Flag Football

Rules & Regulations

The following rules and regulations shall govern all teams playing under the jurisdiction of California State University, San Bernardino Department of Recreational Sports. Recreational Sports reserves the right to make rule modifications and/or other changes during the course of the league whenever it deems such action necessary and proper.

1. RULES OF PLAY

All play will be based on the NIRSA Flag Football Rules, with certain exceptions, as noted herein.

2. NUMBER OF PLAYERS

Each team must consist of seven players. If a team does not have seven players, they may start with six.

3. ELIGIBILITY

Only CURRENT students, staff, faculty, and alumni association members are eligible to participate. A student must have paid his/her fees, which include a portion that is directed toward the Department of Recreational Sports. Students in an Extended Education program or who are Open University students are not eligible to participate. The exception for this would be for the students participating in the 10 week International Student Exchange. Teams who have players on their roster who have either been a member of a collegiate football team or a professional football team must get approval of Recreational Sports before the season begins.

4. LENGTH OF GAME

Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a 3-minute half time. The clock runs continuously until the final two minutes of the second half.

5. TIES

Any games that are tied at the end of regulation will have an “overtime” that consists of:

• Each team has FOUR offensive plays from the 20-yd line to score one touchdown and a 1 or 2 point conversion.
• An interception cannot be returned for a touchdown; possession goes to the intercepting team.
• If no one scores within the four plays of overtime, the game will remain a tie.
• Playoffs only, if no one scores after overtime, then each team will continue the overtime format from the 10-yd line until a winner is declared.

6. FIELD OF PLAY

• The winner of the coin toss will have the choice of possession or direction.
• Punts (thrown or kicked) that go out of the end zone will be placed on the 20-yard line.
• Punts that are fumbled are dead balls.
• The center may snap the ball through his/her legs or stand beside the ball to snap it.
• There must be a minimum of three players on the offensive line during each play before the snap.
• All players are eligible to receive a pass.
• There will be a 30 second play clock once the official spots the ball (places it on the ground).
• A player with possession of the ball may NOT leave his/her feet for any reason to advance the ball (diving or hurdling).
• The ball may be lateraled at anytime.
• If an official blows his/her whistle inadvertently the play is DEAD and the down will be replayed or the team may take the result of the play.

7. FORFEITS

Along with a completed roster, each team must submit a $20 forfeit fee ($10 each game forfeited). If a team forfeits more than twice during any part of the season (regular and playoffs), the team will be eliminated from the league. If a team does not forfeit twice during any portion of the season the $20 fee will be returned. A forfeit will take place if a team is not present at game time. Game time will be kept by the head official. The game will be declared a loss whenever a team fails to maintain at least six players on the field for any reason (i.e. injury, foul disqualification, ejection, etc.). * (Note that a team may default without this penalty as long as a 48-hour advanced notice is given.) I.E.… (If a team knows that they cannot make a scheduled game 48-hour notice must be given. It will still count as a loss and ten dollars will be paid, but it will not count as part of the two forfeits required to drop a team.)

8. PUNTING

The team that chooses to punt must announce their choice and the defensive team must have five players on the line of scrimmage. These five players may not cross the line of scrimmage. If the ball hits the ground during game time, it is dead. The punt may be returned so long as the receiver does not muff the ball or, the ball hits the ground first. In both cases the ball will be dead at the spot. * (Note that a team may throw the ball instead of kicking it during the punt)

9. SCORING

• Touchdown = 6 points
• Point after = 1 point (from the 5 yard line run or pass)
• Point after = 2 points (from the 10 yard line run or pass)
• Safety = 2 points

10. EJECTED PLAYERS

An official will eject any player(s) who’s actions on or off the field are hazardous to themselves and others from the game. The Department of Recreational Sports policy on ejected players dictates that any player ejected from any game will be automatically suspended from the next scheduled game and may face additional sanctions. If the player is ejected a second time, either during the course of the same season, or current calendar year, they will be immediately suspended from any and all programs sponsored by the Department of Recreational Sports until their case can be reviewed.

11. FUMBLES / DEAD BALL/ INTERCEPTIONS

• A ball is dead when: removal of a flag, out of bounds, a safety, a touchdown and ALL FUMBLES.
• A live ball that hits the ground on any play is a DEAD BALL.
• Any fumble occurring down field or past the line of scrimmage is dead where the player loses possession.
• Any fumble behind the line of scrimmage or on the snap the ball is dead where it lands and may not be advanced. If the ball lands in the end zone, it is a safety.
• When a pass, that is intercepted and is fumbled the ball remains with the intercepting team and is spotted where the player lost possession.
• Interceptions may be returned if caught in the end zone. Also a defending team may intercept and return a 1 & 2 point conversion. The score would be the exact point value of the conversion try.

12. TIME OUTS / CLOCK

Two 1-minute time outs per team per half and are not cumulative. The clock will stop for:

• Team time outs.
• Official’s time out (time starts on the whistle of the official).
• Injuries necessitating time to remove a player from the field.
• During the last two minutes of the second half.

