8 Coed Recreational Flag Football Rules

OVERVIEW

Players consist of 5 males and 2 females on the field for each team at a time

Two 21-minute halves with a running clock until the last minute of 2nd half

Each team has a total of 3 timeouts per game

Each team has 2 blitzes per half

First down is every second cone

Ball is spotted where the hips are located when the flag is pulled

Field boundary line is considered in-bounds

Shorts must not have pockets, and shirts must be tucked in

Jumping to advance the ball – will be stopped at the jump minus 5 steps

Flag guarding will result in 5 steps back from the spot of the penalty and play will continue with no positive yards for the offense

Rusher must be 1-yd off the line of scrimmage at referee discretion

Blocking results in loss of down and a penalty of 5 steps back

Defensive pass interference results in a spot foul

Offensive pass interference results in a loss of down and a 5 step penalty

Touchdowns are worth 6 points. If a female is an operative player then an extra point is added (7 points instead of 6 for a TD)

Choice of 1, 2 or 3 extra points after a touchdown is scored (half distance to 10 yard line for 1 pt, 10 yard line for 2 pts and 20 yard line for 3 pts)

2 and 3 point conversion attempts may be intercepted and returned for 2 or 3 points respectively

Dead ball on all fumbles

Quarterbacks cannot snap the ball to themselves

Ties during regular season stay as a tie

COIN FLIP/BEGINNING OF GAME

The team that wins the coin flip at the start of the game must choose one of two options: 1) which team is to receive, 2) the goal his/her team will defend. Teams flip flop direction, and the team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There are no kick-offs. Play starts 8 paces/yards from the goal-line. If a team chooses to defer, they give the first choice to the other team.

TEAM SIZE/COED RULES

Rosters are limited to 15 people.

Players are allowed to play on only 1 team during the season and in the playoffs.

Each team shall field no more than 7 players, with at least 2 females at any one time. However teams are allowed to play with more than 2 females at any time. Teams not able to field a “full” team may play with a minimum of 1 female. Teams not able to field the minimum number of players will result in a forfeit and opposing team wins 14 -0. In the event a team is short players for the 6:30 slot, the game will start no later than 10-minutes past the scheduled start time.

If a team substitutes players during the game, they must do so from the same sideline the entire game. The middle sidelines must be vacant for safety purposes.
Eligible receivers must be on the playing field before the cadence is started.
To ensure coed participation, a penalty of 5 steps will ensue if the offensive team fails to use a female as an operative player within 3 consecutive downs.

An Operative Player is defined as a player who:

is the intended receiver in the eyes of the official
runs the ball as the primary runner (does not have to cross line of scrimmage)
receives the snap as the QB and must attempt to be the person who initiates the ball crossing the line of scrimmage – unless QB is sacked.
receives the snap and immediately spikes the ball at their feet in order to stop the clock in the last 1 minute of the game.

An Operative Player is NOT defined as a player who:

hands off the football
snaps the ball into play
a female who receives a hand-off only to give it back to a male before crossing the line of scrimmage

Examples:

a pass deflected by a male and caught by a female is a female play
a pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a female, and caught by a male counts as a female play
a pass thrown by a male, received by a male and immediately pitched to a female (the “hook and ladder”) will not constitute a female play – no matter how far the female advances with the ball after the pitch
a pass intentionally grounded by a female in the last one minute of either half in order to stop the clock counts as a female play
if a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage this will not result in a female play.

The penalty for running 3 consecutive plays without a female as an operative player will be loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down) and the female must now be the operative player on the next play. If on this play a male catches or runs the ball: loss of down, the play is ruled “dead”, and the ball is brought back to the line of scrimmage, minus 5 steps.

Plays utilizing a female and resulting in “loss of down” penalties, will still be considered “female” plays. Plays utilizing a female resulting in a non-loss of down penalty will not count as a gender play. The slate is clean for extra points and punts and everyone is eligible.

If a male is the QB on a play which could either be to a male or female and the QB is sacked, the ball is spotted where he was Sacked and the play stands as a male play, no matter who was the intended receiver. If a team was forced to use a female as the operative player and the male QB is sacked the play stands as a female play and the offensive team does not have to use a female on the next play.

PICK-UP PLAYERS

Teams are allowed to pick-up 2 players during the regular season to field a team but cannot have more than 7 players if they are picking up a player for the night. There cannot be substitutes if a team is using a pick-up. In the event that a rostered player for that specific team arrives late, they will take the pick-up player’s spot on the field, and the pick-up must exit the game. The pick-up cannot be used as a substitute at this point.

In the playoffs, all teams must follow their roster only and no pick ups are allowed. In order for a player to be eligible for the playoffs, they must play in at least 2 regular season games, no exceptions.

If a team is found to be playing with an illegal participant in playoffs, the game will be forfeited immediately and the opposing team is awarded the win. This must be brought to the attention of the referees during the game, and cannot be protested afterward.

