Intramural Flag Football 7–on–7 Rules

Team Requirements

• A team shall consist of 7 players.  A team can play with a minimum of 6 players.

• All players must give their PSU ID cards to the IM Assistant and be recorded on the game sheet before they are allowed to play.

• All games shall be played on the date and hour scheduled.  BE ON TIME.

• Each team is responsible for having a designated captain and only the captain may speak with the officials.

• Team representatives including players, spectators, team managers, coaches, and group members are subject to the rules.

Equipment and Facilities

• Teams must wear same colored shirts.  Shirts must be tucked in the players’ pants at all times.

• Each player must wear pants or shorts without any belts, belt loops, or exposed drawstrings.  Be advised that wearing anything with pockets may result n injury.

• All jewelry must be removed before participating.

• Equipment such as helmets, billed hats, pads or braces worn above the waist, leg and knee braces made of hard substances, or cast is prohibited.  Knee braces having a rubber or padded material will be allowed.

• Rubber cleated shoes are permitted.  No metal screw-in cleats, open toe, open heel, or hard-soled shoes will be allowed.

• Towels may not be worn.  A towel may be kept behind the play.

• Flag belts consisting of a ring looped belt and 2 flags will be provided by the IM Department.  Flags are Velcro tear-away flags.  Belts remain on the body.

• Kicking tees will be provided by the IM Department and are used for kickoffs at the beginning of each half.  A kick which goes out of bounds will be brought to the 20 yard line.

• Footballs will be provided by the IM Department.  Personal footballs may be used as long as both captains consent.

• Down markers will be used to keep track of downs.

• There will always be a 1-yard neutral zone on all plays.

• The 2 flag football fields are located behind the Educational Activities Building.  Field dimensions are 45 yards wide by 80 yards long.  Actual playing field length is 60 yards with a 10-yard end zone at each end.  Yard markings are every 10 yards. 

• Time and score will be kept by the on-site IM Assistants

Start of Game and Timing

• Toss of the Coin – 3 minutes before the start of the game, the IM Assistant will conduct a captain’s meeting with both captains and the officials.  The IM Assistant will designate one captain to call the toss.  The captain winning the toss shall have choice of options for the first half or shall defer their option to the second half.  The options are:
  • To choose whether his/her team will kick or receive
  • To choose the goal his/her team will defend.  The captain not having the first choice of option will exercise the remaining option.
• Games will consist of two 20 minute halves with a 3-minute half-time.  Timing will be continuous for the first 19 minutes of each half.  Only team and official time-outs can stop the clock.  Approximately one minute before the end of each half, the IM Assistant will stop the clock and inform the captains and officials of the time left on the clock.  The clock will start on the snap.
• If a team is leading by 17 points or more in the final 2 minutes of the game, the mercy rule will be put into effect and the game will be over.
• During the final minute of each half, the clock will stop for:
  • Incomplete legal or illegal forward pass – starts on the snap
  • Out of bounds – starts on the snap
  • Safety – starts when the free kick is legally touched
  • Team time-out – starts on the snap
  • First down – starts on the snap
  • Touchdowns – starts on the snap after the try
  • Penalties – starts on the snap
  • Touchback – starts on the snap
  • Inadvertent whistle – starts on the ready
  • Ball turned over on downs – starts on the snap
• One time-out per half is awarded each team.  It will not carry over to the next half.  Timeouts are 1 minute in length
• Substitutions are allowed between plays and during time-outs
• The ball must be put into play no more than 25 seconds after the official has placed the ball.  The play clock will be kept by the official

Game Logistics

• Each half begins with a kickoff

• The ball will be placed on the 10 yard line after every touchdown

• A team shall have 4 consecutive downs to cross the 30 yard line (mid-field) and another 4 consecutive downs to score a touchdown

Flag Removal

• When the flag is taken from the ball-holder, the down shall end and the ball is declared dead.  A player who removes the flag from the ball-holder should immediately hold the flag above his/her head to assist the official in locating the spot where the capture occurred. 

