Indoor Arena Flag Football League Rules

The Field

• An indoor padded surface 30 yards wide and 50 yards long with 5-yard end zones.
• Out of bounds is marked with a dash line, 3 feet from each side of the dasher boards.
• The dasher boards are NOT padded.

Team Roster

• Each team is permitted to have 10 players on their roster.
• Teams may adjust their roster (i.e. add or exchange player names) until the end of the second game. At that time rosters will be locked for the rest of the season.
• Teams may not add players that have already been on another team's roster or has played will a different team.
• Teams found to have used an illegal player in a game(s), will forfeit those games that player was used.
• Teams may challenge any player to the head referee. All challenges must be made prior to the end of the game being played.

GENERAL

• Games will begin and end on-time.
• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at the 3-yard line and has 3 plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has 3 plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over the ball at its own 3-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 3-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense's 3-yard line. Interceptions are eligible for returns.
• Teams change sides after the first 20-minute half.
• Teams must have a minimum of 5 players to start a game.
• You must have a minimum of 5 players, from your roster, to start the game. You may pick up one player to make 5 and the game will count. If you do not have at least 5 players and have to pick up more, then the game will be a forfeit.
• Teams should consist of 8-10 players to assure adequate substitutes and compensate for players who may have conflicts on certain days.
• Players must be from your official roster. Each player must check in at the desk to verify eligibility in order to play.
• A minimum of 3 offensive and 3 defensive players must be on the line of scrimmage prior to snap.
• League standings are determined by winning percentage. In case of tie, we will go to head-to-head record. In case of a tie, we will go to most points scored. In case of a tie, we will go to least points allowed.
• An adult size regulation football must be used.
• A three or four-point stance is prohibited for all players.

TIMING / OVERTIME

• Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a continuous clock except the final minute of the 2nd half.
• During the final minute of the 2nd half, the clock will only stop for the referee's timeout, team timeout, out of bounds, incomplete pass, touchdowns and points after touchdown.
• If the score is tied at the end of regulation, the game is counted as a tie. No Overtime.
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball or a Delay of Game penalty will be assessed. The referee will give a "10-second" warning for each play clock.
• Each team has 1 timeout per half for a total (60 seconds each) of 2 for the entire game. Timeouts can be used anytime.
• The clock will not stop for injuries.
• Officials can stop the clock at their discretion at any time.

SCORING

• Touchdown - 6 points
• Extra point - 1 point (played from the 5-yard line) or 2 points (played from the 10-yard line)
• Safety - 2 points
• Interception return on extra point or 2 pt conversion - 2 points
• In case of a forfeit, the official score will be 21-0 and those points WILL count towards your "Points For" category

RUNNING

• The quarterback, or player that takes the direct snap, is eligible to run the ball if rushed. Although, not within the "No-running zones".
• Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
• "No-running zones" located 5 yards in front of the end zone and 5 yards in front of the midfield line, are designed to avoid short-yardage, power running situations.
• The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
• Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no jumping or diving)
• NO DIVING at all, whether for a first down or touchdown. This will result in a penalty flag.
• The ball is spotted where the ball is, not the player's foot.

RECEIVING

• All players are eligible to receive a pass (including the quarterback, if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage)
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.

BLOCKING

• Players may use hands only at chest level but must stay within the front plain of the body. Players may use hands to push opponent away, however cannot grab or tug.
• Players cannot fire out or move aggressively into an opposing player.
• Players may not block below the waist or above the shoulders.
• Any over aggressive play, pushing and/or holding will result in a penalty.
• Tackling is prohibited. If a defensive player tackles or holds a ball carrier that, in the judgment of the official, had an open field for a touchdown, a touchdown will be awarded.
• No defensive player may push or drive a ball carrier out of bounds.

PASSING

• All passes must be forward.
• Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• A pass is considered complete as long as the receiver has control of the ball and one foot has touched completely in bounds.
• Only one player can be in motion at one time.
• Pass interference can only occur on a catch able pass.
• Lateral pitches of any kind are eligible. It does not have to be underhand as long as it is backwards and in front of the line of scrimmage.
• Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 3-yard line.

DEAD BALLS

• The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
• On the snap from the line of scrimmage, as long as the ball is not dropped after picking it up from the ground, it is still playable.
• A fumbled, muffed or any dropped ball is dead. There are no fumbles.
• Any time any part of the ball carrier touches the ground except his feet and hands the ball is dead.
• When a flag is cleanly removed from the ball carrier the ball is dead. The defensive player removing the flag should immediately hold the flag above his head to assist the official in spotting the play.
• In the event of an inadvertent whistle by the official, the offense has the choice of taking the ball at the spot where it was blown dead or replaying the down.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Play is ruled dead when:
  • Ball carrier's flag is pulled
  • Touchdown or safety is scored
  • The football or ball carrier's knee hits the ground
  • If player's flag falls off without being pulled, then play is dead when player is touched
• NO FUMBLES. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

• No three or four point stances. Blockers can use their hands only. Blockers cannot move into the "rusher".
• Before the snap defensive ends must line up ON or INSIDE widest offensive lineman (the Tight End is not a lineman).
• A defensive player covering a slot receiver must ON or OUTSIDE the receiver to be eligible to rush.

SUBSTITUTIONS

• All substitutions must be made between downs.
• All new players must report to their respective huddles prior to play formation
• All players leaving the field must be off the field before the ball is snapped.
• An injured player must sit out a minimum of one play. Any player who is bleeding or who has an open wound will be considered an injured player.

SPORTSMANSHIP / ROUGHING

• If the referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any un-sportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be given one warning. Any more such behavior will result in ejection from the game. The league director, upon recommendation from the referees, may assign a one game suspension.
• Officials have the right to determine offensive language. Trash talking that is offensive to either the referee, the other players, or the spectators will not be tolerated. A warning will be given for one infraction; any more will result in an ejection.

PENALTIES

• The referees will call all penalties. The non-offending team can decline penalties.
• Defense:
  • Off sides - 5 yards, from line of scrimmage, and automatic first down
  • Interference - 10 yards, from line of scrimmage, and automatic first down (will be called if contact between the defender and the receiver happens before the ball arrives and is more than just incidental)
  • Illegal contact (holding, contact with QB's arm, etc.) - 10 yards, from line of scrimmage, and automatic first down
  • Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) - 10 yards, from end of run, and automatic first down
  • Face guarding (blocking receiver's vision while trying to catch ball - defender must look back at ball to avoid penalty) - 10 yards from line of scrimmage, replay the down
  • Unsportsmanlike Conduct (personal foul, foul language, unnecessary temper flaring, spiking ball, taunting opposing players, etc.) - 15 yards from line of scrimmage, automatic first down
• Offense:
  • Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) - dead ball, 5 yards, from line of scrimmage
  • Illegal forward lateral (forward pitch once beyond the line of scrimmage) - 10 yards, from the spot, and loss of down
  • Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) - 10 yards, from line of scrimmage, and loss of down
  • Illegal blocking (use of hands/arms to deter a defender from reaching the quarterback) - 5 yards, from line of scrimmage, and loss of down
  • Flag guarding (ball carrier deliberately prevents defender from pulling flag) - 10 yards from the spot, and loss of down
  • Delay of game - dead ball, clock stops, 5 yards, from line of scrimmage
  • Unsportsmanlike Conduct (personal foul, foul language, unnecessary temper flaring, spiking ball, taunting opposing players, etc.) - 15 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down
  • Flag attached illegally (tied in knot, etc.) - 10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down
  • Any of the above infractions can and will result in an ejection if a player continues to
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

• Each player will wear at the waistline a belt with two flags attached. Two flags will hand freely on each side of the body. Shirts/jerseys must be tucked inside pants.
• Wrapping, tying or in any way illegally securing the flag to the belt or clothing will result in a penalty and could result in the ejection of the player.
• The ball carrier shall not, by protecting his flag with hands or arms, impede the defensive player in his attempt to remove the flag.
• When a flag is intentionally pulled or removed from an offensive player not having possession of the ball, the action will be considered unsportsmanlike and will result in a penalty.
• If the flag of the ball carrier is inadvertently lost during a play, the play will be called dead when a player is touched by any defensive player. (Officials will call a play dead if a flag inadvertently falls off while the ball carrier is in a crowd of defenders and it cannot be determined if the flag fell or was pulled off.)

ATTIRE

• Cleats are not allowed. Only regular indoor athletic shoes can be worn.
• NO POCKETS allowed on shorts or pants. Player will not be eligible for play.