Women's Flag Football Rules

Maximum roster size: 12 players
Maximum on field: 5 players
Minimum on field: 4 players

Playing field: Women's flag football will be played outdoors on the intramural field between the baseball and softball fields.

Length of game: Two 20-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime. During each half, the first eight minutes is running time, stopping the clock only for a:

Touchdown
Safety
Incomplete pass
Out-of-bounds
Team timeout

A two-minute verbal warning is given by the IM supervisor. During the final two minutes of each half, the clock will be stopped any time the play is dead.

Possession: Each team is given four downs to advance the ball over the half line/large blue line in the middle of the playing area. The ball must break the plane of the near side of the large blue line to gain four new downs. If this is achieved, four additional downs are given to score.

Timeouts: Two timeouts per half of one-minute in duration per team (not accumulative).

KICKOFFS/PUNTING

Kickoff:

At the beginning of each half and after touch-downs or safeties, kickoff from the behind goal line (red line) by throwing or kicking the ball (if indoors, throwing only). If the ball touches the ceiling or other ceiling objects, the ball is rekicked. The kicking team must stay behind the goal line (red line) until the ball is kicked. The receiving team must have a minimum of four receivers.

On the kickoff (throw), a ball that hits the ground before someone touches it is live or a ball that hits the back wall is a touchback and is brought out to the anchor.

Punting:

Before the down, the offensive team must inform their opponents of the intention to kick (throw).
A ball kicked (thrown) out-of-bounds is either a foul (penalty: five yards from kick) or rekicked. The receiving team has the choice of which penalty will be enforced.
Following a touchback, the ball is placed in the center of "anchor" circle at that half of the floor.
A muffed catch (touched ball not caught) is marked dead on that spot.

NEUTRAL ZONE:

A rush count of seven seconds (counted by the IM worker) will be given if the offense team is passing. If the ball is not passed in seven seconds, it is a "sack", and the offensive team loses that down.
A defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the line of scrimmage.
The offensive line players must remain stationary for one second prior to the snap.
The player receiving the snap may be no more than two yards from the line of scrimmage.
If a snap hits the ground, it is dead.
Two offensive players, other than the center, must touch the ball before it is advanced. Only if the quarterback is rushed may she run the ball.

PASSING:

All players are eligible to catch a pass.
One foot must come down inbounds on a pass.
Pass interference will be penalized with a first down. Pass interference constitutes an obvious attempt to impede (such as hands on the face). If the offensive team is not at the blue line, then take the ball to the blue line. If the penalty occurs past the blue line, then a first down is awarded but no extra yardage is given.
The ball must cross the line of scrimmage for pass interference to be called.

BLOCKING

On defensive blocking, hands may only touch the opponent inside the shoulders on the chest. No pushing.
On offensive blocking, hands and arms may be use for protection but elbows must be held in. No stiff-arming.

DEFLAGGING

The flag belt must be worn legally attached.
An offensive player cannot guard the flag belt with her body. To avoided being deflagged, you may only spin or jump.
A ball carrier who has fallen to the ground is down.

SCORING

Touchdown: 6 points
Safety: 2 points
PAT: 1 or 2 points

A player scoring a touchdown must be able to legally detach her belt and show the IM supervisor.

Point After (PAT):

Ball place at the anchor for one point or the red line between the anchor and the large blue line for two points. The team gets one chance to advance the ball for a PAT with either a run or pass.

Overtime (FOR PLAYOFFS ONLY):

If the game ends in a tie, each team shall have one series of four downs to score from the large blue line. If successful, the PAT may then be attempted. If the game is still tied after the first extra set of downs, this ends the first overtime. A second set of extra down is then awarded to each team. This continues until there is a winner.

Sportsmanship Rules

Sportsmanship rules will be strictly enforced. Rosters will be checked regularly. Unsportsmanlike action will not be tolerated.

One no show will put your team on probation. Once on probation, either one additional no show or one forfeit will remove your team from competition.
Additional players may be added up to game time on the day of your scheduled event by the roster addition form. Email intramurals@hope.edu with questions.