• If a flag inadvertently falls off, the play will be declared dead and the down will be replayed.
• A player may dive to remove a flag as long as no contact is made with the ball carrier
• A defensive player may not hold, push, or knock down the ball carrier in an attempt to remove the flag, nor shall an offensive player hold, block, or run through a defensive player who is trying to remove the flag.  Penalty:  Holding, 5 yards from end of play and replay down
• A defensive player may not remove an offensive player’s flag when the offensive player does not have the ball.  Similarly, the defensive player may not remove the quarterback’s flag after the ball has been thrown.  Penalty:  Illegal flag removal, 5 yards
• Defensive players must make a definitive effort to avoid charging into a passer after it is clear that the ball has been thrown and the defensive player may not make contact with the throwing arm.  Penalty:  Roughing the passer, 10 yards and automatic first down tacked on at the end of the play if positive yardage gained.  If not, 10 yards from the original spot and automatic first down
• A defensive player may not remove an offensive receiver’s flag prior to the receiver touching the ball.  Penalty:  Defensive pass interference, 5 yards and automatic first down
• A player may not fasten his flags illegally to the belt.  Penalty:  Illegal equipment, 10 yards
• Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to remove the flag.  This includes:
  • Placing or swinging the hand or arm over the flag to prevent an opponent from de-flagging
  • Placing the ball in possession over the flag to prevent de-flagging
  • Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag to prevent de-flagging
  • Stiff-arming to ward off an opponent

    Penalty:  Personal foul, 5 yards and replay down

Blocking – ABSOLUTELY NO 4-POINT STANCES AT LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

• Limited contact blocking will be permitted as such:

  • so that there is no sustained contact
  • so that there is no forced displacement
  • so that arms are not fully extended when making contact
• No downfield blocking may occur.  Penalty:  Personal Foul, 5-yard penalty and replay the down
• Absolutely no bull rushing or chop blocking.  Penalty:  Personal foul, 5-yard penalty and replay down

Putting the Ball in Play

• A kickoff from the 10 yard line begins each half to put the ball in play.  The ball may be placed on a kicking tee, on the ground, or on a holder’s toe.

• Other than the kick-offs, the ball will be put into play by a series of downs at the appropriate spot:

  • After a touchdown – 10 yard line
  • After a safety or touchback – 10 yard line
  • Overtime – 10 yard line

Position and Actin During the Snap

• Teams must always huddle before coming to the line of scrimmage. However, no-huddle plays can be run during the last minute of each half
• The offensive team must have at least 4 players within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap.  The remaining players can either also be on the scrimmage line or in the backfield line.  A player in motion is not considered to be on the line of scrimmage.  Penalty:  Illegal formation, 5 yards
• The center, after assuming the position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may not move nor change the position of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of a play.  The ball must be snapped in one continuous motion and can be done through the center’s legs or by a side snap.  The player receiving the snap must be 2 yards off the ball.  Direct snaps are illegal.  Penalty:  Illegal procedure, 5 yards
• The center has 25 seconds to snap the ball after declared ready for play by the referee.  Penalty:  Delay of game, 5 yards and loss of down
• All players other than the one in motion must be stationary.  Penalty:  Illegal Motion, 5 yards
• In a snap preceded by a huddle, all offensive players must come to a complete stop and remain stationary in legal position without movement of feet, body, head, or arms FOR AT LEAST ONE FULL SECOND BEFORE THE SNAP.  Penalty:  Illegal Shift, 5 yards
• Once the snapper has put his/her hands on the ball, it is encroachment for any player to break the scrimmage line plane.  Penalty:  Encroachment, 5 yards
• No offensive player shall simulate a charge or start of a play.  Penalty:  False start, 5 yards             

