Blitz Flag Football

BLITZ – FLAG FOOTBALL - 
2013 RULEBOOK

1.      TEAM RULES

•          One person from each team will have to keep score and do the clock at least once throughout the course of the season.
•          It is FLAG FOOTBALL not tackle football, so keep in mind that all it is for fun and exercise, not to hurt anyone.
•          Team Captain’s will be the contact person due to inclement weather. Facebook and twitter will available as well.
•          Each team must have atleast 4 players to start the game unless otherwise allowed by the opposing team. (ex- if team has 3 players and is waiting for more to show up, the opposing team can allow the game to be official or forfeited)

2.      PLAYER RULES

•          All players are given a jersey with a number to keep for the season. All captains must report their gameday roster with the number of the player at the beginning of the season.
•          Each team will submit an opening day roster.
•          All players must play in atleast 2 regular season games or be on opening day roster to compete in playoffs.
•          All players must have good sportsmanship at all times.
•          Flags belts must worn around the waist. One flag at each hip and cannot be wrapped in any manner.
•         Turf and Field cleats are allowed. No METAL cleats.

3.      THE GAME

•          Games will be played rain or snow, but in the event of a Hurricane or Terrible Blizzard, the commissioner will contact the team captains.
•          Games will most likely be made up on Sunday Mornings or a future Saturday.
•          Each game will consist of Two continuously running 20 minute halves with one two minute warning per half.
•          Af the 2 minute warning the clock will stop on incompletions and out of bounds.
•          Each team will be given two 30 second timeouts per half.
•          Halftime will be 5 minutes.
•          In the event of a tie, a Sudden Death (first team to score wins) overtime will be 5 minutes. At the end of the overtime and there is still no winner, it will be a tie.
•          Touchdowns will be worth 6 points.
•          The mercy rule is applied if any lead is greater than 40 points with under 5 minutes to play.
•           If a team has a lead greater than 28 points in the second half, the clock only stops at the 2 minute warning but will continue to run on out of bounds and incompletions.
•          After a touchdown, a team can choose to go for 1 extra point from the 5 yd line, or a 2 point conversion from the 10 yd line.
•          Extra points CAN be returned by the defense. All returns will be worth 2 points.
•          Interceptions can be returned, however fumble recoveries cannot.
•          No running on 4th down or in the HotZone (inside 10 yd line).
•          If the defense knocks the ball loose, they take the ball where it hits the ground.
•          If an offensive player fumbles without contact, offense will keep the ball where it hit the ground.
•          A player cannot reach over the goal line or first down markers for extra yardage because it’s where the flag is pulled, not the location of the ball. Unless no one pulls their flag, then it’s wherever the first part the body/ball hits the ground.

•          Winner of the coin toss will choose to “kick” or receive. Loser will choose which goal they defend.
•          There will be no kickoffs, each team will start from their own goal line.
•          Each team has 4 downs to get a first down. First down is the midfield marker.
•          If the offense doesn’t convert on 4 downs the defense will then take over at their own goal line.
•          Each team will have 5 players on the field.
•          Each team has a 25 second playclock. However, when the offense takes possession of the ball after a touchdown, 1st down will have a 45 second playclock.
•          The ball is dead on Touchdowns and fumbles.
•          A knee or body on the ground is the equivalent of a flag down.
•         Flag Guarding is not allowed. Any hand on or around your flag while in possession of the ball will result in an automatic loss of down from the occurrence.
•         Stiff arms above the belt for the offense are allowed.
•         The “wrap-up” rule is no longer allowed. All defenders must reach for flags only, no bodies.
•          The quarterback is not allowed to run. Unless there is a handoff after the snap behind the line of scrimmage.
•          Pitches to the runningback ARE allowed.
•          Only one player can be in motion at a time on the offense.
•          Receivers must have two feet in bounds on all receptions.
•          Blocking is allowed, but only shadow blocking (no hands, no extended elbows).
•          Under two minutes, all offensive penalties result in a 5 second clock runoff.
•          The Quarterback has 7 seconds to get rid of the ball unless there was a handoff behind the line of scrimmage.
•          There is NO intentional grounding.
•          Cornerbacks and Wide Receivers are allowed a bump off the line of scrimmage, any contact after that will result in a penalty.
•          Blitzing is allowed from 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. If a player lines up before 7 yards, they will not be allowed to Blitz. If they do, it is a penalty.
•          The offense is allowed to have a blocker for the quarterback to impede a rusher. However, the blocking rules still apply.
•          Any amount of players can blitz. (0-5).
•          A pass rusher cannot bullrush the blocker, knocking him off his feet. They must make an effort to avoid the blocker.
•          If a handoff occurs in the backfield, then any player is allowed to blitz.
•          Running the ball is not allowed in the HotZone (10yd line).
•          If the offense commits a penalty from their own goalline, it results in an automatic safety.
•          If a referee throws a flag, the team has the choice to accept the penalty or decline it.

4.      PENALTIES

OFFENSE

•          Holding (pulling of shirt/shorts/body) – 10 yards
•          Illegal forward pass – 10yards and loss of down
•          Flag Guarding – 10 yards from occurrence + loss of down
•          Delay of Game – 10 yards
•          QB delay – 5 yards
•          Illegal Blocking – 10 yards from end of the play
•          Offensive Pass Interference – 10 yards + Loss of down
•          Illegal QB run – 10 yards
•          Offside/False Start – 5 yards
•          Fumbled Snap – Loss of down
•          Unnessessary Roughness – 20 yards

DEFENSE

•          Pass Interference – Spot of Foul + Automatic First Down
•          Holding (pulling of shirt/shorts/body)- 10 yds
•          Illegal Blitz (inside of 7 yds)- Automatic first down
•          Unnessessary Roughness – 20 yards
•          Offsides- 5 yards
•          Tackle- 10 yards (whether it intentional or accidental)
•          Bullrush Blitz- 10 yards + Automatic First Down
•          Illegal Block- 10 yards