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OSKIE FLAG FOOTBALL RULE BOOK

  • This rule book follows the USA travel flag 5’s non contact rule book with modifications to time, equipment/attire, and penalty yardage (simplified). There are clarifications of rules, and our personal league/roster rules added as well but nothing that changes the USA flag rules. All modifications, clarifications, or league specific rules are highlighted. 

OVERVIEW

REQUIRED PERSONAL CONDUCT

Article 1. Players, coaches and spectators must keep their comments profanity free. Disrespectful language, racist, sexist, homophobic remarks, obscene gestures/behavior, and bullying are prohibited.

Article 2. Foul play will not be tolerated. Any staff member that hears or sees anything that leads them to believe an infraction of the required personal conduct outline has been committed the person responsible may be dismissed for the rest of the League/tournament.

Article 3. Fighting will lead to an immediate ejection for the remainder of the tournament, possible suspension or even a lifetime exclusion.

Article 4. Alcohol, other intoxicants, & weapons are prohibited on our permitted fields. When Playing on Turf seeds and other foods that ruin turf are prohibited

REQUIRED TEAM CONDUCT

Article 1. For the safety of our officials and their ability to administer the game all team personnel must remain at least two yards off the sidelines and inside the designated team boxes 5 yard lines of goal line 4v4, 5v5, 6v6 or 20 yard lines of goal line 7v7 or 8v8)

Article 2. Coaches may signal or call-in plays during the play clock but must be out-of-bounds before the snap. Coaches on the field-of-play during game play will be assessed a timeout.

Article 3. After all touchdowns and successful PAT attempts, the ball carrier must report to an official who will ensure the flag was not tampered with by pulling the flag from the ball carrier. (Our league only - The ref is able to request if they suspect issues. This is not to be done every score)

Article 4. If teams cannot agree on a sideline to occupy the Referee will conduct a coin toss and assign sidelines.

Article 5. Teams are required to clean up their garbage after contests

THE FIELD

Article 1. Standard dimensions of the field are 64 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards. (Indoor sessions will be 52 yards long with 5 yard long endzones. Still 25 yards wide)

THE GAME

Article 1. Game Time is FORFEIT TIME 

Article 2. Minimum 3 players to start a game. May only have up to 5 players on the field at any one time.

Article 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three plays to cross mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception.

Article 4. No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

ATTIRE/Equipment

Article 1. Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, Home team gets to keep their color, and the away team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Flag color must be different from the color of the shorts where the flags are. If the shorts are solid just have a different color. If there is a stripe on the shorts where they flags should be then the flags need to be different from that stripe. 

Article 3. Equipment - No metal cleats are allowed. The league will provide flags but teams are allowed to use their own. Teams must provide their own cleats, football, and uniforms. League will provide all other equipment needed for the games to run.

Article 4. Pockets - We allow shorts with pockets, BUT strongly advise against it. If you are wearing shorts or pants with open pockets it is at your own risk. Meaning if defensive players get their hands stuck or grab your pocket refs will not call holding. If it is intentional they will determine that, but you will be less likely to get holding calls and more likely for your pants/shorts to rip

Article 5. Flag Belt - If you tuck any item in the flag belt and it is visible or not tucked into your shorts it will be considered an extra flag.

Article 6. Players may not wear hard, unyielding, or stiff material items that in the view of the officiating crew may present a hazard to other players.

Article 7. It is strongly suggested, but not required that all players wear a protective mouthpiece while on the field-of-play.

 

Article 8.  Players may wear knit or stocking-style caps. Hard-billed caps must be removed or turned around backward. Players may wear a headband made of non-abrasive material. Rubber or elastic bands may be used in hair. Soft-shelled headgear designed for flag football players may be worn.

MISCELLANEOUS UNIFORM AND GEAR ISSUES

Article 1. Some type of team jersey is required; the minimal standard is similar-colored shirts. Teams must carry two colored shirts, a dark color and a light color. They do not have to be official uniforms, the light colored one can be a white T-shirt. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color. Failure to have 2 differing jerseys can result in a forfeit.

Article 2. Players must ensure their jerseys are long enough to remain tucked in during the entire play or short enough so there is a minimum of 4” from the bottom of the jersey to the player’s waistline. (Jerseys should never cover the flag belt).

Article 3. When a shirt is untucked at the snap a hold will not be called on the defender that is making a fair and legal attempt at the ball carrier’s flag. It is the player’s responsibility to check their equipment before each snap.

Article 4. Footballs must be pebble grained leather or rubber covered and meet the recommendations of size and shape for a regulation football. Adult men’s teams must use a regulation size ball. Adult women’s and Coed teams may use a regulation or intermediate sized ball.

Article 5. Players must wear close-toed shoes. Cleats with exposed metal are never allowed.

Article 6. Players may wear eye protection to include prescription glasses or flexible sunglasses.

Article 7. Players may wear a face shield molded to the face with no protrusions to protect against facial injury.

Article 8. Jewelry that in the judgment of a game official might endanger other players must be removed before play.

