Indoor Flag Football Rules

 The Basics

• Play will consist of a 4 v 4 format.
• Team rosters may contain a maximum of eight players.  Rosters must contain at least six players.
• A minimum of five teams is required for a specific league to form.
• The program fee of $55 per player includes:
  • 8 league games
  • paid officials (2 per game)
  • league championship player awards
  • first-class facility in which to play
• Players may play on multiple teams in different divisions, but may not play on multiple teams in the same division.  A $10 courtesy discount will be extended to the second player fee and beyond for players participating on more than one team.
• All participants must have a Waiver of Claim Form on file before being allowed on the field.  Players under the age of eighteen are required to have a Parent/Guardian signature on the Waiver of Claim Form.

The Game

• The playing field measures approximately 25 yards wide by 65 yards in length.
• The dashed boundary lines are OUT OF BOUNDS.
• A coin toss determines initial possession.
• Games consist of two 18-minute halves (running clock).
• Halftime consists of two minutes.
• Possession alternates at the half.
• "Pro Clock" (stopping on out of bounds and incomplete passes) will go into effect in the last minute of the game.
• Mercy rule comes into effect at 30 points. No extra point tries will be attempted after a team has a 30 point lead.
• Games that end in a tie will be deemed a tie.
• Coed teams must have two men and two women on the field at all times.
• Each team will have two 30 second time-outs per half.  Unused time-outs may not be carried over to the second half.

Equipment

• Players are encouraged to wear a mouthpiece.
• Tennis shoes and turf shoes will be allowed.  Plastic cleats, or any shoe containing less than 30 cleats per shoe, are strictly prohibited.
• Team shirts or jerseys must be the same color.
• Shirts must be tucked in at all times.
• The Kids, Incorporated Sportsplex will provide the official game ball.
• 1^st & 2^nd Grade will use a “Pee Wee” size football
• 3^rd & 4^th Grade will use a “Junior” size football
• 5^th & 6^th Grade will use an “Intermediate” size football
• 7^th Grade – Adults will use an “Official” size football
• Game flags and belts will be provided by Kids, Incorporated.

Offense

• All possessions begin on the goal line, except after an interception.
• Teams have three downs in which to advance the ball past mid-field for a first-down.
• After achieving a first down, teams have three downs to score a touchdown.
• The center must be on the line of scrimmage upon the snap, and must snap the ball between his/her legs
• Players must be past the line of scrimmage in order to be eligible for a pass.
• One foot down in bounds, with possession of the ball, constitutes a reception.
• The QB has seven seconds in which to pass the ball.  Failure to pass the ball in seven seconds will result in a loss of down.
• The offense may run or pass the ball if the quarterback hands it off, pitches, tosses, or laterals to another player in the backfield.  This person now has the option to run or pass the ball before he/she crosses the line of scrimmage or he/she may use a throwback pass to another player behind the line of scrimmage and that player must run or pass the ball before he/she crosses the line of scrimmage.  (In other words, there may be two exchanges behind the line of scrimmage.)
• The seven-second clock is not in effect after a hand-off.
• The ball will be spotted at the point where the player's hips were when his/her flag was pulled, unless the player is running backwards, in which case it will be spotted at the point of the ball.
• Teams may have one player in motion running parallel to the line of scrimmage.
• Each team will be allowed 30 seconds in the huddle.
• Each team will be allowed to have one offensive coach in the huddle.  Once you break the huddle, the coach must back up and not say anything to his team until the play is over.
• Successful extra point attempts from the 5-yard line (run or pass) are worth one (1) point
• ISuccessful extra point attempts from the 12-yard line (run or pass) are worth one (2) points.

Defense

• Any defensive player can rush the quarterback as long as they start seven yards away from the line of scrimmage. The referee will provide the seven yard spot before each play.
• Any defensive player can rush immediately AFTER a hand-off occurs.
• No contact is allowed.
• Interceptions may be returned by the defense.
• A safety (offensive player downed in own end zone, or penalized in own end zone) will result in two points for the defense.  The defense will also receive the ball at their own goal line.

Penalties (L.O.S. = Line of Scrimmage)

Offensive Penalties

• Illegal Snap: 5-yard penalty
• Illegal Motion: 5-yard penalty
• False Start: 5-yard penalty
• Impeding Rusher: 5-yard penalty
• Blocking Downfield: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Illegal Pick: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Flag Guarding: 5-yard penalty from the spot of infraction
• Jumping: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Lowering Head/Shoulder: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Pass Interference: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Illegal Forward Pass: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Illegal Hand-off/Pitch: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Illegal Run: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.)
• Delay of Game: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S)

Defensive Penalties

• Offsides: 5-yard penalty repeat down
• Illegal Rush: 5-yard penalty repeat down
• Illegal Contact: 5-yard penalty, automatic first down
• Holding: 5-yard penalty from end of play, automatic first down
• Illegal Flag Pull: 5-yard penalty from L.O.S., automatic first down
• Pass Interference, Minor: 5-yard penalty from L.O.S., automatic first down
• Pass Interference, Major: Spot Foul, automatic first down
• Roughing the QB, Minor: 5-yard penalty, automatic first down
• Roughing the QB, Major: Fifteen yards, automatic first down
• Delay of Game: 5-yard penalty, repeat down
• Illegal Push: 5-yard penalty (L.O.S.), automatic first down

Major Infractions

• Physical Violence/Referee Abuse: Immediate Ejection and a 15-yard penalty.  Any player and/or coach involved in a physically violent situation will be suspended for the remainder of that game, plus a minimum of one additional game.  Individuals receiving a suspension will also be required to make an appointment to meet with Kids, Incorporated personnel to discuss the future of their participation in the Sportsplex.  Individuals receiving a suspension are also subject to a monetary fine.
• Taunting: 15-yard penalty.  Suspension also becomes a possibility for multiple repeat offenders.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15-yard penalty.  The first such penalty will result in a warning for the player(s) involved.  A second offense will result in suspension for the remainder of the game and one additional game.