Adult 4v4 Flag Football Rules

THE GAME 4v4 Rules

The game consists of no blocking and no contact (no jamming)! There is no contact allowed at all. A coin toss determines first possession. Two 12 minute halves. 

The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5 yard line and has three plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, they will have three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over at their 5 yard line. All possession changes except interceptions start on their own 5 yard line. Possession alternates at the half. 1 timeouts per team per half (use it or lose it rule). Regular season games that end in a tie will be ruled as a tie. Playoff games will go to OT (extra point shootout). Pro Clock is only in the 2nd half at the 1 minute warning. 1st half has a running clock.

SCORING

TD= 6 points; Extra Point = 1 (5 yards out); 2 (12 yards out); Safety = 2 points; INT return from extra point try (2 pts)

RUNNING

The quarterback cannot run the ball. (Unless it is handed off or pitched to him). The ball must be snapped between the legs only by the center who must be on the line of scrimmage. Only direct handoffs and pitches behind the line of scrimmage are legal. Offense may use multiple handoffs and pitches (but only behind the line of scrimmage). Absolutely no laterals or pitches of any kind past the LOS. No running zones are designated to avoid short yardage power running situations. No running zones are located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on both sides of midfield. A player who takes the handoff or pitch can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of scrimmage. Once the ball has been handed off or pitched, the rush can come from anywhere on the field. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive play. 

(No diving is allowed to obtain a first down or TD etc.) The ball is spotted where the ball carriers hips are when the flag is pulled. The hips are the farthest points gained.

RECEIVING

All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off or pitched behind the line of scrimmage). Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. When a receiver has the ball all other players must remain still as to not get an interference penalty (A moving screen). Players must have only one foot inbounds when making a catch. (First foot down). Diving is allowed in an attempt to catch the ball only! Picks are a part of the game as long as the offensive player does not make an obvious attempt to impede the defensive players attempt at coverage by using his arms/body or directly moving into the way of the oncoming defender. A moving pick is illegal in an effort to extend the run of the ball carrier. If a QB's flag is pulled at the same time as releasing the ball, tie goes to the offense. 

PASSING

All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage. Shovel passes are allowed but must be beyond the line of scrimmage. QB has a :6 second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the :6 seconds, the play is dead, loss of down. If the ball is handed off, then the :6 second rules is no longer in effect. A player MAY return an interception, from ANYWHERE on the field. All defenders must remain still as to not get a moving interference penalty.

DEAD BALL

If a ball carriers flag inadvertently falls off, then he needs to be touched to be down. If a QB chooses to wear a towel, then it is treated as a flag and may be pulled like a flag. Play is ruled DEAD when: Offensive player flag is pulled; Ball carrier steps out-of-bounds; Touchdown is scored; Ball carriers knee or hand hits the ground. There are no fumbles. Ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground. If the referee feels that there is an intentional fumble to better the offense, then it will be loss of down from the previous line of scrimmage. In the case if an inadvertent whistle, the team with possession has the choice to accept the result of the play, or replay the down.

RUSHING THE QB

All defensive players that rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage (designated by the referee) when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the passer as long as they are at the 7 yard mark. Players not rushing the QB may defend on the Line of Scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the 7 yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may rush even if they are within the 7 yards. The rusher must not be head up with the center. The rusher must be at least 2 yards off to either side when starting his rush. The rusher has the right of way to an open path to the QB. This path or zone cannot be disrupted by the offense. If a QB's flag is pulled at the same time as he's releasing the ball, tie goes to the offense. 

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 the team will be assessed a 15 �????�???�??�?�­yard penalty. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. TRASH TALKING is illegal. Let your play do your talking! The referee has the right to determine language which is offensive. The referee will give one warning, after that the referee will eject a player for four downs. The next offense will be an ejection from the game.

PENALTIES

All offensive penalties in their own end zone results in a safety. 

Defense Off sides = 5 yards; Interference= 5 yards and automatic first down, not a spot foul; Illegal Contact (holding, blocking, etc.) =5 yards and automatic first down; Illegal Flag pull (before receiver has ball) =5 yards and automatic first down; Illegal Rush (start rush from within the 7 yards) =5 yards; Rusher making contact with any part of the QB's arm or ability to pass = 15 yards and automatic first down; Delay of game = 5 yards. 

Offense Pre snap penalties are not a loss of down. Illegal Motion (more than one person moving, false start, motion, etc.) = 5 yards; Illegal Forward Pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) 5 yards and loss of down; Offensive Pass Interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away from defender) = 5 yards and loss of down; Flag Guarding/Lowering of head or shoulder or stiff arm = 5 yards from spot loss of down; Delay Of Game = Clock will stop/ 5 yards; Impeding rusher= 5 yards and loss of down; Blocking= 5 yards from spot and loss of down. 

All unsportsmanlike penalties are 15 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down, or an automatic first down. Referees determine incidental contact, which may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage except for flag guarding. Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rules clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls. Game cannot end on a defensive penalty; unless the offense declines it.

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY

Your team is required to provide your own football (which must be of regulation size and not be under inflated), matching color shirts/jerseys. A roster must be filled out prior to the start of your games. Teams must field a minimum of three players. Teams can have a maximum of ten players on their roster. Players must be on only one teams roster only per division.

PROTESTS/FORFEITS

If a team is late (after the 10 minute grace period), then the clock starts and time is taken off the game clock and the other team is given a 14 point lead. Protests may be lodged because of an illegal player only! The captain must approach the referee before the end of the game. A protest at any other time will not be awarded.

ATTIRE

Teams must have matching color jerseys/shirts; Cleats are allowed, except no metal cleats. No boots are allowed. Shirts must be tucked in shorts, pants, and shorts/pants must have no pockets or they must be taped.