1. Players may compete on only one team per division of NYC Flag Football.

2. The game shall be played between 2 teams of 7 players each for Non Contact Leagues (Screen), and 8 players for Contact Leagues (Contact).  Five players are required to avoid a forfeit for Non Contact, and Six players for Contact. If a players is hurt, the game may be continued with less than 5, if the team has a chance to win.

3. Jerseys must be either:

4. Flag Belts Procedure:

5. A player wearing illegal equipment shall not be permitted to play.  This applies to any equipment, which in the opinion of the Referee is dangerous or confusing.  Types of equipment or substances, which shall always be declared illegal include:

A. Headgear containing any hard, unyielding, or stiff material, including billed hats, and bandannas.

B. Jewelry

C. Pads or braces worn above the waist.

D. Shoes with metal spikes (This includes screwing cleats if games are on turf)

E. Shirts or jerseys that don not follow rule #3 above

F. Pants or shorts with belt loops. (Ex.) Jeans, khaki shorts.

G. Leg and knee braces made of hard, unyielding material.

H. Towels attached at the player's waist. 

2. Given field limitations in NYC (and especially during our winter league), we will make necessary adjustments to the fields. For instance, there might be a field that is divided into 3 20 yard segments, and has 7.5 yard endzones. We understand that small fields may help some teams out, but the is an unavoidable aspect of playing sports in New York City.

3. A first down is achieved at every 20 yard segment. PLEASE NOTE, there is not a chain to follow first downs. 

4. Each drive begins at the 5 yard line, so you start each drive at 1st and 15. If you have a long play and gain 30 yards, you will have a 1st down. That said, you will now be at 1st and 5 as the next 20 yard marker will only be 5 yards away. 

1. Ready to Play: Game time is forfeit time.  "Ready to play" means that a team must be on the playing area, ready to play, with the minimum number of players (5 non contact, 6 contact).  The team must be able to respond immediately to the begin play order of the official.

Claiming a Win by Forfeit: The team present and "ready to play" at the time the game is scheduled to start, may claim a win by forfeit by recording their line up, and stating "forfeit". The field manager will assist the captains with this process.  Forfeited contests will not be rescheduled.

Coin Toss - The team that wins the coin toss will have the choice of either Kick/Receive or which side to defend, there is no defer option. The second team will then choose between the remaining option. The teams will switch sides and possession to start the second half. 

2. Playing time shall be 40 minutes divided into 2, 20 minute halves. The intermission between halves shall be no more than 5 minutes. Halftime may be cut short in order to keep the league on schedule.  

Please note: Overtime will only be used during playoffs.  If game is tied during league it will end in a tie.

3. EACH TEAM IS ENTITLED TO TWO (2) TIMEOUTS PER HALF.  

4. First Half timing rules: The clock only stops for team and referee’s time-outs. 

5. Second Half timing rules: The clock will run continuously for the first 18 minutes unless it is stopped for a team and/or referee’s time-out. 

6. Second Half Two Minute Warning.

At 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd off, there will be an official timeout. After that point, the clock will stop for a team timeout, official timeout, first down (clock starts when the ball is set ready for play and the play clock as started), penalties (Defensive penalty - clock is stopped until the snap, Offensive penalty - clock is stopped until the penalty is marked off on the ball is set ready for play, with the exception the leading team is attempting to run the clock out) incomplete pass, or a score.    

7. Regular season games can end in a tie.  Only in the playoffs will overtime procedures be used.

8. OVERTIME PROCEDURES: A coin will be flipped by the Referee to determine the options as in the start of the overtime period. There will be only one coin flip during the overtime. If additional overtime periods are played, field captains will alternate choices.  The winner of the toss shall be given options of offense, defense, or direction.  The loser of the toss shall make a choice of the remaining options.  ALL OVERTIME PERIODS ARE PLAYED TOWARD THE SAME GOAL LINE. Unless moved by penalty, each team will start 1st and goal from the Team B 10 yard line. The object will be to score a touchdown.  An overtime period consists of one possession by each team.  If the score is still tied after one period, additional periods will be played until a winner is determined.  If the first team which is awarded the ball scores, the opponent will still have a chance to win the game. 

NOTE:  If the defense intercepts the pass and returns it for a touchdown on Team A's first drive, the game is over.  Each team is entitled to one time-out per overtime period. They are administered similar to the regular game.  Team A shall be awarded a new series of 4 downs when the penalty for defensive pass interference or roughing the passer is accepted.  Dead ball fouls following touchdowns are penalized on the try-for-point.  Dead ball fouls following a successful try-for-point will be penalized from the succeeding spot, the Team B 10 yard line, if accepted.

THERE ARE NO KICKOFFS, each drive will start on you opponents 5 yard line. 

1. The only legal kicking in Flag Football is a punt.

2. All punts must be announced to the referee.

A. The kicking team must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage.

B. The kicker must catch and kick the ball immediately in one continuous motion.

C. The team may not advance beyond their respective scrimmage line until the ball is kicked.  Penalty:  Illegal procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.

