NORTH JERSEY FLAG LEAGUE OFFICIAL RULES

K–2nd DIVISION

 

• 6v6 format 

 

• Field size: 50 yards long × 30 yards wide (including end zones)

 

• No defensive rushing unless there is a legal handoff behind LOS that triggers the rush.

 

• Coaches permitted on field but must be reasonably out of the way prior to the snap.

 

• 2 Coaches on the Field per team

 

• “No Run Zones” modified

• Within 5 yards of the first down and the endzone, 2 runs are permitted per possession

• Example: In “No Run Zone” …1st & 2nd play runs……next 2 attempts must be passes

 

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3rd-4th DIVISION

 

• 7v7 format (Can play 6v6 if a team does not have a full 7 man roster)

 

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

 

• Blitzing

• Each team is allowed one blitz per set of four downs (per possession)

 

• Example: If a team blitzes on 1st down, they may not blitz again until they either gain a first down or begin a new possession

• See ‘Blitz’ section for more details

 

• QB can’t cross LOS unless there is a blitzer

 

• No Run Zones in effect (see ‘No Run Zone’ section)

 

• 1  Coach (per team) permitted on field but must be reasonably out of the way prior to the snap.

 

 

 

5th-6th DIVISION

 

• 7v7 format  (Can play 6v6 if a team does not have a full 7 man roster)

 

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

 

• Blitzing

• Each team is allowed unlimited blitzes

 

• See ‘Blitz’ section for more details. 

 

• ‘No Run Zones’ in effect (see ‘No Run Zone’ section)

 

• One Coach (per team) permitted on field but must be reasonably out of the way prior to snap.

 

 

 

GAME FORMAT

 

• Each game consists of two 20 minute running clock halves

 

• 2 minute halftime

 

• One  40 second timeout per half

 

• 35 point mercy rule

• Team with 35 pt lead gets the win

• Scoreboard turns off

• Clock continues to run, and play can resume if losing coach agrees

• (this would be the time to let kids try new positions)

 

• Each possession starts at the 5 yard line

 

• Teams have four downs to cross midfield (first down)

 

• Teams can choose to “punt” on 4th down…the ball will go to opposite 5 yard line

 

• Once across midfield, teams have four downs to score

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• A forfeited game will be recorded as a 21-0 victory. the result will count toward standings and playoff seeding.

 

No Run Zones

 

• A ‘No Run Zone’ is within 5 yards of the Midline and the Endzone

 

• A run is considered a handoff or a lateral behind the LOS (if QB is blitzed and scrambles, this is not considered a “run”)

 

SCORING

 

• Touchdown: 6 points

 

• 1 point PAT from 5 yard line, pass only (no blitz, no QB scramble)

 

• 2 point PAT from 10 yard line, pass only (no blitz, no QB scramble)

 

• PATs Intercepted: Play is dead

 

• Interception returned during regulation: Ball is live

 

• 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

 

• 6 second pass clock expires

• Play is dead (sack)

• When blitzed the 6 second timer is terminated

 

• Ball carrier steps out of bounds

 

• Knee, shin, arm or forearm touches ground

 

• Ball hits the ground

 

• Touchdown or safety is scored

 

RUNNING

 

• A run is considered a handoff or a lateral behind the LOS

 

• Ball is spotted where flag is pulled (when you pull a flag, stay in that spot and hold it above your head)

 

• Quarterback may not run past the line of scrimmage, unless blitzed (3rd-6th)

 

• Direct handoffs, laterals and pitches allowed behind LOS (one per play behind LOS)

 

• No blocking or screening allowed in K-2 division

 

• 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

 

• 6 second pass clock, expires is a sack

 

• Pass clock eliminated after handoff or lateral

 

• No intentional grounding

 

RECEIVING

 

• All players eligible

 

• One foot in bounds required

 

• Interceptions are returnable

 

 

 

Blitzing

 

• The pass rusher must identify themselves by starting on the blitz cone (7 yards past the LOS)

 

• Pass rusher must be the one to avoid contact with the center

 

• Roughing the passer, blocker, or blitzer results in unnecessary roughness penalty (10 yards)

 

(See each division for blitz specific rules)

 

• 3rd-4th & 5th-6th Grade Blocking / Pass Protection Rules:

• No blocking beyond the LOS

• Only the Center can block

• The Center can only shuffle horizontally along the LOS

• The Center’s hands must be crossed against his torso when blocking

• The Center is an eligible receiver and may choose not to block on any play

• An illegal block will result in unnecessary roughness (10 yards)

  • Hands extend away from torso

  • Leaning with the shoulder when the blitzer is on the LOS or in backfield 

  • Tripping

  • Hip Checking

 

 

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

 

 

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

 

• No intentional contact, no abusive language and no taunting 

 

• Two unsportsmanlike penalties results in ejection and 2 week suspension

 

PENALTIES

 

Defensive

 

• Offside: 5 yards penalty, repeat of down

 

• Illegal rush: 5 yards

 

• Unnecessary roughness: 10 yards

 

• Defensive pass interference: 10 yards

 

 

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, from spot of foul

 

• Blocking: 10 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 TD will end the game