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Official 5 On 5
Flag Football Regulations
(Developed by the NFL)
What is Flag Football?
·
No Pads
·
No helmets
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No contact
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No tackling, blocking,
or diving
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Nothing but fun
Miola Flag
Football is a non-contact, 5-on-5 version of the exciting game played
by the great athletes of the NFL. Players of any age or size can enjoy
the passing, catching, and running action that happens in a flag
football game.
In Miola Flag
Football, teams use passes and runs to move the football downfield in
a series of “plays” or “downs.” A play ends when the ball carrier’s
flag is pulled from a belt around the waist.
Miola Flag
Football emphasizes participation and fun. Everyone plays and everyone
contributes in flag football, no matter how big or small or young or
old. It is a simple game that is easy and quick to learn. All you need
is a football and your imagination.
Now it’s time to….
PLAY FOOTBALL!
Miola Flag
Football, that is.
Rules – Miola Flag Football
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A coin
toss determines first possession
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The
offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has
three (3) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it
has three (3) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to
score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes
over on its 5-yard line.
·
If the
offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes
and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
·
All
possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s
5-yard line.
·
Teams
change sides after the first 20 minutes, but possession does not
change and the clock does not stop.
Players / Game
Schedules
·
Teams must
field a minimum of five (5) players at all times.
·
Teams
consist of 10 players (5 on the field with 5 substitutes).
Timing / Overtime
·
Games are
played to 40 minutes running time.
·
If the
score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into
overtime. The first team to score wins.
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Each time
the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams
will receive one warning before a delay-of –game penalty is enforced.
·
Each team
has one 60-second and one 30-second time out per half.
·
Officials
can stop the clock at their discretion.
Scoring
Touchdown:
6 points
Extra point:
1 point
(played from 5-yard line) or
2
points (played from 12-yard line)
Running
·
The
quarterback cannot run with the ball.
·
Only
direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense
may use multiple handoffs.
·
Absolutely
NO laterals or pitches of any kind.
·
“No-running zones,” located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on
either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short-yardage, power
running situations.
·
The player
who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of
scrimmage.
·
Once the
ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
·
Spinning
is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive
player (no diving.)
·
The ball
is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled,
not where the ball is.
Receiving
All players
are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball
has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
As in the
NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
A player must
have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
Passing
All passes
must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
Shovel passes
are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
The
quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown
within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is
handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
Interceptions
change the possession of the ball at the point of interception.
Interceptions are the only changes of possessions that do not start on
the 5-yard line.
Dead Balls
The ball must
be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
Substitutions
may be made on any dead ball.
Play is ruled
“dead” when:
Ball carrier’s flag is pulled
Ball
carrier steps out of bounds.
Touchdown
or safety is scored.
At the
point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
Ball
carrier’s knee hits the ground.
Ball
carrier’s flag falls out.
NOTE:
There are no fumbles. The ball is
spotted where the ball hits the ground.
Rushing the Quarterback
All players who
rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of
scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the
quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the
line of scrimmage.
Once the ball is
handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all
defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or
the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.
Sportsmanship/Roughing
In the field
monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap
shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, and the game will be
stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY WILL
NOT BE TOLRATED.
Trash talking is
illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language.
(Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing
players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee
will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be
ejected from the game.
Penalties
The referee will call all penalties.
Defense:
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Offside 5 yard and automatic first down
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Interference 10 yards and automatic first down
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Illegal contact 10 yards and automatic first down
(holding, blocking, etc.)
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Illegal flag pull 10 yards and automatic first down
(before receiver has ball)
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Illegal rushing 10 yards and automatic first down
(starting
rush from inside 7-yard maker)
Offense:
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Illegal motion 5 yards and loss of down (more
than one person moving,
false start,
etc.)
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Illegal forward pass 5 yards and loss of down (Pass
received behind line of
scrimmage)
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Offensive pass interference 10 yards and loss of down
(illegal pick play,
pushing off/away
defender)
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Flag guarding 10 yards (from line of scrimmage)
and loss of down
- Delay
of game Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down
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Referees determine
incidental contacts that may result from normal run of play. All
penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
·
Only the team captain
may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and
interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
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Games cannot end on a
defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
Attire
Cleats are allowed, except for metal
spikes. Inspections must be made. All players must wear a
protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
Official Miola
Flag jerseys must be worn during play.
NOTE:
There are no kickoffs, and no
blocking is allowed.
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