsecutive time outs, per half which may last up to one minute.
b. Unnecessary delay of the game is prohibited. If the ball is not put into play within 25 seconds after being spotted by the referee, it will be considered delay of the game - Penalty - 5 yards.
c. A team in possession of the ball has four (4) downs to score or advance the ball into the next zone.
d. On offense, at least 4 players must be on the line of scrimmage (within a 1 yard zone from a line parallel with the ball.)
e. All center snaps must be made between the legs of the player snapping the ball. The player who receives the center snap must be at least two (2) yards behind the offensive scrimmage line.
f. Sleeper plays are not allowed. Intended receivers must be five (5) yards from the side lines and on their feet when the ball is snapped.
g. Substitutions - Unlimited substitution will be permitted in between plays.
h. Eligible Pass Receivers - All players are eligible receivers. The passer becomes eligible to catch his pass after the ball is touched by a defensive player.
i. Forward passes may be made from any place behind the line of scrimmage. Only one forward pass (beyond the line of scrimmage) is allowed per down.
j. Lateral or backward passes may be made anywhere on the field and there is no limit to the number that may be attempted in each scrimmage down.
k. Quarterbacks must call set on every play. After calling set, there must be a one (1) second delay before the ball is hiked.

7. Kick-offs and Punts
a. The Kick-off shall be made from the 20 yard line. Ball must be held on the ground. The receiving team's restraining line will be 10 yards from the point on Kick-off..
b. Punting - All punts must be declared. This can occur on any down. When declared, the defensive and offensive teams must have at least four (4) players on the line of scrimmage.
c. Neither team may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. (Penalty - 5 yards)
d. No rushing will be allowed on a declared punt.
e. No quick kicks allowed.
f. If a punt has been declared, it must be kicked within ten seconds from the snap.
(Penalty - 5 yards)
g. The punter must be at least five (5) yards back of center when receiving the hike.
h. Punts and kickoffs must be caught on a fly to be advanced. The ball is dead when it touches the ground.

8. Defense
a. A player is considered tackled when his knee touches the ground whether or not the flag has been pulled.
b. Fumbles - There are no fumbles. When the ball touches the ground after a muff or a fumble, it is a dead ball and belongs to the team muffing it at the spot where the ball hit the ground, if deemed to not be an intentional forward fumble. A ball centered over the quarterback's or punter's head is dead at the point of contact with the ground and belongs to the team in possession unless it was fourth down.
c. Safeties - A ball becoming dead behind one's goal line is an Automatic Safety. Team against whom the safety was scored against will kickoff or punt to the opposing team from their fifteen (15) yard line.
d. Removal of Flag Belt - When the flag belt is clearly taken from the ball carrier the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. If a flag belt inadvertently falls to the ground, a one-hand tag between the shoulders and waist constitutes a tackle.
e. Tripping - Tripping deemed intentional by the referee will be penalized ten (10) yards from the point where the ball carrier is tripped.
f. Pushing a ball carrier out of bounds is legal as long as the ball carrier is within 3 yards of the sideline. There is a fine line between a legal push and unnecessary roughness.  The call is a judgement call by the referee.
g. The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when in the act of removing the flag belt. (Penalty - Personal Foul - 10 yards)

9. Line Play
a. Blocking - No body blocks of any kind shall be permitted at any time. Body blocks on all fours and any kind of cross body blocks are illegal. Blockers must not leave their feet.
b. Three (3) and four (4) point stances are illegal.
c. NO CONTACT OF ANY KIND WITH AN OPPONENT'S HEAD OR NECK IS ALLOWED.
d. Defensive use of hands and arms - Hands may be used in defensive play, but only to fend off a blocker. There is to be no locking of the hands, swinging of the arms or elbows, striking motion with hands or forearms on the part of the defensive player.

10. Conduct of Players
a. Hurdling in an attempt to gain yardage by a ball carrier is illegal and will constitute a personal foul, and thus a 10 yard penalty.
b. Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms or the ball to deny the opportunity for opponents to pull or remove the flag belt.
c. Flag guarding includes:
1. Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.
2. Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.
3. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging.
4. The runner shall be prohibited from contacting an opponent with extended arm or hand. This includes the use of a "stiff arm" extended to ward off an opponent attempting to deflag.
5. The runner shall not grasp at a teammate or be grasped, pulled or pushed by a teammate.

d. UNNECESSARY AGGRESSIVENESS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
e. The defensive players must "play the flag rather than the player."
f. Any player who is bleeding must be substituted for until the bleeding stops. Officials have the authority to remove the player. If by removing the player who is bleeding, the team falls below the minimum number necessary to play, the following will apply: The game clock will stop and a maximum of five (5) minutes will be allowed for the player to stop the bleeding. The Head Official must approve the player to re-enter. If the bleeding is not stopped within the allotted five (5) minutes the team will forfeit the game. THE TIME ALLOWANCE IS ONLY FOR PLAYERS WHO ARE BLEEDING, AND THE TEAM CANNOT CONTINUE TO PLAY WITHOUT THEM.

11. Player Restictions
No Player shall commit a personal foul during a period or an intermission. Any act prohibited hereunder or any other act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul. NO player shall
a. Punch, strike, strip, steal, or attempt to steal the ball from a player in possession.
b. Trip an opponent.
c. Contact an opponent who is on the ground.
d. Throw the runner to the ground.
e. Hurdle any other player.
f. Contact an opponent after the ball is declared dead.
g. Make any contact with an opponent which is deemed unnecessary.
h. Clip an opponent.
i. Tackle the runner by grasping or encircling with the hand(s) or arm(s) and taking the opponent toward the ground as in tackle football.

Any of these actions will result in a ten yard penalty, and may result in PLAYER DISQUALIFICATION at the discretion of the official.

12. Penalties
Loss of 10 yards
1. Offensive forward pass interference and loss of down.
2. Defensive forward pass interference (automatic first down).
3. Holding (offensive) or illegal block.
4. Striking, kicking, kneeing (automatic first down).
5. Clipping.
6. Tripping, blocking, or striking above neck or below waist.
7. Unsportsmanlike conduct (automatic first down).
8. Roughing the passer.
9. Illegal use of hands or arms.
10. Tackling the ball carrier (automatic first down).
11. Contact with an opponent who is on the ground.
12. Hurdling.
13. Illegal block.
14. Stiff-arm by offensive player.
15. Guarding the flag belt.
16. Diving or leaving feet to recover a fumble or muff.

Loss of 5 yards
1. Delay of Game.
2. Illegal Stance.
3. Offsides.
4. False start by offensive team.
5. Illegal formation.
6. Illegal motion - only 1 offensive player may be in motion and that motion cannot be forward but only parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.
7. Illegal forward pass (loss of down).
8. Intentional grounding (loss of down).