NFL FLAG Rule Book

 

PENN Athletics Club
Rules & Exceptions

Rule: Coaches are allowed on the field to direct players according to need and division. Coaches must move to their sideline before the snap of the ball.

Exception: Coaches may remain on the field in 2nd Grade and younger leagues.

Rule: The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion between his/her legs to a player in the backfield, and the ball must completely leave his/her hands.

Exception: Side snaps are permitted in 2nd Grade and younger leagues.

Exception: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is coach snap, where a coach takes a knee and side snaps the football.

Rule: No-run zones are located five yards prior to the line to gain and five yards prior to the end zone in the offense’s direction.

Exception: Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten do not have no-run zones.

Rule: After one team is winning by 35 points or more, the game is over. Once a 35 or more point advantage is gained, no PAT will be attempted.

Exception: After one team is winning by 35 points or more, the game is over and the score at that time stands. However, the game will continue as a scrimmage.

Rule: Only two coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines.

Exception: Only three coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines.

Rule: Players must enter and exit the field of play from their own sideline.

Brief Rules

  • Listed Home Team wears Dark Color.

  • Listed Away Team wears White.

  • Players must wear black shorts.

  • Jerseys must be tucked in.

  • Flags must be pointed down and out.

  • The Line of Scrimmage and the Rush Line seven yards from the Line of Scrimmage will be marked with orange cones.

  • Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 40 seconds to snap the ball.

  • The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.”

  • Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.

  • Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted.

  • Absolutely NO laterals of any kind.

  • “Center sneak” play is no longer allowed. The QB is not allowed to handoff to the center on the first handoff of the play.

  • Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts).

  • Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception.

  • Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

  • No Run Zone. 5-yard no run zones precede the half field line and goal line for the offense.

NO Flag Guarding.

  • 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, arm or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey.

  • Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball.

  • Diving, leaping or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag guarding.

  • Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding.

  • No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time.

  • Offensive players without the ball must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball-carrier.

There are no Tie Games. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period will be used to determine a winner.