NFL Flag 2025
5 on 5
Rules and Regulations
GAME PLAY:
* Two 20-minute halves
* Clock runs continuously throughout
* Clock stops only for timeouts or injuries
* 30 seconds play clock for 2nd - 3rd, 4th - 5th, 6th - 8th Grades / 60 seconds for Prek - 1st Grades. Play clock will start once the ball is spotted.
* Coin Toss - choices for team winning coin toss: choose offense, choose defense, or defer choice to 2nd half.
* Timeouts - each team is allowed 2 - 60 second time outs per half. Half time is 5 minutes. Unused timeouts do not carry over.
* All possession changes start on the offense's 5-yard line, except interceptions.
* The offense will have four plays to get to mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field, it has 4 downs to score.
* PAT is worth:
1 point / 5-yard line (pass play only),
2 points / 10-yard line (run/pass)
(Prek - 1st grade: only exception to 1 point PAT requirement)
* All players must play at least 10 minutes in each game of regular play (Playoffs / Super Bowl Excluded)
* All players Must either run or attempt to catch a minimum of one ball per game.
PLAY IS RULLED "DEAD" WHEN:
* The ball hits the ground.
* The ball carrier's flag is pulled.
* The ball carrier steps out of bounds.
* A touchdown, PAT or safety is scored.
* The ballcarrier's knee or arm hits the ground.
* Inadvertent whistle.
In case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense has two options:
* Take the ball at the spot the whistle blew & the down is consumed.
* Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.
OFFENSIVE:
* The kid that takes the snap can't run with the ball across the line of scrimmage
* Only one player may be in motion parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped
* The QB is not allowed to give the ball back to the center between his/her legs. The center has to take a step forward and turn around to receive the ball.
* no contact or blocking
* Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position (No Charging allowed)
* no flag guarding
* QB has 10 sec to throw the ball from the snap 2nd - 3rd, 4th - 5th grades, and 7 sec in 6th - 8th grades if no defensive rusher.
DEFENSE:
* Defender is not allowed to hold the ball carrier when attempting to de-flag.
* Defender is not allowed to intentionally de-flag an offensive player not carrying the ball.
* Both offense & defense have same opportunity at a thrown ball.
* Pass interference is enforced wen either player initiates contact that hinders the opponent from catching the ball
* Neither offensive nor defensive players are allowed to make contact with players off the line of scrimmage.
SCORING
* Touchdown: 6 points
* PAT: 5 yards, 1 point / 10 yards, 2 points
* Safety: 2 points
* 2 points for INT returned for TD on an extra point
OT FORMAT
* At the start of OT, captain from both teams shall meet at mid-field for the coin toss to determine who shall start with the ball. The Home team shall call the toss.
* Each team gets a minimum of one possession.
* Each team will have 3 plays form mid-field.
* All regulation period rules and penalties are in effect.
* There are no time-outs.
* After the first OT both teams must go for two points.
* Starting with the 3rd OT each team will get one play from the 10-yard line to score per round. Continue rounds till a winner is determined.
GENERAL
* When the player with the ball loses a flag for any reason other than a defender pulling it, the play is dead when the player is touched with one hand.
* Interception can be returned in 4th - 5th, and 6th - 8th. If intercepted in PreK - 1st & 2nd - 3rd, the ball is dead, and the defense takes over at the interception spot.
* Players must wear shorts or pants that do not have pockets or belt loops. Flag belts cannot be the same color as shorts or pants.
* Home teams wear light color jerseys. Visiting teams wear dark color jerseys.
* There are no dumb les. The ball is spotted where eat ball touches the ground.
* The ball is spotted where the runner's feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball carrier has the ball.
* Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
* Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag guarding.
* Spinning / Jump cuts are allowed, but a player cannot leave their feet to avoid the flag pull.
Players spinning out of control will be called for flag guarding.
* Offensive players without the ball must not block or impede the path of a defender trying to get to the ball carrier.
* Flag obstruction - All jerseys MUST be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on a the player's hips and free from obstruction deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding.
* A rusher must be 10-yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped for 2nd - 3rd, 4th - 5th, and 7-yards for 6th - 8th grade divisions. No rushing allowed in the PreK - 1st grade division.
* 5-yards from each end zone and mid-field is a no run, no rush zone. (PreK - 1st exempt from rule.)
PENALTIES
Penalties Listed below will be assessed except if the ball is inside the 10-yard line from the end zone.
If inside the 10-yard line, it will be half the distance to the goal if penalty is in the direction of that goal line.
Delay of game
5-yards replay down
False start
5-yards replay down
Flag Guarding
Down at spot & loss of down
Offensive Pass Interference
(illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender)
10-yards and Automatic 1st down
Illegal rushing
5-yards & replay down
Defense Pass Interference
10-yards & loss of Automatic 1st down
Holding
5-yards and replay down
Impeding the rusher
5-yards and loss of down
Charging
10-yards & loss of down
Unsportsmanlike conduct
15-yards
*** If a player or coach has two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one game, he/she will be asked to leave GYFL grounds. refusal will result of a forfeit of his/her team. ***