Flag Football Co-Ed 6v6 Rules

GAME CLOCK FORMAT

1. Each game is played in two 20-minute halves. A running clock format is used except for the final two minutes of each half.
2. The clock will stop on out-of-bounds, first downs, change of possession, extra points and incomplete passes in the final two minutes of the half.
3. Each team receives two, 60-second time outs per half. (No carry over)
4. Mercy Rule- If a team is up by 20 points with 2-minutes to go in the game, the clock will run.

EQUIPMENT

1. Flags are provided by the league. You can use your own but they must be triple threat flags where the whole belt comes off. No pop flags.
2. Cleats are allowed, no metal spikes.
3. Footballs are provided by the teams. Use your own high school, college or NFL ball.
4. Players should not wear shorts with pockets.

SCORING

1. Touchdowns = 6 points
2. Safety = 2 points
3. Extra Points = 5 yards out = 1 point;  12 yards out = 2 points

DRIVES

1. There are no kickoffs
2. Drives begin on the 5-yard line at the beginning of each half.  Turnovers via interceptions and downs will be spotted at where the ball is down or where the flag is pulled of the person returning an interception.
3. Drives consist of four plays to either make a first down or score a touchdown.
4. Interceptions may be run back and the drive will begin where the player’s flag is pulled.
5. Extra points CAN be returned and will ALWAYS count as 2-points, even if the team was going for a 1-point conversion (1 & 2 point extra points only).

SNAPPING THE BALL

1. The ball must be snapped between the legs.
2. Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. A five-yard penalty will be assessed for delay of game.

RUNNING PLAYS

1. There is no limit to the number of handoffs made behind the line of scrimmage.
2. Player must be lined up behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Laterals and pitches are acceptable.
4. The “No Run Zone” is designated to avoid short yardage power running. It is located five yards before all first downs and five yards before the end zone.
5. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of scrimmage.
6. There is no diving (or flipping) when running with the ball.
7. Players can jump step or jump back to avoid a flag pull.

RECEIVING

1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage.
2. Player must have at least one foot in-bounds when making a catch.
3. If a player tips a ball and then catches the pass, having their flag pulled before the catch and after the ball was tipped, they are down where the flag was pulled.
4. Bump and run coverage is ALLOWED within 3 yards of the line of scrimmage against the same gender.

PASSING

1. Shovel passes are legal forward passes that take place behind the line of scrimmage.
2. Interceptions may be returned for touchdowns

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

1. ANY player may rush the quarterback as long as they are lined up 5-yards off of the line of scrimmage.
2. Rusher must go for the quarterback’s flags. Rusher may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty to make contact with the QB’s arm even if the ball is deflected.

BLOCKING/SCREENING

1. Screening can only occur with hands behind players back and or across their chest and mid-section, in lateral movements at the line of scrimmage; the offense can only have a maximum of 2 players screening on the line.
2. Downfield blocking is permitted but ONLY in a ‘basketball style’ screen.  Players cannot use their arm or body, but are permitted to stand in between the runner and tackler.  The player cannot run between the runner and defender.

DEAD BALLS

1. When/where the ball is spotted:
2. When the ball hits the ground: Includes bad snap, at the spot of a fumble (no fumble recoveries allowed), when the ball carrier loses his flag (pulled off or falls off).
3. Note: If the receiver catches a ball and he has lost his flag already, it goes as a completed pass, and he is one-hand touch from that moment. If the flag is pulled by an opponent prior to the reception (Illegal Flag Pull) he may advance the ball and the defense must touch him with one-hand. If a player’s flags have been pulled prior to the catch (Illegal Flag Pull) by the defense, penalty is five yards from point of reception, plus automatic first down or the team can elect to decline the penalty and accept the outcome of the play.
4. When the ball carrier’s knee or elbow hits the ground the play is ruled dead. Players CAN put their hand down to keep balance, but not to avoid/block a flag pull.
5. When the ball carrier steps out of bounds the ball is ruled dead.

