2026 Rules and Regulations

GAME SETUP & FLOW

At the start of each game, captains from both teams meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss.

1. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of offense or defense. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction. There is no option to defer. Teams will automatically switch sides of the field and the team that started the game with possession will begin the 2nd half on defense.  

3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown. 

• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield after 3rd down and elect to “punt” on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposing team will start a new possession from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not  cross midfield, the opposing team will start a new possession from the spot where 4th down ended.  

• Any time there is a ‘PUNT or PLAY decision on 4th or 3rd down, the referee WILL ask the offense’s Head Coach to declare ‘Punt or Play’. The coach MUST make an immediate decision or risk a delay of game penalty. 

• Teams may use a timeout to change the declaration of “Play” at any time prior to the expiration of the play clock. 

• After crossing midfield, if the offense fails to score on 3rd down, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts at its 5-yard line.

Boundary Lines	The outer lines marking the playing field’s perimeter, including  sidelines and end zones.
Line of Scrimmage	(LOS) an imaginary line running through the point of the  football and across the width of the field.
Line-to-Gain	The yard line the offense must reach for a first down.
Rush Line	An imaginary line 7 yards from the line of scrimmage on the  defense’s side.
Offense	The team with possession of the ball.
Defense	The team trying to stop the offense and regain possession.
Passer	Any offensive player who throws the ball, not just the quarterback.
Rusher	The defensive player who starts from the rush line and tries to  pressure the quarterback by either pulling flags or blocking passes.
Live Ball	Refers to the period of time that the play is in action. Generally used  in regard to penalties. Live ball penalties are considered part of the  play and must be enforced before the down is considered complete.
Dead Ball	The time between plays when no action is occurring.
Whistle	Official’s signal to stop play for timeouts, end of plays,  or game periods.
Inadvertent Whistle	An official’s whistle that is sounded in error.
Charging	When a ball-carrier illegally runs directly into a set defensive player. This includes leading with the head or making contact with  shoulder, forearm, or chest.
Flag Guarding	An illegal act when the ball-carrier tries to block defenders from  pulling their flags – whether by stiff-arming, dropping their  elbow/head, or using the ball itself as a shield.
Shovel Pass	A legal forward pass across the LOS (Underhand, backhand or by pushing the ball forward).
Lateral	A backward or parallel toss of the ball by the ball-carrier.
Unsportsmanlike   Conduct	Confrontational or offensive behavior or language.

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST 

1. All players must wear official NFL FLAG belts and flags. All players MUST wear mouth  guards at all times while on the field. Game balls should be age specific. 
2. Players must wear shoes. Cleats may not be allowed at certain locations. This will be  specified by your league organizer or site director. However, cleats with exposed metal are  never allowed and must be removed. 
3. Players may tape their forearms, hands and fingers. Players may wear gloves, elbow pads  and knee pads. Braces with exposed metals are not allowed. 
4. Players must remove all jewelry and hats. Headbands or winter beanies are allowed. 
5. Players may wear soft shell helmets, halos and sunglasses but they must be secured at all  times while on the field. Prescription glasses are permitted without a strap. 
6. Players’ jerseys must be tucked into shorts or pants, if they hang below the belt line. 
7. We recommend players wear shorts or pants that do not have pockets or belt loops. Games  will not be delayed for a player to tape their pockets.  
8. Participants must bring their own official NFL FLAG belts and mouth guards to the field.  Extra belts and mouth guards may be available for purchase. 
9. NFL FLAG footballs will be provided. 

• Flag belts and flags cannot be the same color as the player’s shorts or pants. 

10. LEAGUE & TOURNAMENT PLAY: Electronic communication between any player with their  coach or spectator for their team is prohibited. If a team or individual is using electronic  communication with a player or coach, at any time, that team will be disqualified  immediately from play. This does not limit possible additional discipline at the sole discretion  of the local league organizer OR NFL FLAG Tournament staff. 

TOURNAMENT PLAY 

1. NFL FLAG belts and flags will be issued to ALL Teams at check-in. Teams MUST wear the  equipment they are issued at check-in for all games played. NO EXCEPTIONS. Mouth guards  will be available for purchase. Game balls will be provided by NFL FLAG and maintained by  the officials for each game. 
2. Teams not prepared to play at Game Time due to equipment compliance issues will have  their team timeouts used, up to 3, for the time taken to get compliant. 
3. Black NFL FLAG footballs will be used for Boys 8U & Girls 10U ONLY.  

