Syracuse University 7 v 7 Flag Football Rules — Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering players, equipment, game start, gameplay, passing, punting, and conduct from the lecture notes.

Number of players per team

7 players on each team; minimum of 6 players to start a game.

No grace period

Teams must be ready to play at game time; there is no grace period.

Overtime in regular season

There is no overtime for regular season games.

Overtime in playoffs

Playoffs use overtime until a winner is decided; each team gets a series of downs from the 10-yard line to score.

Starting position at game start

All games start at the 10-yard line.

Post-touchdown possession

After a touchdown, the next series starts on the 10-yard line unless moved by penalty.

Offense possession after each down

The team on offense is responsible to get the ball at the end of every down.

Continuous snap

The snap must be one continuous motion.

Guarding the flag

Runners must not guard the flag with the ball, hands, or shoulders.

Deflagging after TD

Runners scoring a TD must raise hands so the nearest official can deflag the scorer.

No stiff arm or flag guard

Runners cannot stiff arm, run over a potential deflagger, or flag guard.

Defensive deflagging without the ball

Defensive players cannot intentionally deflag a player without the ball.

Defensive contact during deflagging

Defensive players cannot hold, push, or knock the runner down while attempting to deflag.

No fumbles

There are no fumbles in this game.

Screen blocking

Screen blocking is legally obstructing an opponent without contacting them with any part of the blocker’s body.

Arms/elbows in blocking

Blockers cannot use arms or elbows; hands must be at sides or behind the back.

Beat to the spot

Blockers must beat the opponent to the spot before they switch directions.

Screen blocks in visual field

Screen blocks must be made short of contact in the defensive player’s visual field.

Forward passes per down

Only one forward pass can be made per down.

Backward passes

Ball can be passed or handed backwards to any player at any time.

Eligibility for catches

All players are eligible pass receivers.

Ball dead on ground

The ball is dead when it touches the ground at any time, except on punts.

Fourth down decision

On fourth down, teams must declare to the referee whether they want to kick or play the down.

Change of fourth-down choice

Once declared, the choice cannot be changed unless a timeout is called.

Kicking on scrimmage line

Kicking teams must have 1 player on the scrimmage line.

Crossing the scrimmage line

Neither kickers nor receivers can cross the scrimmage line until the ball is kicked.

Punts fielded and muffed

Punts can be fielded off the ground and then returned; a muffed ball is dead.

Ejection for unsporting penalties

Two unsporting penalties or one major unsporting penalty result in ejection from the game.

Dissent and trash talk

Dissent, taunting, baiting, and trash talk incur unsporting penalties.

Double forfeit

Incidents involving more than one player from each team could lead to a double forfeit.

Captain’s communication with officials

Captains may question rule interpretations with officials if done within rules; judgment calls cannot be questioned.

Leaving the field after ejection

Ejected players must leave the field of play.