Worcester State University Indoor Flag Football Rules
Game, Field, Players, Equipment
1. All players must present their OneCard to be eligible to participate. No exceptions.
2. Pants or shorts with BELT LOOPS or POCKETS are prohibited. Shirts must be tucked in to pants during play.
3. The game shall be played between two teams of 6 players each on a rectangular field. Each team must have 4 players on the field in order to begin and continue the game.
4. The field is divided into 2 zones represented by half court. End zones start with the baseline and end with the sideline of the smaller basketball court.
5. The use of protective gear with hard, unyielding metal is prohibited.
6. Athletic shoes must be worn.
7. Head gear with knots or brims are prohibited. Doo-rags, winter hats and other material without hard pieces are acceptable. Soft head gear (ie rugby helmets) is permitted.
8. The Intramural Sports Staff will provide footballs and flags.
Periods, Time Factors, Substitutions
1. The winner of the pre-game toss shall have the first choice of options:
A. Offense/defense
B. Which goal to defend
C. To defer their choice of A or B until the second half
2. A game shall consist of 2 halves with a 3-minute intermission. Each half shall consist of 15 minutes. The clock will run continuously until the last 2-minutes of the second half. During the last 2 minutes of the second half, the clock will stop such as in college football:
A. Penalties
B. Scoring Plays
C. Incomplete passes/out of bounds
D. Injured players
E. Conversions
3. Mercy Rule: If a team is ahead by the following amounts at that given time the game is over:
36 points with 10:00 left
19 points with 2:00 left
4. Each team is allowed one timeout (one minute) per half. The clock will stop during timeouts. Timeouts do not carry over.
5. Free substitutions are allowed after any whistle provided the substitution does not delay the game. However, no offensive substitute may enter unless he joins the huddle and is part of the huddle at the time when it breaks.
6. The offensive team has 25 seconds to put the ball in play after the referee signals “ready for play.” The offensive team is responsible for retrieving the ball after each play
Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out-Of-Bounds
1. The ball is declared dead when the ball touches the ground:
A. On a fumble
B. On a lateral
C. On a pass
D. After touching a player on a punt
2. The sideline and end lines are considered out of bounds. (Only one foot needs to touch in bounds in order for a pass to be complete.)
3. Once an offensive or defensive player steps out of bounds, that player is no longer eligible to touch the ball.
Series of Downs, Number of Downs
In a series of 4 downs, the ball must be advanced forward into the next zone of half court in order for a new series of downs to be awarded. A penalty which leaves the ball in possession of a team beyond its zone line-to-gain, or when a penalty stipulates a first down, the down and distance established by that penalty shall be a first down with the next zone line-to-gain.
Kicking the Ball
If a punt is to be made, the team punting must announce it before the down starts. After the announcement, the punt must actually be made, and neither team may move until after the ball has been punted. Defensive and offensive teams must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage until the punt is made. After receiving the ball the punter must put the ball in play within 5 seconds. Quick kicks are illegal. After a score, the ball will be placed on the opponent’s free throw line to start the next series of downs.
Snapping, Handling, and Passing the Ball
1. The ball may be snapped between the legs or to the side of the snapper. If the ball touches the ground on the snap, the play is dead at the spot of the ball.
2. The player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards behind the offensive scrimmage line. Direct snaps are always illegal.
3. It is defensive pass interference if an eligible receiver is de-flagged prior to touching the ball on a forward pass attempt.
4. The offensive team must have a minimum of one (1) player on the line of scrimmage. A player in motion does not count. Only one offensive player may be in motion at the snap, and the motion must not be towards the opponent’s goal line.
5. All players are eligible for a forward pass. The passer may pass from anywhere behind the LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
6. The passer shall not intentionally ground the ball in order to avoid a sack.
7. If a ball is simultaneously caught by members of opposing teams in bounds, the ball becomes dead at the spot of the catch and belongs to the offensive team.
Scoring Plays and Touchbacks
1. After a touchdown, all tries will be worth one point and will take place from the free throw line. If the defensive team intercepts the ball during a try, they score one point.
2. Play after safety – After a safety is scored, the team that is awarded 2 points will automatically gain possession at their own free throw line.
Penalties
1. 5 yard penalties: Dead Ball
i. False Start
ii. Encroachment
iii. Delay of game
iv. Illegal Snap
v. Illegal Pass (Backward)
2. 5 yard penalties: Live Ball
i. Illegal motion
ii. Player out of bounds when the ball is snapped
iii. Illegal shift
iv. Illegal Substitution
v. Illegal forward pass- Loss of Down
vi. Player receiving the snap within two yards of the line of scrimmage
vii. Offensive player not within 15 yards of the ball
viii. Not enough players on the line of scrimmage
ix. Failure to legally attach flags
3. 10 yard penalties:
i. Quick Kick
ii. Offensive Pass Interference-Loss of Down
iii. Defensive Pass Interference-Automatic First Down
iv. Unsportsmanlike player conduct
v. Personal Foul (Stiff Arm)
vi. Intentional Grounding-Loss of Down
vii. Strip or attempt to strip the ball
viii. Hurdling any player
ix. Illegal Contact
x. Roughing the Passer
xi. Illegal Participation (too many players or illegal entry prior to pass catch)
xii. Flag Guarding
Player Conduct
1. It is illegal to steal or attempt to steal (strip) the ball from a player in possession. The object of the game is to de-flag a ball carrier, not steal the ball.
2. Roughing the passer – Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer after it is clear that the ball has been thrown and may not make contact with the throwing arm
3. Guarding the flag belt – Ball carriers shall not guard their flags by blocking, with arms, hands, or ball, the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the flag belt.
4. The defensive player shall not (intentionally or accidentally) hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when in the act of removing the flag belt.
6. The offensive screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind his/her back. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs, or body to initiate contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal.
7. Defensive players must go around the offensive player’s screen block. The arms and hands may not be used as a wedge to contact the opponent.
Flag Belt Removal
1. Players must have possession of the ball before they can be deflagged legally by an opponent when a runner loses his/her flag belt either accidentally or on purpose, play continues. The deflagging reverts to a one hand tag of the runner between the shoulders and knees of the opponent. In circumstances where a flag belt is removed illegally, play should continue with the option of the penalty or the play.
2. An opponent intentionally pulling a flag belt without the ball is illegal
3. Tampering with the flag belt in any way to gain an advantage including tying, using foreign materials, or other such acts is illegal.