8-on-8 Adult Flag Football Rules and Guidelines (Current NFHS rules will apply with these exceptions)

Registration

The fee for each Competition team will be ($25/pp) and Recreation team ($15/pp), which must be paid prior to the start of the first game of the season.

CashApp: $YAFFL

Venmo: @YAFFL

PayPal: yaffleagues@gmail.com

Delays or Cancellations

Games could be cancelled or moved because of inclement weather. If there is a potential weather issue, the team captain should first check the Facebook group: ​YAFFL

A decision will be made by 7am on Sunday morning and the team captains are responsible for notifying their players.

Format/Teams

8 Man Contact. Rules have been modified by league directors to fit the playing style of the FFWCT. 8 Players are allowed on the field during live play. Teams must have 6 players to start the game. All offensive players are eligible receivers.

Rosters

You may have a maximum of 20 players on your roster. A player may only play for one team. Rosters for each team must be turned into the league before the first game of the season. Once you play in a game you cannot switch teams. Rosters will be locked before the second game of the season. You may add players if you haven't already reached 20 maximum and that will lock before the start of your teams final regular season game. YAFFL 8v8 Roster Link Tournament rosters may vary based on tournaments.

Field

The field will be approximately (80) yards long and approximately (50) yards wide. The first down markers will be (20) yards apart. Each team, home or away, must stay on their designated side of the field during the game. All spectators are to be no closer than (5) yards from each sideline and end line of the field. There will be a team box that extends from the 20-yard lines on each sideline. Teams must stay within these confines or they will be penalized.

Duration of Games

44 Minutes (Two 22 Minute halves). Each team has two team timeouts per half. Timeouts do not roll over from the first half. The clock shall run continuously during the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, etc.). Halftime is one minute. Stop clock procedures will be used in the last 2 minutes of the second half only (timeout, incompletion, out of bounds, setting the ball on first downs) UNLESS the score is 19+ points, then the game will end at 2min warning. Tournaments the 28+ mercy rules ends the game right away.

Equipment/Flags(2)

Flags must be Flag A Tag “Sonic Boom Pop” or Shroomz flags. 2 flags per belt. Football must be a minimum size high school football. Players may not wear any device/equipment that could cause injuries to any player(s). Solid metal spiked shoes are prohibited. Flag belts must be 100% visible at all times while on the field. Shirts or jerseys must be tucked in and not hang over the flag belt. Ball caps with brims MUST be worn with brim facing behind you at all times. Penalty: (15) yards unsportsmanlike conduct & removal from game, until fixed. Triple threat flags can be worn during tournaments.

Jerseys

All players on a team must be in the same color shirts or jerseys that are tucked in to allow maximum exposure of flags. An official may ask a player to tuck the shirt or leave the game until “maximum” is obtained. Failure to comply will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and result in defensive holding not being called. Penalty: (15) yards unsportsmanlike conduct

Officials

Officials will be paid prior to the start of each game as follows: (3) Officials - $40.00 per team (2) Officials - $25 per team. The head official will stand behind the QB, monitoring the QB & lineman. The line judge will stand on the LOS and monitor the LOS and lineman, then move with the play. The 3rd official will stand diagonal/opposite side of field from the LOS official and will be positioned in the defensive secondary watching the WR/DBs then move with the play. This should provide optimum viewing of all players for the officials. Playoffs will have three officials.

Forfeitures

Teams are permitted to play with a minimum of (6) players. If only (5) players show for play, the team will be assessed a delay of game penalty and has (5) minutes from the original scheduled start of the game for the (6​th) player to show or a forfeit will occur. The forfeiting team will be responsible for all officials’ fees and will not be able to play again until fees have been paid. ​A (20-0) score will be awarded to the team fielding the minimal number of players. Forfeiting teams must pay both ref fees.

Coin-Toss/Start of Games/Captain’s Voice

Game time is forfeit time. Your team is required to be properly equipped and, on the field, ready to play when the referee blows the whistle to start the game. Start of games occurs with the lower seeded/away team calling the coin-toss prior to the flip to decide who gets possession of the ball first. The winner of the coin-toss will have the option of defense, defer or receive the ball. Captain’s are the only players to question referee decisions. Arguing calls will be penalized. Any coach/ player that comes out on the field from the sideline to argue a call or a play, will be assessed a timeout PERIOD! If the team is out of timeouts, the player or coach will be assessed and unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Scoring

Teams are awarded 6 points for a touchdown and 2 points for a safety.

Huddle Clock

The play clock will begin once the referee has set the LOS and ball returns. The offense will have 30 seconds to snap the ball.

Lineman/Line of Scrimmage/Arms Length

The offense must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage each play. Players in motion do not count. Referees will be checking with players ensuring they have enough players on the line prior to each snap. There must be (3) “linemen” and the “guards” must both be able to touch the “centers” arm length.

