Sportsmonkey will follow T.A.A.F. Flag Football rules with SOME EXCEPTIONS NOTED BELOW.

Overview
8 players on the field.
Two 18 minute halves w/7 play Period (There is a 5 minute grace period to start the game) - 2 time outs First half/2 time outs Second half.  NOTE ***NEW RULE***:  Mercy rule in second half is 23 point lead and 7 play Period will be waived.
Running clock for entire game except time-outs and serious injury
(Note: time-outs called during extra points will keep the clock stopped until the next offensive possession.)
Must cross 20 yard markers to obtain first downs.
 

(Extra point tries are as follows: 3 yards is worth one point, 10 yards is worth two points and 20 yards is worth three points.) 
All extra points are live and can be returned by the defense if intercepted. Defense will be rewarded one point more than the point after try is worth. 
(For example: 1 point try worth 2, 2 worth 3 and 3 worth 4 points.)

NO SHORTS OR PANTS ARE TO BE WORN WITH POCKETS. NO JEWELRY MAY BE WORN.   If a player is caught with pockets they will be immediately removed from the game and their team will be penalized 15 yards.
 

NOTE:  Defensive holding will now be called on plays where a receiver is held prior to the ball leaving the quarterbacks hand. The penalty will be 5 yards from LOS and automatic first down.  This will not be a spot foul or added to end of play.  If the pass is completed the offense will have choice of penalty or result of play.

Note:  Flag guarding will follow Sportsmonkey guidelines.  If the flag guarding occurs after the first down has been gained and the penalty takes the ball back beyond the line to gain; it will be first down and two lines to gain. This differs from TAAF.

      

Offensive Point of Reference:

1.     Offense may screen block (with hands behind back or tucked in the front belt area) on the offensive line and behind the line of scrimmage. No down field blocking is allowed.

2.     Number one called penalty on offense is flag guarding.  Anytime the defense is attempting to de-flag the offensive player and that player covers his flags, stiff arms, drops ball between flags and defensive player it will be considered flag guarding.  Key to flag guarding penalty is â??if the offensive player prevents defensive player from getting to his flags.â??

3.     A legal catch is one foot in bounds at the time of the catch with no other part of the body touching out of play.  Note:  A player must establish themselves in bounds before a catch is legal.  In other words a player cannot be out of bounds and leap into the field of play to catch the ball then landing in bounds.  No catch.

4.     Quarterback can run at any time.  There are to be no more then two exchanges (laterals, center snap to quarterback counting as an exchange) behind the line of scrimmage before throwing down field.  If a third or more exchange occurs the player is then required to advance the ball by running.

5.     Note:  The playerâ??s hips will determine the placement of the ball when the play is blown dead.  It is where the hips are, not the ball.  If one hip crosses the line to gain for a first it is a first down. Touchdown is recorded once one hip breaks the plane of the goal.  Note:  You may not dive to gain a first down or touchdown.  The ball will be marked at the spot where you left your feet.

6.     Jumping and spinning is allowed as long as the offensive player stays in control and does not initiate contact with defensive player.  This is player out of control penalty.

Defensive Points of Reference:

1.     There is a one yard neutral zone between offense and defense line of scrimmage. If the defense jumps into the neutral zone it is a dead ball and a five yard penalty if accepted by offense.  Unsportsmanlike conduct and a ten yard penalty can be called on this infraction if the defense continues to break this rule once offense has declined penalty.

2.     If defense lines up over center, the player must be five yards off the center straight up. 

3.     Defensive holding is now being called in Sportsmonkey leagues.  See above.

4.     Number one called penalty is pass interference.  At no time prior to, during or after the catch can the defensive player make unnecessary contact with offensive receiver.  For example: If defensive player swats the ball away then crashes into the offensive player it will be called pass interference. No contact.  With that said it is a judgment on the part of the officials and their call will stand with explanation.

5.     Roughing the passer.  At no time prior to a pass or after the pass has left the quarterbacks hand can the defense make contact with the quarterback.  Jumping and blocking the ball; then crashing into the quarterback is an example of roughing the passer. 

6.     Defense may rush as many as they like, but must avoid contact with offensive blockers if they are set.  In other words go around them.  We do understand that there will be some contact and if kept to a minimum the play should stand.  Offense must beat defensive rusher to the spot in order for it to be a legal block.

7.     No tackling, grabbing of shorts, encircling to hold up pla yer or de-flagging a player without the ball.                              

8.      Note:  If you are pulling a flag and have the shorts in the same hand it will be considered a legal pull.  Refereeâ??s judgment call.  

    

NOTE: Fighting is an automatic two game suspension, and could result in a league suspension or total ban from any and all Sportsmonkey leagues depending upon the severity of the incident. Fighting can also result in legal issues for all involved.

NOTE: All incidents involving (Player Conduct Rules) will be tracked and recorded. A player does not have to be ejected from a game to be suspended for violations. If a player is receiving un-sportsmanlike penalties on a regular basis even though he  is not ejected from any game; that player could be suspended under the Player Conduct Rule without having been ejected from any one game.   All Player Conduct infractions are reviewed by The Head of Officials and Sportsmonkey Directors.

NEW BENCH RULE: Players that leave their bench and involve themselves in the incident on the field will face a minimum of a one game suspension and possibly more after officials review the incident. Coaches are responsible for their players and could face the same suspensions if they do not control them.

