Flag Football League Rules

Flag Football League Rules:

Basic Game Play:

Each team may have 5 players on the field at a time.

The field is 80 yards long and 30 yards wide. (60 yard field with 10 yard EndZones)

Each Team has 1, 30-second time-out per Game.

All Games will be 40-minutes long, with two 20-minute halves.

There will be a running clock except for the last 1-minute of the first half and the last 2-minutes of the second half.

During the above times the clock will stop in the case of:

Incomplete pass
Active ball-carrier stepping out of bounds.
Penalties
Injuries
Change of Possessions (Will not run on extra point attempt)

First Downs and Punts:

Teams have 4 plays to pass half field, and 4 more to score a touchdown once half field has been passed.

A first down is awarded when a team crosses midfield.

There is no physical punting or kickoffs, the ball starts on the 5-yard line for all drives.

Teams who elect to "punt" will give the ball to the opposing team on that team's 5-yard line.

Rules of Play:

Once the ref spots the ball, teams will have 25 seconds to snap the ball.

The Center must snap the ball from the ground. Exceptions can be made in the case of wet ground and if agreed upon by both teams.

The Quarterback may scramble over the line of scrimmage only if rushed.

The Quarterback may hand the ball off to any player.

Any number of defensive players are allowed to rush the quarterback after a 2 second count which will be called aloud by the Line Judge.

Defenders can also cross the line of scrimmage as soon as the ball leaves the quarterback’s hands.

A 6 second Action Clock is started and called aloud at the snap.

The ball must cross the line of scrimmage by the end of the 6 Second Action clock.

The ball must cross the line of scrimmage at the end of the Action clock even if handed off.

The play may continue if the quarterback’s arm is in motion at the count of 6.

If the play clock results in the end of play, the play will be called dead with no penalties other than the implicit loss of down.

The ball is dead when it hits the ground, the offensive player’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, or the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground.

Scoring Plays:

Touchdowns are worth 6 points.

Extra points are attempted from either the 5-yard line, for 1 point, or the 10-yard line for 2 points.

Interceptions occurring on extra point attempts result only in a failed attempt. (You cannot return it)

Onside Kick Rules:

Trailing teams may now attempt an onside “kick” play after scoring — at any time during the final 5 minutes of the game.
The attempt consists of one play from the offense’s 15-yard line.
To succeed, the offense must gain a first down on that play.
Failure to convert results in a turnover at the dead-ball spot.
Teams may only attempt 2 Onside Kick attempts in one game.

Penalties:

Illegal Pass – QB past the line:

If the QB or another player throws a forward pass after crossing the line of scrimmage the play will be called dead. Illegal Forward Passes will result in a 5-yard penalty and the play will count. (was 2nd down so now its 3rd down)

Blocking:

Once an offensive player has caught the ball, all other offensive players must stop and are only allowed to be in the defense’s way if their feet are planted. Blocking will result in the play being called dead at the spot of the foul.

Charging:

It is the Offensive player's responsibility, when running with the ball, to move out of the defenses path. Any intentional or unintentional contact by the offense to “go through” a defender will be called as “Charging”. Charging will result in a 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul.

Defensive Holding: Pre-throw Penalty:

Holding will be called whenever a defensive player grabs and substantially turns, slows-down, or trips-up an offensive receiver during their route, before the ball has left the QBs hands. Holding penalties will result in the offense being awarded a first down and 5-yards from the original line of scrimmage.

Defensive Holding: Flag Pull Minor and Excessive Holding

Flag Pull holding: Holding or contact occurring during a flag pull attempt.

THERE WILL NOW BE TWO LEVELS OF

FLAG PULL HOLDING PENALTIES

Level 1: Minor Holding

Penalty: 5 yards, no automatic first down

Brief jersey holding and tugging
Gently pushing a WR out of bounds
Wrapping up field arm around runner
Running into a ball carrier - minor contact during a flag pull attempt

Level 2: Excessive Holding

Penalty: 5 yards & automatic first down

Grabbing and holding onto a jersey
Forcefully pushing a runner down or out of bounds rather than attempting a clean flag pull.
Striping the ball from the receivers hands
Tackling the ball carrier

Delay of Game

Exceeding the allotted 25 second play clock results in a 5-yard loss, and the penalized team is given an additional 25 seconds to snap the ball.

