2008 NC State Contact Flag Football Championships

8-Man Contact Teams        Rules

1 - Dirty Devil’s (Clayton)

2 - Cardinal’s (Garner)

3 - Bengal’s (High Point)

4 - Dade (Raleigh)

5 - Revolution (Raleigh)

6 - Nitromen (Raleigh)

7 - Ultimate Alliance (Fayetteville)

Revolution and Poinrspread have merged to play as Pointspread.

Tarheels from High Point dropped out.

Seeding

Bracket I                                 W – L - T                   

1 - Dirty Devils                                                          

4 - Pointspread (Raleigh)                                                                            

6 - Nitromen                                      

7 - Ultimate Alliance                                                 

Bracket II                                W – L – T

2 - Cardinals

3 - Bengals

5 - Dade

Saturday Round Robin

All teams or team captains at Garner Sr. come over to Thompson Rd. after your game.

Garner Sr. High

11:30              1 vs 7              Dirty Devils vs Ultimate                                           

12:45              4 vs 6              Pointspread vs Nitromen    

02:00              W vs W                                  

03:15              L vs L

Thompson Road

11:45              2 vs 5              Cardinals vs Dade

01:00             5 vs 3              Dade vs Bengals

02:15              3 vs 2              Bengals vs Cardinals

03:30             

Sunday – Thompson Rd.

09:00             4^th Seed vs 5^th Seed

10:15              3^rd Seed vs 6^th Seed

11:30              2^nd Seed vs 7^th seed

12:45              1^st vs Winner Game One

02:00              Winners Game Two & Three

03:15              Championship

Winner A Division receives Awards and Bid / Travel Money to Orlando

Note: If the winner does not travel to Orlando, then money and bid will go to the team that does.

USFFL / NCFFA Rules

www.flagfootball.org

8 on 8 Flag Football Rules

The rules below are a general guideline. Men's and Women's rules are the same except when noted.

Refer to the NCFFA / USFTL Rule Book for rules not covered by this guideline.

THE NUMBER ONE RULE IN FLAG FOOTBALL THAT DETERMINES IF A PENALTY HAS OCCURRED IS …

WAS THERE AN ADVANTAGE GAINED!

- Format is 8 on 8 Contact Blocking

- 6 men needed to play. Game time is forfeit time (ref's discretion).

- 5 men on LOS on kicking downs

- 4 men on LOS on non kicking downs

- Flag Belts: Sonic Pop Flags

- Equipment: NFL or NCAA Regulation Football. No Pants with pockets or belt loops; no hard caps.

- Game Time:   Tournament / Playoff Clock is two 22 minute halves with a 5 minute halftime.

                        Regular Season Clock s 24 minute halves w/ 5 minute halftime.

- Continuous Clock except last two minutes of each half when a regulation clock will be in effect.

- Timeouts: 3 - 30 second time outs per half but only two can be used inside the two minute warning.

- Play Clock: A 25 second clock will be in effect.

- Advancement of Ball: The ball marks the advancement of the play.

- Overtime: Each team receives four plays from the 20. Interceptions may be returned. If Team A on their first possession throws an interception and it is returned by Team B for a score then the game is over. Note: In Regular Season Play only one overtime period allowed; In the Playoffs and Tournament Play; the following playoff procedure will be in effect: Second Overtime: After first over time period teams must go for the win. Example: Team A scores and goes for one point - result 7 points. Team B then scores on their possession and must go for two points - the win. Third Overtime Period: Ball will be spotted on 5 yard line and each team will receive one play for a one point try or on the 10 yard line for a two point try.

Kickoffs and Punts:

- 5 men on line of scrimmage at snap on kicking downs.

- Kickoffs are used to begin play at the start of each half and after score.

- Each team will have 45 seconds to put ball in play - Penalty - Delay of Game 5-yards.

- There are NO quick kicks allowed. All kicks are declared.

- The kicking team may not down the ball.

