District 204 Middle School Flag Football League Rules
(updated 8/2022)
OVERVIEW
9 Players per side
Field: 50 yards wide (50-50-50)
Add in 10 yard hash marks throughout the field
Remove the 5 yard line
First downs by crossing the 20-40-20
Team area-all coaches and players must be between the 20-yard lines.
Play will begin at the 10 yard line to start each half or after a score or safety.
District 204 Code of Conduct
All officials with get talking points before the game begins
We will continue to use paper communication with the refs
12 game schedule
First game will be earlier in the year to accommodate a playoff schedule
Bracket style playoffs (similar to soccer)?
30 minute Running clock per half
In final 2 minutes clock will stop on first downs
Clock will Stop due to athlete injury
Juking/ Fakes allowed
Sideline rectangular boxes painted from 20 to 20 yard lines Boxes will NOT be connected to sidelines.
If a team does not have enough players, both teams will eliminate the offensive and defensive lineman positions
EQUIPMENT AND UNIFORMS
No metal cleats.
Flags and blocking pads will be provided by the home team.
Teams must have numbered jerseys.
No arm pads, hand or wrist pads. Soft knee pads may be worn on knee.
Baseball or football gloves may be worn
No caps with extended bills.
Athletes must wear the school jersey/t-shirt and solid color shorts/pants cannot be white
Mouthguards are optional
The district will pay for the football shirt $12-$15 per shirt. Plain color with white lettering. Number on back of shirt and upper left front. School AD’s are responsible for ordering their football shirts in spring
All school requirement will be no white shorts or vertical stripes on the shorts.
Host schools will supply the dummies
EXTRA POINTS
Extra point option: 2 points if run or pass from the 3 yard line
Defense can return an interception on the extra point for 2 points.
Quarterback cannot run up the middle on an extra point or from within the five yard line
RULES ABOUT THE CLOCK
Game consists of two 30 minute halves (running time), with stopped clock only in the last 2 minutes of each half. Timeouts will be one minute in length and will stop the clock through the entire game.
In the last two minutes of each half, the clock will stop for time outs, penalties, scores, incomplete passes, player with the ball going out of bounds and during extra point conversion attempts.
35 second play clock is in effect.
Two timeouts per half with one timeout in overtime.
Half time is 5 minutes.
TIE GAMES
Regular Season: Both Teams have 4 downs (one possession each) or first and goal at the 10 yard line. 2 point conversion is required. If the score is still tied after both teams have had three possessions, the game ends in a tie.
SPECIAL RULES
Offense must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage. TE must be a step in the backfield if receiver lines up on the line.
The tight end is considered to only be a receiver and may not engage with the defensive lineman.
Offensive line must be balanced (Tackle-Center-Tackle) they must be one to three feet apart. Additionally, the offensive tackles toes must be even with the heals of the center. Defense Line needs to be head to head with Off Line (Tackle-Center-Tackle).
Offensive lineman with pads are able to double team defensive lineman
The ball is dead when it hits the ground. No fumbles.
Receivers must have one foot in bounds and cannot advance the ball after a diving catch. Once Knee hits the ground, the ball carrier is down.
If a player inadvertently loses the flag belt, one hand touch prevails. If the player starts the play without a belt, the penalty is a loss of down.
No sleeper plays and no diving to advance the ball. Ball carrier is down when ball or his knee touch the ground.
Inadvertent whistles-play is blown dead at the spot where the ball carrier was at the time the whistle was blown. In the event that the ball carrier is behind the line of scrimmage, the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage and the down replayed.
Ball is spotted where the flag is pulled, not the ball (players cannot roll/dive into the end zone).
Offensive players must keep their shirts tucked into their pant otherwise the referee can rule you down.
Non-line offense and non-line defense players can make contact with each other within five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. Both players must put both hands directly in front of the opposing player in an open position. Overly physical or unnecessary contact by a defensive/offensive player on a block will result in a 10 yard penalty enforced from the L.O.S. If the contact is ruled to flagrant it will result in a 10 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. A second offense by the same player will result in an ejection from the game.
Player will punt the ball from behind the line of scrimmage (similar to the quarterback in shotgun). Ball will be placed where the receiving team first touches the ball comes to rest.
