Flag FootballRules Clinic

MISSOURI S&T INTRAMURALS

WWW.CAMPUSREC.NEU.EDU

Basics of Officiating

• Preparation– Being on time (15 minutes prior to

1st scheduled game)• Proper Dress/Equipment

– Whistle, Shorts or Sweat pants, Tucked in shirt, Forward Hat (if worn)

– Knowledge of Rules– Pre-Game Conference– Determine the play style of teams

• Safety/Risk Management– Check Fields– Check Equipment– Check Players– Stop game if needed– Eject Players if needed

• Positioning– Hustle and Be in Position– Proper coverage/Keep all players

in sight• Judgment

– Communication– Preventative Officiating

• Determine if players are playing the ball or other players

– Pace determined by teams– Keep flow of game uninterrupted

• Incidental contact

www.mst.edu/~ima

Basics of Officiating

• Improvement/Evaluation– Post-Game– Work on 1-2 things to improve

each game– Mentor others or ask questions

to experienced officials• Praise in public, criticize

privately– Get more game experience– Promotions

• Being the head official• Working more competitive

games

• Mechanics/Calls– Make the basic calls

• Don’t look for insignificant or rare calls

– Confidence/Use of Voice• Whistle and Crisp mechanics

– Work on signals

• Rapport with Players– Command Respect but be

respectful– Communicate with captain– Warn players before ejecting– Don’t socialize with one group over

another

www.mst.edu/~ima

Field Layout• The field is split into four zones:

End zone to 20 YL, 20 YL to 40 YL,40 YL to 20 YL, 20 YL to End zone

Game Length and Time• The game consists of two 20-

minute halves with a running clock, except for the last 2 minutes of the second half

• In the last 2 minutes of second half, the clock will stop for:– Incomplete passes, out of bounds,

penalties, change of possessions, scores, and first downs

• The clock will always stop for Timeouts

• The Mercy Rule is applied when a team leads by 19 points or more in the second half at the 2 minute warning

END OF THE GAME SIGNAL

Scoring

Touchdown = 6 pts

A Touchdown is scored when the nose of the ball crosses the Goal Line in the possession of the offense or a receiver catches the ball in the End Zone.

Six points will be awarded followed by the try-for-points.

TOUCHDOWN SIGNAL

Extra PointsExtra Point Attempts:

– 1 point (3 yard line)– 2 points (10 yard line)– 3 points (20 yard line)

An intercepted try-for-point that is returned for a Touchdown is

always worth 3 points.

Safety = 2 points

SAFETY SIGNAL

Rules of the Game• Each team may field 7

players at a time– A minimum of 5 players is

required in order to start and finish a game

• There is NO CONTACT ALLOWED!

Incidental contact may occur because of the nature of the game, but our goal is to limit contact to an absolute minimum

Rules of the Game• Teams have 4 downs to advance

the ball to the next zone line-to-gain or to score

• Possessions start on X line or 14 yard line at the beginning of each half, and after scores

• A team must elect whether or not to punt on 4th Down– Can only be changed by a timeout FIRST DOWN SIGNAL

Pre-Game Duties: Equipment• Jewelry is not allowed

to be worn by any participant during an Intramural event

• Jewelry cannot be taped or covered with a band-aid– Medical Alert bracelets or

necklaces must be taped down

• There are NO EXCEPTIONS!

