Flag Football

Rules
 i9 Sports Official Flag Football Rules
i9 Sports Flag Football is a popular 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 offensive team cannot run a running play when the line of scrimmage is in a “no
running zone." The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer and grabs flags to
make “tackles.”

The Basics
• A coin toss determines first possession and team direction.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to cross
midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four 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. Interceptions
may be run back and are spotted where the play ends.
• Length of half is as follows: Determined by oldest age in age groups, ages 4-6 – 15 minutes,
ages 7-11 – 20 minutes, ages 12+ 22 minutes. 2nd Half possession and direction change from
the start of the game.
• Field dimensions are: 50 yards long X 30 yards wide with 7-10 yard end zones with 5 yard
no-run zones before mid-field line and goal lines.

Players/Game
• All Divisions play 5 vs 5.
• Teams in all divisions must field 4 players to avoid a forfeit. Rosters consist of 7 to 10
players.

Playing Time
Equal playing regardless of participant’s athletic ability.

Timing
• Games are played in two halves (Determined by oldest age in age groups, ages 4-6 – 15
minutes, ages 7-11 – 20 minutes, ages 12+ 22 minutes) with a running clock. Clock will
stop in the last minute of each half.
• Game Clock will stop during the last minute for penalties, scores, change possessions,
Time outs, incomplete passes, the ball carrier going out of bounds, first downs and
injuries.
• 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 two 60-second time-outs per half.

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Scoring
• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or 2 points (played from 12-yard line)
• Extra Point Attempt Return 2 points (regardless of 1 or 2 point attempt) •
Safety: 2 points
• Forfeits: Any forfeit prior to the start of game will be scored as 7-0 for the non-forfeiting
team. If the game has started prior to forfeit, the score will be at site manager discretion.

Please remember that scoring is part of the game but not

the main focus; always place the kids before the win!

Running
• The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage unless rusher crosses
the line of scrimmage. The QB can run if the RB hands the ball back to QB. • The QB cannot
run the ball in the “No-running zones” even if the defense rusher crosses the line of
scrimmage
• Offense may use multiple handoffs
• All hand offs must be a clear change in possession.
• “No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards before midfield
are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations. For Pee Wee divisions
there will be no midfield “No-running zone”.
• 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 cross the line of
scrimmage.
• Players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving). Ball carriers may
not leave their feet once in possession of the ball.
• The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the
ball is.
• Laterals and pitches are only allowed behind the line of scrimmage.
• Defense can intercept a lateral behind 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).
• Only one player is allowed in motion at the time of snap.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

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Passing
• Shovel passes are allowed.
• As long as the QB has any part of their body behind the line of scrimmage, they can
legally throw the ball downfield.
• The first player to receive the snap is considered to be the QB.
• The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven
seconds it will be treated like an incomplete pass. Once the ball is handed off, the
seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
• Passes MUST cross the line of scrimmage! Forward passes short of the line of
scrimmage are considered runs.
• Interceptions may be run back and are spotted where the play ends. The ball will be
spotted at the 5 yard line only if the interception run back ends within 5 yards from the
opposing team's endzone.

Dead Ball
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
• Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground
• The ball is fumbled and hits the ground
• Ball carrier’s flag falls off
• If the receiver’s flag belt falls off prior to the reception, the ball will be marked
dead at the spot of the catch.

The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play (Pee Wee division
can side snap).

Rushing the Quarterback

All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven or ten 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.
• 7 yard rush zone for divisions 10 yo and younger
• 10 yard rush zone for divisions 11 yo and older

Once the ball is handed off or thrown, the rush rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may
go behind the line of scrimmage. If starting in front of the bean bag, defenders must remain
behind the line of scrimmage until a complete handoff is made. A special marker, or the referee,
will designate seven yards or ten yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or
tackling is allowed.

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SPORTSMANSHIP/ROUGHING
If the field monitor or 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
and a 15-yard penalty will be assessed.

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 player or players will be ejected from the
game.

