YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES

DEFINITIONS

• Flag Pull: Removal of at least one flag from the ball carrier’s belt

• Dead Ball: Play stops immediately; no advancement

• Line of Scrimmage (LOS): Spot of the ball before the snap

• Rush Zone: Designated area defenders must use to rush QB

• No-Run Zone: Area where running plays are prohibited

• Count: Referee count used to delay QB rush

ABSOLUTE SAFETY RULES (ALL DIVISIONS)

1. NO DIVING — ZERO TOLERANCE

Diving is prohibited in all situations:

• No diving for flags

• No diving into the end zone

• No diving for catches, interceptions, or loose balls

Penalty:

• Immediate whistle

• Ball dead at spot

• Second offense: removal for safety

2. NO CONTACT

• No tackling, pushing, tripping, charging, or intentional body contact

• No lowering shoulders

• No arm-wrapping

3. NO BLOCKING OR SCREENING

• Offensive players may not impede defenders

• Picks, screens, or shielding are illegal

4. NO FLAG GUARDING

• No stiff arms

• No swatting hands away

• No turning shoulders to shield flags

TEAMS, ROSTERS & SUBSTITUTIONS

• On-field: 5v5 (default) or 6v6 (league option)

• Roster limit: 10 players

• Minimum to start: 4 players

• Substitutions: Allowed only during dead balls

• Playing time rule: Each player must play at least 50% of the game

EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS

Required

• Flag belt with 2 or 3 flags (must be visible)

• Soft football (age-appropriate size)

Optional

• Mouthguards (recommended)

Prohibited

• Metal cleats

• Pads or helmets

• Jewelry, watches, hard casts

• Hoodies with pockets

Officials may remove unsafe equipment at any time.

FIELD & GAME STRUCTURE

• Field length: 40–80 yards (age-based)

• Field width: 20–30 yards

• End zones: 7–10 yards

Game Format

• Two 20-minute halves

• Running clock

• Halftime: 5 minutes

• One 30-second timeout per team per half

• No kickoffs

START OF PLAY & POSSESSION

• Coin toss determines first possession

• Ball starts at offense’s 5-yard line

• Teams switch possession at halftime

• No onside kicks

DOWNS & BALL ADVANCEMENT

• 4 downs to cross midfield

• 4 downs to score after midfield

• Failure = turnover on downs

• Ball spotted where flag is pulled or where feet are when flag is pulled

OFFENSIVE RULES

Snap

• Ball snapped between legs or side snap (league option)

• Illegal snap = dead ball

Passing

• One forward pass per play

• QB must be behind LOS

• One foot in bounds = legal catch

Running & Laterals

• Handoffs/laterals allowed behind LOS only

• No laterals beyond LOS

• No center sneaks

Motion

• One player may motion laterally

• No forward motion at snap

QB Running

• Governed by age division rules (see Article XIV)

DEFENSIVE RULES

• Flag pull = tackle

• If flags fall off unintentionally → one-hand touch = down

• No stripping ball from hands

• No contact with QB after pass

RUSHING RULES

• Rush rules vary by division

• Early rush = illegal rush (5 yards + automatic first down)

• Rushers must start from designated rush zone when required

INTERCEPTIONS

• Governed by division rules

• No laterals on interception returns

• No diving allowed during returns

SCORING

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Extra point:

  • 1 point (5 yards)

  • 2 points (10 yards)

• Safety: 2 points + possession

AGE & GENDER DIVISION RULES

BOYS

Ages 5–7

• Field: 40 yards

• Rush: none

• QB runs: none

• Interceptions: dead ball

• Coaches may assist on field

Ages 8–11

• Field: 50–60 yards

• Rush: after 3-count

• QB runs: after 3-count

• Interceptions: returnable

Ages 12–14

• Field: 60–70 yards

• Rush: designated rusher

• QB runs: after 2-count

• Interceptions: returnable

Ages 14–17

• Field: 70–80 yards

• Rush: live from rush zone

• QB runs: after 2-count

• Interceptions: returnable

GIRLS

Ages 5–8

• Field: 40–45 yards

• Rush: none

• QB runs: none

• Interceptions: dead ball

Ages 9–12

• Field: 50–60 yards

• Rush: after 3-count

• QB runs: after 3-count

• Interceptions: returnable

Ages 13–17

• Field: 60–70 yards

• Rush: live from rush zone

• QB runs: after 2-count

• Interceptions: returnable

NO-RUN ZONE

(LEAGUE OPTION)

• Inside 5 yards of end zone

• Must pass

• Recommended for all divisions 8+

PENALTIES

5 Yards

• False start

• Offside

• Illegal motion

• Delay of game

• Flag guarding

• Illegal rush

10 Yards

• Unsportsmanlike conduct

• Repeated safety violations

Automatic First Down

• Defensive holding

• Illegal contact

• Early rush

MERCY RULE

• 28-point lead → continuous clock

• Coaches rotate players

OVERTIME (PLAYOFFS)

• Each team gets one possession from midfield

• If tied → repeat or sudden death (league choice)

INJURY & WEATHER PROTOCOL

• Officials may stop play for injuries

• Injured player must sit out one play minimum

• Lightning or unsafe weather = immediate suspension

COACH, PARENT & SIDELINE CONDUCT

• Coaches control sideline behavior

• One warning → ejection policy

• Officials’ decisions are final

RULE AUTHORITY

League officials retain authority to:

• Interpret rules

• Modify rules for safety

• Remove players or spectators

ADDITIONAL SAFETY RULE — NO FUMBLES (ALL DIVISIONS)

— NO FUMBLES POLICY

To prioritize player safety, fairness, and continuous play, fumbles are not permitted in this league.

Definition

A fumble is defined as any loss of possession by the ball carrier before a flag is pulled, including:

• Dropping the ball while running

• Dropping the ball while changing hands

• Mishandling a handoff or lateral

• Losing control of the ball while being flagged

Rule Enforcement

• Any dropped or loose ball is immediately ruled dead

• The ball is spotted at the location where possession was lost

• No player may advance a loose ball

• Defense may not recover or advance a fumble

Special Situations

• Bad snap: Ball is dead at the spot of the snap

• Dropped handoff: Ball is dead at point of drop

• Dropped lateral (behind LOS): Ball is dead at point of drop

• Dropped pitch or exchange: Ball is dead immediately

End Zone

• A ball dropped before crossing the goal line is NOT a touchdown

• A ball dropped after crossing the goal line is a touchdown

• No diving is permitted to secure the ball in any scenario

Interceptions

• Interceptions remain live (unless division rules specify dead ball)

• If an interceptor drops the ball → play is dead at point of drop

Rationale

This rule:

• Eliminates pile-ups and unsafe scrambles

• Reduces injury risk

• Keeps play moving and age-appropriate

• Reinforces fundamentals (ball security without contact)