Punting

Both teams must maintain at least 4 players on the line until the ball is kicked. Linemen on the defensive line may raise their arms, and or jump to distract, or try to block the kick. They may not cross the line of scrimmage. If the punter drops the snap and the ball hits the ground, the ball is dead at the spot. The punter must receive the snap at least 5 yards behind the center and immediately punt the ball. If the punting team takes a delay of game penalty, the ball is turned over on downs at the same spot. If a protected punt has been announced and a timeout is called, the team must re-declare their intention for a protected punt. All touchbacks from punts will be placed at the 20-yard line. The offense cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked.

Blocking/Down Field Blocking

All blocking MUST BE open handed and not utilize the elbows/shoulders/body. Blockers must keep it open handed and to the chest. No contact to the face is allowed and will be called a penalty. Crackback Blocking and Blindside blocking is NOT allowed. Crack-back block is a blind-side block on a player by an opponent who starts downfield and then cuts back toward their own goal line to make contact. A blind-side block is engaging an opponent other than the runner who does not see the blocker approaching. Two vs. One blocking is allowed. Downfield blocking cannot occur before the receiver catches the ball unless the ball is still behind the LOS. If downfield blocking is occurring before a downfield pass is caught, that is a penalty.

Penalty: 10 yards spot foul, unless unsportsmanlike or unnecessary roughness (15 yards).

Holding

Offensive: Spot foul, 10 yards. Replay down.

Stiff Arming and Flag Guarding

ILLEGAL and merit penalties and possible ejections (Depending on if the stiff arm/flag guard was of malicious intent).

Penalty: 10 yards spot foul loss of down

Overtime Rules

Overtime will start with a coin-toss. The home team will announce heads or tails prior to the flip of the coin. Each team will receive possession of the ball and has 4 plays to score from 20 yards out. After a touchdown, the offense will elect to go for a 1,2- or 3-point conversion. If the score is tied at the end of the second overtime, teams must go for a 2 or 3 point extra point. Overtime will continue until a winner is declared. Choices will continue to be reversed per overtime period. One time out per team, per overtime period. Interceptions on returned (to the opposite end zone) overtime extra points are worth the value of the attempted overtime extra point (1,2 or 3 points).

Regular Season Overtime

Only one period, if tied, game ends in a tie. Tournament OT: 2 plays from the 10yrd line for each team. One timeout per OT.

Spot is the Ball/Hash Rule

The ball will be spotted wherever the ball was at the time of a flag pull or the ball left the field-of-play. If a player’s flags fall off inadvertently, the player must be touched with 1 hand in order to be considered down. When catching passes by the sidelines, a receiver must control the ball and get 1 foot down inside the field prior to going out of bounds. If a player is going to come down with feet in bounds and the defender pushes the receiver out of bounds; the catch will be granted and a personal foul penalty will be issued for illegal contact. Simultaneous Catches In the event a WR and a DB both catch the ball at the same time, the tie goes to the offensive player.

Hash Rule

Center must snap the ball within the hash mark, which are designated by the official(s). NFHS.

No Diving (Illegal Advancement)

If a player leaves his feet in an effort to gain yards, a penalty will be called. This doesn’t refer to a defender leaving his feet to attempt to gain possession of a flag but defensive players who leave their feet are responsible for their contact. This is merely in relation to diving to gain extra yards.

Penalty: 5 yard penalty spot foul

Wrap Flag

No player has the right to aggressively “body up”, play-through, bull-rush, charge, spear or lead with a shoulder against an opponent even to capture a flag. Players may use their body to assist in stopping the momentum of an offensive player. However, in this motion, the defensive player MUST come up with the offensive player’s flag, if they do not, it will be called unnecessary roughness, 15-yard penalty. It comes to attempting to sack the quarterback, the rusher MUST come up with the flags if they body up, if they don’t get the flags, it is roughing the passer, 15-yard penalty, and an automatic first down.

Conduct/Personal Fouls

Player safety is a major concern of the league and personal fouls will be enforced 100% every game. Personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct will be assessed a 15-yard penalty, automatic 1st down, and may warrant ejection for the players that commit them. Personal fouls and unnecessary roughness are two things the league has 0 tolerances for. The following acts are seen as personal fouls and may warrant ejection and possible disbarment from the league. (Punching, striking, kicking, tripping, making unnecessary contact with a player after a ball is whistled dead, lowering a shoulder, driving players to the ground, and tackling.) Players and spectators alike must obey the rules set forth by league administrators and property/park rules. These rules are, but not limited to, the use of alcoholic beverages on the premises of property/park, intentional hitting, kicking or any deliberate action with intent to inflict injury or promote a hostile situation will result in an immediate ejection and banned from participating in the league forever. Any player ejected from a game must leave the premises. If they do not comply, the officials will rule the game a forfeit and contact the authorities and or league administration. Stating demeaning or derogatory comments to officials, opponents or spectators, including the use of profanity will not be tolerated. Any abuse of this rule will result in an immediate ejection.