Fighting will be stopped.

THERE IS A 30 SECOND PLAY CLOCK WHEN THE REFEREE BLOWS HIS WHISTLE. REFEREES WILL NO LONGER WARN THE TEAMS WHEN THE CLOCK IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE. DELAY OF GAME PENALTY IS NOW 10 YARDS FROM THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.

Coin Flip/beginning of game

The team that wins the coin flip at the start of the game has a choice of taking the ball, playing defense or deferring their choice to the second half.  The team that doesnâ??t have the ball in either half has choice of direction.  There are no kick-offs; play begins on the 20 yard line.

Intentional grounding will be called by the official on any play where the quarterback does not make a legitimate attempt to complete a pass.

Examples:

1.     Throwing the ball at the feet of the receiver or throwing the ball away to avoid a sack.  The Key: Is the thrown ball a legitimate attempt to complete a forward pass? (Penalty is 10 yards from the LOS and loss of down.)

First Downs:

Each team shall have 4 downs to either score or earn another first down.  First downs are achieved when a team crosses one 20 yard marker based on the original field position.  Failing to score or earn a new set of downs results in the opposing team taking possession of the ball at that point. 

Note:  Offensive teams may elect to punt on fourth down.  There is no blocking of punts allowed. Defense may field a punt in the air or while it is still rolling as long as the ball is handled cleanly and not dropped.

1.        Anyone may punt the ball on the offensive team even if the play is closed.

2.       There is no set amount of offensive players required on the LOS.  They must wait until the ball is kicked to go downfield.

3.       Defense may have only three players back to receive a punt.  The five remaining players must line-up within 5 yards of the LOS and stay there until the play is whistled dead or the returning player has passed them.

Continuance of Play:

Play shall continue until

1.        Ball carrier has at least one flag pulled by an opponent.

2.       Ball carrier leaves the field of play.

3.       Ball carrier scores.

4.       If a flag falls (without being pulled) from the belt of a player and they have possession or receive possession the play is whistled dead at that spot.

5.       Ball touches the ground as a result of a fumble or incomplete pass (the ball is not an extension of the arm. If the ball is pinned between the ground and the ball carriers hand,    the play is dead.)

6.       Ball carrierâ??s knee touches the ground.

TURNOVERS:

A change of possession can only occur via an interception of a forward pass, lateral or turnover on downs.  A fumble that touches the ground is a dead ball.  Offense retains possession.

Miscellaneous:

Receivers need only one foot in bounds for a reception.  If in the eyes of an official a receiver could have caught a pass but was pushed out by the defense; the catch and pass interference will be awarded to the receiver.

OVERTIME RULES:

1.     Regular season rules:  The Four-Down and Out format will apply to overtime. ( Mimics High School and College Rules)  The winner of OT coin toss will choose either Offense or Defense.  The official will choose the direction.  Each team will be given a first and goal from the 20 yard line.  If a team scores during their possession; they will have the option to go for 1, 2 or 3 on the PAT (point after attempt).  During the regular season if neither team scores the winner will be decided by who gained the most yardage during their overtime. 

2.       Playoffs:  The same rules as Regular season apply with the exception that the winner will be determined by who scores the most points.  No matter how many overtimes it   takes.  A second or more overtime will require teams to try a 2 or 3 PAT. (point after attempt)

4.       Interceptions in overtime will result in change of possession.  Extra point attempts will be the only time that the Interception is live.  The PAT can be returned by the defense   for 2,3 or 4 points.

5.       Choice of possession will alternate after each overtime. 

 Note: 

1.        Penalties occurring by the defense in the end-zone will move the ball to the one yard line and an automatic first down.

2.       If the offense is pinned deep in their own end of the field and commit a penalty while in their own end-zone a safety will be awarded to the opposing defense and then a free kick for the offense from their own 20 yard line.

3.       Plays that have defensive unsportsmanlike like conduct penalties  while in the act of a scoring a touchdown will be enforced on the next offensive possession.

Penalty explanations during play period:

When penalties occur during the play period; the actual play can be burned or saved depending on what hurts the offending team the most. 

Note: Whether you are on defense or offense as long as you are trailing on the scoreboard and the penalty is on the opposition you will be able to have the penalty enforced and the play saved.

For example:

1.       If the offense is leading during the seven play period and flag guards on play number 4 (just an example).  The flag guarding penalty is enforced, down loss but play 4 is not   lost.  The play is repeated.

2.       If the offense is trailing and committed flag guarding.  The penalty enforced; the down lost and the play is not repeated.

3.       Penalties by the defense in the end-zone will result as a first down on the one yard line and offense awarded one additional play during the play period if needed.

4.       Pass interference in the end zone, tackling on a breakaway touchdown or roughing the passer will result in a first down, ball placed on the field on the proper mark and ONE extra play added to the play period if the team with the option chooses the extra play.

Note:  All other penalties in the play period are ruled as instructed above.

Flag football is built around the offense and scoring.  It is also for the most part a non-contact sport.  Minimal contact will happen and it will be the judgment of the official as to whether or not it warrants a penalty.  The biggest problem we have is runners out of control;  flag guarding and defensive pass interference.  Please do your best to control your speed and contact.  Most of all have fun.