**All other divisions use the White NFL FLAG Football. 

4. Equipment Check – All players must be checked prior to the start of every game by the  game officials or they will be ruled ineligible to play in the game.
   

   Field Dimensions and Layout 

   Two standard field size options: 

    Option A: 25 yards wide × 70 yards long with 10-yard endzones 

    Option B: 25 yards wide × 64 yards long with 7-yard endzones 

   1. Both field layouts will have a midfield line to gain for a first down. ‘No Run Zones’ are located  5 yards prior to midfield and 5 yards prior to the opponent’s endzone. 
   2. Stepping on the boundary line is considered out of bounds. 
   3. ‘No Run’ Zones are in place to prevent teams from conducting run plays.  While in the ‘No Run’ Zones, teams cannot run the ball across the line of scrimmage.  All plays must result in a forward pass across the Line of Scrimmage. 
   4. The referee will spot the ball in the middle of the field prior to the ‘Ready to Play’ whistle.  The ball may NOT be closer than 10-yards to any sideline.

Timing and Overtime

Game Timing

    •    Games are played with a 20-minute running clock.

    •    The clock does not stop for penalties, injuries, or timeouts.

    •    There are no team timeouts.

Overtime

If the score is tied at the end of regulation, overtime will determine the winner.

    •    Each team will run one offensive play from the 50-yard line.

    •    Running the ball is not allowed. The play must be a pass.

    •    The team with the longest completed play wins.

    •    If both teams throw interceptions, they continue alternating plays until a pass is completed.

Turnovers

    •    If a team throws an interception, the play counts as 0 yards.

Back-to-Back Turnovers

    •    If both teams turn the ball over, the process repeats.

    •    Teams will continue alternating one play from the 50-yard line until one team completes a pass.

    •    The team with the longest completed play wins.

Example

    •    Team A runs a play from the 50-yard line and completes a pass for 14 yards. The ball will be marked at the 14-yard line as the benchmark. (ADN n.b.)

    •    Team B runs a play from the 50-yard line and throws a pass beyond 14 yards, but the pass is not caught.

    •    If there is a defensive pass interference penalty on the play, Team B will receive another play attempt.

Note: The next play must still exceed the 14-yard mark to win.

SCORING GUIDE 

1. Touchdown: 6 points 
2. PAT (point after touchdown) 1 point (5-yard line) or 2 points (10-yard line) 

• A 1 point extra point is pass only; 2 point extra point can be a run or pass. 

3. Interceptions returned for scores during a regulation scrimmage down are worth 6 points. 1 and 2 pt. extra point  conversions or overtime interceptions returned are worth 2 points. 
4. Safety: 2 points 

• A safety occurs when the ball-carrier is declared down in his/her own end zone. Runners can be called down  when their flags are pulled by a defensive player, a flag falls out, they step out of bounds, their knee or arm  touches the ground, a fumble occurs in the end zone or if a snapped ball lands in or beyond the end zone. 

5. A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1-point conversion (from the 5-yard  line) or a 2-point conversion (from the 10-yard line). Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point,  requires a charged timeout. A decision cannot be changed after a penalty. 
6. REGULAR SEASON PLAY: When 1 team is winning by 35 points or more, the game is over. 

TOURNAMENT PLAY: When 1 team is winning by 28 points or more, the game is over. 

7. Forfeits will be scored 35-0 for the winning team.

TOURNAMENT PLAY score will be 28-0. 

8. The coaches, officials and scorekeeper must verify the score sheet. If a coach does not verify the score sheet before  leaving the field, the scorekeeper will note on that score sheet and the score will be FINAL. 

COACHING GUIDELINES 

1. Coaches are expected to adhere to NFL FLAG philosophies, coaching guidelines and code of conduct. 
2. Coaches are permitted to coach on the sideline (see page 17 for grade based and 8, 7, 6U coaching  guidelines) 

• All team photographers, managers, position coaches, team moms, fans, etc. are required to remain  off the playing field in the designated league viewing area. 
• Coaches are responsible for their fans’ conduct and behavior plus any other associated team  members in their designated team area. 

