OFFICIAL RULES

Flag University 2024 Season

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GAMEPLAY

Games will contain TWO 22 minute halves, with a 2 minute halftime break in between. It will be a running clock in both halves except the last 2 minutes in second half which will be pro clock. Each team will have one timeout in each half. This is to ensure games can be completed efficiently allowing the next game to start on time.

  • Seven vs. Seven co-ed Flag Football with at least two females on the field at all times.
  • Games begin with a coin toss between both team captains to determine possession and side of the field. During regular season play, "Home" and "Away" will be determined randomly. During playoffs and championships, "Home" and "Away" will be determined by the teams' records.
  • The offense will start with the ball at the five-yard line.
  • The offense has a twenty-five-second play clock to snap the ball before a delay of game penalty is called. 
  • Offense must have a giver directly in front of the quarterback. The giver must snap the ball from the ground. The giver then can go out as a receiver.
  • All players must line up on or behind the line of scrimmage. One offensive player may be in motion parallel to the line of scrimmage but may not move forward; all other offensive players can't move before the ball is snapped.
  • All players must substitute from their sideline only. This allows the defense to be aware of the presence of new offensive players.

PASSING AND RUSHING RULES

  •  A legal pass is considered when a pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. A legal catch is a ball caught by a player who establishes control of the ball with at least one foot in bounds.
  • If a player steps out of bounds of their own accord and is the first to touch the ball, the play is ruled incomplete.
  • None of the defensive players are allowed to cross the line of scrimmage until one of two things happen:
  1. The referee finishes the 5 second rush count.
  2. A change of possession between quarterback and another player. 

DEFENSE & FLAG PULLING

  • The defense may line up any way they want to except for the rusher. The defensive rusher can at most only be three yards from the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball until the end of the five-second rush count. If the defense doesn’t provide a rusher, they will be called for an illegal defensive formation.
  • If a team is missing players and ends up playing with less than the amount needed to play, they are not required to have a rusher and won’t be penalized for not having one. The quarterback is still able to run once the five-second rush count is done.

FLAG PULLING & BALL CARRIER

  • When a player’s flag is pulled, the referee will spot the ball where the ball lies at the time the player’s flag is pulled.
  • Any fumbles or laterals will end the play once the ball hits the ground or goes out of bounds, and the team with possession of the ball last will remain with the ball.

PLAYER CONDUCT

  • Ball carriers may not dive, hurdle over another player, or lunge in what looks like an intentional manner in order to advance the ball or gain yardage. 
  • Diving by a defensive player to pull the ball carrier’s flag is legal. 
  • If a defender has established a stationary position, the ball carrier must make an effort to avoid the defender.

FLAG REQUIREMENT & PENALTIES

  • All players must have two flags, one on each side of their hip. If at the start of the play or sometime during the play the ball carrier ends up with less than two flags, then that ball carrier will be ruled downed by one-hand touch.

SCORING & CONVERSIONS

1PT XP - Ball will be placed on 5yd line
2PT XP - Ball will be placed on 10yd line
  • Once a team scores a touchdown and informs the referee of which point conversion they’re going to attempt, the decision can't be changed unless the team who’s attempting the PAT uses a timeout.
  • Interceptions can only be returned on 2pt conversion attempts ONLY. 

FEMALE PLAYER INVOLVEMENT

A female player must be involved once every three plays throughout the drive for forward progress or an attempt for forward progress. If on the third play, a female player hasn't possessed the ball, then the play will be “closed”. Meaning, a female player must posses the ball on this play, or the team will be penalized with a loss of a down plus losing five yards and the down would remained “closed”.

These rules are designed to ensure fair play, safety, and inclusivity within our co-ed flag football league. We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to upholding these standards. Let's have a great season!