Rules for Co-Ed Flag Football

Last Updated January 3rd, 2020

Modified Co-Ed Rules

We've made some adjustments to our co-ed league rules to make it more fun and encourage participation. Scroll below to see a full list of league rules and regulations.

Sportsmanship
All SARC Leagues follow our general rules and regulations. A team captain is the ONLY person that is allowed to speak to the referees during the course of the game about calls, fouls, etc. The team captain is expected to address the referees and staff in a respectful manner that follows the SARC guidelines. We have a strict sportsmanship policy. Poor sportsmanship will not be tolerated and offenders will be banned from the league.

Females are no longer required
Co-Ed is no longer mandatory for teams. Any team can recruit as many males and females as they'd like for their team. There is no longer a female minumum needed to play. Each team shall play with 6 players on the field at one time (any gender). The minimum required is 4.

Female Scoring
Co-Ed scoring is still in place - use this to your advantage! Touchdowns are worth 6 points for males, 9 points for females (except if the play starts inside the 5 Yard No Run Zone, then is worth only 6 points for any gender). Extra points are worth 1&2 for males and 2&3 for females.

Team Captain

Each team should have a team captain that is responsible for registering the team.
The team captain needs to attend "coin toss" at beginning of game and is the ONLY person that is allowed to speak to the referees during the course of the game about calls, fouls, etc. The team captain is expected to address the referees and staff in a respectful manner that follows the SARC guidelines.
The team captain shall serve as the "liaison" between SARC and their team, and is expected to attend captains meetings, and notify teammates of cancellations, changes, rules, policies, etc.

Officials who are in absolute control of the game will do the officiating. Teams are responsible for keeping their spectators under control. Misconduct of spectators, players or coaches can result in assessment of a penalty, ejection or forfeiture of the game. Spectators must also remain in the area designated by the officials. Only players and coaches (maximum of two) are permitted in the playing area. The official shall have the power to make decisions on any matters or questions not specifically covered in the rules.

I. The Game, Field, Players, and Equipment

General Provisions

The Game - The game shall be played between two teams of seven players each. Five players are required to start the game and avoid a default; five players to avoid a forfeit (injuries).
Persons Subject to the Rules - Team representatives, including players, substitutes, replaced players, coaches, trainers, spectators and other persons affiliated with the team are subject to the rules of the game and shall be governed by decisions of officials assigned to the game.
Referee’s Authority -The Referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. The Referee’s decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.

The Field

Field Layout - The field dimensions are 100 yards by 40 yards with 10-yard end zones. The playing field is divided into four 25-yard zones
Inbounds/Out-of-Bounds - The lines bounding the sidelines and the end zones are out-of-bounds.

Game Equipment

The Ball - Each team must provide their own football. The official ball shall be pebble-grained leather or rubber covered and meets the recommendations of size and shape for regulation football. There are no requirements regarding ball pressure and markings. Men shall use the regular size. The referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his/her discretion. During the game each team must use a legal ball of its choice when in possession.

Player Equipment - Required

Jersey - Jerseys may not have pockets, holes, or a button placket. All team members must wear the same shade of color shirt. Jerseys must be either:
1. Long enough so they remain tucked in the pants/shorts the entire down, or
2. Short enough so there is a minimum of 4” from the bottom of the jersey to the player’s waistline.
Pants/Shorts - Each player must wear pants or shorts without any belt(s), belt loop(s), pocket(s), holes, or exposed drawstrings. Pants or shorts must be a different color than the flags. Pants or shorts may not be turned inside out, and pockets may not be taped.
Flag Belt - The Referee must know that a player was not wearing a flag belt during the down in order to penalize a team.
Shoes - All players must wear shoes made of canvas, leather or synthetic material, which cover the entire foot and NO SPIKES.

Player Equipment - Optional

Players may wear a knit stocking cap.
Ball caps with a bill are not allowed.
Bucket hats are allowed.
Sunglasses - Players may wear pliable and non-rigid sunglasses.
Play Book - Players may carry a Play Book inside their clothing as long as it is not made of unyielding material.