Passing the Ball

• All forward passes must occur behind the line of scrimmage.  Penalty:  Illegal forward pass, 5 yards
• All players are eligible to catch a pass
• The passer cannot intentionally ground the ball in order to avoid a sack.  Penalty:  5 yards and loss of down
• Pass receiver must come down with at least one foot in bounds for it to be a legal catch
• A catch by any kneeling or prone inbounds player is a completion (or interception)
• A loss of ball simultaneously with hitting the ground is not a catch or interception
• Pass interference will be called when:
  • Contact is made with an eligible receiver
  • A defender hinders the pass receiver’s vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept, or bat the ball even though no contact was made
  • A defender de-flags an eligible receiver before the receiver touches the ball

    Penalty:  Pass Interference, spot foul and automatic first down

Dead Ball

• A live ball becomes dead when:
  • the ball goes out of bounds
  • a legal de-flagging occurs
  • the ball carrier touches the ground with any part of their body other than the hands or feet (ball is part of the hands)
  • a touchdown, touchback, safety, or successful try is made
  • a forward pass strikes the ground
  • a foward pass is caught simultaneously by opposing players
  • the ball hits the ground due to a fumble, a muffed snap from the center (dead at the spot where the ball hit the ground) or a muff of a punt
  • an official inadvertently blows the whistle

Punts

• Punts must be announced before the down begins.  The kicking team must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage.  Punts may be thrown instead of an actual punt.

• Punts must be snapped from the center with the punter being at least 1 yard off the line of scrimmage upon receiving the snap

• Punt must be made immediately after receiving the snap.  Penalty:  Illegal Procedure, 5 yards

• There cannot be any movement by the offensive line until the ball is kicked.  Penalty:  5 yards

• Defensive players may not enter the neutral zone until the ball is kicked.  Penalty:  Encroachment, 5 yards

• Defensive players may jump to block the kick

• The ball may be run back if it touches the ground before touching a player

• A fumbled punt is dead at the spot where it touches the ground

• Quick kicks and fake punts are illegal.  Penalty:  Unsportsmanlike conduct, 10 yards

Scoring Plays and Touchbacks

• A touchdown is scored when the ball penetrates the vertical plane of the opponent’s goal line.  The body does not have to cross the goal line.

• A team is given the choice of going for 1 or 2 points after scoring a touchdown.  Once the captain makes the choice, it may be changed if a time out is called.  Ways of scoring a successful point-after attempt include:

  • Running or passing from the 3 yard line = 1 point
  • b.  Running or passing from the 10 yard line = 2 point
• If the opposing team intercepts the ball during a try and runs it back for a touchdown, they score 3 points
• After the try, the ball is placed on the 10 yard line to begin the next series of downs
• A safety is scored and is worth 2 points when:
  • A runner carries the ball from the field of play across his/her own goal line and it becomes dead there in his/her possession
  • A player on offense commits any foul for which the penalty is accepted and measurement is from a spot in his/her end zone.
• A touchback occurs when:
  • Receiver downs a punt that touches anything while the ball is on or behind receiver’s goal line
  • Kicking team downs a punt that touches anything while the ball is on or behind receiving team’s goal line, or if no attempts to secure the ball.
  • The ball is out of bounds behind a goal line
  • The ball becomes dead in possession of a player on or behind the player’s own goal line
  • The ball becomes dead NOT in possession on or behind the team’s own goal line and the attacking team is responsible
• After a touchback, the ball is placed on the 10 yard line

Tie Game Procedures

• Each team will have 2 opportunities to break a tie using the below format:
  • Field captains participate in a coin toss with the winner either opting to be on offense or defense
  • Each team will be given 2 downs from the same 10 yard line to score a touchdown
  • The extra point must be a 2-point try
  • Should both teams score, then the process is repeated until a winner is declared
  • If the defensive team intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown, the game will be over with the defensive team being the winner.
  • Each team is entitled to 1 time-out per overtime period

Player Conduct

• It is illegal to steal or attempt to strip the ball from a player in possession.  The object of the game is to de-flag a ball carrier, not to strip the ball.  Penalty:  5 yards from the end of the run

• Roughing the passer – covered under 5.6

• The following acts are prohibited.  Penalty:  Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards.  If flagrant, the offender will be disqualified from the game. 