Encroachment

When a defender crosses the line of scrimmage before the 2-second rush clock has been called. This will result in a 5-yard penalty and a replay of down being awarded to the offense. (twice in a row results In an automatic 1st down for the offense)

False-Start / Illegal Snaps

Any movement, other than when going into motion, by an offensive player after they have become "set". This will result in a 5-yard penalty on the offense and a replay of down.

Flag Guarding

Flag Guarding is any intentional or unintentional interference with the ball carriers hands to limit the defender's ability to pull their flag. Flag guarding will result in a 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul.

Pass Interference

Any physically restricting action by a defensive or offensive player to disrupt the other team’s ability to catch a pass. Includes holding/grabbing the other player’s shirt, arms, or hips, as well as any action to push-off the other player in order to create separation.

Offensive PI: Results in a loss of down and the ball is reverted to the original yardage. (if it was 2nd down when the penalty occurred, it would now be 4th down)

Defensive PI: Results in an Automatic first down being awarded to the offense and the ball is moved up15 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

In the case of a defensive PI in the endzone the ball is placed half the distance to the endzone.

Unnecessary Roughness

Any excessive physical action against an opposing player during or after the play. Includes: wrapping up, tackling, or grabbing and holding a ball carrier when trying to pull a flag, hitting a quarterback’s arm as a rusher, or roughly pushing an offensive player out of bounds. Any player who receives two unnecessary roughness penalties in one game shall be ejected from the game.

Defensive unnecessary roughness penalties will result in the offense being awarded a first down and 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

Offensive unnecessary roughness penalties will result in a loss of down and a penalty of 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Any action deemed excessively inappropriate by the officials.

Offensive Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Will result in a 10-yard penalty and a loss of down for the offense.

Defensive Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Will result in a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense.

Overtime Rules:

If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the game will enter overtime.

Overtime Structure:

Each Team will be given 3 chances on offense, to score either a 1- or 2-point conversion.

Teams will Alternate Offensive Possessions.

Offenses may elect to go for 1 or 2 points between each attempt.

The Team with the most points scored during their 3 attempts will win the game.

ROSTER ADJUSTMENTS & INJURY REPLACEMENTS

🛑 Roster Deadline:

No new players may join a team after Week 8.

✅ Eligibility Requirements

New players may only join a team if the team’s full season fee is paid.

(It is recommended that new players help cover the cost of the injured player's fee.)

📅 Player Additions Timeline

Weeks 1–3:

Teams may add any new player as long as the roster limit of 13 players is not exceeded.

Weeks 4–8:

Teams may only add new players as injury replacements.

One replacement per injured player (MUST BE SAME PERSON).

⚠️ Injury Replacement Rules

The injured player must have a season-ending injury OR BE PLACED ON THE IR LIST TO BE REPLACED.

The replacement must be approved by the League Admin at least 3 hours before game time.

📝 Injured Reserve (IR) List

Teams may place up to 2 players on the IR List.

Players on IR can be temporarily replaced during recovery.

Once an IR player returns, their replacement must step away from the team for the remainder of the season UNLESS REPLACEING A DIFFERENT PLAYER.

PLAYERS MAY BE ON THE IR LIST FOR UP TO 5 WEEKS, IF THEY DO NOT RETURN FOR THE 5TH GAME THEY WILL BE INELIGIBLE TO RETURN THAT SEASON.

3-on-3 League Rules

A. GAME ADMINISTRATION

1. Number of Players:

Each team must have a minimum of 3 players and may consist of a maximum of 6 players. A team shall have no more than 3 players on the court at any time. All games must start with at least 3 players on each team.

2. Authorized Equipment & Apparel:

No player shall be allowed to wear a guard, cast, hard brace or other potentially dangerous equipment on their elbow, hand, wrist, finger or forearm, including equipment made of hard leather, plastic, plaster or metal, even if the equipment is covered with soft padding. Soft braces, sleeves and wraps will be allowed unless they pose a danger to other players.

3. Timeouts

Each team is allowed a single one-minute timeout per game. The clock will stop during a timeout.

B. GAME RULES

1.Start of the game:

3on3 basketball starts with a coin toss. The team that wins the coin toss gets to decide whether it wants the ball at the start of the game or at the start of a potential overtime.

2. Game time and overtime:

Our 3on3 games will be 20 minutes with a running clock. If the score is tied after 20 minutes, the game goes into overtime. During overtime, the first team to score ten points is the winner.

3. Scoring

Baskets made from inside the 3-point line count for 2 points. Baskets made from outside the 3-point line count for 3 points. A player is considered outside the 3-point line when neither foot is inside nor touching the line. Each free throw counts for 1 point.

4. Checked Ball

The ball must be “checked” by an opposing player before it is put into play. The “check-in” must occur behind the designated line above the 3-point line and not any out-of-bounds line. The on-ball defender must remain below the 3-point line until the ball is “checked” and possessed. The ball may be passed, dribbled or a shot may be attempted once it is “checked” and possessed.
Continuation after a successful basket: After a successful basket, possession of the ball changes. There will be “check” between the now defensive team and the team on offense before play will continue.
Continuation after offensive rebound: If the offensive team gets an offensive rebound, it may immediately shoot at the basket without first bringing it behind the 3-point line again.
Continuation after a defensive rebound, block or steal: If the defending team wins the ball via a defensive rebound, block or steal, it must first bring the ball behind the 3-point line before it may attack.

5. Taking It Back

The ball must be “taken back” behind the 3-point line on each change of possession, regardless of whether or not a shot was attempted. The ball is considered behind the 3-point line when neither foot of the player possessing the ball is inside nor touching the line. A takeback violation occurs as soon as a player attempts a shot and results in loss of possession and any points just scored.

6. Ball Out-of-Bounds

A ball out-of-bounds will be called by the court referee and will be thrown in from their marked position from behind the out-of-bounds line.

7. Change of Possession

The ball must change possession after scoring baskets and after all made free throw attempts, with the exception of a Technical, Intentional or Flagrant foul. There is no “make it, take it” rule.

8. Stalling

Stalling is prohibited at all times. Stalling involves a style of play in which a team does not actively attempt to advance the ball toward the basket and shoot the ball at the basket. It is a method used in an attempt to run out the game clock to preserve a win. Stalling is considered an unsportsmanlike act and will result in a technical foul against the offending team.

7. Jump Ball

There is no alternating possession when there is a jump ball. In all jump ball situations, the ball is awarded to the defensive team.

8. Dunking

There is to be no hanging on the rim when dunking. Dunking is allowed, but players must respect the facility being used. Unauthorized dunking or hanging on the rim is an unsportsmanlike act and will result in a technical foul.

9. Substitutions

Substitutions may only be made during a timeout or a “dead ball” situation and must involve a player on that team’s roster.

C. FOULS

Fouls and Free throws:

All Defensive Non-Shooting fouls will result in the offense retaining possession.
All offensive fouls will result in a change of possession.
If a player is fouled on a 2pt attempt, they will get 1 free throw worth 2 points.
If a player is fouled on a 3 pt attempt, they will get 1 free throw worth 3 points. .
- ALL FREE THROWS ARE LIVE AND MAY BE REBOUNDED
- If the original shot is still made even after being fouled, the offense will not shoot a free throw and instead just retains the ball. (I.E. The shot will count, and the offense keeps the ball, no free throw attempt)
The clock will stop for free throws during the final minute of all games.

BONUS

Teams have 6 Team Fouls before they are in bonus. When a team commits their 7th foul, the other team will begin to receive one, 2-point free throw for all penalties.

1. Common Foul

Basketball referees will call fouls for all games.
A made basket shall not count when an offensive foul occurs.
A Team will be in Bonus after they record their 6th Foul (Free throws awarded on the next foul)

2. Intentional Foul

An Intentional foul includes, but is not limited to, a foul designed to neutralize an opponent’s obvious advantageous position. It may be an act that is not a legitimate effort to directly play the ball or while attempting to play the ball, results in excessive contact.

3. Technical Foul

A Technical foul includes, but is not limited to, unsportsmanlike acts such as taunting, baiting or trash talk by a player. Taunting and baiting can involve derogatory remarks or gestures that incite or insult a player, basketball referee, league official or fan. Trash talk involves a deeply personal, verbal attack directed toward any person involved in the event. In extreme cases the player may be suspended from play and removed from the court for the remainder of that game and possibly for the rest of the season. A Technical foul will also be assessed if a team is stalling in the interest of preserving a winning margin.

4. Flagrant Foul