- Neither team may touch a kicked ball prior to the forty, if touched; the ball is dead at that point.

- All punts are to be announced, the punting team may only change that decision after a time-out.

- A rolling or dead ball may be returned by the receiving team only.

If touched and dropped the ball will be blown dead - a muff.

- Kickoffs are from the twenty and received from the forty. On a kick out of bounds, the receiving team has the   option of; take the ball at their thirty-five yard line (80-yard field) or take the ball where it went out of bounds. Note: On a 100 yard field, the ball will be placed at mid field.

- The punter must punt the ball immediately after receiving the snap. If not a delay penalty shall be called.

- The snap on a punt must be at least five yards back.

- A Punted or kicked ball may be returned out of the endzone.

- A return man must be given a two yard cushion to catch the ball.

- On Punts, the two outside players on the kicking team may go at the snap. The receiving team may block these players for ten yards.

- On Kickoffs, the kicking team players may run towards the LOS. The receiving team must have 5 players on the restraining line.

- Onside kicks must be declared inside the two minute warning of the second half only. Either team may declare an onside kick but the winning team must be within 8 points to declare and the losing team must be within 16 points.

- Field Goals: On field goal attempts, Lineman should line up with feet touching. Lineman may not rush the gaps - area between offensive linemen - unless offensive linemen vacate the gaps. Rush is only from outside. Defensive linemen may jump to block field goals or extra points. All kicks must be declared.

- There is no rush on punting downs.

Field Goals / Extra Points

Teams may kick field goals – 3 points. Kick for extra point from 3 yard line or pass for 2 points from 10 yard line. Live rush from outside tackles only.
USFFL / NCFFA Rules

www.flagfootball.org

Onside Kicks: Declared Onside kicks are permitted under the following rule - In the last two minutes of second half, Team B (receiving team) who legally fields Team A's (kicking team) kickoff on the field of play must advance the ball to or beyond the 20-yard line. Failure to advance the ball to the twenty or beyond will result in Team A being awarded the ball at mid-field. If Team B allows the ball to travel into the end zone before being touched or legally downs the ball in the endzone, the ball shall belong to Team B and be spotted on the twenty-yard line - a touchback.

Note: If Team B advances the ball beyond the 20, but is penalized beyond the line to gain, they will keep the ball after the necessary yardage has been marked off.

THE HEAD OFFICIAL SHALL EXPLAIN THE ONSIDE KICK RULE TO THE RECEIVING TEAM

 

At the Snap:

- All snaps are to be from the shotgun formation or from under center.

- All snaps shall be one continuous motion.

- QB may play the ball, bad snap, if fielded cleanly - muffs are dead at the spot.

- The QB may not cross the LOS, retreat and then throw a forward pass. Penalty - Illegal forward pass, 5-yards and LOD

- All players must come set for at least one second prior to snapping the ball.

- Motion plays are permitted with one player moving parallel to or away from the LOS. The motion player must be at least one yard off LOS.

Encroachment / False Start / Offsides / Snaps

- Anytime a defensive player crosses over the defensive marker, whether or not he returned prior to snap, a dead ball infraction has occurred. Encroachment - 5 yards.

- A False Start has occurred if an offensive player moves just prior to the snap. He/She must be set for one second prior to the snap. Penalty – 5 Yards; Dead Ball Foul. If the defense attempted in some manner to draw the offense into a false start then an Unsportsmanlike Penalty has occurred – 10 yards.

- If a defensive player or offensive player lines up off sides, then a live ball penalty has occurred. Offsides – 5 yards. Play continues with penalty determined after play.

- A snapped ball does NOT have to travel through the centers legs.

- The ball must be snapped from the middle 15 yards on a field.

- The player receiving the snap must behind the line of scrimmage. 

Handling and Passing:

· No forward handoffs are allowed once past the line of scrimmage.

· If a lateral or snap is dropped, it will be marked at that spot.

· If a pass, forward or backwards, is simultaneously caught by both team members, the ball becomes dead and in the possession of the team with prior possession.