Punt the ball at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, with no rush and let the athlete catch or let it bounce and first play will begin wherever the ball was caught or where the ball stops.
Lineman Engagement
Defensive contact is limited to the face of the offensive pad and is OPEN HANDS ONLY. Open means open hands extended from the elbow, not loaded-up from the sides.
No lineman can get into a three-point stance.
Defensive lineman may only engage the offensive lineman by the blocking pad.
Offensive Line must have blocking pad in hands at all times.
Offensive line must not initially raise their pad above their head.
There is no blocking allowed outside of 5 yards from the line of scrimmage in either direction.
No striking or clubbing of the blocking pad
Pads must be held perpendicular to the ground
Lineman may choose to hold bag on top straps or thread one arm through top and hand on bottom. Refs and coaches will monitor the athletes and usage of the pads.
Quarterback-Center Exchange
Quarterback holds ball against center's back,
OR
Shotgun- quarterback has ball--Five yards back from line of scrimmage
Play begins when the Center lifts blocking pad from the ground
Quarterback must be set prior to the snap (lifting of blocking pad)
Replicate the cadence and the center will lift the bag initiate the play, NO silent count
Quarterback must have 2 hands on the ball, shoulders square to the line of scrimmage before the snap and cannot rock before the snap.
In the shotgun position, the quarterback and the ball must remain stationary until the snap and call the snap count.
The 35 second play clock stops when the center gives the ball to the quarterback and is in the set position (pad ready). At that point the referee will give a 5 second hand signal for the offense to get the play off.
Quarterback is not allowed to run up the middle between the tackles unless the quarterback takes a shotgun snap or at least 2 steps backwards before running up the middle. Penalty--illegal procedure.
Quarterback is not allowed to run up the middle from the 5 yard line or closer--in regular play or during an extra point.
DEFENSIVE RULES
No slapping at the ball, when it is the ball carrier's hands. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike conduct: 10 yards and first down or penalty can be tacked on to the play.
The defender cannot use contact to break up a pass. Penalty-Illegal contact: 10 yards and first down.
Do not make contact with the PASSER (includes any player eligible for a forward pass) above his waist under ANY circumstance. Go for his flag. Penalty is Roughing: 10 yards and first down or penalty can be tacked on to the play. You are considered a passer only when behind the line of scrimmage.
No defensive holding. Penalty 10 yards and first down.
No tackling. (10 yards + the play). Any tackling or holding within 20 yards of the end zone or in a "last defender" situation, officials can judge the play a touchdown.
No pushing ball carrier out of bounds. Penalty-Roughing:10 yards and first down or tacked on to the end of the play.
Blitzing is allowed as soon as the quarterback leaves the pocket and goes outside the tackles.
No blocks during punting the ball
During a punt, only the punter and 2 receivers will be on the field. Field location will be where the ball is caught or stops rolling.
If a players flag is pulled in their own endzone, this will be ruled a safety and the opposing team is awarded 2 points.
GUARDING THE FLAG BELT
Runner shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull the flag belt. Penalty: 10 yards. Flag guarding includes:
Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that the defender is shielded from the flag.
Holding the flag belt with the off hand.
Stiff arming or running directly into the defender.
Other offensive players escorting the ball carrier 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Inverted Flags are an unsportsmanlike foul, 10 yards from previous spot & loss of down.
PENALTIES
Note: 10 yard penalties are for unsportsmanlike conduct. All penalties not included in the flag/touch rules will be enforced as in the IHSA. Defender must hand Flag back to opponent- if not could result in a 10 yard penalty
Physical contact is prohibited outside of lineman contact. Directly running into the opposing team (body to body contact to gain a competitive edge) will result in a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Any athlete responsible for 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties within the game will be excluded from play
Head Referee can overturn calls by the other officials. Verbal abuse of the officials will not be tolerated. The player will be ejected from the game and suspended from league play. If conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a forfeit. This applies to fans as well.
Offensive players must keep their shirts tucked into their pant otherwise the referee can rule you down.
Non-line offense and non-line defense players can make contact with each other within five yards on either side of the line of scrimmage. Both players must put both hands directly in front of the opposing player in an open position. Overly physical or unnecessary contact by a defensive/offensive player on a block will result in a 10 yard penalty enforced from the L.O.S. If the contact is ruled to flagrant it will result in a 10 yard unsportsmanlike penalty. A second offense by the same player will result in an ejection from the game.