Player Equipment - Illegal
Illegal Equipment - A player wearing illegal equipment shall not be allowed to play. Types of equipment that shall be declared illegal include:

Headwear containing any hard, unyielding, stiff material, including billed hats, or items containing exposed knots, such as bandanas.
Pads or braces worn above the waist.
Shoes with metal, ceramic, screw-in, or detachable cleats unless the screw is part of the cleat.
Jerseys that have been altered in any manner which produces a knot-like protrusion.
Leg and knee braces made of hard, unyielding material, unless covered on both sides and all edges.
Towels may not hang from a participant’s waist. Each team must provide their own football. The official ball shall be pebble-grained leather or rubber covered and meets the recommendations of size and shape for regulation football. There are no requirements regarding ball pressure and markings. Men shall use the regulation size. The referee shall be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his/her discretion. During the game each team must use a legal ball of its choice when in possession.

II. Periods, Time Factors, Substitutions

Start of Each Half

Coin Toss - The captain winning the toss shall have the choice of options for the first half or shall defer his/her option to the second half. The options are:

To choose whether his/her team will start on offense or defense.
To choose the goal his/her team will defend.

The captain not having the first choice of options for a half shall exercise the remaining option.

Game Time

Playing Time and Intermissions - Playing time shall be 44 minutes, divided into two halves of 22 minutes each. The last minute of the first half will be a regulation clock and the last two minutes of the second half will be a regulation clock. Half-time will be three minutes.
Play - Play at the beginning of each half will start at the offense’s 19 yard line.
Extension of Periods - A half must be extended by an untimed down, except for unsportsmanlike or non-player or fouls which specify a loss of down, if during the last timed down, one of the following occurred:
1. A. There was a foul by either team and the penalty is accepted.
2. B. There was a double foul.
3. C. If a touchdown was scored, the Try is attempted unless the touchdown is scored during the last down of the second half and the point(s) would not affect the outcome of the game. If (1), (2), or (3) occurs during the untimed down, the period will be extended by the same rule.
During the final minute of first half and final 2 minutes of second half the clock will stop for:
1. A. Incomplete legal or illegal forward pass-starts on the snap.
2. B. Out-of-bounds-starts on the snap.
3. C. Safety-starts on the snap.
4. D. Team time-out-starts on the snap.
5. E. First down-depends on previous play.
6. F. Touchdown-starts on next offensive snap (Point Tries are untimed)
7. G. Penalty and administration-dependent on the previous play (except delay of gamestarts on snap)
8. H. Referee’s time out-starts at his/her discretion.
9. I. Touchback-starts on the snap.
10. J. Team attempting to conserve time illegally-starts on whistle.
11. K. Team attempting to consume time illegally-starts on snap.

Tie Game

Overtime - During the regular season, there will only TWO overtime periods. During playoffs, overtime will continue until a winner is determined.
The Coin Toss - There will be only one coin flip during the overtime. ALL OVERTIME PERIODS ARE PLAYED TOWARD THE SAME GOAL LINE. The end zone used is at the discretion of the game officials.
Overtime - Unless moved by penalty, each team will start first down and goal from the 25-yard line. The team will have four downs to score, unless awarded first down automatically, or a penalty allows for repeating the down. If the defense intercepts a pass or fumble and returns it for a touchdown, they win the game. If they do not return the interception for a touchdown, the series is over. Each team is entitled to one time-out per overtime period.
Overtime - Fouls and Penalties (3-3-4) The goal shall always be the zone line-to-gain in overtime.

Time Outs – 2 Per Half

Length of Time-outs - A charged time-out requested by any player which is legally granted shall be one minute and can be shortened if both teams are ready.
Injured Player - An injured or apparently injured player, who is discovered by an official while the ball is dead and the clock is stopped, shall be replaced for at least one down unless the halftime or overtime intermission occurs. A player who is bleeding, or has an open wound, or has blood on their uniform shall be considered injured.

Delays

Delay of Game - The ball must be put in play promptly and legally and any action or inaction by either team, which tends to prevent this, is delay of game. This includes:
1. Failure to snap within 25 seconds after the ball is whistled ready for play.
2. Putting the ball in play before it is whistled ready for play.
Illegally Conserving or Consuming Time (3-5-2) The Referee may order the game clock started or stopped whenever, in his/her opinion, either team is trying to conserve or consume time.

