NFL/EFAF International Rules for 5-on-5 Non-contact Flag Football
- THIS EVENT IS NON-CONTACT , BLOCKING IS NOT ALLOWED.
- A coin toss determines first possession. Losers of coin toss have choice of field end.
- Loser of coin toss gets possession at the beginning of the second half starting at its own 5 yard line.
- The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross mid field. Once a team crosses mid field, it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown. If the offence fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on it's 5 yard line. Automatic first down by penalty will over rule the other requirements regarding four (4) plays to make either a first down or score.
- If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts it's drive from it's five yard line.
- All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offences 5- yard line.
- Teams change sides after the first 20 mins. Players/Game Schedules
- Teams consist of 6 players ( 5 on the field with one substitute).
- Teams may play with a minimum of four (4) players (due to injuries).
- Less than 4 players the game is cancelled. Timing/overtime
- Game length is 40 minutes. (2 x 20 minute halves)
- In the event of a tied game, over time will be played. The period between the end of the game and the start of the overtime period will be 2 minutes. A coin toss determines first possession of overtime. The winner of the coin toss starts with the ball on their own 5 yard line and play continues as in regulation until one team scores. There will be no time outs granted during the overtime period.
- Each time the ball is spotted a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball .
- Each team has two 60 second time outs per half. These cannot be carried over to the second half or overtime.
- Officials can stop the clock at their discretion .
- Clock will stop to warn teams that there are two minutes left to play in the second half.(no time out is given)
- Period for half time will be two minutes.
Scoring:
Touchdown: 6 points
Extra Point: 1 point (played from the 5 yard line)
Extra Point: 2 points (played from the 12 yard line)
Safety: 2 points
Interception return to opponent's endzone on any extra point play by the defence, shall result in the defence scoring 2 points plus possession for the next series at it's 5 yard line.
Running:
The centre is the player who gives the ball to the Quarterback via a snap.
The quarterback will be the player who receives the ball directly from the snap.
- The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage.
- Offence may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward & lateral handoffs are allowed during the down.
- Toss or sweep behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays.
- " No - running zones," are located 5 yards in front of endzone. When the ball is on or inside the 5 yard line going towards the opponent's endzone, the offensive cannot run.
- The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
- Once the ball has been handed off, tossed, play action, or fake hand 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 or tossed behind the line of scrimmage).
- As in the NFL, one player may be in motion, but not in motion towards the opponent's endzone at the snap.
- A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
Passing:
- Only players starting 7 yards from the line of scrimmage can rush the passer.
- The quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, tossed, play action, fake handoff, the seven second rule is no longer in effect.
- Interceptions change the possession of the ball.
- Interceptions can be returned by the defence.
- Interceptions that occur and remain in the endzone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at it's 5 yard line. Should an interception occur in the endzone and the ball carrier leaves the endzone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead. However, should the ball carrier return to the endzone and be deflagged or the ball becomes dead the result would be a safety.
Dead Balls:
- The ball must be snapped between the legs of the snapper, to start play.
- Substitutions may be made only when the ball is dead
- Play is ruled "dead" when:
- An official blows his whistle.
- Ball carriers flag is pulled.
- Point (s) are scored
- When any part of the ball carrier's body, other than his hand or foot touches the ground. Ball carrier's flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted at the spot of where the flag fell off. If flag falls from player, he will become ineligible to catch the ball.
- An official blows his whistle.
Rushing the Quarterback: Not allowed in KITTED FOOTBALL
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, tossed, play action or fake handoff, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or a game official, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, NO BLOCKING OR TACKLING IS ALLOWED
Sportsmanship/Roughing:
If the referee witnesses any acts of flagrant contact, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any other unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the tournament. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
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:
All penalties are 5 yards and the down will be repeated unless otherwise noted, and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
Defence:
Offsides -- 5 yards
Substitution fouls -- 5 yards, (player enters field after ball is blown ready for play, i.e. to deceive the opponents, or 6 men on a field).
Disconcerting signals --5 yards. (Signals to distract / simulate offensive signals prior to snap)
Interference with opponent or ball at the snap --5 yards
Illegal rushing --5 yards (starting rush from inside the seven yard marker)
Interference -- 5 yards from automatic first down
Illegal contact --5 yards and automatic first down, (holding, blocking, etc.)
Illegal flag pull -- 5 yards and automatic first down, (before receiver has ball)
BUMP AND RUN IS NOT ALLOWED
Offence:
Flag guarding -- 5 yards.
Delay of game -- 5 yards.
Substitution fouls -- 5 yards.
Illegal motion -- 5 yards, (more for one person moving, etc.)
False start -- 5 yards
Illegal snap -- 5 yards
Illegal shift or failure to pause for one second -- 5 yards
Offensive holding -- 5 yards
Player out of bounds -- 5 yards. (If player goes out of bounds, player cannot return to field and catch ball).
Illegal forward passes -- 5 yards and loss of down. (Second forward pass or after the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage)
Offensive pass interference -- 5 yards and loss of down. (Illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender).
NO CUT BLOCKING IS ALLOWED
- Game officials determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
- All penalties will be assessed from line of scrimmage.
- Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgement calls.
- Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offence declines it.
Tournament Tie Breaker System:
- Head to head results
- Total net point differential
- Play an overtime period
Attire:
Cleats are allowed but must be rubber. Inspections must be made.
All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
Note: There are no kick-offs, and no blocking is allowed.