• NO POCKETS, belts, belt loops, or exposed drawstrings

Pre-Game Duties: Equipment• No knots or hard billed hats• Arm holes must be less than 4’’• Matching colored jerseys, tucked

in or cut 4 inches above the waist• A one-piece flag belt with three

flags permanently attached is provided, it should be worn with a flag on each side and one in the center of the back

• Pants or shorts must be a different color than the flags

• Any and all dangerous equipment must be removed or properly covered prior to participation

FAILURE TO WEAR REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

SIGNAL

Captains Meeting• This is to be done every game at least 5

minutes prior to the start of the game– DO FOR ALL PLAYERS THE FIRST WEEK

• Set The Tone For The Entire Game– This is the first opportunity to let the teams

know what kind of game to expect– Take control but don’t be pushy– Have fun but make sure you are taken

seriously

Captains Meeting• Each crew member

should introduce themselves and their position

• Remind Captains that:– The clock only stops in the

last 2 minutes of the second half (aside from timeouts)

– Each team has two timeouts per half (1 in overtime)

– They are the representative of the team that is allowed to talk to the officials about rule interpretations and questions

– They are responsible for the conduct of their team

Answer any questions, wish both teams a good game, and administer the coin toss

Coin Toss• Toss of the Coin-Three minutes before the start of the

game, the referee will conduct a captain's meeting in which he or she will designate which captain shall call the toss of the coin. 

• The captain winning the toss will have a choice of options for the first half or shall defer his/her option to the second half: – to choose whether his or her team will start on offense or defense.– to choose the goal his or her team will defend– The captain, not having the first choice of options for a half, shall

exercise the remaining option.– Please clarify with teams that if the other team defers they will have

the option of having the ball at the beginning of the second half.

PASS / RUN PLAYS11

R

LJ

BJ

3 person pass/run coverage

GOAL LINE PLAYSGG

R

LJ

BJ

3 person goal line coverage

KICK COVERAGE PLAYS11

R

LJ

BJ

PASS / RUN PLAYS11

R

LJ

BJ

FJ

4 person pass/run coverage

GOAL LINE PLAYSGG

R

LJ

BJ

FJ

4 person goal line coverage

KICK COVERAGE PLAYS11

R

LJ

BJ

FJ

Referee• Maintain the tempo of the game

– 7 and 7 away from deepest back• Communicate with the rest of the

officiating crew• Set the pucks and announce the

down and line to gain• Blow the ready for play whistle

and begin the play clock count• Count the offensive flag belts and

give the proper signal to the Line Judge

• Cover the Goal Line and End Line if needed

• Keep your eyes on your area– Watch and follow the QB – even after

the ball has been releasedFIRST DOWN SIGNAL

R

7 7 yards outsideyards outside

7 7 yards behindyards behindQBQB

R POSITION – RUN / PASS PLAYSR POSITION – RUN / PASS PLAYS

Line Judge• Mark the new of line of scrimmage• Chop in the Referee to set the

pucks• Count the offensive flag belts and

give the proper signal to the Referee

• Communicate with the Field Judge who is covering the Line to Gain

• As the offense and defense line up, mark the offense line of scrimmage with your foot and raise the down on the same hand

• Once everyone is in legal position, announce that the “Line is set!” and chop it in

• Watch your area and move with the play accordingly

SECOND DOWN SIGNAL

LJ

LJ POSITION – RUN / PASS PLAYSLJ POSITION – RUN / PASS PLAYS

QBQB

33

1 2 43

Field Judge• Display the down• Initial position when starting

possessions, 8-12 yards down field– Past 20 yd line on 1st & 2nd downs, come

back to zone line on 3rd & 4th• Communicate to the Line Judge who is

covering the zone line to gain or the goal line (‘My line’, ‘Your line’, ‘Split’, or ‘Bump’)

– Explanation of terms• Count the defensive flag belts and give

the proper signal to the Back Judge• Be prepared to move with the play and

spot the end of the play at all times

THIRD DOWN SIGNAL

Back Judge• Display the down• Count the defensive flag belts and

give the proper signal to the field judge

• Watch your area and be in position for long runs or passes– Cover goal line or end line in goal line

situations• Pick one line or the other

• Do not get beat back by any players – your first step should always be backwards

FOURTH DOWN SIGNAL

The Mobile Box

Ready for Play• After the Referee has

announced the down and line to gain, the ‘ready for play’ whistle will be blown

• This is the signal that the ball is ready to be put into play

• Meaning, the offense will have 25 seconds, counted silently by the referee, to snap the ball or be penalized for delay of game

