Flag Gridiron Rules

THE TEAM 

6-aside

  • The number of players shall be six (6) players.

  • The team must include a minimum of two (2) male, two (2) female and all remaining players can be any gender including gender diverse people.

  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy

  • Substitutes can be used as long as they have created an account and signed the most up to date Urban Rec waiver.

GAME SPECIFICS

GAME TIME 

The game is played in two (2) 18-20 halves with a few minutes break at half time. If there are games that run long, or short, this may affect the set time for the game, and the halves. At half time, teams will swap ends of the field.

FIELD BOUNDARIES 

The playing field is usually at least 60m long and at least 40m wide. The field may vary depending on the venue.

  • STARTING THE GAME Captains will Scissors, Paper, Rock to see who has first possession. The team who does not win will have first possession in the second half.

  • SCORING Each ‘touchdown’ is worth 6 points.Once a touchdown is scored teams can elect to go for an extra 1 point conversation (from 5 yards) or a 2 point conversation (from 12 yards).

RULE SPECIFICS

GAME PLAY

  • To start the play, the ball must be snapped to the quarterback The centre is the player who gives the ball to the quarterback via a snap.

  • The centre cannot take a direct hand off back from the quarterback (no centre sneak play).

  • The quarterback is the player who receives the ball directly from the snap. Only the QB is allowed to receive the snap.

  • The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage, unless he/she has handed the ball off and it has been returned to him.

  • The Quarterback only has seven (7) seconds in which to pass the ball. Any longer and the play is dead.

  • An offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward & lateral handoffs are allowed during the down (as long as it is behind the line of scrimmage).

  • Tosses or sweeps behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays.

  • Once the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage the ball cannot be handed off, tossed, pitched or passed in any way.

  • ”No-running zones," are located at the 5 yard line in front of each end zone. When the ball is on or inside the 5-yard line, the offense cannot run the ball. In other words, at that stage, the only way for the ball to be advanced is for the Quarterback to throw the ball to a receiver.

  • The player who takes the handoff, toss or pitch can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

  • All defensive players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off or tossed. Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage on a fake hand off but still must wait 3 seconds before rushing the quarterback. 

  • Spinning is allowed, but the ball carrier cannot dive forward or jump to avoid a defensive player or gain yardage (no diving).

  • The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's feet are placed when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

POSSESSION CHANGES (NUMBER OF DOWNS)

  • The offensive team will take 1st possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield. 

  • Once a team crosses midfield, it then has four (4) 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.  

  • An automatic first down by penalty will overrule the other requirements regarding four (4) plays to make a first down or score.

  • 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. 

RECEIVING

  • All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or tossed behind the line of scrimmage to a different player).

  • A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

PASSING

  • Players must wait 3 seconds before rushing the passer.

  • The Quarterback has seven (7) seconds to throw the ball. If a pass is not thrown within seven (7) seconds, the play is dead, with a loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage.

  • Only one forward pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage is allowed in a down.

  • Interceptions change the possession of the ball.

  • Interceptions can be returned by the defence. New possession starts from where the interceptor is tagged (flag is pulled), unless the interceptor has scored a touchdown.

  • On Interceptions that occur and remain in the end zone, the ball will become dead and will result in the ball belonging to the intercepting team at its 5-yard line.  (Touchback)

  • Should an interception occur in the end zone and the ball carrier leaves the end zone, the ball will belong to the intercepting team at the spot the ball becomes dead.

DEAD BALLS

  • Substitutions may be made only after the play is stopped.

  • Ball carrier's flag is pulled or becomes illegal.

  • Points are scored.

  • If a receiver/interceptor has fallen while in process of running with the ball or after catching the ball, the spot where the ball carrier has fallen starts the new play (unless it’s the last down of the possessing team).

  • If a ball carrier's flag falls off, the play will be whistled dead and the ball will be spotted at the spot where the flag fell off.

  • Players are ineligible to catch a pass or receive the ball by hand off toss or pitch, if their flag has fallen off.

  • Fumbles are a dead ball

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

  • Any number of players can rush the Quarterback. Players not rushing the Quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. 

  • Once the ball is handed off or tossed, or there is a play action fake or fake handoff, all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. Defenders must still wait 3 seconds before rushing the quarterback. 

  • REMEMBER, BLOCKING AND TACKLING ARE NOT ALLOWED.

PENALTIES

  • All penalties are 5 yards. The down will be repeated unless otherwise noted, and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

  • Penalties will not exceed half the distance to the opposing team's goal line from the line of scrimmage.

  • Event Hosts determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.

  • Penalties after an interception shall be assessed after the return is over and/or the play is blown dead.

  • The ball carrier cannot prevent a defender from pulling their flags. The ball carrier may be warned (at discretion of the Event Host) and will be penalised if they are found to be flag guarding.

  • Defenders cannot prevent an offensive receiver from catching the ball, however, a defender has the right to catch the ball as well as the offensive team receiver. 

  • A defender found holding or tackling the receiver before the ball reaches the receiver will be flagged with pass interference and the offensive team will automatically be awarded a new set of downs.

  • The Quarterback has twenty (20) seconds in which to get the play off on every down. A play not in operation by the time the twenty (20) second play clock has expired results in a delay of game and a loss of 5 yards and a loss of down.

TOUCHDOWN 

Traditionally, touchdowns are scored when a team moves the ball down the field through passing and running, then crossing the plane of the end zone. 

URBAN REC SPECIFICS

FUN FIRST POLICY 

All Urban Rec leagues, irrespective of skill level, are fun-first. Our Event Hosts facilitate a fun, safe environment for teams. They will acknowledge, coach and make calls according to your level of experience playing the game. Urban Rec leagues expect a certain level of self-officiation, meaning that players are expected to display good sportsmanship to govern their behaviour. Open communication and camaraderie between teams is encouraged.

DISCIPLINE

Urban Rec Event Hosts have the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

If you are seen to be rude or not playing within the respect of the rules, your Event Host has the right to ask you to sub and take a break. If your Event Host then has to warn you more times then they have the right to ask you to leave the field or court and an assessment will be made if you can return to play. We don’t tolerate idiots, play fair.

INCLUSION

Urban Rec seeks to provide a safe, inclusive and happy environment for our members, staff and participants. Gender diverse, transgender and non-binary participants are welcome to play within our leagues along with any sexuality and persons from any background. Urban Rec has zero tolerance for bullying, discrimination or sexual harassment.