4 on 4 Rules

Men's / Women's and Coed Divisions

Number of Players: 4 on 4, 3 players are required to avoid forfeit.
Rosters: 8 players with numbered jerseys.
Jersey Conflicts: First team listed on schedule is home team and has choice of jerseys.
Coed Program: 2 men and 2 women. 3 players (1 woman) required to avoid forfeit.
Playing Field: 2 - 25 yard zones x 25 yards wide with (2) ten yard endzones.
Downs: 3 downs to cross mid field; 3 downs to score.
First Downs: One-first down at mid field.
Ball:
Men's Division; Regulation NFL or College Football.
Women's and Coed Division: Regulation Juniors or High School Football.
Flags: Triple Threat or Sonic Pop
Scoring:
Men's Touch Down = 6 points
Female = 9 points
Safety = 2 points
Forfeited Games = 6 points
Extra Point Try: 5 yards = 1 point; 10 yards = 2 points. Interception and return of extra point = 2 points.
Mercy Rule: 17 points inside the one minute warning. A team will be permitted to complete drive.
Blocking: Screen Blocking Only. You may not extend your hands, knee, chest, etc., and contact opponent.
Receiving: Everyone Eligible. One Foot In Bounds and Control Of Football.

Basic Four on Four Rules:

Coin Toss: Choices are; 1) Offense, 2) Defense, 3) Designate choice of goal, 4) Defer to Second Half.
Loser of coin toss shall have his choice of remaining options. Options reversed second half.
Play: Offense takes possession on their own 5 yard line and has three plays to cross mid field. Once a team crosses mid field they have three plays to score. If team "A" fails to score, then team "B" takes possession at their 5 yard line. All drives and possessions except interceptions begin at offensive team's 5 yard line. Interceptions are played at spot player is de-flagged; or with touchback, at your 5 yard line. Interceptions returned for score equals 6 points for male or 9 points for female.
Game Time: 15 Minute Halves with regulation clock last minute of each half. 2 minute half time.
Snaps: Ball must be snapped between legs to start play. direct Snaps are legal.
  1) A Quarterback may play a bad snap as long as the ball is fielded cleanly, in front of the QB, and not bobbled.
  2) All Fumbles are dead at spot.
  3) Ball Carrier's knee hits ground and ball is dead.
  4) Play continues till a player is legally de-flagged. If flags fall off inadvertently, play reverts to two hand tag between
     shoulders and waist.
25 Second Clock: After ball is spotted and officials sound ready whistle, offense has 25 seconds to snap ball.
One Minute Warning: Official will announce one minute warning. Regulation clock will take effect. Clock stops for; incomplete pass, out of bounds, change of possession, first downs, time outs, defensive penalties and restarts.
Time Outs: 2 - 30 second time outs per half.
Passing Rule: Quarterback has 7 seconds to pass ball. Official will hand count to seven. If QB has ball in hand at 7, play will be blown dead. The down will count and ball will be returned to line of scrimmage. If QB's arm is going forward attempting a pass at 7 second count, play will continue.

If a passer crosses the line of scrimmage and retreats and throws a pass, it is an illegal forward pass.

Rushing:
Defensive players that rush QB must be a minimum of seven yards from line of scrimmage.
Any number of players may rush the QB.
After QB hands off or laterals the ball, all players may rush from anywhere on field.
A ball spotter will be used to mark the LOS and a rush spotter will be used to mark restraining line.
Players not rushing must be one yard off spot of ball.
Rushers must go for QB's flags and are not allowed to make contact with QB's arm or body.

Mouthpieces: Players must wear protective mouthpieces.
Hats and Sunglasses: Hats with hard brim or non safety sports glasses are not allowed.
General Rules of Play:
Only one forward pass or lateral per play.
QB may not take snap from center and run at any time.
QB may lateral or hand ball off (behind) to a player who is then eligible to run or throw.
One lateral or pitch is allowed per play.
Once ball has been pitched or handed off, all players are eligible to rush.
No Contact Allowed.
No Diving to advance the ball.
Flags mark the spot of ball.

Penalty Enforcement
LOS = Line of Scrimmage
LOD = Loss of Down
AFD = Automatic First Down
Officials should judge all calls by the basic rule - Was an illegal advantage gained?
Offensive Penalties:
1) False Start - 5 yards from LOS and replay down.
1) Illegal Motion - More than one person moving at snap, illegal shift, illegal motion. 5 yards and LOD
2) Illegal Forward Pass - Forward pass beyond line of scrimmage. 5 yards and LOD
3) Offensive Pass Interference - Illegal pick play, pushing off or away from a defender. 10 yards from LOS and LOD
4) Flag Guarding - Illegally contacting or preventing a player from pulling flags.
     When behind LOS = 10 yards from LOS and LOD
     When beyond LOS = 10 yards from Spot and LOD
5) Delay of Game - 5 yards from LOS and LOD
6) Encroachment - 5 yards from LOS and LOD
7) Illegal Contact - Holding or blocking, etc., 10 yards from LOS and LOD
8) Intentional Grounding - QB pass to avoid sack. Receiver must be in area of throw. 10 yards from LOS and LOD
     Note: Inside of the one minute warning, QB may take snap and immediately throw ball to ground to stop clock.
Defensive Penalties:
1) Offsides - 5 yards from LOS and Automatic First Down (AFD)
2) Defensive Pass Interference - Spot foul and AFD
3) Illegal Contact - Holding or blocking, etc. 10 yards from LOS and AFD
4) Illegal Flag Pull - Pulling runner's flags before he has possession of ball. 10 yards from LOS and AFD
5) Illegal Rush - Starting rush from inside 7 yard rush zone. 10 yards from LOS and AFD

Flagrant Fouls: Any flagrant act whatsoever (tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, taunting, or similar unsportsmanlike conduct shall not be tolerated). 10 yards from LOS and AFD plus player ejection. Officials shall stop game and warn both teams. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
Defensive Penalties: Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

Rules not covered by this guide will be covered by NCFFA State and USFTL National Rule Book.

In addition to these flag football rules, there are City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department Rules that apply.
All team captains and players that sign their waiver from has acknowledged that have read all rules and will abide by said rules.

Web Site: www.usffl.info