UW-Parkside Intramural Flag Football Rules

Playing Field

All intramural football games will take place on the grass fields located just northeast of the softball fields behind the Sports and Activity Center. (Behind the Baseball field)

 

 

Players

1. A team will play with 7 players on the field and can have up to 15 players on the roster.
2. The team may be all male, female or co-ed
3. COED- Coed teams must of three women on the field at all times.
4. A team may begin with as few as six players on the field.  A seven player team may play a six player team.  If additional players on the roster show up, they may enter the game during a dead ball.
5. Full roster will be turned in during the managers meeting.
6. Full roster must be turned into umpire prior to the contest.

 

 

Rules

1. The game will be 45 minutes long consisting of two 20 minute half and one 5 minute halftime. The clock only stops after a scoring play.  During Extra point attempts the clock will. The clock will stop for extra points when playing time is under 1 minute.
2. Teams will be allowed a maximum of five minutes after the official starting time to be ready to play, before being charged with a forfeit.
3. Each team is allowed one time-out per half. It will be 1 minute in length.
4. Mercy Rule: If at any time a team is ahead by 24 points the game is over.
5. Overtime:  A coin-flip will determine which team will receive the ball first. The ball will be placed on the 20 yard line of the receiving team. Overtime will be sudden death. If the first team which is awarded the ball scores, the game is over. If the defense intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown, the game.

 

Start of Play

• 5 minutes prior to the game the official will toss a coin to determine which team will start on offense or defense. The other team will have their choice of goal to defend.
• The game will start with the ball being placed on the 15 yard line.
• Teams will switch goals at halftime.

 

Yardage and Down

1. The field is 80 yards long with two 10 yard end zones.
2. A team has four downs to obtain a first down.
3. First downs are 20 yards apart.
4. Any part of the ball touching the line is considered over the line.
5. Failure to advance to the ball in the series of four downs results in the loss of the ball to the opponent.
6. Punt:  A team may punt the ball on fourth down.  They must inform the official, who will in turn inform the opposing team of the kick.  A team may not fake a punt.  No players from either team may leave the line of scrimmage until the ball has been punted. There is no return on a punt. The ball will be placed where it landed or went out of bounds.

 

Scoring

 

1. A touchdown is 6 points
2. A safety is 2 points. 
3. If a touchdown is scored, the extra point attempt will take place unless it will not affect the outcome of the game.
4. If the opposing team intercepts a pass during the extra point attempt and returns it for a touchdown, they score 3 points.
5. Extra Point attempts:
1. 1 point from the 3 yard line.
2. 2 points from the 10 yard line

 

 

 

Playing Procedures

Passing rules

1. A forward pass is good no matter how many offensive or defensive players touch the ball before it is caught.
2. Only one foot must be inbounds when catching a pass.
3. The QB cannot run with the ball inside the 20 yardline.  (Must pass or hand-off). Penalty is loss of down.
4. All players are eligible to receive a forward pass including the quarterback if the pass is thrown by another player.
5. Only one forward pass may be thrown per down.
6. If a player loses there flag prior to catching the ball the player is ineligible and the pass is incomplete.
7. A defensive player may not remove the flags of a player prior to catching the ball. Resluts is a 10 yard penalty

Blocking rules

1. Blockers are not allowed to leave their feet while blocking. Blocking must be done without the use of hands or extended arms.  Arms must stay at a person’s side or behind their back.
2. At no time may the rusher run through the blocker, but must maneuver around him.  The defensive rusher will not be allowed to run through the offensive blocker. This rule will be strictly enforced to ensure everyone’s safety.
3. The offensive team must have 1 player on the line of scrimmage.

 

 

Ball Carrier and Flag Grabbing rules

1. The play is dead when the person carrying the ball loses their flag. 
2. Each player must have two flags attached to his belt. The flags must be adjusted so that there is one on each hip. 
3. It is illegal to tackle or hold a player and then grab their flag. A 10 yard penalty will be called against the defensive player who holds, tackles, or roughs-up the ball carrier when grabbing the flag. 
4. All shirts must be tucked in so that the flag is readily visible. 
5. The ball carrier may not push the defensive man’s hands away from the flags. This will result in a 10 yard penalty.
6. It is illegal to shove a player out-of-bounds, Resluts is a 10 yard penalty 
7. There is no stiff arming allowed. Resluts is a 10 yard penalty.
8. If the player with the ball looses a flag or the entire belt, the ball is dead at that point.
9. No player may attempt to strip the ball by punching, striking, or stealing the ball. Resluts is a 10 yard penalty.

 

Fumbles

1. If the offensive team fumbles the ball from center the ball is dead when it hits the ground.  The ball will be spotted from that spot.
2. If a defensive player recovers the ball, it still belongs to the offense with the loss of a down.
3. A fumbled ball in the air is still free, as long as it is caught before it touches the ground.

 

Officials

1. No arguing with the officials. The officials will be in control of the game.  Arguing with an official will not be tolerated and will lead to a TEAM disqualification from the game.  If a team feels they have a legitimate complaint regarding a rule interpretation, not a judgment call, they can file a protest with the Intramural office no later than 24 hours after the contest has ended. The protest must be presented in writing.
2. Swearing during a game will result in a personal foul being. Result: Offensive team, loss of 10 yards, Defensive team, give offensive team 10 yards. If the swearing persists the player will be disqualified from the game.

 

 

Player’s Equipment

1. No metal spikes or cleats.
2. Any type of protective padding, which endangers the safety of other players is prohibited. The Official has the final say in this matter.
3. Those wearing glasses should have a glass protector.
4. Shirts must be tucked in.

 

Miscellaneous

1. Any play used for deceit alone can be ruled illegal procedure by the official.
2. All backs may be in motion before the ball is snapped. (lateral or backwards, no forward motion)
3. Substitutions can only occur during a dead ball or timeout.  The player must be acknowledged by the official.
4. The ball must be in contact with the ground before being snapped.
5. If the official makes an inadvertent whistle the down is replayed.
6. On a double foul, the down will be replayed.
7. Using words similar to the offensive audibles and quarterback cadence prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with the offensive team’s signals or movements is a penalty.

 

 

Participants should be aware there is a risk of injury in participation of Intramural Sports due to the inherent nature of the activity.  Individuals are encouraged to have a physical examination and to obtain adequate health and accident insurance prior to participation.  Individuals participate in Intramural activities at their own risk.