D. If the offense declares to punt, then wants to change their decision, they may do so after a charged timeout or an accepted penalty in which the down is to be replayed. 

E. If the receiving team fails to catch the punt the ball is dead where it touches the ground.

1. Team A players are responsible for retrieving the ball after every scrimmage down.  The snapper will bring it from the huddle to the Team A scrimmage line.

2. The offensive team must have at least 4 players on their scrimmage line (the first flat orange cone) at the snap.  The remaining players must be either on the scrimmage line or behind their backfield line.  All players must be inbounds.  A player in motion is not counted as one of the 4 or 5 on the scrimmage line.  Penalty: Illegal Procedure, 5 yards replay the down.  NOTE:  If in doubt, you may check with the line judge.

3. To mark the lines of scrimmage the official will place two flat cones (ball spotters) on the field. The space between the two cones is the neutral zone and both the offense and the defense need to be behind the ball spotter on their side until the ball is snapped.  Penalty: Offsides, 5 yards replay the down.

4. Penalty: False Start, 5 yards replay the down.

5. Direct snaps are illegal. The player who receives the snap must be at least two yards behind the offensive scrimmage line (first ball spotter-orange). Penalty: Illegal Procedure, 5 yards loss of down.

6. A runner may pass the ball backward at anytime, except if intentionally thrown out of bounds to conserve time.  Penalty:  Illegal Pass or Delay of Game, 5 yards and loss of down.    

7.  A backward pass or fumble which touches the ground between the goal lines is dead at the spot where it touches the ground and belongs to the team last in possession unless lost on downs.

8. Receiver Eligibility -

Screen League - All players are eligible to touch or catch a pass.  A forward pass may be thrown provided the passer's feet are behind Team A's scrimmage line (first ball spotter) when the ball leaves the passer's hand.  Only one forward pass can be thrown per down. NOTE: Once the offense possesses the ball beyond the line of scrimmage a forward pass may not be thrown legally. 

Contact League - For 8v8 contact leagues, all players are eligible receivers with the exception of the 3 offensive linemen. Same forward passing rules apply.

9. One foot must land inbounds before any part of the body lands in the out-of-bounds area for a legal pass reception.  One knee is equivalent.

10. An illegal forward pass is defined as:

A. If the passer's foot is beyond Team A's scrimmage line (first ball spotter-orange) when the ball leaves his/her hand.

B. If thrown after team possession has changed during the down.

C. If intentionally thrown to the ground or out-of-bounds to save loss of yardage.

D. If a passer catches his/her untouched forward pass.

E. If there is more than one forward pass.

1. If a team is 17 or more points ahead when the Referee announces the end of 18 minutes for the second half the game shall be over.

2. At any time after the completion of the first half, if one team has a lead of 40 or more points, the game shall be ended.

  

4. All touchdowns are worth 6 points.

5. The players scoring the touchdown must raise his/her arms so the nearest official can deflag the player.  If the player is not de-flagged with one pull, and the official determines the flag belt has been secured illegally on purpose, the touchdown is disallowed. 

Penalty:  Un-sportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards from the previous spot and a loss of down.        

      

6. After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a PAT from the 3-yard line worth 1 point or the 10-yard line, worth 2 points. An interception on a PAT attempt can be returned for a touchdown worth 2 points. 

7. A safety shall count as 2 points.  The ball shall be snapped by the scoring team at their 5-yard line, unless moved by penalty.

1. No player shall commit any acts of unfair play during a period or intermission, examples:

A. Abusive or insulting language.

B. Any acts of unfair play.

C. Using disconcerting acts or words prior to the snap in an attempt to interfere with Team A's signals or movements.

D. Intentionally kicking at any opposing player.

E. Intentionally kicking at the ball, other than during a legal kick.

F. Intentionally swinging an arm, hand or fist at any opposing player.

2. SPECIAL EMPHASIS: MISCONDUCT EJECTION

Players ejected from a game due to unsporting conduct must immediately leave the field.  Furthermore, the team will not be allowed to substitute for an ejected player for the remainder of the game.

3. When the ball becomes dead in possession of a player, he/she shall not:

A. Intentionally kick the ball.

B. Spike the ball into the ground.

C. Throw the ball high into the air.

D. Fail to return the ball to the huddle.

4. There shall be no un-sportsmanlike conduct by substitutes, coaches, or others subject to the Rules.  This includes:

A. Attempting to influence a decision by an official.

B. Disrespectfully addressing an official.

C. Indicating objections to an official's decision.

D. Holding an unauthorized conference, or being on the field illegally.

E. Using excessive profanity, insulting or vulgar language or gestures.

F. Intentionally contacting a game official physically during the game by persons subject to the Rules (Disqualification).

