NORTH JERSEY FLAG LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES

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Rules are not final:

A coaches meeting will be held 2 weeks prior to the season to discuss the addition, change and finalization of rules

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​DIVISIONS

 

K–2 Division

• 6v6 format

• Field size: 50 yards long × 25 yards wide (including end zones)

• No defensive rushing unless there is a legal handoff, lateral, or fake handoff that triggers the rush

• Coaches permitted on field pre-snap but must be off field before snap

• May run anywhere on the field

• 2 Coaches on the Field

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3–4 Division

• 7v7 format

• Field size: 70 yards long × 30 yards wide (including end zones)

• No defensive rushing unless there is a legal handoff, lateral, or fake handoff

• No Run Zones enforced

• 1 Coach on the Field

 

5–6 Division

• 7v7 format

• Field size: 70 yards long × 30 yards wide (including end zones)

• No defensive rushing unless there is a legal handoff, lateral, or fake handoff

• No Run Zones enforced

• 1 Coaches on the Field, moves away after play is called

 

GAME FORMAT

• Each game consists of two 20 minute running clock halves

• 1 minute halftime

• One 60 second timeout per half

• 35 point mercy rule

• Each possession starts at the 5 yard line

• Teams have three downs to cross midfield

• Once across midfield, teams have four downs to score

• 10 yard first downs for 3–4 and 5–6 divisions

• Midfield is the line to gain

 

FIELD

• K–2: 50 × 25 field

• 3–4 and 5–6: 70 × 30 field

• K-2: Within 5 yards before midfield and 5 yards before end zone, 1 run limit

•3-6: No Run Zones located 5 yards before midfield and 5 yards before end zone (3–4 and 5–6 only)

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SCORING

• Touchdown: 6 points

• 1 point PAT from 5 yard line, pass only

• 2 point PAT from 10 yard line, run or pass

• Interception returned during regulation: 6 points

• Safety: 2 points

 

LIVE BALL / DEAD BALL

The ball is live at the snap and remains live until the whistle.

Play is dead when:

• Flag is pulled

• Ball carrier steps out of bounds

• Knee, shin, arm or forearm touches ground

• Ball hits the ground

• Touchdown or safety is scored

• 7 second pass clock expires

 

RUNNING

• Ball is spotted where flag is pulled

• Quarterback may not run past the line of scrimmage

• Direct handoffs, laterals and pitches allowed behind LOS

• No blocking or screening allowed

• No flag guarding

• No diving or hurdling through defenders

• Offensive players may not run with the ball carrier

 

PASSING

• One forward pass per play from behind LOS

• 7 second pass clock, expires is a sack

• Pass clock eliminated after handoff or lateral

• No intentional grounding

• Shovel passes allowed if thrown from behind LOS and received beyond LOS

 

RECEIVING

• All players eligible

• One foot in bounds required

• Interceptions are returnable

 

RUSHING THE PASSER

• No rushing in K–2

• In 3–4 and 5–6, defense may only rush if a legal handoff, lateral, or fake handoff occurs

• Once ball is handed off, all defenders may cross LOS

• Sack occurs if QB’s flag is pulled behind LOS

• Roughing the passer results in penalty

 

FLAG PULLING

• Legal pull only when player has possession

• No tackling, holding or running through ball carrier

• No stripping ball

• If flag falls off, player is down where flag lands

• Flag guarding is illegal

 

FORMATIONS

• Center must snap with continuous motion

• QB must be off line of scrimmage

• One player allowed in motion

• All players must reset for one full second before snap

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

• No intentional contact

• No taunting

• No abusive language

• Two unsportsmanlike penalties results in ejection and 2 week suspension

NJFL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ANY PLAYER OR PARENT FROM THE LEAGUE

 

PENALTIES

More detailed sheet for coaches and refs will be sent out

Defensive

• Offside: 5 yards, automatic first down

• Illegal rush: 5 yards, automatic first down

• Roughing passer: 5 yards, automatic first down

• Defensive pass interference: automatic first down

• Unnecessary roughness: 10 yards, automatic first down

 

Offensive

• False start: 5 yards

• Illegal forward pass: 5 yards, loss of down

• Offensive pass interference: 5 yards, loss of down

• Flag guarding: 5 yards, loss of down

• Charging: 5 yards, loss of down

• Delay of game: 5 yards

 

OVERTIME

• Each team receives one play from opponent’s 5 yard line

• Must go for 2 beginning in second overtime

• Interceptions returned for score end the game