ADDRESSING OFFICIALS 9QUESTIONING CALLS)

1. Only the designated captain is allowed to stop the flow of the game to address the officials.
2. All interactions with captains and officials will be made in a sportsmanlike manner.
3. Unsportsmanlike penalties will require the player to sit out for the remainder of that half.
4. Ejections will result in a 1-game suspension following the game the player was ejected from.
5. Fighting will result in suspension from the entire season.

OVERTIME

1. Flip for first possession.
2. The ball will be spotted at mid-field and each team will receive FOUR downs to try and outscore the other team.
3. If the score remains tied after each team has received four downs, the team that objectively gained the most yardage will be awarded 1-point and declared the winner (this rule does not apply to playoffs).
4. NO additional timeouts are awarded for the overtime period.

PENALTIES

1. Excessive contact/Rough Play – 10 yards + loss of down
2. Defensive Pass interference is spotted at the point of the foul + automatic first down, defensive holding on a player with the ball is 5 yards from hold + automatic first down, excessive contact/Rough Play – 10 yards + 1st down

OFFENSIVE PENALTIES

1. Illegal Motion – 5 yards and replay down
2. Illegal Forward Pass (Play is not dead) – 5 yards from spot and loss of down
3. Flag Guarding/Stiff Arming – 5 yards from spot and loss of down
4. Illegal Contact w/ rusher – 5 yards and loss of down
5. Offside – 5 yards and replay down
6. Illegal diving (or flipping) – down at the spot
7. Pass Interference – 10 yards and replay the down
8. Delay of Game – 5 yards and replay down
9. Running in a no-run zone – Loss of down

DEFENSIVE PENALTIES

1. Offside – 5 yards and replay down
2. Illegal Rush – 5 yards and replay down
3. Illegal Contact w/ QB – 10 yards and automatic first down
4. Interference – spot of foul and automatic first down
5. Illegal Flag Pull – 5 yards from spot and automatic first down
6. Last-Man Rule – Touchdown (2 points for returned conversion)

PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will be played in single-elimination format with all teams making the playoffs. Tie breakers will be determined by:

1. Head to head
2. Point Differential: 35pt max
3. Flip of Coin

OTHER NOTES

1. Game cannot end on a defensive penalty even if time expires. One additional play will be required to finish the game.
2. The Referees will call the game as they see it. If you have a question about a rule, the captain should approach the official with any questions.

PUNTING

For Co-Ed 6v6 leagues: On 4th down, teams have the option to attempt for a 1st down and risk a turnover on downs at the spot of the failed attempt, or to ‘punt’ (though not an actual punt) and pin the other team on its own 5-yard line.

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

For Co-Ed 6v6 leagues: There is no rule to how many people must be lined up on the line of scrimmage at the snap of the ball.

STARTING THE GAME

For Co-Ed 6v6 Leagues: A minimum of 5 players are required to start the game. If a team starts the game with 1 female they are still not allowed to have more than 4 men on the field at any time.

Female Specific Rules in Co-Ed Leagues

1. Female Requirements: A minimum of two females is required on the field.  In the regular season, teams may play with only one female to avoid a forfeit, yet are still only allowed a maximum of 4 males on the field.
2. Female Touches: A female must be included in an attempt to progress the ball once every 3 plays.  Including a female is either: her throwing a pass, receiving a handoff, or being the targeted wide receiver (referee discretion).  A backwards lateral downfield to a female is NOT considered including a female. If a female is not included in an attempt to progress the ball within three downs the penalty will be: a loss of down and the next play will still be a “closed” play (you have to include a female in an attempt to progress the ball).
3. Extra Points for Females: If a female scores or initiates a touchdown (throwing a pass), the team will be awarded 9 points as opposed to 6.  An additional one point will be added if a female initiates either a 1-point or 2-point conversion attempt.
4. Physicality with Females: Opposite genders should not engage in bump & run contact with one another.  Opposite genders should also attempt to avoid contact with one another when rushing or blocking.  At the referee’s discretion penalties will be called for minimal contact that is ruled unsafe towards an opposite gender.

PLAYING FIELD

Co-Ed 6v6 Playing Field Size:

1. Length: 50 yards
2. End Zones: 10 yards
3. Width: 30 yards
4. First Down Marker: Mid-field (25 yards)