Substitutions

Eligible Substitutions - No substitute shall enter during a down. An incoming substitute must enter the field directly from the team area. A replaced player must leave the field at the sideline nearest his/her team area prior to the ball being snapped.
Legal Substitutions - No substitute shall become a player and then withdraw, and no player shall withdraw and then re-enter as a substitute unless a penalty is accepted or there is a charged time-out.

III. Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out-of-Bounds

Ball in Play-Dead Ball

Ball Declared Dead - A live ball becomes dead and an official shall sound the whistle or declare it dead when:
1. When it goes out-of-bounds,
2. When any part of the runner other than a hand or foot touches the ground.
3. When a touchdown, touchback, safety, or successful Try is made.
4. When a forward pass strikes the ground.
5. When the ball strikes the ground after being first touched by the kicking team
6. When a backward pass or fumble by a player strikes the ground. A ball snapped, which hits the ground before or after getting to the intended player is dead at the spot where it hit the ground.
7. When a runner has a flag belt removed legally by a defensive player. A flag belt is removed when the clip is detached by another player from the belt
8. When a runner is legally tagged with one hand between the shoulders and knees, including the hand and arm when the flag belt inadvertently becomes detached.
9. When a punt has touched the receiving team and then touches the ground

Inadvertent Whistle

Inadvertent Whistle-Clock - There is no time added to the clock during a down with an inadvertent whistle.

IV. Series of Downs, Number of Down, and Team Possession

Series

Zone Line-to-Gain - The zone line-to-gain in any series shall be the zone in advance of the ball, unless distance has been lost due to penalty or failure to gain. In such case, the original zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series of downs is the zone line-to-gain.
Awarding a new series - A new series of downs shall be awarded when a team moves the ball into the next zone on a play free from penalty; or a penalty against the defense moves the ball into the next zone; or an accepted penalty against the defense involves an automatic first down; or either team has obtained legal possession of a ball as a result of a penalty, punt, touchback, pass interception, or turnover on downs.

Down and Possession After a Penalty

Penalty Resulting in a First Down - After a penalty which leaves the ball in possession of a team beyond its zone line-to-gain, or when a penalty stipulates a first down, the down and distance established by that penalty shall be first down with the next line-to-gain.
Foul Before Change of Possession - The down shall be repeated unless the penalty also involves a loss of down, or leaves the ball on or beyond the line-to-gain. If the penalty involves a loss of down, the down shall count as one of the four in that series.
Rule Decisions Final - No rule decision (interpretation) may be changed or protested after the ball is next legally snapped.

V. Kicking the Ball

Punting

Punt - Prior to making the ball ready for play on the fourth down, the Referee must ask the offensive team captain if they want to punt. The team captain may request to punt on any down. After such announcement, the ball must be punted, unless a charged time-out is called or a penalty occurs prior to or during that down which allows the kicking team to repeat the down.
Formation and Snap - Neither the Kicking team nor Receiving team may advance beyond their respective scrimmage line until the ball has been punted. All scrimmage line rules regarding the snap, encroachment, false start, minimum line players, motion and shift in Rules apply.
Punting the Ball - After receiving the snap, the kicker must punt the ball immediately in a continuous motion.
After the Punt - Once the ball is punted, any receiving team player may block the kick, however they may not cross the line of scrimmage during their attempt to block the kick. If the blocked punt touches the ground, the play is dead at that spot. If the punt is blocked by any receiving team player and then caught by any kicking team player behind the line of scrimmage, they may advance the ball. The receiving team may advance the punt anywhere in the field. A kicking team player cannot punt the ball to himself/herself or any other kicking team player. The kicking team may only punt once per down.

VI. Snapping, Handing, and Passing the Ball

The Scrimmage

The Start - All plays must be started by a legal snap from a point on or between hash marks.
Ball Responsibility - The offensive team is responsible for retrieving the ball after a down.

Prior to the snap

Encroachment - Following the ready for play whistle, and until the snap, no player on defense may encroach, touch the ball, nor make contact opponents or in any other way interfere with them (verbally or otherwise) or cross the second cone.
False Start - No offense player shall make a false start or simulate the start of a play. An infraction of this rule may be penalized whether or not the ball is snapped and the penalty for any resultant encroachment shall be cancelled.
Snap - The snapper, after assuming position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may neither move nor change the position of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of play until the snap. When over the ball, the snapper shall have his/her feet behind the scrimmage line. The snapper shall pass the ball backwards from its position on the ground with a continuous motion.

Position and Action During the Snap

Legal Position - Anytime on or after the ball is marked ready for play, each offensive player must be within 15 yards of the ball before the snap (i.e., they must come inside the hash marks)
Minimum Line Players - The offensive team must have at least four players on or within one yard of their scrimmage line.
Motion - One offensive player may be in motion, but not toward the opponent’s goal line at the snap. Other offensive players must be stationary in their positions without movement of the feet, body, head, or arms.
No Direct Snap - The player receiving the snap must be at least two yards from the offensive line of scrimmage.
Shift - If two or more players go in motion prior to the snap, ALL players MUST come to a stop for at least 1 second prior to the snap.

Handing the Ball

Anytime - Any player may hand the ball forward or backward at any time behind the line of scrimmage.

Backward Pass and Fumble

Anytime - A runner may pass the ball backward or lose player possession by a fumble anytime.
Caught or Intercepted - A backward pass or fumble in flight may be caught or intercepted and advanced by any player inbounds
Ball Dead when It Hits the Ground - A backward pass or fumble, which touches the ground between the goal lines, is dead at the spot where it touches the ground or crosses the sideline.

Legal and Illegal Forward Pass

Legal Forward Pass - All players are eligible to touch or catch a pass. During a down and before a change of possession a forward pass may be thrown provided the passer’s feet are behind the offensive line of scrimmage when the ball leaves the passer’s hand. Only one forward pass is allowed per down. A play involving a run across the line of scrimmage and then back behind the line of scrimmage where a forward pass is thrown is a legal play.
Illegal Forward Pass - A forward pass is illegal if:
1. If the passer’s foot is beyond the line of scrimmage when the ball is released.
2. If intentionally thrown to the ground or out-of-bounds to save loss of yardage
3. If a passer catches his/her untouched forward or backward pass
4. If there is more than one forward pass per down

Forward Pass Interference

Contact - During a down in which a legal forward pass crosses the offensive line of scrimmage, contact or action that interferes with an eligible receiver who is beyond the line of scrimmage is pass interference. It is also pass interference if an eligible receiver is deflagged prior to touching the ball.

VII. Scoring Plays and Touchback

Mercy Rule

Two Minute Warning - If a team is 19 or more points ahead when the Referee announces the two-minute warning for the second half, the game shall be over.
After the Two Minute Warning - If a team scores during the last two minutes of the second half causing a score difference of 19 or more points, the game shall be over.
Half time mercy rule - The game will end after halftime or any point thereafter if one team reaches a lead of 36+ points.

Touchdown

Player Responsibility - The player scoring the touchdown must raise his/her arms so the nearest official can de-flag the player. If the player is not de-flagged with one pull to the left or right and the official determines the belt has been secured illegally, the touchdown is nullified and the player is ejected.

Point(s) after Touchdown Tries

One, Two, or Three Points - An opportunity to score one point from the three yard line, two points from the ten yard line, or three points from the twenty yard line by running or passing shall be granted to the team scoring a touchdown. Note: If a touchdown is scored on the last timed down of the second half, the Try is not attempted, unless it will affect the outcome of the game or playoff qualifying.

Decision

Once the scoring captain makes the choice, the decision may only be changed when either team takes a charged time-out. A penalty does not allow for a change in point value, nor does awarded or lost yardage affect the point value. If the defense intercepts a pass or fumble on a Try and returns the ball for a touchdown, they receive the what the offensive try was for.

Penalties During a Try - If a double foul occurs, the Try will be replayed. If the offensive team is penalized on a successful try, the down will be repeated if the penalty is accepted. If the offensive team incurs a loss of down penalty, the Try will not be repeated.
Subsequent Series - After the Try, the new offensive team shall snap the ball from their own 19-yard line unless moved by a penalty.

Safety
A Safety equals 2 points - A safety occurs when:

A runner carries the ball from the field of play to or across his/her own goal line and the ball becomes dead
A player punts, passes, fumbles, snaps, muffs, or bats a loose ball from the field of play to or across his/her own goal line and the ball becomes dead behind their goal line
A player on offense commits any penalty for which the penalty is accepted and measurement is from a spot in his/her end zone; or throws an illegal forward pass from within his/her end zone, or any situation which leaves the offense in possession of the ball in their own end zone.
After a safety, the scoring team shall snap the ball at their own 25-yard line, unless moved by a penalty.

Touchback
A touchback occurs when:

The receiving team downs a punt that touches anything while the ball is on or behind the receiving team’s goal line
The kicking team downs a punt that touches anything while the ball is on or behind the receiving team’s goal line
The ball is out-of-bounds behind a goal line (except from an incomplete forward pass)
After a touchback, the ball shall be snapped from the nearest 19-yard line, unless moved by a penalty.

VIII. Conduct of Players and Spectators

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Noncontact Player Acts - No player shall commit acts including:
1. Using words similar to the offensive's audible or quarterback cadence prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with the offense
2. Intentionally kicking the ball, other than a punt
3. Participating while wearing illegal player equipment
4. Fighting or attempting to fight (results in disqualification)

Dead Ball Fouls
When the ball is dead, no player shall:

Intentionally kick the ball
Spike the ball

Prohibited Acts
There shall be no unsportsmanlike conduct by players, substitutes, coaches, or others subject to the rules. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Attempting to influence a decision by an official
Disrespectfully addressing an official
Using profanity, taunting, insulting or vulgar language or gestures
Intentionally making contact with a game official during the game
Fighting
Leaving the team area and entering the playing field during a fight

Second Unsportsmanlike Conduct Foul
The second unsportsmanlike conduct foul by the same player results in disqualification. If a spectator receives the penalty, it will be assessed to the captain.

Personal Fouls

Player Restrictions - No player shall:
1. A. Strip or attempt to strip the ball from a player in possession by punching, striking, or stealing.
2. B. Throw a runner to the ground
3. C. Contact an opponent who is on the ground
4. D. Hurdle any other player
5. E. Contact an opponent either before or after the ball is dead
6. F. Make contact of any nature which is deemed unnecessary
7. G. Deliberately dive or run into a defensive player
8. H. Tackle the runner by grasping or encircling with the hands or arms.
Roughing the Passer - Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer after it is clear the ball has been thrown forward legally. No defensive player shall contact the passer who is standing still or fading back as he/she is considered out of the play after the pass. NOTE: The passer remains the passer while the ball is in flight or until they move to participate in the play. Defensive players may not make contact with the passer’s arm, including the ball.

Screen Blocking

Offensive Screen Blocking - The offensive screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind the back. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs, or body to initiate contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal. A blocker must be on his/her feet before, during, and after the screen.
Screen Blocking Fundamentals - A player who screens shall not:
1. Make contact when assuming a position at the side or in front of a stationary opponent.
2. Take a position close to a moving opponent such that the opponent cannot avoid contact.
3. After assuming the legal screening position, move unless the blocker moves in the same direction as the opponent.

Runner

Flag Guarding - Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the flag belt. Examples of flag guarding include, but are not limited to:
1. Placing or swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt
2. Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt
3. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner which places the arm over the flag belt
Obstructing the Runner - The defensive player shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when in the act of removing the flag belt.
Charging - A runner shall not charge into nor contact an opponent in their path. If a runner in progress has established a straight path, he/she may not be crowded out of that path, but if a defensive player legally established position, the runner must avoid contact by changing direction.

IX. Time Preservation Rule

Team A may invoke this rule during the second half while losing and immediately after scoring a touchdown. This will give Team B the ball at the 25 yard line going in, rather than its own 19 after any score by team A. This will prevent team B from using up the clock driving the ball. Once this rule has been into effect it becomes irrevocable for the remainder of the game.