  • Intentionally kicking the ball
  • Intentionally kicking another player
  • Intentionally swinging an arm, hand or fist at another player
  • Disrespectfully addressing an official or IM Assistant
  • Intentionally physically contacting a game official
  • Continuous use of foul language or gestures
  • Taunting and/or spiking the ball
  • Tripping an opponent
  • Clipping
  • Tackling the runner
  • Deliberately running into either an offensive or defensive player
• Any player who is ejected from a game, must sit out for his/her next game

Officials

• Every game will have at least 2 officials
• Officials are responsible for knowing the above rules
• All officials make mistakes – Live with it!
• IM Assistants will aid in resolving disputes

REMINDER – THIS IS A LIMITED–CONTACT FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

All participants assume the risk of injury. Players should have personal accident insurance. It is the team captain’s responsibility to inform teammates of this!

REVIEW OF PENALTIES

DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:

• Holding –  5 yards from end of play and replay down
  Holding, pushing, or making contact with ball carrier when attempting to remove the flag
• Illegal Flag Removal – 5 yards from end of play and replay down
  Removing the flag of a non-ball carrier
  Removing the quarterback’s flag after the ball has been thrown
• Roughing the Passer – 10 yards and automatic first down tacked on at the end of play if positive yardage was gained.  Otherwise, 10 yards from the original spot and automatic first down
  Making contact with the passer after it is clear that the ball has been thrown
• Defensive Pass Interference - Spot foul and automatic first down
  Removing the flag of a receiver before he touches the ball
  Making contact with an eligible receiver
  Hindering the vision of a receiver without making an attempt to catch, intercept, or bat the ball
• Personal Foul – 5 yards and replay down
  Improper screen blocking (making more than coincidental contact with opponent;
  taking a position closer than a normal step or 2); bull rushing; chop blocking
• Illegal Contact – 5 yards from end of run.
  Deliberately stripping the ball from the opponent (the idea is to de-flag the ball carrier, not to strip the ball)
• Encroachment – 5 yards and replay down
  Entering the neutral zone before the snap
  Entering the neutral zone before a punt is kicked 
• Unsportsmanlike – Offensive and Defensive as outlined in the rules = 10 yards and loss of down

OFFENSIVE PENALTIES:

• Delay of Game – 5 yards and loss of down
  Not snapping the ball within 25 seconds of the ready.
• Holding – Loss of 5 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of the down
  Running, holding, or blocking a defensive player who is trying to remove a flag
• Illegal Equipment – 10 yards and loss of down
  Fastening of flag onto belt other than using the Velcro tabs
• Personal Foul – 5 yards and replay down
  Flag guarding
  Holding, pushing, or knocking down a defensive player
  Illegal screening
• Offensive Pass Interference – 5 yards and loss of down
  Pushing, holding or contacting a defender as he/she attempts to intercept a pass
• Illegal Formation – 5 yards and replay down
  Not having 4 players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped
• Illegal Procedure – 5 yards and replay down
  Shifting of motion by the center as if in putting the ball in play
  Not punting the ball in a continuous motion after receiving the snap
• Illegal Shift – 5 yards and replay down
  All players with the exception of the one allowed in motion (who can only be
  Moving laterally and not forward) must be completely stationary for at least
  1 second before the ball is snapped
• False Start – 5 yards and replay down
  Offensive player simulating a start of play
• Illegal Motion – 5 yards and replay down
  Players moving other than the one permitted to be in motion
• Encroachment – 5 yards and replay down
  Entering the neutral zone before the snap
• Illegal Forward Pass – 5 yards and replay down
  Passing the ball after crossing the line of scrimmage
• Intentional Grounding – 5 yards and loss of down
  Intentionally grounding the ball in order to avoid a sack

Rev. 8/14/09