· All receptions require one foot in bounds and control to be considered legal.

Passing - Once the QB’s arm is in forward motion he will be permitted to complete the pass. You cannot hit the quarterback's arm or strip the ball from the quarterback's hand. It is ILLEGAL for the passer to cross the scrimmage line and retreat behind the scrimmage line to attempt a forward pass. Inside the two minute warning, the quarterback may take a snap and immediately throw the ball to the ground to stop the clock. Rushers cannot contact the passer's arm or hand, even if they block the pass. Rushers may not leave their feet and throw themselves into the quarterback. The pocket is defined as that area directly behind the center between the tackles or blockers. The rusher may NOT dive to pull the QB's flag. The rule here should be to protect the passer's arm and legs from injury.

Inadvertent Whistle:

· The play is replayed if the ball was in the air at time of whistle.

· The offense has the choice of a replay or taking the ball at the spot where the whistle was blown, if the ball was in the possession of a player when the whistle was blown. Possession cannot be forfeited on an inadvertent whistle.

Point After Touchdowns:

· The PAT try may be attempted from the 3 yard line for one point, or the ten yard line for two points.

A team may kick for the extra point when field goals are provided.

· A PAT will be a timed down unless within the two minute rule.

· A PAT will not be attempted after the game has ended unless needed to determine a victor.

If a loss of down penalty occurs, there is no replay.

There is no mercy rule in round robin play. In elimination play, a 17-point mercy rule will be in effect inside the two-minute period.

USFFL / NCFFA Rules

www.flagfootball.org

Deflagging/Tagging:

 

· Ball carriers are not to obstruct the path to their flags with any body part or the ball.

· Flags are to be attached in a way that one pull will deflag the runner.

· If a flag falls off, a one hand tag between the shoulders and the knees will down the runner.

· Every player must have two flags on at the beginning of each play. If not, illegal participation penalty

· Any player who scores must proceed to an official to be deflagged, without touching his flagbelt.

· Intentional deflagging of a non ball carrier carrier will be called for an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

· After deflagging a ball carrier, anything besides dropping the flag a the spot, may deem unsportsmanlike and warrant a flag.

· No player may contact a passer other than attempting to deflag him.

· FLAG GAURDING IS A JUDGEMENT CALL MADE BY AN OFFICAL.

Ten Yard penalty from spot except when it occurs behind LOS then it is marked from the previous spot. You cannot get the tackle and the flag guarding call. Flag Guarding is a Spot Foul except as noted and the down will count.

Blocking:

 

· Blocking is to obstruct the path of the defender / rusher with open hands between the shoulders and waist. Any contact above or below the defined area is a penalty. Any open hand block that creeps up the body into face / head area is a penalty.

· A blocker may only use the natural width of his body.

· There is to be no extension of the legs.

· Any use of an elbow / forearm will be flagged as a flagrant personnel foul and may carry an ejection.

· There is to be NO blocking below the waist or lowering of head or shoulders.

· Any flops will be seen as such. Any late hits or excessive contact will be penalized immediately.

. Defensive players may "Chuck" a receiver within five yards of the LOS. You cannot contact the receiver while the ball is in the air or maintain the block … it’s chuck and release.

Blocking: Contact Blocking is defined as obstructing the rusher's path to the quarterback or ball carrier in the following manner: Open Hands with contact limited between shoulders and waist. The screener may not block with his head, shoulder, hips, or legs. Extending a leg or knee and initiating contact is a foul. The blocker may not leave his feet to block. Blocking with elbows or forearms extended are not permitted. Two on one blocking is permitted but high - low blocking is not allowed. (Penalty: Illegal block - 10 yards)

BLOCKERS MUST BE ON THERE FEET BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER A BLOCK – NO DIVING TO THROW A BLOCK.

Player Substitutions:

· Only eight players in the huddle at one time, unless a time out has been taken.

· Any substituting player must come within fifteen yards of the ball sometime prior to the snap.