3. TOURNAMENT PLAY 

• Only two coaches are permitted on the sidelines to coach. 
• Coaches must remain on the sideline, except to attend to an injured player. 

Teams may huddle on the sideline with their coach to get a play call, but the play clock will not stop  once the ball is signaled ‘Ready for Play’.

Live Ball/Dead Ball REGULATIONS 

1. The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead. 
2. The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage. 

• It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone. The  game officials may give teams a “courtesy” neutral zone notification to allow their players to move  back behind the line of scrimmage. 

3. A player who gains possession of the ball in the air is considered in bounds, as long as the first foot or  a body part other than the hand, contacts the ground in the field, while maintaining possession. 
4. Substitutions may be made during any dead ball period. 
5. The defense may not simulate the offensive team signals by trying to confuse the offensive players,  while the quarterback is calling out signals to start the play. Other unfair acts would be; not returning  five (5) eligible players to the field of play after halftime, a team or officials’ time out prior to the  ‘Ready to Play’ signal by the referee. This will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the  Head Coach. 
6. Any official can whistle the play dead. 

Play is ruled “dead” when: 

1. The ball hits the ground. 

• If the ball hits the ground as a result of a snap, backwards pitch or lateral, the ball will be  placed where the ball hit the ground. 

1. The ball-carrier’s flag is pulled. 
2. The ball-carrier steps out of bounds. 
3. A touchdown, PAT or safety is scored. 
4. The ball-carrier’s knee, shin, leg, forearm or arm hits the ground. 
5. The ball-carrier’s flag falls out. 
6. The receiver catches the ball while in possession of 1 or 0 flag(s). 
7. The 7 second pass clock expires. 
8. Inadvertent whistle 
9. Ball-carrier leaves their feet to dive, jump or hurdle a player.  

 (Exception: A PLAYER CAN DIVE TO CATCH A PASS OR PULL A FLAG) 

NOTE: Fumbles / loss of possession: Ground contact must be made for the play to be dead at that spot.  A fumble is loss of possession by a player, resulting in the ball contacting the ground.

 If an inadvertent whistle occurs, the team in possession has two options: 

1. Take the ball where the whistle blew and the down will count
2. Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage 

If an IW occurs on the last play of the half or game, the offense will be awarded one untimed down and  given those two options. 

1. A team is allowed to use a timeout to question an official’s rule interpretation. If the official’s ruling is correct, the team will be charged a timeout. If the rule is interpreted incorrectly, the timeout will not be  charged and the proper ruling will be enforced.  

RULING GAME 

1. The ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled. 
2. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball across the Line of Scrimmage. The quarterback is  the offensive player who receives the snap under center directly or in shotgun formation. 
3. Direct handoffs, pitches, and laterals are permitted behind the line of scrimmage only. If this takes place, after the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage, the play is to be blown dead by the official. The ball shall be placed at the spot possession was lost for the next play. 

• “Center sneak” play is NOT allowed. The QB may NOT handoff, pitch or lateral the ball first to the center. 
• Any player who receives a handoff, backward pass, pitch or lateral can throw the ball from behind  the line of scrimmage. 
• Once the ball has been handed off, in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, or a back ward pass, pitch or lateral has occurred, the 7-second passing clock is eliminated and all defensive  players are eligible to rush. 

1. Definition of a “Legal Handoff” – Total loss of possession directly from 1 offensive play to another. 
2. Teams are not allowed to run in the ‘NO RUN ZONES’ – (Reminder: Each offensive team approaches  only TWO no-run zones in each drive – one 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down and one 5  yards from the goal line to score a TD). 
3. Runners are not permitted to jump, leap or hurdle, in the officials’ judgement, while advancing the  ball. The play is to be blown dead and the ball spotted where the jump, leap or hurdle occurred. 
4. Ball carriers may leave their feet and the play will continue for spinning, jump cuts, QB’s passing or if  there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid a collision with another player. The play  will continue without stoppage. However, if while leaving the ground, illegal contact is made, a penalty  may be enforced by the official. 
5. No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time. 
6. Offensive players in close proximity of the ball carrier must stop their motion once the ball has crossed  the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball carrier. 
7. Flag obstruction – All jerseys MUST be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on the player’s  hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding. 
8. Once the ball is advanced beyond the LOS, the current ball carrier is the only player allowed to have  possession of the ball until the play is dead.