READY FOR PLAY SIGNAL

Delay of Game

• The following delay-of-game fouls carry a 5 yard penalty:– Violating the 25 second count– Snapping the ball before it is marked ready for

play– Failure to properly wear legal or required

player equipment when the ball is about to become live

Pre-Snap: Line is Set• The offensive team must have at

least 4 players on the line of scrimmage– Live Ball Penalty (Simult. w/

Snap)• All players must be within 15

yards of the ball before the snap (unless a defensive player is engaged against offensive player outside of hash marks)

• Live ball penalty (Simultaneous w/ Snap)

• Once the ball is set, no player may enter the neutral zone If all those necessary rules are met than If all those necessary rules are met than

the Line Judge will determine that the the Line Judge will determine that the “line is good” and the ball may be “line is good” and the ball may be

snapped legallysnapped legally

Pre-Snap: Motion• One offensive player may

be in motion at the time of the snap, but not in motion toward the opponent's goal line.

• If multiple players are in motion, all must set before the ball is snapped. A single player may then go back into motion for the snap. ILLEGAL SHIFT (BOTH HANDS) or ILLEGAL

MOTION (ONE HAND) SIGNAL

The Snap• The ball must be snapped off

of the ground behind the line of scrimmage

• The ball may be side-snapped; it does not have to go through the snapper’s legs– Feet must be behind the ball

when snapped• Use preventative officiating by

R & LJ• The player who receives the

snap must be at least 2 yards behind the Line of Scrimmage– Live ball penalty (Simult. w/

Snap)DELAY OF GAME SIGNAL

Passing• Only one legal forward

pass is allowed per down.– An Illegal Pass occurs

when:– The passers foot is over

the line of scrimmage– There is more than one

forward pass per down

• Every player is an eligible receiver

• Any player may hand, pass, or lateral the ball backwards at any time, any number of times– The ball may also be

handed forward

Passing• On an incomplete pass,

there should be one whistle, and one signal– Dual coverage areas may

have 2 whistles & signals

• If there is a backwards pass, yell “Back” and give the backward pass signal– If in doubt…the pitch was

back

INCOMPLETE PASS SIGNAL

Balls AwayIf the passer is de-flagged before releasing

the ball, he has been sacked by theDefense, and the Referee marks the spot

until the line judge can cover the spot.

If the passer releases the ball before the defender de-flags them the Referee

should yell, “Ball’s Away!” This denotes that the pass attempt has gone

forward and may be legally caught.

Running• Once a player receives

possession of the ball they become a runner:– Runners may not cover or

guard their flags in any way– Runners cannot stiff arm– Runners cannot charge

into or bowl over an opponent

– Hurdling is not allowed– Spinning is legal

Flag Belt Removal• Players must have

possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged by an opponent

• When a runner loses their flag belt accidentally play will continue

• The runner can be ‘downed’ by a one (1) hand touch between the shoulders and knees

Punting the Ball

• A punt is only legal when it has been declared.– usually on 4th down.– the offensive captain may request to punt on any

down.

• The offensive team must meet the minimum line players requirement.

• Neither team may cross their scrimmage line until the ball is kicked.

Punting the Ball

• If a Team R player blocks the kick and:– it strikes the ground, the ball is dead and

belongs to R.– it is caught by Team K behind the offensive

team’s scrimmage line, K may advance the ball.

– it is caught by Team K beyond the offensive team’s scrimmage line, the ball is dead and belongs to K.

Punting the Ball

• If an untouched punt strikes the ground it remains live until Team K downs the ball or Team R recovers and advances it.

• Once a punt is touched, it is dead when it next strikes the ground and belongs to R.

Punting the Ball• Team K may not punt

the ball to a teammate.

• Team K may not punt the ball beyond the offensive team’s scrimmage line.– The penalty for both is

illegal kick which is penalized 10 yards using “all-but-one.”