· No player may step off the field and be the first to touch a live ball. Unless forced off the field during play.

· All players on the sideline must stay between the 20 yard line markers. And one yard off the field of play.

Holding:

· No player shall hold a runner while attempting to grasp a flag. If a player is held and restrained the penalty may become more severe, up to awarding the offense a touchdown.

Penalties:

· When a foul occurs during a live ball play, the official shall, at the end of the play, notify both teams of the infraction. Next he is to inform the offended team's captain of his rights and results of both accepting and declining the penalty. Any choice once made may not be changed or revoked. Any time outs will take place after the penalty has been resolved.

· The enforcement of a penalty cannot take the ball more than half the distance from the spot towards the opponent’s goal line.

· If an offensive penalty occurs while the player is in his own endzone, the results of the play are revoked and a safety is granted to the defensive team.

· No player may hide the ball under a shirt or jersey.

USFFL / NCFFA Rules

www.flagfootball.org

Carrying the Ball:

The ball-carrier may not: 1) flag shield (using the hand or ball), 2) run directly into a defender (charge), 3) dive to advance the ball, or 5) toss the ball in the air to avoid a flag pull while in possession of the ball (toss to self).

Penalties:

Penalty Assessment Notes:

1 - Unlike in the NFL, intentional grounding can occur in or out of the pocket.

2 - Any tackle or push out of bounds within 10 yards of the end zone will be judged a touchdown automatically unless other defenders are present to stop the ball carrier.

3 - Anything exceeding incidental contact with the quarterback will be judged “roughing the passer”, a personal foul. Defensive players may not contact the passing arm of the QB even if you "get a piece of the ball." If you block a pass you cannot contact any part of the passer. If the QB's arm is moving forward then the passer will be allowed to continue throw - hence, no sack.

4 - It is not ball stripping if the ball carrier uses the ball to guard the flag.

5 - If a player has established possession - one foot down and control - a defended cannot strip the ball. 

THE NUMBER ONE RULE IN FLAG FOOTBALL THAT DETERMINES IF A PENALTY HAS OCCURRED IS …

WAS THERE AN ADVANTAGE GAINED?

WHILE THE HEAD REF HAS SUPERVISON OVER THE ENTIRE FIELD, HE MUST MAINTAIN HIS ATTENTION TO AND AROUND THE QUARTERBACK DURING LIVE PLAY. THIS WILL HELP PROTECT THE LINEMEN AND QB FROM ILLEGAL CONTACT AND POSSIBLE INJURY.

THE LINE JUDGE HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLAY ALONG THE LOS AND HIS IMMEDIATE SIDELINE.

THE DOWNFIELD JUDGE HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PLAY AND CONTACT DOWNFIELD AND ON HIS IMMEDIATE SIDELINE.

Refs should regularly come together and ask for help from each other or to discuss a play – YOU ARE A TEAM.

The Line Judge and Downfield Judge should mark off penalties and set the ball spotters while the Head Ref announces the call or blows the ready whistle.

Preventative Officiating goes a long way towards keeping the game moving on time and without a lot of unnecessary penalties and argument by players. Do not debate the calls!

Do not engage in idle conversation or discussions of play while the game is being played.

DROP THE BALL SPOTTERS AND BLOW THE READY WHISTLE FOR THE 25 SECOND CLOCK

Determine who is the defensive and offensive captains at the coin toss and speak only to these players during the game when it involves enforcement of penalties.

ANY EXCESSIVE CONTACT CAN AND SHOULD RESULT IN PLAYER EJECTION.

YOUR JOB IS TO PROTECT THE PLAYERS BY STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF THE CONTACT RULES.

IF A PLAYER IS INJURIED, STOP PLAY AND DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE INJURY, CALL FOR MEDICAL HELP IF NECESSARY. DO NOT MOVE A DOWNED OR UNCONSCIOUS PLAYER. IF HE CAN’T WALK OFF THE FIELD ON HIS OWN POWER OR MAKE A DECISION ABOUT HIS CARE ON THE FIELD – DON’T MAKE IT FOR HIM. CALL FOR MEDIACL ATTENTION.