TIME

Play will be divided into two 21-minute halves. Teams flip flop direction, and the team that started the game on defense will start the second half on offense. There will be a running clock maintained by a referee except for the final 1 minute of the game. During the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half the clock runs continuously with the exception of time-outs or serious injury. In the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half, if a team takes a time out after a touchdown prior to the extra point attempt, the clock will not start until the defensive team takes over on offense and snaps the ball.
During the final minute of 2nd half, the referee shall stop the game clock if:

an incomplete pass is thrown
a player ends play by going out of bounds
either team scores (clock will remain off until the opposing team snaps the ball after the extra point attempt; the clock does not run during extra points)
change of possession
a penalty which must be marked off occurs
a team declares a punt and their “30 seconds” (see below) has elapsed – the clock will resume for the punt and the ensuing return. It will be stopped when the returnee is tagged and up until their first snap from scrimmage.
A team calls a time out. The clock does stop momentarily on first downs during the final minute of the 2nd half until the ball is spotted.

For the entire game, the offensive team has 30 seconds to snap the ball once the referee spots the ball. The penalty is 5 steps and replay the down.

Delay of game results in a penalty of 5 steps, consecutive intentional delay of games will result in a 10 step penalty and loss of down

If a team is trailing by 16 or more points in the final minute, then the clock will continue to run

FIRST DOWN

Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another 1st down. 1st downs are achieved when a team crosses two markers based on their original field position. If a team fails to score or earn a first down, possession will go to the other team. Offensive teams may elect to punt on 4th down.

PUNT

A punt must be declared and cannot be faked. All punts are “free” punts. A team need not snap during a punt. Punts must be kicked. Punts are “open” plays meaning, there are no male/female rules for punts. Defense must have 5 players on the line of scrimmage, and 2 returners. NO downfield blocking or blocking at the line of scrimmage. The kicking team may not cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.
The receiving team may not raise hands or jump to block a punt. If the ball comes into contact with the ground after it has been punted it is a dead ball, spotted at the point where it hit the ground, and may not be returned. A punt into the end-zone comes back to 8 paces/yards off the goal line. If a player drops the ball in the endzone, the ball is again spotted 8 paces/yards out from the goal line and is not counted as a safety.

CONTINUANCE OF PLAY

Play shall continue UNTIL:

Ball-carrier has at least one flag pulled by an opponent (see flag specifics for the few exceptions/additions concerning flag pulling)
Ball-carrier leaves the field of play
Ball-carrier scores
Ball touches the ground as a result of a fumble, punt or incomplete pass (the ball is not an extension of the arm. If the ball is pinned between the ground and the ball carriers hand, the play is dead)
Ball-carrier’s knee touches the ground
Play is stopped by referee

SPOT OF THE BALL

The ball will be spotted where the hips are at the time that the ball carrier’s flag is pulled. If the hips cross the plane of the goal line before the ball carrier’s flag has been pulled it will result in a touchdown.

Receivers need only one foot in bounds for a reception.

TURNOVERS

A change of possession can only occur due to downs or an interception.

A fumble is NOT a turnover. The ball will be spotted where it hit the ground, however yards cannot be gained due to a forward fumble.

RUSHING

In order to better standardize the rush, all referees will be responsible for shouting out the rush count for both teams. The rush will be as follows: “1-BUD, 2-BUD, 3-BUD, 4-BUD, 5-BUD, GO!!” (Other acceptable variations can be used: i.e. 1-One thousand…, 1-Mississippi…, etc.) When the ref/counter says “Go”, the defense may cross the line of scrimmage and pursue the quarterback. Once the quarterback releases the ball (hand-off or lateral), the defense may automatically rush. There is no contact at or behind the line of scrimmage and no shielding with movement.

A defensive player (pass rusher or other) cannot line up directly in front of the center/snapper. They must line up to either one side or the other of the center or 2 yards off the line of scrimmage, allowing for the center to release from the line without contact. The rusher will have a direct line to the QB ONLY if he/she is on the line of scrimmage and must pass by the center. If the rusher changes direction during the rush he/she loses his right of way. If the rusher lines up off the line of scrimmage prior to the snap, he/she does not have a direct line to the QB. The rusher may move prior to the snap, but in order to have a clear direct line to the QB, must be set (set means clearly one side of the center) for the one second prior to the snap.

BLITZ

Must be yelled out by the player crossing the line within the first step. If a Blitz is called and defense does not have one remaining, play will continue and the offense has an option of a 5 step penalty and replay the down, or the play itself. If blitz is yelled by the defense and they do not blitz it still counts and they lose a blitz. Defense cannot attempt to deceive offense by yelling in blitz situations. Team will receive warning, any subsequent infraction will result in 5 step penalty.

SAFETY

A safety will be scored if a player:

1. is tagged down in their own end zone
2. runs out of bounds in their own end zone
3. snaps the ball out of the end zone
4. if the offense fumbles the ball in their own end zone

As a result, the team on defense receives 2 points, and the team on offense must now punt a “free” kick from their own 8 paces/yard line.
Also, a player having intercepted a pass or received a punt in the end zone cannot be tagged in the end zone for a safety unless he/she has previously crossed the plane of the end zone with the ball.

PENALTIES

Remember: Some acceptable incidental contact will occur while running routes and within the normal course of play, and will not be called.