• If K interferes with R’s opportunity to catch the kick, R has 3 options:– the result of the play;– a 10 yard penalty from

the previous spot and replay of the down; or

– an awarded catch at the spot of the foul (no distance penalty).

Fouls During Punts

• With the exception of kick-catch interference, penalties for all fouls by Team K during a punt are enforced from the previous spot.

• Penalties for Team R fouls during punts are enforced from the previous spot unless the foul is governed by post-scrimmage kick enforcement rules.

First Touching• Team K may not be the first to touch a kick

beyond the offensive team’s scrimmage line.– If they do, it is a violation for first touching. This spot

should be marked with a bean bag.• Once Team K may legally touch a kick, they may

recover it.• If first touching occurs, Team R may take

possession of the ball at the spot of first touching unless Team R touches the ball and thereafter commits a foul or any penalty against either team is accepted.

Marking the End of the Play• The end of the run is spotted where the

BALL is when the runner is de-flagged– NOT where the players body is or where the

flags are • Since there is no contact and no forced

fumbles, a player may reach out with the ball to gain extra yardage

• Mark the end of the run with the downfield foot and the same arm in the air, displaying the next down

Extending a Period• A period is extended if, during the last timed down:

– there is an accepted penalty for a live-ball foul not penalized as a dead-ball foul and does not include loss of down

– there are offsetting fouls– there is an inadvertent whistle– a touchdown is scored

• the period is extended for the try, unless the touchdown is scored as time expired in the 2nd half and the point(s) would not affect the outcome of the game

• the period is not extended further when the defense fouls during a successful try and the offended team accepts the result of the play with enforcement of the penalty from the succeeding spot

• If any of the above scenarios occur during the untimed down, the period will be further extended

Live Ball• “A Dead Ball, after it is declared ready for

play, becomes a Live ball when it is legally snapped”– The ball becomes Live when it is snapped

• When a runner has possession– A receiver becomes a runner once they catch

the ball• A pass or fumble that has not yet touched

the ground is a loose live ball

Dead BallThe ball becomes dead when:

– The runner is de-flagged or tagged– The ball goes out of bounds– Points are scored– The ball hits the ground as a result

of an incomplete pass, ‘fumble’, muffed ball, bad snap, lateral, backward pass, etc.

– Any part of the runner other than their hands or feet touches the ground

• The ball is considered a part of the hand

An officials whistle An officials whistle will always signal that will always signal that

the ball is deadthe ball is dead

DEAD BALL SIGNAL

Fumbles• There are no fumbles in

Flag Football

• The ball will be spotted where it contacts the ground

• Failed backward passes that touch the ground are considered fumbles

• A player may not intentionally fumble to gain yards

THE BALL WILL BE DECLARED DEAD WHEN IT HITS THE GROUND ON A FUMBLE

Two Minute Mechanics• Until the final 2 minutes of the

second half, the clock will run stopping only for Time-Outs

• The clock will stop for the Two Minute Warning– May be under 2 minutes

when blown by R

START THE CLOCK / CLOCK IS RUNNING SIGNAL

• The clock will now be run according to stop time based on NCAA rules

• Communication, signals, and mechanics are key to keeping the crew on the same page

STOP THE CLOCK SIGNAL

Two Minute MechanicsThe clock will stop for a:

– Incomplete legal/illegal forward pass: starts on snap

– Out-of-bounds: starts on snap– Safety: starts on snap– Team time-out: starts on snap– 1st Down: depends on

previous play– Touchdown: starts on the

snap (after PAT)– Penalty & Administration:

depends on previous play (Exception: Delay of game: starts on snap)

– Referee’s time-out: starts at discretion

– Touchback: starts on snap

The clock will stop for a:– Team A awarded a new

series: depends on previous play

– Team B is awarded a new series: starts on snap

– Either team is awarded a new series following a legal punt: starts on snap

– Team attempting to conserve time illegally: starts on ready

– Team attempting to consume time illegally: starts on snap

– Inadvertent whistle: starts on ready

Momentum RuleWhen a player gains possession between their own 5 yard

line and the goal line and their momentum carries them into their end zone, if the ball then becomes dead, via fumble or de-flagging, the team with possession will receive the ball at the spot where possession was

initially gained.

