Sports - Adult Flag Football League Rules
http://www.orcottawaks.org/index.php/component/flexicontent/35-...
ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 7 on 7
Revised 10/11/2013
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LEAGUE AUTHORITY
The Ottawa Recreation Commission, its staff, and its agents will not be responsible for any injuries or
accidents incurred by players or spectators. The ORC will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
The ORC reserves the right to cancel and reschedule games as is necessary to accommodate gym
space, field space, other programs, and for inclimate weather.
Team Managers will be contacted with any cancellation and rescheduling information. It will also be
posted on the website, www.orcottawaks.org. It is the team manager’s responsibility to notify all other
team members.
The operation of this league will be fully governed by the policies and regulations set forth by the
Ottawa Recreation Commission staff.
The Ottawa Recreation Commission reserves the right to forfeit any game or match in which an
infraction of league rules has been committed.
The Ottawa Recreation Commission reserves the right to remove any player from competition
for directing harmful and abusive language or other inappropriate action towards officials,
facility supervisors, ORC staff, and/or individuals of the opposing teams. All ORC personnel
have the authority to evict players from the game and/or bench.
No alcoholic beverages or tobacco products will be allowed at the Goppert Building, Don Woodward
Community Center, USD 290 schools, Forest Park, Orlis Cox or any other facilities that the ORC may
use.
Teams must have the registration form and fee turned in by the registration deadline in order to be
placed in the league. Failure to comply will result in being removed from the schedule.
Once the schedule is made teams may ask to reschedule a game due to conflict. However once league
games start the schedule is final. (The ORC will TRY and accommodate your request however we
might not be able to.)
ROSTERS
All players must be 16 years or older.
The team roster must be turned in prior to the first game.
Additional players must be added before playing a league game.
A player not on the roster will be considered an ineligible player. Ineligible players used in games
subject the team to forfeit games in which they have participated.
A player may only be on one roster within a league.
It is recommended that flag football teams have a minimum of 8 players on their roster.
LEAGUE PLAYING RULES
The field dimensions are 80 yards by 40 yards with 10 yard end zones. The lines bounding the
sidelines and the end zones are out-of-bounds.
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Sports - Adult Flag Football League Rules
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Teams must have matching color jerseys or shirts.
Flag Belt: Each player must wear a provided flag at the waist. NO KNOTS. No shorts or pants with
pockets, belt loops or exposed drawstrings may be worn. Players may not wear any shirt or pants that
conflict with the visibility of the flags. Any hanging objects will be considered a flag if pulled during
an attempted de-flagging.
Shoes: Shoes must be made of canvas, leather, or synthetic leather cleated or non-cleated.
Game time is forfeit time.
A team must have six (6) players to begin and finish a game.
Game Length- The game will be (2) 20 minute halves with a 5 minute half-time. The clock will stop
the last two minutes of each half for the 2 minute warning, team called time-outs, incomplete passes,
out of bounds, and penalties. Time will not be stopped in the last two minutes of the game if there is a
point differential of seventeen (17) or more points.
Overtime: Will be a sudden death period. A coin flip will determine who gets the ball. First team to
score wins.
Each team will be allowed two timeouts per half and one during the overtime period. Timeouts are
not carried over to the second half or overtime.
Scoring: Touchdowns-6 points, Safety-2 points, Extra Point-1 pt. from the five yard line, 2 pts. from
the ten yard line. After a safety the ball is placed on the team that caused the safety’s 14 yard line.
Each team must designate one captain to act as representative in any communications with the
officials. All meetings with captains should include both teams.
In the coin toss the winner has 3 options: 1) Take the ball at their 14, 2) Defend their goal of choice, or
3) Defer to the second half.
First Downs: A team will have four downs to reach the next zone line to gain a first down. The zone
lines are the 20, 40, and 20 yard lines. When a zone line is attained, a new series of downs is
awarded.
Play Clock: 25 seconds (5 yard penalty for delay of game)
The neutral zone is the forward point of the football one yard to the defense side extended to the
sideline. The one yard is in the play even inside the one on the goal line. Encroachment of the neutral
zone: 5 yard penalty.
One player may be in motion at the snap (not moving toward the line of scrimmage). Movement
toward the line of scrimmage or multiple players in motion at the snap of the ball results in a 5 yard
penalty.
Blocking: Open hand blocking is not legal. Chop, cut, or high low blocking is illegal with a 10 yd.
penalty resulting. Note: The defense cannot initiate contact with an offensive blocker.
Quarterbacks - Quarterback must be outside the “pocket” to throw the ball away. A defender may
jump to block the pass however they cannot make contact with the quarterback.
A ball carrier must avoid all contact. Stiff arms and lowering of the shoulder are illegal. No
intentional flag guarding, leaving feet, or jumping is permitted.
Everyone is legal for a reception.
Belt Removal - When the flag belt is taken from the runner, the down shall end and the ball is
declared dead. The spot of the ball is determined by where the ball lies at the point of the clip of the
flag belt becoming detached, not where the belt falls to the ground.
If a flag belt inadvertently falls off, a one hand tag between the shoulders and the knees constitutes
when a player is down.
A player may leave their feet to remove a flag.
The ball becomes dead when:
A legal de-flagging occurs.
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The ball carrier touches the ground with any part of their body other than the hands or feet.
A fumble or lose ball hits the ground.
A snap from the center touches the ground.
All players on the field must wear flags. Failure to do so will result in a 5 yd. penalty.
A receiver must come down with at least one foot in bounds and have possession of the ball.
If a player should go out of bounds during the course of a play, he cannot be the first player to touch
the ball.
Kicking the ball - There are no kickoffs. The ball will be put in play at the 14 yard line to start each
half and after each score.
Punts- prior to making the ball ready for the fourth down the captain must announce the intention of
going for the first down or punting. THERE ARE NO FAKE PUNTS. There are no blocking punts.
Penalties resulting in loss of 5 yards
Delay of Game
False Start
Illegal Motion
Illegal Forward Pass
Encroachment
Penalties resulting in loss of 10 yards
Holding
Illegal use of hands
Illegal blocking technique
Striking blockers’ head with hands
Penalties resulting in loss of 15 yards
Unnecessary roughness
Stiff arming
Illegal blocks
Clipping
Roughing the passer
Tripping
Shoving the ball carrier
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Disqualification
Fighting
Cussing
Contacting an official
Pass Interference
Pass is declared complete at the point of infraction and will be automatic first down.
If the receiver is in the end zone, it will be fifteen yards and automatic first down.
FORFEITS
A First game forfeit will be a $10 fee and a second game forfeit will result in a $20 fee. Fees must be
paid prior to the next game played. If a team has forfeited a total of 3 games, they will be dropped
from the league without being refunded. If a team notifies the ORC office 48 hours prior to the day
of the game, it will not count towards the forfeit total and forfeit fees will not be assessed.
*NO TOLERANCE POLICY*
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During the game a player may receive a warning for their 1st offense subject to the discretion of the
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officials and staff & depending on the severity of the offense.
Any player receiving a technical foul or a flagrant foul is suspended for the entire game and will be
asked to leave the Ottawa Recreation Commission League Premises.
A player receiving a technical foul during the game could be suspended the following (1) game
depending on the severity of the offense.
A player returning receiving a 2nd technical or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during the season will
be suspended for the entire season.
**Suspensions are up to ORC staff discretion.
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