Offsides/Illegal or Early Rush (Offensive & Defensive):
• 5 paces/yards,
Illegal Motion:
• Players may not be in motion towards the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This will result in a dead ball, five yard penalty and repeat the down.

Offensive Picking/Interference:
• The offensive team may not initiate a pick/block while in motion. 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down). If a catch is made after a clear pick, it will be ruled no catch, 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, and loss of down.

Unnecessary Roughness:
• This behavior will result in an added 10 pace/yard penalty from point of the infraction and automatic 1st down. Extreme roughness will result in ejection from the game and potential suspension from the league if deemed necessary by the referee and the league staff.

Defensive Pass Interference:
• Ball is spotted at the point of the infraction and offense is awarded an automatic 1st down. If the pass interference is in the end-zone, the ball comes out to the 1 pace/yard line and it will be 1st down.

Holding:
• 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. Offense can accept or decline the penalty.

Defensive Checking:
• 5 pace/yard penalty from line of scrimmage, replay down. The “bump and run” will not be allowed. No player may initiate contact at the line of scrimmage. There is no 5 yard Bump Zone.

Intentional Grounding:
• This penalty will be called when a passer facing an imminent loss of yardage because of pressure from the defense, throws a forward pass, without a realistic chance of completion. This will result a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down). The ball is spotted at the point of infraction (QB’s point of release).

Miscellaneous:

• If the player calling the cadence does not receive the snap, the play will not stand and result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of the down .
• One person must call the cadence and receive the snap – violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
• Silent snaps will not be allowed – violation of this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
• The QB may not be in motion and then receive the snap – this will result in a 5 pace/yard penalty and repeat of down.
• If the QB crosses the line of scrimmage and then throws a forward pass the defense can either decline the penalty or it will be a 5 pace/yard penalty from the line of scrimmage and loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down). If any part of the QB’s body is on or behind the line of scrimmage, it is a legal forward pass.
• If the ball hits the ground on the snap for either a pass or running play, the play is “dead”, the ball is spotted where it hit the ground, and it is a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the bad snap, it is now 2nd down).
• The QB may NOT snap the ball to him/herself. If the QB does snap to him/herself, play will stop immediately and it will result in a five yard penalty and repeat the down.
• Loss of down penalties, which occur on fourth down, will result in change of possession.

Receivers intentionally leaving the field of play are ineligible to receive a pass. This includes the back of the end zone.

Last Man Penalty – If the last defender fouls a player this may result in a touchdown for the offense pending the nature of the foul. Its a referee judgement call for last man penalty.

FLAG SPECIFICS

1) NO FLAG GUARDING. This will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from the spot of infraction (the play will continue like an illegal forward pass, the defense can either decline the penalty or it will be a 5 pace/yard penalty from the point of the infraction and loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down).
Defensive player returning an interception, who flag guards, will be penalized 5 paces/yards from the spot of infraction.
2) Shirt must be tucked in and flags must be securely attached. Loose hanging articles (i.e. sweatshirts, long T-shirts, etc.) that are held/ripped will not result in a holding penalty, unless in ref’s eyes the player was not attempting to go for flag.
3) Any ball-carrier whose flags are (in ref’s opinion) not accessible to be pulled will be down at 1st point of contact with the defense.
4) Any ball-carrier who has a flag or both flags missing for whatever reason (falls out, accidentally pulled before reception, not noticed before snap, etc.) will be down at the first point of contact.
5) Players may leave their feet to pull flag.
6) Spin moves will be allowed.
7) Belt grabbing will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from end of play.

Any belt grabbing at the end of a half or game will result in a 5 paces/yard penalty from point of infraction and replay of down.
if this penalty occurs within 5 paces/yard of the end zone, the ball will be spotted at the one yard line and the offense will receive one play.

SIDELINES

Outside sidelines will be used for both teams, middle/shared sideline will be for referees only, and no one else is permitted to sit or stand in between. Players must substitute from the outside sideline only.

Players on the sideline must remain behind 10 yard line markers on either end to allow the referee a view of the end zone. Players are also not permitted to stand behind either end zone.

OVERTIME

During regular season play, all ties will be scored as a tie.

In the case of a tie at the end of regulation in a playoff game, the game will go to overtime. Each team will then have 4 downs to score from 8 paces/yards from the goal line. The same end zone will be used for both teams. If a team scores, they will have the opportunity to go for a 1, 2, or 3 point conversion. An extra point for using a female as an operative players will apply. A female must be used once within the first three plays or on the 1st and 4th downs. The game will be decided when one team scores more points in the rotation. No first downs will be awarded in overtime except in the case of a penalty. Interceptions will result in a turnover and may not be returned for any points.

ALCOHOL

Consumption of alcohol is not allowed on or around the fields, as it is a city rule. Please save the social drinking for the post-game bar or elsewhere than at the fields.

PETS

There are no pets, dogs, cats, etc. allowed inside of the fence of the playing fields. This is a Winter Park policy. If a player or person associated with a team brings a pet inside of the fence, they will asked to leave the area. Please leave the animals home.