• A player is not penalized when their momentum carries them into their own end zone; it will not be a safety

• In IM Football this is common on interceptions of long passes

Penalties and EnforcementTypes of Penalties:

– Dead Ball (Blow Whistle, Throw Flag straight up in air,

Stop the Play)

– Live Ball (Throw Flag at spot of foul, NO WHISTLE, Play continues)

– Simultaneous with the Snap (Throw Flag straight up in air, NO WHISTLE, Play continues)

• A team always has the choice whether to Accept or Decline the yardage of a penalty

Enforce all penalties in the order they

occurred

LOSS OF DOWN SIGNAL

5 Yard Penalties– False Start or Encroachment (Dead Ball)– Illegal Snap (Dead Ball)– Delay of Game (Dead Ball)– Offensive Illegal Motion or Illegal Shift– Player Receiving the snap within 2 yards of

the Scrimmage Line– Intentional Grounding (Loss of Down)– Illegal Forward Pass (Loss of Down)

10 Yard Penalties• Illegal Contact• Flag Guarding• Illegal Player Equipment• Personal Fouls• Roughing the Passer ( Automatic 1st)• Offensive Pass Interference (Loss of Down)• Defensive Pass Interference (Automatic 1st)• Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Dead Ball Fouls• False Start• Illegal Snap• Encroachment• Delay of Game

• Leaving the field on the wrong side

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Whistle is blown immediately and the flag is thrown up in the air

• Enforced from the Succeeding Spot (the spot where the ball will be snapped from next)

• Usually called by the Referee or the Line Judge

Penalties: Live Ball Fouls• Can happen during both running plays and

loose ball plays• Whistle IS NOT BLOWN on any live ball

foul!• Throw your penalty flag at the spot of the

foul and keep following the play• Do not assume that there will be only one

live ball foul, do not stop watching

Let Your Mind Digest What Your Eyes Have Seen

“Decisions must beinstantaneous and a

ruling announced withminimal delay.

Ensure improvedinstinctive reactionsto play situations by

reviewing all possiblecombinations of

circumstances beforeeach game.

LET YOUR MIND DIGESTWHAT YOUR EYES HAVE

SEEN.”

Penalty Enforcement• The Basic Spot of enforcement is determined

by the type of play when the foul is committed – Running plays End of the Run – Loose Ball plays Preceding Spot (original LOS)– Dead Ball fouls Succeeding Spot

(the spot where the ball will be snapped from next)– Simultaneous to the Snap fouls Succeeding Spot– Unsportsmanlike Conduct Succeeding Spot

Penalties and Enforcement• If two live ball penalties occur on one

team, the other team must choose which penalty to accept

• If live ball penalties occur on each team (does not matter how many) and are accepted, penalties will offset and the down will be replayed

• If a live ball penalty occurs followed by a dead ball penalty, both penalties will be enforced

Penalties and Enforcement• The line-to-gain will always be established

after the ready for play whistle has been blown

• Dead Ball penalties that occur after the whistle will not affect the down or line to gain

• Penalties on the Defense on scoring plays will be assessed on the subsequent try for point or down, if accepted

All But One PrincipleAny foul committed by the

offense behind the basic spot of enforcement is administered

from the spot of the foul.

REMEMBER THIS RULE!!!

Flag Guarding “Runners shall not flag guard by using

their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to

pull or remove the flag belt”

Examples include:– Placing or swinging the hand or arm over

the belt– Placing the ball in possession over the

flag belt– Lowering the shoulders in such a

manner which places the arm over the belt

Penalty: 10 yards from the spot of the foul

FLAG GUARDING SIGNAL

Flag Guarding ?