Article 9. Player’s finger nails must be trimmed or taped over to protect opponents. Alternatively, players may wear gloves to protect their opponents.

Article 10. Players may tape forearms, hands and fingers. Players may wear soft gloves, elbow pads, shin guards, and knee pads. Unyielding items such as braces, casts, or anything with exposed metal are not allowed.

Article 11. Officials will endeavor to identify missing, incomplete or improperly worn flag belts prior to the snap and announce for example “number X, down on possession”. The player with the missing flag violation must fix the issue during the next dead ball situation or leave the field until they have done so.

Article 12. Go Pro or other camera devices are not permitted on the chest or head. Always confirm with a director before wearing.

RULE CHALLENGES

Article 1. Only the team captain or head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Generally, officials are happy to answer quick response and general questions during the game if they do not impede the game. The priority is to spot the ball then address questions without impeding the play clock.

Article 2. If a captain or head coach believes an official has made a procedural error they may call for a timeout. If an official tournament director and the head official agrees that there has been a procedural error (e.g., wrong down, incorrect penalty yardage, etc.) the procedural error will be addressed and the timeout will not be charged. The challenge must be made to an official before the next snap.

Article 3. If a team loses a challenge they lose all timeouts for the remained for the game.  In the event the captain or head coach loses a procedural challenge and the captain’s team did not possess a legal team timeout a fifteen-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty will be assessed.

Article 4. Only procedural issues may be addressed, not an official’s judgment call or no-call.

Article 5. If the protesting team is unsatisfied with the ruling of the challenge on the field and would like to elevate the challenge to a league director / head of officials, they may do so. If you lose this ruling you will start the next game down 6/8/12 points pending on time format. 

GAME CLOCK FORMAT

Article 1. The League has 3 different time formats. Check the bottom for the differences

Article 2. Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.

Article 3. The play clock is 25 seconds from the end of the previous play.

SECTION 5. FIRST HALF CLOCK

Article 1. The clock will run continuously during the 12/15/20 (check bottom for session specifics) minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)

Article 2. The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)

Article 3. The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs) in the first half unless either team opts to use a team timeout.

SECTION 6. SECOND HALF CLOCK

Article 1. In the second half the clock will run continuously for the first 11/14/19 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.

Article 2. The one-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.

Article 3. The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) and one-minute warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.

Article 4. At the one minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.

MERCY RULE

Article 1. No Mercy Rule during regular season. 

  • Postseason
    • 12 min half format: No mercy rule
    • 15 min half format: If a team is up by 28 points or more At any point in the second half of play during playoffs, the game will be over.
    • 20 min half format: If a team is up 28 or more at any point after the 10 minute mark in the second half.

 

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: (Offense/Defense)

  • a. Arguing with Officials: There will be an unsportsmanlike 15 yard penalty and potential “Cool down” penalty thrown. The second penalty of the night is an ejection. 

    • * Note: Only captain may address officials (In sportsmanlike manner)

  • Fighting: Throw a punch, hit the road. There is no room in this league for fighting.

  • Being involved in a fight and/or throwing a punch, also included is a verbal threat of harm, will result in an automatic ejection from the league with no refund.

  • Showing up to the facility intoxicated to the point that league managers deem inappropriate will result in immediate removal from the facility for the night. If this happens 2 times there will be bigger penalties assessed.

  • There will be no tolerating punting/kicking equipment anymore. Or throwing a ball into the wall/ceiling. If we were to damage the facility the player responsible for the action will be held responsible.

  • All unsportsmanlike penalty ejections are for 1 full game. (if there are multiple games in a night you will serve one full games time)

  • Fighting or any physical altercation ejections are for the an extended period of time

ADDRESSING OFFICIALS: (Questioning Calls)

  • Only the designated captain is allowed to address the officials. All interactions with captains and officials will be made in a sportsmanlike manner. (First warning the Team captain will be notified of team player violation, second warning will result in 3 minute suspension for offending player, third warning will result in a removal from the game. If the player continues to cause issues this will result in a forfeit for the whole team and the player will be banned from the league for 1 calendar year.)

The Referees will call the game as they see it. If you have a question about a rule, the

captain is the only person to approach the official with any questions.

PLAYOFFS:

  • Playoffs will be full games over 2 weeks. See roster rules for clarification on subs during the playoffs

  • Seeding will be determined by the following factors in this exact order:

    • Record

    • Head to Head (Skip if 3 or more teams cannot be settled with head to head)

    • Points allowed

    • Point differential

    • Points scored

    • Coin flip

    • ***If a team has a forfeit they will be exluded from tiebreakers and moved to the last spot out of the tied teams.

  • Other Notes: Game cannot end on a defensive penalty even if time expires. One additional play will be required to finish the game.

Rosters

  • Rosters are allowed to have up to 12 people

    • Full time players must play 50% or more of the games to be eligible for playoffs.