5. No player shall commit a personal foul during a period or an intermission.  Any act prohibited hereunder or any other act of unnecessary roughness is a personal foul.  No player shall:

A. Steal, attempt to steal or bat the ball from a player in possession.

B. Trip an opponent.

C. Contact an opponent on the ground.

D. Throw the runner to the ground.

E. Hurdle any other player.

G. Make any contact with an opponent, which is deemed unnecessary of any nature including using fists, locked hands, elbows or any part of the forearm or hand.

H. Deliberately drive or run into a defensive player.  NOTE: The responsibility for contact with a spinning or diving ball carrier belongs to the out of control player which may be the ball carrier.

I. Clip an opponent.

J. Position himself/herself on the shoulders or body of teammate or opponent to gain an advantage.

6. Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer after it is clear the ball has been thrown.   No defensive player shall contact the passer who is standing still or fading back as he/she is considered out of the play after the pass. Roughing the passer restrictions end if the forward pass is thrown from beyond Team A's scrimmage line.  

1. The offensive SCREEN block shall take place without contact any place on the field.  The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind his/her back. Any use of the arms, elbows, or legs to initiate contact during an offensive player's screen block is illegal.  A blocker may use his/her hand or arm to break a fall or to retain his/her balance.  A player must be on his/her feet before, during, and after screen blocking.  You may not hold the opponents shirts.

The offensive CONTACT block rules are that the offense may use open hand blocking to the torso of the defensive pass rush. Again, your hands must be open, and you may only make contact below the neck, and above the waist. A player must be on his/her feet before, during, and after blocking.  You may not hold the opponent's shirt or body  Only open hands are to be thrust outward from the elbows, not up from the sides. You can also do a side blocking pick but to accomplish this you must stand there and cross your arms or keep your arm down but NO elbows. All blocks must be from the waist and shoulders and not below the waist. First contact must be applied to the player’s front or side, not back. 

2. A player in the  SCREEN league shall not:

A. Take a position so close to a moving opponent that his/her opponent cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction.  The speed of the player to be screened will determine where the screener may take his/her stationary position.  This position will vary and may be 1 to 2 steps or strides from the opponent.

B. After assuming a legal screening position, move to maintain it, unless moving in the same direction and path of his opponent.  If the screener violates any of these provisions and contact results, he/she has committed a personal foul.  Bumping is not allowed either. 

3. Defensive players in the SCREEN league must go around the offensive player's screen block.  The arms and hands may not be used as a wedge contact the opponent.  The application of this rule depends entirely on the judgment of the official.  A blocker may use his/her arms or hands to break a fall or retain his/her balance.  

Defensive players in the CONTACT league may use their hands as they attempt to get to the quarterback or running back. The "swim move" is not legal however. You may use your hands to create the necessary space to past the offensive line. 

4. A defensive player may dive to pull a flag. An offensive player may not dive to advance the ball or leave their feet in an effort to score. A player may not dive to block. Penalty: Diving, 10 yards from the spot of the foul.

5. In the event the last defender tackles the ball carrier, if in the judgement of the officials the defender intentionally tackled the ball carrier without attempting to pull the flag the offensive team will be awarded a touchdown. 

1. Runners in both CONTACT and SCREEN shall not flag guard by using their hands, arms or the ball to deny the opportunity for opponent to pull or remove the flag belt.  Flag guarding includes: 

A. Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

B. Placing the ball in player possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

C. Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from de-flagging.

D. Stiff arms are not allowed as they are similar to lowering your shoulder to create enough space to make flag removal difficult.

2. In the SCREEN league, the offense may create space between the defensive and ball carrier by a screen block. Please note that you may not however set a pick. A pick will result in a penalty.

3. In the CONTACT league, you may not set a pick downfield. We consider this dangerous and unnecessary play as the defense might not see you. You may initiate open hand blocking to the front or side however. 

4. In both the SCREEN and CONTACT leagues, you may not set a pick downfield in an attempt to get another receiver open, or for any other reason.

5. In the SCREEN league, no contact may be made at the line of scrimmage between the cornerback and the receiver.

If contact is made while the ball is in the air the result is pass interference. Penalty: Pass Interference, 10 yards, automatic first down.

6. In the CONTACT league, cornerbacks are allowed one bump within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage. After this, you must allow the receiver to run his route. 

If contact is made after 5 yards while the ball is in the air the result is pass interference. Penalty: Pass Interference, 10 yards, automatic first down.

For both the SCREEN and CONTACT leagues:

A. Players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged.

B. When a runner loses his/her flag-belt accidentally, inadvertently (not removed by grabbing or pulling), or on purpose, play continues.  The de-flagging reverts to a one-hand tag of the runner shoulders and the knees.

C. Pulling a flag belt from an offensive player without the ball by a defensive player intentionally is illegal.  Penalty:  Personal Foul, 10 yards.

D. Tampering with the flag belt in any way to gain an advantage including tying, using foreign materials, or other such acts is illegal.  Penalty:  Un-sportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards from the previous spot, loss of down and player ejection. 

E. While you may not tackle a player, we do allow you to wrap up a ball carrier. These are instances where you may wrap up a player.