Flag Football Intramural Rules

What proper identification is required to check in for a game?

A government-issued photo ID

Do coaches need to be on the team roster?

No, coaches do not need to appear on the roster and teams don't need to use the same coach all season

Where must a coach stay during the game?

Off the field of play, except during time-outs

What happens to a disqualified player?

They are removed from that game but can still play in their next contest

What happens to an ejected player, coach, or fan?

They are removed from that game and automatically suspended from all intramural activities pending a meeting with intramural staff

Can judgment calls be protested?

No, only rule interpretations may be protested, and immediately at the time of the incident

What is the Blood Rule?

A player with an open wound must leave the game and cannot return until bleeding stops and the wound is covered

Are medical alert bracelets allowed?

Yes, if taped flush with the skin (may be visible)

Are casts or splints allowed?

No, never allowed under any circumstances

What padding is required for knee braces with exposed metal/hard plastic/metal hinges?

Must be covered with padding or foam at least 1/4 inch thick

What head coverings are permitted for hair control?

Elastic headbands and hair control devices without metal or hard plastic; bandanas without knots

What headwear items are prohibited?

Beads, barrettes, bobby pins, and other hard head decorations

What footwear is required outdoors?

Athletic shoes; five finger shoes do not count; metal cleats, spikes, or toe cleats are not permitted

How many players are on a standard 7-on-7 team?

Seven players per team

What is the minimum number of players needed to start/continue a game?

Four players

What are the dimensions of the field?

80 yards long by 40 yards wide, divided into four 20-yard zones

Are pockets allowed on shorts/pants?

No pockets or belt loops, except pockets with zippers that stay zipped at all times (effective Fall 2021)

Who provides the game ball?

Each team provides its own ball; the offense chooses which ball to play with

What footwear is illegal in flag football?

Sandals, street shoes, hiking boots, combat boots, and metal spikes

When does a team forfeit a game?

If not ready to play 10 minutes after the scheduled game time

What happens at 3 minutes into the forfeit grace period?

The ready team is awarded a 6-point touchdown

What happens at 10 minutes into the forfeit grace period?

The game is declared a forfeit with a final score of 24-10

Where does the ball start at the beginning of each half?

At the offensive team's 14-yard line

What are the two options in the coin toss?

Choose whether to be on offense or defense first, or choose which goal to defend

How long is each half of the game?

20 minutes, with a 3-minute intermission between halves

When does the clock stop besides timeouts in the second half?

During the final 2 minutes, using 2-minute mechanics

What happens if scores are tied after regulation in the regular season?

The game is recorded as a tie (game over)

What happens if scores are tied after regulation in the playoffs?

An overtime period is played

How many possessions make up an overtime period?

One possession by each team

Where does each team start their overtime series?

First and goal from the 10-yard line

How many timeouts does each team get per game?

Three timeouts per game

How long is a charged timeout?

No more than one minute

What is the Delay of Game rule?

Offense has 25 seconds after the ready whistle to snap the ball; penalty is 5 yards

How many points is a touchdown worth (standard)?

Six (6) points

What must the scoring player do after a touchdown?

Raise arms so the nearest official can deflag the player

What are the Try for point options?

1 point from the 3-yard line, 2 points from the 10-yard line, or 3 points from the 20-yard line

What is a safety worth and what happens after?

2 points for the defensive team, who then gain possession at their own 30-yard line

When is the Mercy Rule reached in standard play?

19+ points ahead at the 2-minute warning of the second half, or 50+ points ahead at the 10-minute mark of the second half

What is the Onside Conversion rule?

After a touchdown in the second half (unless leading by 19+), a team may attempt to gain possession in the end zone from the 20-yard line to keep the ball

What happens when a flag belt is clearly removed from the runner?

The ball is declared dead and the down ends

What body contact is allowed when removing a flag belt?

Contact with the body and shoulders only, not the face, neck, or head

What counts as a 'tackle' if the flag belt falls off?

A one-hand touch between the shoulders and knees

Who is required to be on the offensive line of scrimmage?

Only the snapper

When is a ball declared dead?

Out of bounds, runner touches ground with anything but hands/feet, touchdown/touchback/safety/successful try, incomplete pass, and other specified conditions

How many downs does a team get to advance to the next zone?

Four (4) consecutive downs

What determines the zone line to gain?

The zone in advance of the ball at the start of the series, unless yardage was lost to penalty or failure to gain

On 4th down, what must the offense declare before the snap?

Whether they will go for a first down or punt

How far back must the ball be received on a punt snap?

At least two yards behind the scrimmage line

Are fake punts allowed?

No, there are no fake punts

Are fair catches allowed?

No, there are no fair catches

What happens when a punt breaks the plane of the receiving team's goal line?

The ball is dead and a touchback is awarded

How must the ball be snapped?

Backwards and off the ground, in a quick continuous motion

How far behind the line must the direct-snap receiver be?

At least 2 yards behind Team A's scrimmage line

How many offensive players may be in motion at once?

Only one, and not toward the opponent's goal line

What is the penalty for encroachment?

Five (5) yards from the previous spot

How many forward passes are allowed per down?

Only one (1) forward pass per down

When is a forward pass illegal?

If the passer's foot is beyond the scrimmage line, thrown after possession changed, intentionally grounded, caught by the same untouched passer, or thrown as a second forward pass

What is the penalty for defensive or offensive pass interference?

Ten (10) yards from the previous spot

What is required of offensive screen blockers?

Hands and arms at their side or behind their back, no contact, must be on their feet

Is flag guarding legal?

No, flag guarding is illegal; penalty is 10 yards from the spot of the foul

Is stiff arming by the ball carrier legal?

No, stiff arming is illegal

What happens if a player tampers with their flag belt to make it harder to pull?

Ejection from the game; penalty is unsportsmanlike conduct, 10 yards, loss of down, and disqualification

What happens after the fourth unsportsmanlike foul by the same team?

The team forfeits the game

What is the basic penalty enforcement spot for a running play?

The end of the run

What is the exception to normal penalty enforcement spots?

Roughing the passer, which is added to the end result of the play

How many players make up a coed team and its composition?

Eight players: four men and four women

What is the minimum number of players to start/continue a coed game?

Five players, including at least two of the opposite sex

What is the rule for a male runner advancing the ball?

A male runner cannot advance the ball through his own scrimmage line

What is the Male-to-Male Completion rule in coed play?

There cannot be two consecutive legal forward pass completions from a male passer to a male receiver

What is the Mercy Rule threshold in coed play?

25 or more points ahead at the 2-minute warning of the second half

How many points are coed touchdowns worth?

Male touchdowns are worth 6 points; female touchdowns are worth 9 points

How do Open Leagues differ from standard leagues?

They follow single-sex rules with no coed modifications and no sex-specific roster requirements

What is the goal of Unified Sports Leagues?

To combine athletes with disabilities and partners without disabilities on the same team for inclusive competition

What is the suggested player composition on the field in Unified Sports?

Four (4) athletes and three (3) partners

What satisfies the Athlete Involvement requirement in Unified Sports?

An athlete completes or catches a legal forward pass, or runs the ball through the line of scrimmage

What flag colors are used in Unified Sports?

Athletes wear red flag belts; Partners wear yellow flag belts