Screen Block & Illegal Contact• This is a NON-CONTACT sport, and while there

may be incidental contact due to the nature of the sport itself, it is to be avoided as much as possible

• Time and Space are both factors that are considered in determining who is responsible for the contact

• No player may use their hands or arms to gain an advantage on another player

Screen BlockingA blocker musthave their arms behind them or at their side and may not initiate contact with the runner.

The blocker is entitled to their space as well; the runner cannot go through them, they must go

around the blocking player.

Encroachment• Once the line is set, no

player may:– Break the scrimmage line

plane– Encroach the neutral zone, – Touch the ball (other than the

snapper), – Touch any opposing players

• This a Dead Ball Foul• 5 Yard Penalty

ENCROACHMENT SIGNAL

False Start• No Offensive player shall

simulate the start of a play. This includes ‘jumping the snap’ or encroaching the neutral zone prior to the snap

• This is a Dead Ball Foul• 5 Yard Penalty

FALSE START SIGNAL

Illegal Snap• The snap must be one

continuous motion off of the ground

• Snapper may not snap to themselves

• This is a Dead Ball Foul• Player receiving the snap must

be 2 yards off the Line of Scrimmage– Live Ball (Simult. w/ Snap)

• 5 Yard PenaltyILLEGAL PROCEDURE

SIGNAL

Pass InterferenceThere are two types of Pass

Interference:

• Offensive – 10 yards from previous

spot + Loss of Down

• Defensive – 10 yards from previous

spot + Automatic First Down

Interference – Anything other than a “bona fide attempt to reach,

catch, or bat a pass”

This includes hindering an opponents vision or “face

blocking”

Unsportsmanlike ConductExamples include:• Dissent• Taunting• Spiking or Kicking the ball• Illegal Equipment• Swearing• Deception or Unfair Acts• Certain Personal Fouls UNSPORTSMANLIKE SIGNAL

Unsportsmanlike Conduct is penalized by a loss of 10 yards

Player Ejection• 2 UC penalties on one

player in a game = DQ

• 3 UC penalties on a team in a game = Forfeiture

• Flagrant Unsportsmanlike Penalties, such as unnecessary roughness and fighting, will result in instant player disqualification

EJECTION SIGNAL

Special Penalty Enforcements– Automatic First downs Penalties: Defensive Pass

Interference, Roughing the Passer

– Loss of Down Penalties: Illegal Forward Pass, Illegally Secured Flag Belt, Offensive Pass Interference, Intentional Grounding

– Roughing the Passer = Succeeding Spot

– Half the Distance - A penalty can never move the ball more than half the distance to any Goal Line, this usually occurs when within either 20YL

Reporting a FoulOnce the play is over:

– Blow your whistle with two short, loud blasts to get the referee’s attention so they don’t move the cones

– Make sure the end of the run is being marked by another official (the final official should also guard the penalty flag on the field so that it is not moved)

– Quickly tell the referee the foul, the team, and the spot where it happened

Referee Penalty EnforcementThe Referee will . . .

– Confer with the official that threw the flag– Give a preliminary signal (pantomime) of

what the foul was and what team committed it

– Inform the offended captain of the foul and their options

– Mark off the penalty yardage and move the pucks

– Announce the penalty (both verbally and with the mechanic)

– Announce the down and the new line to gain PERSONAL FOUL SIGNAL

“If In Doubt Rules”1. If in doubt, the pass isbackward.

2. If in doubt, the ball isreleased.

3. If in doubt, the playerreceiving the snap is twoyards back.

4. If in doubt, the pass islegal.

5. If in doubt, the snap closeto the ground remains live.

6. If in doubt, the player is on the scrimmage line.

7. If in doubt, the passeris behind the Team Ascrimmage line.

8. If in doubt, it is not a foul.

9. If in doubt, it is atouchback.

10. If in doubt, it is a catch.