Cupid Bowl Flag Football Rules of Play

• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense s 5-yard line.

Players

• Teams must field a minimum of six (6) players at all times.
• Teams consist of 10 players (6 on the field with 3 substitutes and 1 coach).
• One team player must be designated as coach at all times
• There must be at least 3 girls on the field at all times
• The quarterback must be played by a girl at all times

Timing/Overtime

• All games are played 30-40 minutes running time (based on number of bracketed teams).
• If the score is tied at the end of regulation, teams move directly into overtime. The first team to score wins. Coin flip will determine which team starts offense in overtime. Ball is placed on the 5 yd line.  Team has 2 plays to score. Team can only pass the ball to score.
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
• Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time out per game.
• Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or 2 points (played from 12-yard line)
• Safety: 2 points. Team that caused the safety gets the ball

Running

• The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
• Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
• Laterals and Pitches ARE ALLOWED. Ball is dead at the spot of a dropped pitch.
• No-running zones, located 5 yards from each end zone is 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 diving).
• The ball is spotted where the ball carriers feet are when the flag is pulled.

Receiving

• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

• All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
• Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.

Dead Balls

• The ball must be snapped between the legs or off to one side, to start play.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Play is ruled dead when:
  • Ball carrier s flag is pulled.
  • Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
  • Touchdown or safety is scored.
  • At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
  • Ball carrier s knee hits the ground.
  • Ball carrier s flag falls out.

Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback

Only one player can rush the passer and must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.

Sportsmanship/Roughing

If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking with hands, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the tournament. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game and/or the tournament.

Penalties

All penalties will be called by the referee.

Defense:

• Offsides – 5 yards and automatic first down
• Interference – 10 yards and automatic first down
• Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc) – 10 yards and automatic first down
• Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) – 10 yards and automatic first down
• Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) – 10 yards and automatic first down

Offense:

• Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) – 5 yards and loss of down
• Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) – 5 yards and loss of down
• Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) – 10 yards and loss of down
• Flag guarding – 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down
• Delay of game Clock stops – 10 yards and loss of down

• Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• Only the team coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Attire

Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. All team players must have matching shirts.  All clothing must meet CISD student handbook standards.  Athletic shorts are permitted but must be appropriate length.  Protective mouthpieces are recommended for all players.

Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking with hands is allowed. All blocking must be done with hands behind their back.