FLAG BELTS CANNOT BE TIED

This includes tying the two ends together or putting knots in any part of the belt. Officials will
check prior to the game. If caught during the game it will be a 15 yard penalty and a warning to
the team. If caught a 2nd time in the same game, it will result in a forfeit of that game.

When In Doubt, Sit Them Out Policy

If a coach, official or i9 Sports staff member suspects that an athlete may have sustained a
concussion, the player should be removed from play immediately. The player should not be left
alone and the parent/guardian should be notified so they can follow up accordingly.

Defensive Penalties (offensive coach has the option to decline any of these penalties)
• Offsides -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Pass Interference –
o 15 yards and automatic first down for divisions 10 yo and younger
o Ball will be placed at the spot of the foul for divisions 11 yo and older
• Illegal contact (holding, pushing, etc.) -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside pass rush marker)) -- 5 yards and repeat the
down
• Substitution fouls (player enters field after ball is blown ready for play, i.e. to deceive
opponents, or extra players on the field) -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Interference with opponent or ball at the snap -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Defensive holding -- 5 yards from the point of the foul

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Offensive Penalties

Pre-Snap Penalties (defensive coach does not have the option to decline any of these
penalties)
• Delay of game -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Substitution fouls -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Illegal motion (more than one person moving when the ball is snapped, etc.) -- 5 yards
and repeat the down
• False Start -- 5 yards and repeat the down
• Illegal Snap -- 5 yards and repeat the down

Post-Snap Penalties (defensive coach has the option to decline any of these penalties)
• Offensive holding -- 5 yards from the point of foul and down counts
• Player out of bounds (if player goes out of bounds, player cannot return to the field and
catch ball) -- 5 yards from previous line of scrimmage and down counts
• Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) -- 5 yards
from previous line of scrimmage and down counts
• Flag guarding (Deliberately carrying ball close to flag in an effort to guard, swatting away
defensive players hands, stiff-arms or any action by ball carrier to make flag unavailable
to defensive players, holding or adjusting flag belt while in possession of the ball) -- 5
yards from the point of foul and down counts
• Illegal contact – (Offensive player must cede position to an established defensive
player) 5 yards from the point of foul and down counts
• Hurdling/Diving – 5 yards from the point of foul and down counts

Attire
• Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections will be made.
• All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no
exceptions. Unless player is wearing Invisalign mouthpiece with
parent’s approval
• No pockets or hoops on shorts.
• No hats with brims or bills.
• The official i9 Sports jerseys must be worn during play.

Playoffs
Teams will be placed in a single week playoff format with the highest seeded team playing the
second seeded team and so on.

Tiebreakers for Postseason

Tiebreakers will be in the following order:
1. Head to Head Competition
2. Point Differential - points scored minus points allowed for the season (a
maximum of 15 points per game)
3. Total Points Allowed
4. Coin Flip
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Overtime
If the score is tied at the end of regulation, teams move directly into overtime.
• Coin flip will determine possession and team direction.
• Each team will get one possession starting at mid-field
• Regular season- Each team will have one possession to determine a winner. After scoring a
touchdown, the team that scores has the option of going for 1 or 2. If the score is tied after
each team possesses the ball once, the game will result in a tie.
• Playoffs- Overtime will continue until a winner is determined.

Weather
In the event of weather disruption, once each team has had a completed possession in the
second half, the game may be called final. If a weather related cancellation occurs prior to both
teams completing two possessions after halftime, the game will be rescheduled and played as an
entirely new game.

Playing Field
The typical playing field is 50 yards in length and 30 yards wide with 10 yard end zones at each
end. These dimensions can be modified to suit the area or other concerns.
No-Running Zones: Will be marked 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on both sides of mid
field. The no-run zone is only in play when there is a line to gain (i.e. attacking to the midfield line
and end zone).

Coaches

1 coach is allowed on the field during offense, defensive coaches should be off the field prior to
snap.

THE FIELD

“and the most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!!”

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