PASSING 

1. Only 1 forward pass, thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, is permitted each offensive play.  The ball must be released prior to crossing the line of scrimmage. There can be unlimited backward  passes behind the line of scrimmage. 

• There is no intentional grounding. The quarterback may throw the ball anywhere across the line  of scrimmage to avoid a sack. 
• All forward passes that do not cross the line of scrimmage are illegal forward passes, unless  touched by a defender. All forward passes must go beyond the line of scrimmage.  

2. Shovel passes are allowed and must be a forward pass, from behind the line of scrimmage, and  received beyond the line of scrimmage. 
3. The quarterback has a 7 second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within 7 seconds, the play is  dead, the down counts and the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off,  pitched or lateraled behind the line of scrimmage, the 7 second rule is no longer in effect. 

• If the QB is standing in the end zone at the end of the 7 second clock, the ball is returned to the  line of scrimmage (LOS) and it will be the next down. 
• If the quarterback throws the ball and then catches it, the play is dead and treated like an  incomplete pass. 

RECEIVING 

1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off, pitched or lateraled behind the line of scrimmage). 

2. A player must have at least one foot or other body part in bounds, contacting the ground first with possession. 

3. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense. 

4. Interceptions are returnable. If returned for a score during regular game play, the score will be worth six  

points, two points if returned during conversions and/or overtime.

RUSHING THE PASSER

1. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is  snapped. Up to two (2) players can rush the quarterback. Rushers MUST identify themselves by raising their  hand before the snap. Rushers MUST rush the passer immediately after the snap. Delayed rush is NOT  permitted. Players not rushing the quarterback can defend the line of scrimmage.  

LEAGUE PLAY – 8, 7 & 6U & 1st – 3rd Grade Divisions: Defenders may not rush the  passer. 

TOURNAMENT PLAY – 8u division & up – rushers may rush the passer at the snap from the 7 yard rush line 

2. Once the ball is handed off, pitched or lateraled backwards behind the line of scrimmage, all defenders may  cross the line of scrimmage to defend and pull the flag.  
3. A special marker, or the game official, will designate a rush line 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.  Defensive players should verify they are in the correct position with the official on every play. 

A legal rush is: 

• Any rush by the 1 or 2 designated rushers, 7 yards from the line of scrimmage. 
• A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed off, pitched or thrown backwards by the player receiving the snap. 

A penalty may be called if: 

• The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff,  pitch, lateral or pass – Illegal rush (5-yards from the line of scrimmage and first down). 
• Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped – Encroachment  (5-yards from line of scrimmage and first down). 
• Any defensive player not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is  passed, pitched, lateraled or handed off – Illegal rush (5-yards from the line of scrimmage and first  down). 
• If the offense draws the identified rusher(s) across the 7 yard marker prior to the snap of the ball,  the rusher(s) CANNOT legally rush. Jumping the rush is not a penalty until the rusher crosses the  line of scrimmage prior to a handoff, pitch, lateral or forward pass. 

Teams are never required to rush the quarterback with the 7 second clock in effect 

4. Players rushing the quarterback may attempt to block a pass; however, contact to the QB, unless ruled   incidental by the official, would result in a roughing the passer penalty. 
5. The offense cannot impede the rusher’s PATH to the quarterback, regardless of where they line up prior to  the snap. The PATH is set pre-snap from the rusher or rushers directly to the QB. PATH does not move once the  quarterback moves. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s  responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an ‘Impeding  the Rusher’ penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher(s) responsibility  to go around the offensive player and avoid contact.  
6. A sack occurs if the quarterback’s flags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball will be spotted where possession of the ball is when the flag is pulled. 

• A 2-point Safety is awarded if a flag pull takes place in the offensive team’s end zone.

FLAG PULLING

1. A legal flag pull takes place when the ball-carrier is in full possession of the ball. 
2. Defenders can dive to pull flags but cannot tackle, hold or run through the ball carrier when  pulling flags. 
3. It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier’s possession at any time. 
4. If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during a play while that player has possession, the  player is down immediately and the play ends. The ball is placed where the flag lands. 
5. If a player who has one or no flags on their belt takes possession of the ball, the play is dead  at that spot on the field. 
6. A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flag(s) off a player who is not in possession  of the ball. 
7. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by  stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, ball, arm or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey.