Oskie Flag Football

OSKIE FLAG FOOTBALL RULE BOOK

• This rule book follows the USA travel flag 5’s non contact rule book with modifications to time, equipment/attire, and penalty yardage (simplified). There are clarifications of rules, and our personal league/roster rules added as well but nothing that changes the USA flag rules. All modifications, clarifications, or league specific rules are highlighted. 

OVERVIEW

THE FIELD

Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 64 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards. (Indoor sessions will be 52 yards long with 5 yard long endzones. Still 25 yards wide)

THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME 

Article 2. Minimum 3 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three plays to cross mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception.

Article 4. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

ATTIRE/Equipment

Article 1. Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, Home team gets to keep their color, and the away team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Flag color must be different from the color of the shorts where the flags are. If the shorts are solid just have a different color. If there is a stripe on the shorts where they flags should be then the flags need to be different from that stripe. 

Article 3. Equipment - No metal cleats are allowed. The league will provide flags but teams are allowed to use their own. Teams must provide their own cleats, football, and uniforms. League will provide all other equipment needed for the games to run.

Article 4. Pockets - We allow shorts with pockets, BUT strongly advise against it. If you are wearing shorts or pants with open pockets it is at your own risk. Meaning if defensive players get their hands stuck or grab your pocket refs will not call holding. If it is intentional they will determine that, but you will be less likely to get holding calls and more likely for your pants/shorts to rip

Article 5. Flag Belt - If you tuck any item in the flag belt and it is visible or not tucked into your shorts it will be considered an extra flag.

SECTION 4. GAME CLOCK FORMAT

Article 1. League clock is 24 minutes long. Two 12 minute halves and 1-minute halftime.

Article 2. Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.

Article 3. The play clock is 25 seconds from the end of the previous play.

SECTION 5. FIRST HALF CLOCK

Article 1. The clock will run continuously during the 12/15/20 (check bottom for session specifics) minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)

Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)

Article 3. The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs) in the first half unless either team opts to use a team timeout.

SECTION 6. SECOND HALF CLOCK

Article 1. In the second half the clock will run continuously for the first 11/14/19 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.

Article 2. The one-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.

Article 3. The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) and one-minute warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.

Article 4. At the one minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.

RULE 2. OFFENSE

SECTION 1. RUNNING

Article 1. The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to him or her in the backfield.

Article 2. Teams may handoff (unlimited), pitch, or throw back in the backfield. UNLIMITED laterals or throwbacks behind the LOS are allowed for the player to remain eligible to pass.

Article 3. Pitching (backwards/laterally) is allowed downfield (unlimited). Handoffs are allowed forward or backwards when behind the line of scrimmage, and only backwards beyond the line of scrimmage. A handoff DOES NOT count as a lateral/throwback.

Article 4. A forward pass DOES NOT have to cross the LOS to be a legal play.

Article 5. If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY player, the player MUST run the ball (no give and go to the QB on the back)

Article 6. No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone.  You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed to advance the ball past the line of scrimmage. Laterals and handoffs are still allowed.

Article 7. Ball is spotted where the ball is at the time of the flag pull. The ball must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.

Article 8. Players may NOT block down field in any form.

SECTION 2. PASSING

Article 1. The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.

Article 2. Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 5 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 5 second count.

Article 3. There is no arm in motion, if the ball is in hand when the quarterback’s flag is pulled then it will be ruled a sack.

Article 4. Interceptions may be returned.

Article 5. The rusher may not have any contact with the QB (no hitting the QB arm or knocking the ball out of the QB hand).

Article 6. If ANY part of the players body is behind the LOS it is a legal pass

SECTION 3. RECEIVING

Article 1. All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.

Article 2. Players must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.

RULE 3. DEFENSE

SECTION 1. RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

Article 1. Players that blitz/rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Article 2. The 7 yards will be measured off by a referee.

Article 3. Players that are not 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.

Article 4. The blitzer/rusher is allowed a direct lane to the line of scrimmage as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane. Officials will announce LANE or NO LANE for rushers/blitzers prior to the snap. This is a judgement call/decision based on the spacing between the players in the offensive formation. A space of 6″ or greater in length between two players constitutes a lane at the officials discretion.

Article 5. The rush of a blitzer has to be immediately after the snap, quick and straight towards the point where the quarterback receives the snap in order to retain the right of way. If a blitzer is rushing late, slowly, aiming at another spot, changing direction during the rush or just does not rush the quarterback, the player loses the right of way but still can participate as any other defensive player.

SECTION 2. PASS COVERAGE

Article 1. Contacting receivers is not allowed

Article 2. Pass interference normally occurs above the waist; entangled feet are not considered pass interference. Incidental contact is not considered pass interference.

Article 3. A player may “find” their opponent by reaching out and placing a hand on them as long as touching does not delay, impede, twist, or turn their opponent.  This is not considered pass interference.

Article 4. A player may use their arms or hands to intentionally obstruct the receiver’s view (face guarding) of the ball without turning their own head to play the ball as long as noteworthy contact is not made with the receiver.

Article 5. If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone the ball will be placed on the one-yard line, automatic first down.

Article 6. Interceptions may be returned. Interceptions in the end zone that are not returned to the field of play will result in a touchback and the ball will be spotted on the 5-yard line.

Article 7. Contact away from the direction of the pass is not considered pass interference but may be considered illegal contact.

Article 8. Whether a pass is catchable or uncatchable has no bearing on pass interference. The benefit of the doubt is given to the receiver. Examples of pass interference include:

• Shoving or pushing off to create separation.

• Playing through the back.

• Hook and turn: grabbing the torso and turning an opponent before the pass arrives.

• Arm bars, hooking, restricting, grabbing wrists, or turning a receiver.

• Blocking downfield before the ball has been touched, commonly seen through “pick plays”.

RULE 4. SCORING

SECTION 1. POINTS

• Touchdown: 6 points

• Point After Touchdown:

• (PAT) 1 point from the 5-yard line (no-run zone in effect)

• 2 points from the 12-yard line, run, pass (outside of no-run zone)

• Interceptions returned on PAT’s are worth 2 points

• Safety: 2 points

SECTION 2. POINT AFTER TOUCHDOWN (PAT)

Article 1. Following a touchdown, once the scoring team has informed an official of which point conversion choice they want to attempt, the decision cannot be changed unless the scoring team uses a team timeout.

Article 2. If a penalty occurs during an extra point attempt, the penalty will be assessed but the extra point value remains the same.

Article 3. Decisions cannot be changed after a penalty. For example, if the offense attempts a 1-point PAT and is penalized five yards for a false start, they cannot change their mind and go for a 2-point PAT. They will still be attempting a 1-point try even if they call a timeout.

Article 4. Defensive unsportsmanlike conduct, personal fouls, or roughing penalties during a successful touchdown attempt will be assessed at half the distance to the goal during the PAT attempt (e.g., 2-point PAT attempts will be spotted at the 6-yard line, 1-point PAT attempts will be spotted at the 2.5-yard line). All other defensive penalties may be declined by the offense and the score will stand.

Article 5. Dead ball fouls committed by the offense that do not carry a loss-of-down penalty (false start) may result in penalty yardage assessed and the down replayed.

Article 6. Fouls by the offense during a successful PAT attempt that carry a loss-of-down penalty (flag guarding, illegal advancement, illegal forward pass, etc.) will result in the PAT being no good.

Article 7. Fouls committed by the offense in unsuccessful PAT attempts will be declined by the defense and the PAT will be “no good” and will not be replayed.
Article 8. Fouls by the defense during an unsuccessful PAT attempt will result in a retry after the options are administered.

Article 9. If the PAT-attempting team throws an interception and then commits a flagrant foul after the interception during the attempted return (physically contains the ball carrier; bear hugs, aggressively holds, tackles, etc. without making a clear, legal attempt to pull the ball carrier’s flag, the ball carrier will be awarded two points.

SECTION 3. OVERTIME EXTRA POINT SHOOT-OUT

Article 1. A coin flip determines first possession, 1 timeout per OT period

Article 2. Teams will go in reverse order if more then 1 OT is required

Article 3. Teams can elect to go for 1 or 2 points

Article 4. Winner will be determined once the value of the extra point exceeds the other team’s attempt.

SECTION 4. MERCY RULE

Article 1. No Mercy Rule during regular season.  If a team is up by 28 points or more At any point in the second half of play during playoffs, the game will be over.

SECTION 5. PENALTIES INSIDE 2 MINUTES

Article 1. All penalties inside of 2 minutes of BOTH halves remain the same except:

• Defensive delay of game (+ 15 yards Unsportsmanlike & 1st Down)

• Leading Team – Offensive delay of game (LOD + clock stops)

• Offensive Pre-snap penalties – yardage + LOD

*** ALL penalty yardage is simplified for Oskie Flag Football League and do not follow USA FLAG***

RULE CLARIFICATIONS AND NOTES

*** If the yardage cannot be achieved due to being to close to the endzone the ball will be placed on the 1 yard line

***Offensively any penalties down field will be assessed after the play. So if the first down is achieved give them the first down then assess the penalty yards resulting in a longer amount of yards to go.

***Defensive penalties will be assessed prior to determining the down.

***Illegal touching is when a player voluntarily goes out of bounds and is the first to touch the ball after coming back into play

***If there is a rule/call not listed that is a general football play we will default to actual football ruling

***Last Man rule is a judgment call on by the Ref - IF there is a penalty or act that impeded a player that probably would score a touchdown the ref may award a TD

***Illegal contact, unnecessary roughness,  or Unsportsmanlike Conduct have priority over all other penalties and will not be included in any "offsetting penalty" call

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: (Offense/Defense)

• a. Arguing with Officials: There will be an unsportsmanlike 15 yard penalty and potential “Cool down” penalty thrown. The second penalty of the night is an ejection. 

• * Note: Only captain may address officials (In sportsmanlike manner)

• Fighting: Throw a punch, hit the road. There is no room in this league for fighting.

• Being involved in a fight and/or throwing a punch, also included is a verbal threat of harm, will result in an automatic ejection from the league with no refund.

• Showing up to the facility intoxicated to the point that league managers deem inappropriate will result in immediate removal from the facility for the night. If this happens 2 times there will be bigger penalties assessed.

• There will be no tolerating punting/kicking equipment anymore. Or throwing a ball into the wall/ceiling. If we were to damage the facility the player responsible for the action will be held responsible.

• All unsportsmanlike penalty ejections are for 1 full game.

• Fighting or any physical altercation ejections are for the an extended period of time

ADDRESSING OFFICIALS: (Questioning Calls)

• Only the designated captain is allowed to address the officials. All interactions with captains and officials will be made in a sportsmanlike manner. (First warning the Team captain will be notified of team player violation, second warning will result in 3 minute suspension for offending player, third warning will result in a removal from the game. If the player continues to cause issues this will result in a forfeit for the whole team and the player will be banned from the league for 1 calendar year.)

The Referees will call the game as they see it. If you have a question about a rule, the

captain is the only person to approach the official with any questions.

PLAYOFFS:

• Playoffs will be full games over 2 weeks. See roster rules for clarification on subs during the playoffs

• Seeding will be determined by the following factors in this exact order:

• Record

• Head to Head (Skip if a 3 or more team tie)

• Points allowed

• Point differential

• Points scored

• Coin flip

• ***If a team has a forfeit they will be exluded from tiebreakers and moved to the last spot out of the tied teams.

• Other Notes: Game cannot end on a defensive penalty even if time expires. One additional play will be required to finish the game.

• A Mercy rule will be implemented in the playoffs. If a team is up by 28 points at any point in the second half the game will be ended due to mercy.

Rosters

• Rosters are allowed to have up to 12 people

  • Full time players must play 3 games to be eligible for playoffs.

  • Subs do not have to play any games but cannot play in playoffs unless your team is missing 2 or more full time players. There is a cap at 6 players if you have subs, but you can only pick up players up to 1 less than the amount of full time players you have. Example: If Team A has 7 players and 2 are gone...you can pick up 1 sub to get to 6 players. But if Team B has 7 players full time and only miss one player they cannot use a sub

  • In the playoffs if your team cannot field 6 guys you have the option to use players not on your roster at the cost of 6 points per player. The opposing team will be rewarded 6 points per every non rostered player.

  • Non rostered subs being used cannot be rostered on any team in your division or higher level divisions. 

  • Pro can use Semi pro, rec, or non rostered

  • Rec can only use non rostered

  • Semipro can only use non rostered
  • If there is not a rec division then pro can only use semipro and non rostered.

  • SEMI PRO - During outdoor sessions this is a separate division on Thursday nights. Indoor sessions this division is on Monday nights.

    • Semi-pro is a division for pro players to play on a second team. Pro players are listed on the website home page.
    • Semi pro teams are allowed two pro players
      • If a player is listed as pro in only a specific category then they would only be considered a pro player if they are doing the specified role. Example: Offense only, Defense only, QB, or Blitz only.
      • If a pro player is missing on a semi-pro team they are allowed to use another pro player as a sub
      • Pro players are determined game by game basis. So if someone is QB only and they QB one night they are not locked in to being counted as a pro player every single week
      • The Pro list can change. It will generally only change in between sessions. The only way it would change in season is if a player is added late to a roster and said player is the level of a pro player.
    • During Outdoor sessions Semi-pro teams will not compete for the leagues top rewards. Semi-pro generally has their own awards available.
    • There may be opportunities for Pro and non pro players to lead a rec team with commissioner approval. It would have to be a clear rec level team with new/newer players and there will be a limit of 1 pro/non-pro player per roster. All other situations in which a player plays on two teams one of the teams will need to be in the semi-pro division

  • Everyone must sign a waiver to participate. 

  • Must have a valid ID to prove you are who you say you are in the playoffs if a team protests you as a player

  • Roster is made up of full time players and subs

  • All players must only be rostered on one team. (Exceptions are secondary teams. Look below for clarification)

The Referees will call the game as they see it. If you have a question about a rule, the

captain is the only person to approach the official with any questions.

League Rules:

1. After 2 weeks of Forfeits the team will not be allowed to participate in the playoffs

2. Roster: maximum limit of a 12 man roster.

1. If an injury happens at flag football the player can be replaced with approval from the league owner

2. Rosters lock when the first game of week 3 starts. These rosters need to be submitted to the league owner via text or email

3. IF during the season you are not able to fill a full team of 7 players then you are allowed to pick up subs from other teams. The playoffs are excluded from that rule unless special circumstances are approved by the league owner.

1. If there is a situation in which a team cannot field a team for the playoffs please contact the league owner and they will try to come up with a viable solution. 

2. You can pick up as many subs as you want that are non rostered on that play in a lower division. 

4. The playoffs will be 1 weeks.

5. All Players must sign a waiver before participating. They will be provided by the owner of the league.

6. All refs must fill out and return the game card with scores, and players each week. They need to be given or a picture sent to league owners.

7. Refs can deny timeouts to teams attempting to just "run up the score" later in games that are not within 2 possessions

SESSION SPECIFICS

1. Both Nights
   1. 20 min half format with 1 game per night.
   2. Playoffs will be 20 min halves with mercy rule after 30 min of play
   3. If a ball contacts any part of the facility the play is ruled dead.
   4. All players must warm up and sub from the side closest to the wall. This side has plenty of room and the middles will be a little tight
   5. Weeks 1 - 6 will regular season
   6. No player can play on more than 1 team per night in the winter sessions
      1. The commissioner can allow some players to sub or play with a second roster if he feels that it would help a rec/new team learn the game. This player would have restrictions and would have to be approved. This will only happen if absolutely needed.
   7. Playoffs will be played over week 7 and week 8. Teams are only guaranteed 7 games this session as teams will be eliminated from playoffs in week 7. 
   8. Playoff format will be announced by week 3. The commissioner will watch games and review scores to determine the most fair option for playoffs
      1. this may include:
         1. all 12 teams in one big bracket
         2. two brackets
            
            1. gold and silver
               1. Silver bracket will not play for any prizes other than T-shirts
               2. Teams always can choose to opt into gold if they choose. Silver bracket will be treated as a bracket for teams to have a more competitive opportunity 
2. MONDAYS
   1. Mondays rosters will be limited to 2 pro players per roster.
      1. if a player is listed as pro in one specific category then they are allowed to play on a team with 2 other pro players if they do not play the position listed. For example: if a player is considered "Pro player - QB ONLY" they are allowed to play with 2 other pro players if they are not the QB on the roster. If they are the QB the team is only allowed 1 pro player.
      2. If a pro player is missing the team is allowed to get another pro player to sub.
3. Thursday nights
   1. There is no roster restrictions