Automatic Ejection

1. Fighting (refer to conduct rule above)

2. (2)​ unsportsmanlike​ conduct fouls

3. Entering field during a fight.

4. Threatening referee or league officials/associates.

Ejection results, other than fighting:

1. First ejection will result in a (1) game suspension

2. Second ejection will result in a (3) game suspension

3. Third ejection will result in being banned from any participation in league play forever.

The ejection will stay with each participant from season to season including postseason play. Suspensions are served right away - and must be full games. Thus, if you are ejected in the first half, you still need to sit out for one full game and they can carry into playoffs or upcoming seasons.

Proper Equipment Before the Play Starts/Flags

Each team will provide their own flag belts to each player on their team and must be positioned on the belt in the proper manner (suction piece facing away from your body) two flags per belt, properly positioned one on each HIP..

Any player without two flags will be penalized, from the initial LOS. This is a live ball foul so the play will go on and the defense will have the choice after the play.

Penalty: (5) ​yards illegal participation. same down

Note: the ball carrier will be ruled down ​when touched/within arms reach by the opponent​.

Last Man Rule

There is no last man rule, however, if a player(s) or coach(s) leaves the sideline and disrupts the play or the offensive player from scoring, the offensive team may be awarded a touchdown and player(s) ejection from the game.

Off-sides/Encroachment

If a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage, the play is automatically whistled dead and is assessed as an encroachment penalty (5 yards). Teams doing this to permit an automatic first down (line to gain) will be penalized 10 yard unsportsmanlike if they repeat offense.

Illegal Formation

The Offense is not properly lined up. Play will not be stopped at the snap of the ball. The Defense will have an opportunity to accept or decline the penalty after the result of the play (5 yards). This includes all offensive players that are lined up less than 5 yards from each sideline.

Roughing the Passer

This includes a defensive player hitting the ball while the ball is in the QB’s hands or the QB hitting the defensive player above the shoulders or to the head during his or her follow through NATURAL motion. A defensive player can block the pass, but the ball must leave the QB’s hand. Roughing fouls may be tacked on to the end of the play.

Penalty: 15 yards 1st down

Charging

The offensive player must avoid the defender if they are set. The ball carrier must avoid the defender if the defender has established his/her position. The ball carrier cannot lower his/her shoulder or run through the defender.

Inadvertant Whistle

At the time of the inadvertent whistle, the team with possession of the ball has the option of replaying the down or the result of the play. If the inadvertent whistle occurred while the ball is in the air the offensive team will replay the down.

Center Snaps

The ball must be placed on the ground and snapped between the legs. The center can snap it to anyone on the field as long as that player is not lined up on the LOS. The Center is protected when he snaps the ball. The center cannot be touched until they raise their head or take a step. Safety issue.

Fumbles

Dead at the spot. Muffs on Punts are dead at the spot of the muff. If a player pitches the ball or is running and the ball pops out legally (not punched out), the ball is live and can be caught by the defensive team and advanced. Result will be a change of possession. Forward fumbles will be marked where the ball carrier’s feet were when they lost possession.

Jamming of the Receivers

Forward Pass

Only one forward pass per down. To be a legal forward pass only 1 of 3 points need to be behind the LOS: ball, feet or body. All 3 points past the LOS is an illegal forward pass. The QB can throw a backward pass behind the LOS which can be thrown backwards unlimited times and then thrown forward provided the player throwing the ball is behind the LOS. Unlimited pitch backs are allowed.

Penalty: Illegal forward pass: 5 yards & loss of down.

Rushing

Rushers can have their hands on the ground in a 3pt or 4pt stance. There is no bull rushing. No hands to the face (personal foul).

Safety

The team will have to punt from their own 20-yard line.

Pass Interference

Offensive pass interference is a 10-yard penalty and loss of down. This includes blocking down field before the ball is thrown past the LOS. A player may use his arms or hands to intentionally obstruct the receiver’s view (face guarding) of the ball without turning his own head to play the ball as long as contact is not made with the receiver. Defensive pass interference is a spot foul and automatic first down.

Intentional Grounding

This is defined in flag as the QB throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. This can only be called when the ball goes into any direction other than a teammate on the field. Intentional grounding can occur ANYWHERE behind the LOS. The QB can spike the ball within 2 minutes of the second half to stop the clock. However, the snap must be hand-to-hand from under center and the spike done immediately. If done from the “shot gun” this constitutes intentional grounding.

Penalty: spot foul and loss of down.

NOTE: YAFFL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THESE RULES AT ANY TIME