13. EQUIPMENT

• Pants, shorts and sweat pants without pockets may be worn without belts and belt loops.
• All players must wear a shirt. Shirts must be tucked in so flag belts are visible at all times.
• Jewelry is not allowed - PERIOD! (If not removed before game time it will result in a 5 yard penalty)
• All players must wear a closed toe athletic shoe.
• Cleats may be worn, cleats must be made of non-metal material and not exceed 1/2 inch in length.
• Hats are NOT permitted due to safety reasons.

14. PENALTIES

• 5-yd: too many players on the field, offsides, delay of game, player with possession that dives, wearing jewelry
• 12-yd: holding (spot of foul), down field blocking, flag guarding, tackling, offensive pass interference, hurdling
• 15-yd: unnecessary roughness (possible ejection), unsportsmanlike conduct, defensive pass interference, and flag tampering
• Loss of down: intentional grounding, illegal forward pass, and offensive pass interference
• Automatic first down: defensive pass interference, roughing the passer

15. PLAYOFFS

Playoffs will be determined by various factors, including, but not limited to: number of rainouts, availability of teams to compete, and field availability.

16. MERCY RULE

If a team is behind by 30 points at any portion of the game, the game will be terminated.

17. BLOCKING / CONTACT

Offensive lineman must SCREEN defenders. Screening is done by placing your hands and arms either at your side or behind your back. Lineman can never pass the line of scrimmage to screen. All linemen screening must occur behind the line of scrimmage. NO DOWN FIELD SCREENING is permitted. Ball carriers may not run over or through defensive players. The defensive lineman must run around offensive lineman, NOT through them.

18. TOUCHDOWN VERIFICATION

A player scoring a touchdown must immediately approach the official so the official can verify the flag belt is “legal”. The official will pull the player’s flag with one pull. If the flag cannot be removed and the official determines the flag belt has been illegally secured, the touchdown will be negated. The player will be ejected; a 15-yard penalty will be assessed from the previous line of scrimmage and a loss of down.

19. FLAG BELT REMOVAL

• Offensive players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged.
• Instances where a flag belt has been removed prior to the player advancing the ball, the ball carriers progress can be stopped by a two- handed tag between the shoulders and knees.
• A flag belt, which becomes detached unintentionally, does not cause play to stop.
• Circumstances where a flag belt is removed illegally, play will continue with the option of the penalty (12 yards) or the result of the play.
• Tampering with the flag belt in any way including tying, using foreign materials, etc., will result in a 15-yard penalty from the Line of Scrimmage, loss of down, and player ejection.

20. ALCOHOL / FOOD / DRINKS / TOBACCO

Alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited for consumption or any other use by any participant on a flag football team. All players and participants are asked not to use any glass containers and to assist in keeping the fields and surrounding area clean by cleaning up after themselves. Any player(s) under the influence will be ejected.

21. PLAYERS / ROSTER SIZE

Players may only play for one team during the season. Once a player has played on a team, they must play for that team the entire season. Rosters are required to be submitted into the Department of Recreational Sports by the Captains meeting. Teams may add players to their rosters up until the 3rd week of the season. ALL players must remain in their designated box at all times (from the 20-yd line to the 20-yd line).

22. SIGNED WAIVERS / MEDICAL INSURANCE

Captains are responsible for making sure that each player signing the WAIVER FORMS understands and realizes that the Department of Recreational Sports DOES NOT PROVIDE insurance. In the event, a player is injured during the course of the season; he/she should have his/her own insurance.

23. PROTESTS

Sec. 1 The notification of the intent to protest must be made immediately before the ball is put into play, (the next snap from Scrimmage) or the play will no longer be protested.

1. The captain of the protesting team should immediately notify the official(s) that the game is being continued under protest. Officials will notify the opposing team captain or manager.
2. All interested parties shall take notice of the conditions surrounding the making of the decision that will aid in the correct determination of the issue.

Protest shall be handed in writing to the Recreation Office the next working day. Failure to do so will also negate the protest.

24. RAIN-OUT GAME PROCEDURE

In the case of inclement weather jeopardizing game day. Both the home team and visiting team captains call the Recreation Center office by 12 noon on game day. The condition of the field will have been determined by that time. Please contact us.

25. IDENTIFICATION

Every participant (faculty, staff and students) must provide a valid Coyote One card before every game. Alumni Association members need a current membership card and a photo ID. In an effort to simplify and make participation more accessible to all, the Department of Recreational Sports requests that all team captains complete the flag football roster (social security number, and signature of each player) before the first week of contests. All players must also fill out a waiver form before they are allowed to play.

26. DESIGNATED BENCH ZONE/BENCH CLEARING

ALL players must remain in their designated box at all times (from the 20-yd line to the 20-yd line). If a team is caught outside of this area, a 5yard penalty may be assessed. Participants may only leave their bench / designated boxed area in the following instances:

• To enter a game
• At the conclusion of the game