    • During season Teams are allowed to use non rostered subs as much as they want. If you use a rostered sub they cannot throw a forward pass for you and you cannot have more than 7 players available

    • Rostered Subs do not have to play any games but cannot play in playoffs unless your team is missing 2 or more full time players. There is a cap at 6 players if you have subs, but you can only pick up players up to 1 less than the amount of full time players you have. Example: If Team A has 7 players and 2 are gone...you can pick up 1 sub to get to 6 players. But if Team B has 7 players full time and only miss one player they cannot use a sub

    • In the playoffs if your team cannot field 6 guys you have the option to use players not on your roster at the cost of 6 points per player. The opposing team will be rewarded points per every non rostered player. Check the format section at the bottom for the amount of points

    • Non rostered subs being used cannot be rostered on any team in your division or higher level divisions. 

      • Pro can use Semi pro, rec, or non rostered

      • Rec can only use non rostered

      • Semipro can only use non rostered
      • If there is not a rec division then pro can only use semipro and non rostered.

    • SEMI PRO - During outdoor sessions this is a separate division on Thursday nights. Indoor sessions this division is on Monday nights.

      • Semi-pro is a division for pro players to play on a second team. Pro players are listed on the website home page.
      • Semi pro (Thursdays) or Sunday Nights (Winter Only) rosters will be limited. Check "Semi pro" tab for those rules
        • If a pro player is missing on a semi-pro team they are NOT allowed to use another pro player as a sub
        • Pro players are determined game by game basis. So if someone is QB only and they QB one night they are not locked in to being counted as a pro player every single week
        • The Pro list can change. It will generally only change in between sessions. The only way it would change in season is if a player is added late to a roster and said player is the level of a pro player.
        • If a player is on the pro list for a specific position then they are allowed to play a different position and not be counted as a pro player. However, if they do the role illegally they will be flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty.
      • During Outdoor sessions Semi-pro teams will not compete for the leagues top rewards. Semi-pro generally has their own awards available.
      • There may be opportunities for Pro and non pro players to lead a rec team with commissioner approval. It would have to be a clear rec level team with new/newer players and there will be a limit of 1 pro/non-pro player per roster. All other situations in which a player plays on two teams one of the teams will need to be in the semi-pro division

    • Everyone must sign a waiver to participate. 

    • Must have a valid ID to prove you are who you say you are in the playoffs if a team protests you as a player

    • Roster is made up of full time players and subs

    • All players must only be rostered on one team. (Exceptions are secondary teams. Look below for clarification)

The Referees will call the game as they see it. If you have a question about a rule, the

captain is the only person to approach the official with any questions.

League Rules:

  1. After 2 weeks of Forfeits the team will not be allowed to participate in the playoffs

  2. Roster: maximum limit of a 12 man roster.

    1. If an injury happens at flag football the player can be replaced with approval from the league owner

    2. Rosters lock at the half way point of each session (8 week session - week 4. 10 week session week 5. 12 week session week 6). These rosters need to be submitted to the league owner via text or email

  3. IF during the season you are not able to fill a full team of 7 players then you are allowed to pick up subs from other teams. The playoffs are excluded from that rule unless special circumstances are approved by the league owner.

    1. If there is a situation in which a team cannot field a team for the playoffs please contact the league owner and they will try to come up with a viable solution. 

    2. You can pick up as many subs as you want that are non rostered on that play in a lower division. 

  4. The playoffs will be played over 1 to 2 weeks dependant on the amount of teams and time.

  5. All Players must sign a waiver before participating. They will be provided by the owner of the league.

  6. All refs must fill out and return the game card with scores, and players each week. They need to be given or a picture sent to league owners.

  7. Refs can deny timeouts to teams attempting to just "run up the score" later in games that are not within 2 possessions

 

TIME FORMATS

  1. 20 min halves (40 minute games)
    1. 1 minute half time
    2. Time slots put in 45 or 50 minutes
    3. Rarley have more than 1 game per night
    4. Mercy rule for playoffs is with 10 minutes left in the second half or after 30 min of game play has been played. 
    5. Non rostered subs in playoffs cost 12 points per player. 
  2. 15 min halves (30 minute games) 
    1. 30 second half time
    2. Time slots are 30 minutes due to the potential of a mercy rule happening
    3. Primarily for playoffs only
    4. Mercy rule is anytime in the second half
    5. Non rostered subs in playoffs cost 8 points per player
  3. 12 min halves (24 min games)
    1. 30 second half time
    2. Regular season or postseason
    3. 30 minute time slots 
    4. Almost always will be 2 games per night in this format. 
    5. Scheduling tries to either do back to back or only 1 game off. 
    6. No mercy rule for these games
    7. Non rostered subs in playoffs cost 6 points per player

REFS ALWAYS HAVE THE ABILITY TO RUN THROUGH HALF TIMES (NO HALFTIME BREAK) IF WE ARE BEHIND. NO MATTER REGULAR SEASON OR POSTSEASON

 

LANGUAGE

  • In an effort to clean up our league refs are allowed to remove or flag any player for using derogitory words or excessive cussing. I understand we are all adults but there are children around regularly and some language is just not needed so we will be cracking down on that type of language.

I AM INCLUDING THE USA FLAG RULES FOR OFFICIATING AS WELL. Oskie Flag Football Leagues will do our best to follow these but they are not 100% guaranteed!