ANY TIME YOU DETERMINE THAT THE CONDITION OF THE FIELD OR WEATHER CAN RESULT IN PLAYER INJURY – STOP PLAY UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED OR CALL THE GAME.

USFFL / NCFFA Rules

www.flagfootball.org

Defer to the NCFFA and/or the USFTL Rule book.

Pass Interference

1.       There shall be no interference with a forward pass thrown from behind the line. The restriction for the passing team starts with the snap. The restriction on the defensive team starts when the ball leaves the passer’s hand. Both restrictions end when the ball is touched by anyone.

2.       The penalty for defensive pass interference is an automatic first down at the spot of the foul. If interference is in the end zone, it is first down for the offense on the defense’s 1-yard line. If previous spot was inside the defense’s 1-yard line, penalty is half the distance to the goal line.

3.       The penalty for offensive pass interference is 10 yards from the previous spot.

4.       It is pass interference by either team when any player movement beyond the line of scrimmage significantly hinders the progress of an eligible player of such player’s opportunity to catch the ball. Offensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is snapped until the ball is touched. Defensive pass interference rules apply from the time the ball is thrown until the ball is touched.

Actions that constitute defensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Contact by a defender who is not playing the ball and such contact restricts the receiver’s opportunity to make the catch.
(b) Playing through the back of a receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(c) Grabbing a receiver’s arm(s) in such a manner that restricts his opportunity to catch a pass.
(d) Extending an arm across the body of a receiver thus restricting his ability to catch a pass, regardless of whether the defender is playing the ball.
(e) Cutting off the path of a receiver by making contact with him without playing the ball.
(f) Hooking a receiver in an attempt to get to the ball in such a manner that it causes the receiver’s body to turn prior to the ball arriving.

Actions that do not constitute pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Incidental contact by a defender’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball, or neither player is looking for the ball. If there is any question whether contact is incidental, the ruling shall be no interference.
(b) Inadvertent tangling of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players.
(d) Laying a hand on a receiver that does not restrict the receiver in an attempt to make a play on the ball.
(e) Contact by a defender who has gained position on a receiver in an attempt to catch the ball.

Actions that constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Blocking downfield by an offensive player prior to the ball being touched.
(b) Initiating contact with a defender by shoving or pushing off thus creating a separation in an attempt to catch a pass.
(c) Driving through a defender who has established a position on the field.

Actions that do not constitute offensive pass interference include but are not limited to:

(a) Incidental contact by a receiver’s hands, arms, or body when both players are competing for the ball or neither player is looking for the ball.
(b) Inadvertent touching of feet when both players are playing the ball or neither player is playing the ball.
(c) Contact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the ball is clearly uncatchable by involved players.

Note 1: If there is any question whether player contact is incidental, the ruling should be no interference.
Note 2: Defensive players have as much right to the path of the ball as eligible offensive players.
Note 3: Pass interference for both teams ends when the pass is touched.
Note 4: There can be no pass interference at or behind the line of scrimmage, but defensive actions such as tackling a receiver can still result in a 5-yard penalty for defensive holding, if accepted.

NOTE: WHILE THE DEFENDER HAS AN EQUAL RIGHT TO THE BALL, IN FLAG FOOTBALL, A RECEIVER WHO HAS ESTABLISH A LINE TO THE BALL OR POSSITION CANNOT BE INTERFERED WITH – THE DEFENDER CANNOT INTERFER WITH THE RECEIVERS OPPORTUNITY TO CATCH THE BALL. WATCH FOR CONTACT WITH THE RECEIVER … THE DEFENDER CAN PLAY THE BALL AND INTERCEPT OR BREAK UP A PASS BUT HE CANNOT PLAY THROUGH THE RECEIVER IN DOING SO.