Flag Football Rules

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GENERAL LEAGUE FORMAT:

• 7 game season plus playoffs (8 weeks total)
• Practices are held at the Coaches discretion no more than twice per week.
• NO Tryouts. NO Drafts.  Players will be randomly placed on specified teams.  We will do our best to balance rosters based on the determined skill level you indicate your player to be. 
• ALL coaches are volunteer parents and NOT provided by IEAthletics.
• All teams will make the playoffs.
• Games played on Saturday mornings  (schedule TBD)
• Food and music at the games provided by the league.  No other loudspeakers permitted and no individual concession sales are allowed.
• FUN FAMILY ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL

We realize most leagues are approximately 6 weeks long.  But a slightly longer season gives players & teams a longer period to get to know one another & build team chemistry & friendships.  We believe this contributes to an overall better experience.

**Competition League Rules will vary slightly** Please scroll to very bottom for Details

• 6 v 6 format on 30 yd wide x 50 yd long fields 
• NO pass rush, just a 4 second sack count. Emphasis on the pass game and run game limitations.
• All run plays must be 'outside the tackle'
• All players on offense are eligible to catch (including center)
• Backward laterals are allowed anywhere on the field
• After a handoff or a pitch the Quarterback is allowed to catch a ball
• Passes behind the line of scrimmage are allowed (screens, bubble routes, etc.)
• Quarterback & Center exchanges must be between the legs (traditional) and can either be under center or out of shotgun
• All flags must be on a players hips fully accessible
• Mouthpieces are required for all players on the field
• Shoes must be cleats only, no metal spikes
• All teams must be in uniform with jerseys tucked in.  Players without a Team Jersey cannot participate.  No one is allowed to randomly add players to their roster.  Compression sleeves, wrist bands, head bands, gloves, etc. are allowed but must be in conformity with your team theme colors.  At the discretion of our officials you may be asked to remove them if they are deemed in conflict.
• no necklaces or earings should be worn during play
• no headphones, earphones, buds, etc. are allowed during play
• High School Girls with Complete Teams are free to wear their own School/Club Uniforms.  These complete Teams will pay the "Team" Price as indicated on our product page.  No Team discount if you choose to wear your own uniforms.  

Offenses have 3 downs to get to the first down marker (20 yards).  Otherwise there is a change of possession.  If the offensive team gets a first down he then has 4 downs to score a TD.  There are no run zone limitations.  Offensive teams are free to run or pass as they see fit.  Runs must be outside the tackles.  

There is no 'bump & run' by the defense.  Corners are free to play 'up' but no hands on the receivers.  This is instructional.  We'll leave more aggressive play to our Competition League.

Double Teams are allowed.  Defenses can play man or zone defense,

Interceptions = change of possession only.  An interception cannot be advanced for a TD.  However an Interception does equal 2 points for the Defense and contributes to the total score.

Length of Game:  Games are 40 minutes in duration with (4) 10 minute quarters.  Half Time is 5 minutes.  Running Clock.  Each team gets (2) 1 minute Timeouts per half.

**Minimum Play Rule: Coaches are responsible for the substitution patterns.  However every player is guaranteed to play at least 1 quarter per half.  Exception: Competition League.  Coaches are free to substitute players at their own discretion.

After a Touchdown the offense has the option to go for "1" point from the 5 or "2" points from the 10.  Interceptions by the defense do count on extra points as well.

A unique feature of our league is the Field Goal.  We have no goal posts however a team has the option to attempt a field goal worth 3 points.  All attempts must occur only if the team's possession is on or past the middle of the field.  The down marker must be passed the middle.  Only 3 players allowed on the field during an attempt, Center, Holder & Kicker.  Snap must be between the legs, holder 7 yards back.  If the snap hits the ground the play is dead and opposing team takes possession from there.

The ball must successfully land between both officials at the 'rear' of the end zone.  Officials will be 10 yards apart.  **IF the attempt is not successful their will be a change of possession & the opposing team will take possession at the line of scrimmage where the attempt was made**  **Please note: this is a risk for the attempting team giving up valuable field position**

**Teams must supply their own field goal Tee block**

After a change of possession the opposing team will get the ball on the opposite side of the fields 5 yard line.

Competition League Rules vary slightly.  This will be 7 on 7.  7 defenders.  Offense is 6 players + center.  The center is not eligible for pass catching.  The offense may utilize a self snap & employ 7 players instead of 6.  But Quarterback would need to self snap at the Line of Scrimmage and take a minimum 3 step drop.

Competition League Time Clock is 3 seconds.  No pass rush.

Competition League defense can bump & run if desired.

No minimum play rules.  Coaches determine who plays and who doesn't.

Competition League Play will utilize a full 50 yard wide field x 50 yard length (half field)

Club Teams/HS Teams are allowed to wear their own Uniforms.  League Fees remain the same.

High School Teams/Club Teams/Travel Teams are free to register multiple teams from the same chapter/school/club.  We will simply name you a secondary color (example: Damien Green, Damien Gold) (REV Red, REV White) (TNT Red, TNT Black).  Each team is responsible for Team Fee.

High School Teams may also register Freshmen, JV & Varsity Teams as such.  And we will categorize you to the best of our ability to compete against other teams in the same category/age range.

High School & Club/Travel Team League Season duration is 5 weeks, 10 games total, 2 games per weekend