City of Plattsburgh

Coed Indoor Flag Football League Rules:

  General:

1. THIS IS A RECREATIONAL LEAGUE – SAFETY COMES FIRST, FUN COMES SECOND, WINNING COMES THIRD.
2. Each team must respect their opponent at all times and must contribute to a positive and fun atmosphere. 
3. Fighting, pushing, shoving, threatening behavior and other aggressive non-football behavior will not be tolerated.  In such events, the referee will issue red cards to all involved—a red card = a ban from the league for the remainder of the season.  In the event that a red card is issued during the playoffs, that player will be banned from the subsequent season.  Verbal remarks such as obsenties or threats towards other players or referees will result in a red card. If a player finds him/herself a victim of aggressive non-football behavior, WALK AWAY. Retaliation is grounds for the issuance of a red card as well. 
4. Referees have supreme on-field authority.  Their ruling is final.  Also, referees are human and make mistakes.  Please respect their best efforts.
5. Several accommodations within these rules have been made to reduce contact associated with traditional football.  There is no blocking or tackling in this program. 
6. A maximum of 6 players are allowed on the field per side.  In the Adult coed league, each team must have a minimum of one female on the field at all times.  You may play with 5 males if no female is available—any less than 5 players will result in a forfeit.
7. The offense has 4 downs to earn a first down by crossing midfield. Once over midfield, the offense has 4 downs to score.
8. Team area – All coaches/captains and players not in the current play must be on the sidelines.
9. All rosters are final after the third game of the season.
10. CAN ONLY PLAY ON 1 TEAM PER DIVISION.  PLAYING ON MULTIPLE TEAMS IN EACH DIVISION IS NOT PERMITTED.
11. Players must play in at least two regular season games in order to be eligible for the playoffs.
12. All players must wear matching colored jerseys.
13. Players may not be borrowed from other teams without league approval.
14. All regular season games may end in a tie. Overtime will only be used to decide a game in the playoffs.

Starting the Game:

1. Coin toss choices – receive ball or choose which end to defend.
2. Each team starts on their starting line (3 yard line) unless a penalty is being enforced.
3. The ball is dead once it hits the ground on a fumble, this includes bad snaps.
4. If a player falls down or is on one knee and/or one elbow, the ball is considered dead.

SCORING:

1. A touchdown = 6 points
2. Extra point option:  2 points from the 8-yard line, OR 1 point from the 3-yard line (extra points cannot be advanced by the defense).
3. Safety = 2 points (a safety is when a player is flagged in the end zone, when there is intentional grounding, or when there is an offensive fumble in the end zone)

Rules About the Clock:

1. Game consists of two 20-minute periods.  Each team has one timeout per half.  There is a four minute halftime. 
2. All periods will end at the sound of the buzzer.
3. There are two exceptions to this rule: 1) Games can not end on a defensive foul 2) Extra point attempts can be played after the buzzer if the touchdown is scored during regulation time.
4. 30-second play clock is in effect.
5. Any team found negatively altering the clock will be penalized by forfeit for unsportsmanlike conduct. 
6. The game clock will start at game time even if both teams are not ready.

Tie Games:

1. Tie games are a tie unless it is a playoff or Championship game and then use the following:

- Tie shoot out method decides the winner of tied games

- Each team is given the ball an equal number of times. Each team gets 4 downs from midfield. Defense may return the ball for the touchdown. Extra points are attempted. Both teams get an opportunity to score but after first attempts by both teams, the first team to score after that wins the game.

Special Rules:

1. Offense must have three players on the line of scrimmage.  Penalty of illegal formation = 4 yards
2. There will be a 5 yard neutral zone separating any defensive pass rushers from the offense.  Penalty for illegal rushing = 4 yards.
3. There is no pass blocking or downfield blocking permitted (the 5 yard neutral zone replaces the need for blocking.  Penalty for illegal rushing = 4 yards.
4. The QB has 7 seconds to release the ball on each play.  If seven seconds elapses, the result is a coverage sack and a loss of 4 yards.
5. The offense may run the ball via handoff, unless the play originates from wintin the circle prior to the goal line or midfield
6. The defense may rush at any time, but must be from beyond the 5 yard neutral zone.
7. The QB may not run the ball unless being rushed by the defense (the defensive player must cross the line of scrimmage).
8. The offense has 4 downs to earn a first down by crossing midfield.  Once over midfield, the offense has four downs to score.  If the offense turns the ball over on downs, the other team takes over at their three yard line.
9. Following an interception, the recovering team gets the ball at the end of the return.
10. Receivers must have 1 foot in bounds.
11. Center must always snap the ball between his/her legs.
12. Offensive player (ball carrier) may not dive, except to catch a pass. Penalty: Ball is dead at the spot of where ball carrier left his feet (down counts).
13. Offensive player may not hurdle over a defender.
14. Once a player has control of the ball they may not grab onto the net surrounding the field. Penalty for doing so is a 15-yard penalty.
15. Inadvertent whistles – play is blown dead.
16. OFFENSIVE PLAYERS MUST KEEP THEIR SHIRTS TUCKED IN THEIR PANTS OR THE REFEREE CAN RULE YOU DOWN.
17. Ball spot is determined by where the player’s hips are when player is deflagged.
18. Any player not wearing a flag belt is down automatically when they receive the ball (catch or handoff).  If a player loses their flag in the middle of the play, they are down regardless of if a defender pulled it or not
19. The quarterback may not be touched except to grab for flags.  This includes touching the throwing arm in any way when in motion.  Penalty is 10 yards and an automatic 1^st down. 

Equipment:

1. No metal cleats.
2. No jewelry at all.