Player will punt the ball from behind the line of scrimmage (similar to the quarterback in shotgun). Ball will be placed where the receiving team first touches the ball comes to rest.
Punt the ball at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage, with no rush and let the athlete catch or let it bounce and first play will begin wherever the ball was caught or where the ball stops.
Lineman Engagement
Defensive contact is limited to the face of the offensive pad and is OPEN HANDS ONLY. Open means open hands extended from the elbow, not loaded-up from the sides.
No lineman can get into a three-point stance.
Defensive lineman may only engage the offensive lineman by the blocking pad.
Offensive Line must have blocking pad in hands at all times.
Offensive line must not initially raise their pad above their head.
There is no blocking allowed outside of 5 yards from the line of scrimmage in either direction.
No striking or clubbing of the blocking pad
Pads must be held perpendicular to the ground
Lineman may choose to hold bag on top straps or thread one arm through top and hand on bottom. Refs and coaches will monitor the athletes and usage of the pads.
Quarterback-Center Exchange
Quarterback holds ball against center's back,
OR
Shotgun- quarterback has ball--Five yards back from line of scrimmage
Play begins when the Center lifts blocking pad from the ground
Quarterback must be set prior to the snap (lifting of blocking pad)
Replicate the cadence and the center will lift the bag initiate the play, NO silent count
Quarterback must have 2 hands on the ball, shoulders square to the line of scrimmage before the snap and cannot rock before the snap.
In the shotgun position, the quarterback and the ball must remain stationary until the snap and call the snap count.
The 35 second play clock stops when the center gives the ball to the quarterback and is in the set position (pad ready). At that point the referee will give a 5 second hand signal for the offense to get the play off.
Quarterback is not allowed to run up the middle between the tackles unless the quarterback takes a shotgun snap or at least 2 steps backwards before running up the middle. Penalty--illegal procedure.
Quarterback is not allowed to run up the middle from the 5 yard line or closer--in regular play or during an extra point.
DEFENSIVE RULES
No slapping at the ball, when it is the ball carrier's hands. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike conduct: 10 yards and first down or penalty can be tacked on to the play.
The defender cannot use contact to break up a pass. Penalty-Illegal contact: 10 yards and first down.
Do not make contact with the PASSER (includes any player eligible for a forward pass) above his waist under ANY circumstance. Go for his flag. Penalty is Roughing: 10 yards and first down or penalty can be tacked on to the play. You are considered a passer only when behind the line of scrimmage.
No defensive holding. Penalty 10 yards and first down.
No tackling. (10 yards + the play). Any tackling or holding within 20 yards of the end zone or in a "last defender" situation, officials can judge the play a touchdown.
No pushing ball carrier out of bounds. Penalty-Roughing:10 yards and first down or tacked on to the end of the play.
Blitzing is allowed as soon as the quarterback leaves the pocket and goes outside the tackles.
No blocks during punting the ball
During a punt, only the punter and 2 receivers will be on the field. Field location will be where the ball is caught or stops rolling.
If a players flag is pulled in their own endzone, this will be ruled a safety and the opposing team is awarded 2 points.
GUARDING THE FLAG BELT
Runner shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull the flag belt. Penalty: 10 yards. Flag guarding includes:
Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.
Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that the defender is shielded from the flag.
Holding the flag belt with the off hand.
Stiff arming or running directly into the defender.
Other offensive players escorting the ball carrier 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
Inverted Flags are an unsportsmanlike foul, 10 yards from previous spot & loss of down.
PENALTIES
Note: 10 yard penalties are for unsportsmanlike conduct. All penalties not included in the flag/touch rules will be enforced as in the IHSA. Defender must hand Flag back to opponent- if not could result in a 10 yard penalty
Physical contact is prohibited outside of lineman contact. Directly running into the opposing team (body to body contact to gain a competitive edge) will result in a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
Any athlete responsible for 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties within the game will be excluded from play
Head Referee can overturn calls by the other officials. Verbal abuse of the officials will not be tolerated. The player will be ejected from the game and suspended from league play. If conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a forfeit. This applies to fans as well.