Official NovaFFL Flag Football Rules

Official NovaFFL Flag Football Rules

NovaFFL uses NCAA rules with the specifications addressed herein.

Updated on 08.27.10

General Rules

WE USE NCAA RULES EXCEPT WHERE WE HAVE MODIFIED OUR OWN

1. Official Team: Each team may play up to 7 players at a time, with a 3 player minimum.

2. Field Dimensions: Each field will be 80 yards (length) x 40 yards (width). Each field will have 2 first down markers, placed 20 yards from each end zone. Each end zone is 10 yards in length.

3. Coin Toss: A coin toss (or rock/paper/scissors) will determine which team will start the game in possession of the ball. Options: a) Offense; b) Defense; c) Choosing which goal to defend.  Second half: At the start of the second half, possession belongs to the team that started the game on defense.

4. Possession: To start each half, following a touchdown, or touchback the offense will take possession of the ball 7 yards from their own end zone. Following a safety, the offense will take possession of the ball on their own 20 yard line.

5. Scoring: All games are played for 44 min. or when one team is ahead by 35 points, whichever comes first: a) Touchdowns = 6 points; b) Conversions: 1 point from the 5 yard line, or 2 points from the 10 yard line. Turnovers during conversion attempts end the play; c) Safety = 2 points and loss of possession

6. Timing: Each half is 22 minutes long and uses a running clock, including conversion attempts. Halftime is 5 minutes long. In the last two minutes of the 2nd half, the clock stops on all dead balls and scores (conversion attempts are untimed).

7. Clock: The offense has 30 seconds from the end of the last play by which to snap the ball, including conversion attempts. Timeouts: Each team is allowed two timeouts per half which stop the clock. Overtime: In the event of a tie at the end of regulation, the teams will play an overtime period. Each team will have 4 downs to score from the opponent’s 20 yard line. The team that scores in the least amount of downs wins.

8. Roster: Teams are required to field a team consisting of members from their official roster which is required to be submitted via email and forum post at the mid-point of each season. In the event a roster violation is determined to have occurred, the violating team will forfeit the game and may be ineligible for the playoffs. The maximum number of players on a roster shall not exceed 20.

9. Sportsmanship: Unsportsmanlike conduct includes verbal and physical attacks in any form. The Commissioner determines the appropriate course of action for all conduct issues.

Offense

1. Formation: 2 ineligible linemen must be on the line. Anyone else on the line must declare themselves eligible before the snap.

2. Snap: Inaudible snaps are permitted. The play starts on movement of the ball in ALL instances, regardless of snap count. The quarterback must receive a snap from the center at all times in either of the following formations: a) Shotgun: center snap to the QB in the shotgun. Defense must allow a neutral zone radius of 1-yard from the center; b) Center to QB: center snap from the ground to the QB through his legs. No neutral zone is required.

3. Fumbles: Fumbles are NOT live. The ball is dead where and when it hits the ground. The play is dead if the ball touches the ground at any time.

4. Punting: Teams must announce if they will “punt or play” on fourth down (no fake punts allowed). In the event of a punt the receiving team is only permitted to have 2 players off the line to field the punt. All other players must be within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. All punts are live balls; if a punted ball is touched, the ball is dead where it lands.

5. Spotting the Ball: The ball is spotted where the hips/flag belt of the ball carrier is when he is marked “down” (flags pulled, knee, elbow, ball, etc. hits the ground).

6. Downfield Blocking: Downfield blocking is permitted after the ball has been advanced past the line of scrimmage by an offensive player.  Blocking must be led by the hands, and not the shoulder or any other part of the body.

7. Ball Carrier Restrictions: a) No Flag Guarding: Defined as any intentional action of blocking a defenders attempt to pull his flags by shielding or knocking the defender’s hand away with his hand/arm; b) Control: A ball carrier must be in control of his body at all times. He must avoid contact with defenders. Diving or jumping/hurdling forward is not permitted.

Defense

1. Flag Pulling: When a player is in possession of the ball, the defender shall always make an attempt to pull his flag, with no exceptions.  Only 1 flag must be pulled for an offensive player to be marked down.

2. Formation: The defense is allowed to line up in any formation and rush the QB with no restrictions.

3. Flag Removal: When a flag is clearly pulled from the runner, the player is ruled “down” at the spot. If a flag inadvertently falls to the ground, a one hand tag constitutes the player as “down”.

Referees and Field Crew

Novaffl uses its own players to referee games. Players who referee will be paid $10 per game (payment is made the following week). The referee will be in charge of keeping the time and score and calling all penalties and ejections. The referee’s decision is final.

Penalties

5 YARD PENALTIES

Illegal Blocking (we included load blocking in this.  However, load blocking can also become an unecessary roughness call if excessive).
Holding (any player except the ball carrier)
Delay of game
Illegal Motion
Illegal Formation
Off-sides: 5 Yards (free play for offense – even if defender is unabated to the QB)
False Start
Flag Guarding: 5 yards from the spot the infraction occurred
Stiff Arming: 5 yards from the spot the infraction occurred

Intentional Grounding: 5 yards from the line of scrimmage plus loss of down. 

10 YARD PENALTIES

Illegal Blocking in back
Holding the Ball Carrier
Arguing with mods
Unsportsmanlike conduct
Unnecessary roughness
Pass Interference
Hitting QB’s arm
Tripping

SPOT FOULS

Diving, Jumping, Hurdling

*There are no automatic first downs

*If the penalty yardage exceeds the yards to the end zone, the ball will be placed on the one-yard line