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The Basics
A coin toss determines first possession.
The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield.
Once a team crosses midfield, it has three 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. Possession changes to
loser of coin toss and the clock does not stop except under special circumstances under 2 minutes.
Players/Game Schedules
Teams must field a minimum of four players at all times.
Teams consist of 10 players – five on the field, with five 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. Overtime will be 15 minutes in length. First team to score wins. If after the 15 minutes of overtime is expired
and neither team has scored, the game will end in a TIE.
The clock WILL stop only on any TD or change of Possession under 2 minutes if the score is two Touchdowns
or closer (12points).
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)
Safety:
2 points
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Running
The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
“No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to
avoid short-yardage, power-running situations (Mites Division Exempt).
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 jump in a forward motion to avoid a defensive player. No Diving to advance
the ball is allowed. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
*Exception: In order to achieve a first down, or a touchdown, the ball carriers flag belt and ball, must cross the plane
of the first down line and goal line.
Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are allowed.
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
Shovel passes are allowed. The ball must be passed beyond the line of scrimmage (Mites Division exempt). 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.
NEW for the 2008 season - *Interception returns are allowed in ALL Divisions*
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
— 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 as long as there is a one yard buffer from the line of scrimmage.
The rusher may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty to make contact with the quarterback’s body or arm.
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
If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike
act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. 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 will be called by the referee.
Defense:
Offsides
Five yards and automatic first down
Interference
10 yards and automatic first down
Illegal contact
(holding, blocking)
10 yards and automatic first down (from the spot of the foul)
Illegal FLAG pull
(before receiver has ball)
10 yards and automatic first down
Illegal rushing
(starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)
10 yards and automatic first down
Offense:
Illegal motion - Play Dead Immediately
(more than one person moving, false start, etc.)
Five yards and loss of down
Illegal Contact
(Any attempt to initiate contact with a Defender.)
10 yards and loss of down - In Addition:
That player be given a warning and will sit out the rest of that series.
Repeat infraction will result in ejection from game.
Illegal forward pass
(pass thrown beyond line of scrimmage)
Five yards and loss of down
Player Shielding
(If a defender has to change either their speed or direction due to offensive players interfering with defender's ability to
get to the ball carrier)
10 Yards and loss of down
Offensive pass interference
(illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)
10 yards and loss of down
FLAG guarding
10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down
Delay of game
Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down
Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the
line of scrimmage with the exception of defensive holding/illegal contact.
Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot
question judgment calls.
Halftime and the Final play of the game cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
SMYFFL Additional Rules:
Defensive plays in which a player is clearly NOT going for the flag to make a play will result in the Offensive team
gaining possession of the ball at the opponents 7 yd line, 1st and Goal. That player will also be ejected for the
remainder of the series. If the same Defensive player repeats the infraction sometime during the course of the game, he
will be ejected from the remainder of the game. The defensive rusher/s may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty
to make contact with the quarterback’s body or arm.
No direct QB back to Center handoffs.
All Defensive rushes must start behind the designated 7yd marker and must be within 2 football lengths from the
marker itself.
Coaches are responsible for their Parents actions on the sidelines. If a referee at any time feels a parents conduct is
detrimental to the game, a warning will be given to the coach. If it still persists, a 10 yd penalty and automatic 1st down
will result if on defense. If on offense, 10 yds and loss of down. A third infraction will result in that parent being asked
to leave the field or the game will be forfeited. This includes but is not limited too: Yelling at the referees, opposing
players, coaches or sidelines.
Attire
Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. All players must wear a protective
mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
Official NFL FLAG jerseys must be worn during play.
Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed.
The Field
A coin toss determines first possession.
The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield.
Once a team crosses midfield, it has three 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. Possession changes to
loser of coin toss and the clock does not stop except under special circumstances under 2 minutes.
Players/Game Schedules
Teams must field a minimum of four players at all times.
Teams consist of 10 players – five on the field, with five 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. Overtime will be 15 minutes in length. First team to score wins. If after the 15 minutes of overtime is expired
and neither team has scored, the game will end in a TIE.
The clock WILL stop only on any TD or change of Possession under 2 minutes if the score is two Touchdowns
or closer (12points).
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)
Safety:
2 points
Back to Top
Running
The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
“No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to
avoid short-yardage, power-running situations (Mites Division Exempt).
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 jump in a forward motion to avoid a defensive player. No Diving to advance
the ball is allowed. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
*Exception: In order to achieve a first down, or a touchdown, the ball carriers flag belt and ball, must cross the plane
of the first down line and goal line.
Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are allowed.
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
Shovel passes are allowed. The ball must be passed beyond the line of scrimmage (Mites Division exempt). 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.
NEW for the 2008 season - *Interception returns are allowed in ALL Divisions*
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
— 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 as long as there is a one yard buffer from the line of scrimmage.
The rusher may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty to make contact with the quarterback’s body or arm.
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
If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike
act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. 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 will be called by the referee.
Defense:
Offsides
Five yards and automatic first down
Interference
10 yards and automatic first down
Illegal contact
(holding, blocking)
10 yards and automatic first down (from the spot of the foul)
Illegal FLAG pull
(before receiver has ball)
10 yards and automatic first down
Illegal rushing
(starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)
10 yards and automatic first down
Offense:
Illegal motion - Play Dead Immediately
(more than one person moving, false start, etc.)
Five yards and loss of down
Illegal Contact
(Any attempt to initiate contact with a Defender.)
10 yards and loss of down - In Addition:
That player be given a warning and will sit out the rest of that series.
Repeat infraction will result in ejection from game.
Illegal forward pass
(pass thrown beyond line of scrimmage)
Five yards and loss of down
Player Shielding
(If a defender has to change either their speed or direction due to offensive players interfering with defender's ability to
get to the ball carrier)
10 Yards and loss of down
Offensive pass interference
(illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)
10 yards and loss of down
FLAG guarding
10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down
Delay of game
Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down
Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the
line of scrimmage with the exception of defensive holding/illegal contact.
Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot
question judgment calls.
Halftime and the Final play of the game cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
SMYFFL Additional Rules:
Defensive plays in which a player is clearly NOT going for the flag to make a play will result in the Offensive team
gaining possession of the ball at the opponents 7 yd line, 1st and Goal. That player will also be ejected for the
remainder of the series. If the same Defensive player repeats the infraction sometime during the course of the game, he
will be ejected from the remainder of the game. The defensive rusher/s may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty
to make contact with the quarterback’s body or arm.
No direct QB back to Center handoffs.
All Defensive rushes must start behind the designated 7yd marker and must be within 2 football lengths from the
marker itself.
Coaches are responsible for their Parents actions on the sidelines. If a referee at any time feels a parents conduct is
detrimental to the game, a warning will be given to the coach. If it still persists, a 10 yd penalty and automatic 1st down
will result if on defense. If on offense, 10 yds and loss of down. A third infraction will result in that parent being asked
to leave the field or the game will be forfeited. This includes but is not limited too: Yelling at the referees, opposing
players, coaches or sidelines.
Attire
Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. All players must wear a protective
mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
Official NFL FLAG jerseys must be worn during play.
Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed.
The Field
