Rules

The following is the official text from the Claymore's NFL Flag Football Guide, so don't blame me for its vagueness and obscure structure!   Typos are down to me.

What is Flag Football?

No pads.
No helmets.
No contact.
No tackling, blocking, or diving.

Nothing but fun.


Claymores NFL Flag Football is a non-contact 5-on-5 version of the exciting game played by the great atheletes of the NFL and NFL Europe League.   Players of any age or size can enjoy the passing, catching, and running action that happens in a flag football game.

In NFL Flag Football, teams use passes and runs to move the football downfield in a series of "plays" or "downs".   A play ends when the ball carrier's flag is pulled from a belt around the waist.

NFL Flag Football emphasises participation and fun.   Everyone plays and everyone contributes in NFL Flag Footbal, no matter how big or small or young or old.   It's a simple game that is easy and quick to learn.   All you need is an American Football and your imagination.

NFL Flag Football Rules

General

• A coin toss determines the first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to cross midfield.   Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown.   If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over in its [own] 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its [own] 5-yard line.
• All possession changes, except for interceptions, start on the offense's 5-yard line.
• Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes, but possession does not change. The clock does not stop.

Players/Game Schedules

• NFL Flag can be played with any number of players, for example 3 vs. 3, 4 vs 4 etc.   We recommend 5 vs. 5 for tournaments and schools.   5 vs. 5 is the most effective version.   Every team can play with 1 to 10 substitutes.

Timing/Overtime

• Games are played to 40 minutes running time.
• If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move into overtime.   The first team to score wins.
• Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball.   Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
• Each team has one 50-second time out and one 30-second time out per half.
• Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Scoring

	Touchdown:	6 points
	Extra Point:	1 point (played from the 5-yard line)
		2 points (played from the 10-yard line)
	Safety:	2 points

Running

• The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
• Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted.   [The] Offense may use multiple handoffs.
• Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind.
• "No-running zones", located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short-yardage, power running situations.
• The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are elligible to rush.
• Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).
• The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

Receiving

• All players are elligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

• All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• The quarterback has a seven-second "pass clock".   If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down.   Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule is no longer in effect.
• Interceptions change possession of the ball at the point of the interception and may be returned.   Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

Dead Balls

• The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.   Shotgun formation is allowed.
• Substitutions may be made on a any "dead" ball.
• Play is ruled "dead" when: - Ball carrier's flag is pulled. - Ball carrier steps out of bounds. - Touchdown or safety is scored. - Ball carrier's knee hits ground. - Ball carrier's flag falls off.
  
  Note: There are no fumbles.   The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing The Quarterback

All players who rush the passer must be a ninumim of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.   Any number of players can rush the quarterback.   Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.

Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.   A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.   Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.


Sportsmanship/Roughing

If the field monitir or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the tournament.   FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal.   Officials have the right to determine offensive language.   (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.)   If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning.   If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.


Penalties

All penalties will be called by the referee.

	Defense
	Offsides	5 yards and automatic first down
	Interference	10 yards and automatic first down
	Illegal contact (holding, blocking etc.)	10 yards and automatic first down
	Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball)	10 yards and automatic first down
	Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)	10 yards and automatic forst down
	Offense
	Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.)	5 yards and loss of down
	Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage)	5 yards and loss of down
	Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)	10 yards and loss of down
	Flag guarding	10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down
	Delay of game	Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down

• Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.   All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations.   Players cannot question judgement calls.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Attire

Cleats [studs] are allowed, except for metal spikes.   Inspections can be made.   Indoors, white sole shoes are recommended.

Note:
There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed.