Ute Conference / USA Football Flag Rules

I. Game Play

• 5 players on the field (5 vs5)
• Visiting team is on offense first.
• Offense starts on 25 yard line going in.
• Offense has 6 plays to score.
• If Offense fails to score or turns the ball over the defense takes possession at the 25 yard line going in.
• Two 20 minute halves with running clock. Each team receives 1 timeout per half. The clock stops for only for timeouts, injuries or officials discretion.
• Halftime is one minute long.
• 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.
• If game is tied each team gets 2 plays from the 10 yard line to score. If score is tied after one possession then the first team to score wins. Initial possession determined by coin flip.
• 6 points for a TD. 1 point for PAT attempt from the 2.5 yard line or 2 points for a PAT attempt from the 5 yard line. The team must declare if they want to go for 1 or 2.
• Substitution allowed on any dead ball.
• A play is dead when the ball hits the ground, the ball carrier’s flag is pulled, the ball carrier steps out of bounds, a TD or PAT, the ball carrier’s knee or arm hits the ground, the ball carrier’s flag falls off, the receiver catches the ball while having only one or no flags, or the 7 second pass clock expires.
• There are no fumbles. The ball remains with the offense and is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet were at the time of the fumble.
• One foot must be down inbounds for all receptions.
• There are interceptions. An interception ends the offensive possesion and cannot be returned for a score.
• Direct handoffs are only allowed behind the line of scrimmage.
• All players are eligible to receive a pass. Only one player may be in motion at a time and parallel to the line of scrimmage. Offense must have a minimum of 1 player on the line of scrimmage with a maximum of 4 players on the line of scrimmage.
• No blocking or screening after the ball crosses the line of scrimmage.
• NO FLAG GUARDING OR OBSTRUCTION.
• Players that rush the passer must start a minumum of 7 yards off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the QB.
• Players not rushing the QB may defend the line of scrimmage.
• Once the QB leaves the pocket or the ball is handed off, the 7 yard rule no longer applies to the defenders and they may all go behind the line of scrimmage.
• A player is down when a flag is pulled.

II. Terminology

• Boundary lines – the outer perimeter lines around the field including the sidelines, and the rear end zone lines.
• Line Of Scrimmage (LOS) – an imaginary line running through point of football and across the width of the field.
• Rush Line – an imaginary line running across the width of the field 7 yards (into the defensive side) from the Line of Scrimmage
• Offense – the squad with possession of the ball.
• Defense – the squad opposing the offense to prevent them from advancing the ball.
• Passer – the offensive player that throws the ball and may or may not be the QB.
• Rusher – the defensive player assigned to rush the Quarterback to prevent him/her from passing by pulling his/her flags or blocking the pass.
• Downs (1-2-3) – the offensive squad has six attempts or “Downs” to cross the goal line.
• Live Ball – the period of time that the play is in action. Generally used in regards to penalties, Live Ball Penalties are considered part of the play and must be enforced before the down is considered complete.
• Dead Ball – the period of time immediately before or after a play.
• Whistle – the sound made by an official using a whistle that signifies the end of the play or a stop in the .action for timeout, half time or the end of the game.
• Inadvertent whistle – an official’s whistle that is performed in error.
• Charging – the movement of the ball carrier directly at a defensive player who has established position on the field. This includes lowering the head, making contact with the defender with a shoulder, chest or forearm.
• Flag Guarding – An act by ball carrier to prevent a defender from pulling ball carrier’s flags by stiff arm, lowering elbow, or head and or by blocking access to the runner’s flags with hand or arm.
• Shovel Pass – a legal pass attempted behind the line of scrimmage by throwing the ball underhand or pushing it towards a receiver in a shot put type manner.
• Lateral – a backwards or sideways toss of the ball by the ball carrier.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct – rude, confrontational or offensive behavior or language.

III. Equipment

• The League provides each player with flag belts and each team with a football. Teams can also provide their own ball for use.
• Players must wear shoes. Cleats are allowed, however cleats with exposed metal are not allowed and must be removed.
• Players may tape their forearms, hands and fingers. Players may wear gloves, elbow pads, and kneepads. Braces with exposed metals are not allowed. Players with hard cast can not play. Players with soft cast can play with a doctors release and if padded.
• Players must remove all watches, earrings and any other jewelry that the officials deem hazardous.
• Official UC FLAG jerseys must be worn during play.
• Players’ jerseys must be tucked into the pants if they hang below the belt line. Nothing should obstruct the white plastic portion of the flag belt where the flag attaches to the belt. A play will be called down at the spot a player who is in violation of this rule obtains possession of the ball.
• Pants or shorts with belt loops or pockets must be taped.
• All players must wear a mouth guard for practice and games

IV. Coaches

• Coaches are typically volunteer parents or family members helping the players learn and enjoy the game.
• Parents are encouraged to support the coach at all time.
• Coaches are allowed on the field to direct players. Once the center touches the ball the coaches must back out and stop communicating.
• Coaches are expected to adhere to Ute Conference philosophies, coaching guidelines and codes of conduct.
• Only three coaches per team are allowed on the sidelines.

V. Flag Pulling

• A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball.
• Defenders can dive to pull flags, but cannot tackle, hold or run through ball carrier when pulling flags.
• It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball or pull from the ball carrier’s possession at any time.
• If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during the play, the player is down immediately upon possession of the ball and the play ends.
• A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off of a player who is not in possession of the ball.
• Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping of head, hand, arm or shoulder, or intentionally covering flags with the football or jersey.

VI. Live ball/dead ball

• The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead.
• The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage. It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone. In regards to the neutral zone, the official may give both teams a “courtesy” neutral zone notification to allow their players to move back beyond the line.
• A player who gains possession in the air is considered in bounds as long as one foot comes down in the field of play.
• The defense may not mimic the offensive team signals, by trying to confuse the offensive players, while the quarterback is calling out signals to start the play.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Any official can whistle the play dead.

Play is ruled “dead” when:

• The ball hits the ground.
• The ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
• The ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• A score.
• The ball carrier’s knee or arm hits the ground.
• The ball carrier’s flag falls out.
• The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one flag.
• An inadvertent whistle is performed (at the spot where the ball was whistled dead).
• In the case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense has two options:
• Take the ball where the whistle blew.
• Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.
• Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

VII. Penalties

1. The referee will call all penalties.
2. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
3. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, except as noted (spot fouls). 1. Only the team captain or head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
4. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.
5. Penalties are assessed Live Ball then Dead Ball. Live Ball penalties must be assessed before play is considered completed.
6. Penalties will be assessed half the distance to the goal yardage when the penalty yardage is more than half the distance to the goal.

5 Yard Penalties

• Illegal Equipment
• Offside
• Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.)
• Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage or throwing a pass beyond the line of scrimmage)
• Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)
• Screening, Blocking or Running with the ball carrier
• Delay of game
• Defense Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.)
• Defense Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball)
• Defense Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker)

10 Yard Penalties

• Roughing the passer
• Taunting
• Unsportsmanlike conduct. -After scoring and touchdown is good, offense receives a 10 yard penalty from the yard line of PAT attempt after touchdown (one warning to the player and team before ejection)

Spot Fouls

• Flag guarding 10 yards & loss of down
• Charging 10 yards & loss of down
• Defensive Pass Interference first down
• Stripping 10 yards & first down
• Offensive Unnecessary Roughness 10 yards & loss of down
• Screening, Blocking or Running with the ball carrier 5 yards & loss of down
• Defensive Unnecessary Roughness 10 yards & first down
• Defense Offside 5 yards from the LOS & automatic first down
• Illegal contact (Holding, blocking, etc.) 5 yards from the LOS & automatic first down
• Illegal flag pull (Before receiver has ball) 5 yards from the LOS & automatic first down
• Illegal rushing (Starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 5 yards from the LOS & automatic first down
• Roughing the passer 10 yards from the LOS & first down
• Taunting 10 yards from the LOS & first down

• Illegal motion (More than one person moving, false start, etc.) 5 yards from the LOS & loss of down
• Illegal forward pass (Pass received behind LOS or throwing a pass beyond LOS) 5 yards from the LOS & loss of down
• Offensive pass interference (Illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) 5 yards from the LOS & loss of down
• Flag guarding Spot foul, 10 yards & loss of down
• Screening, Blocking or Running with the ball carrier Spot foul, 5 yards & loss of down
• Charging Spot foul, 10 yards & loss of down
• Delay of game 5 yards from the LOS & loss of down
• Offensive Unnecessary Roughness Spot foul, 10 yards & loss of down
• Offside 5 yards from the LOS & loss of down
• Offense more than 5 players on field (players must be involved in play and not running off field) 5 yards & loss of down