Nashville Adult Flag Football League
(Contact)
(NAFFL
LEAGUE RULES)
8 Players per side.
Less than 6 would result in a forfeit.
You may start with 6 players. If you start with 8 you must
finish with 8, except in case of injury.
IMPORTANT:: There will be no grace period on Game Times. (if game time is 8:00am, the the game clock starts at 8:00am) Game clock will run for 15 minutes and fielded team is awarded 3 points at each 5 minute interval. If team is unable to field the player minimum within the 15 minutes, then game is a forfeit and team is awarded a 21-0 win.
Field 100x50 yards, First downs by crossing the 20-40-40-20, or 20-40-20 on 80 yard fields.
Team areas-all coaches and players must be within the 20 yard lines.
All rosters are final after the 6th game of the season.
Only the TEAM CAPTAINS may APPROACH the referee with calls, rule clarification or interpretations. Players must consider how the referee is approached and respect what the referee's do, no matter the circumstance.
KICKOFFS:
Toss choices-receive, kick, or defer.
No one team may have the decision of both ball and side. (ie: win
toss, choose to receive and side to defend)
All kickoffs must be from a tee or held. Cannot place ball on elevated toe. Kickoffs are from the 40 yard line unless there is a penalty. On a 80 yard field kickoffs will be from the 20 yard line.
Both teams kick and receive from their own 40 yard line or 20 yards from kicking spot. A kick must travel at least 20 yards before the kicking team can recover, otherwise the ball is dead at the spot it is downed.
Any kickoff that travels out of bounds is placed on the 40 or 35 yd line on 80 yard field. Touchbacks are placed at the 20. If a kickoff travels into the end zone the receiving team may bring it out.
An untouched ball that has traveled over the receiving team’s 40 yard line (or 20 yds from kicking spot) then it is a live ball and may be recovered by kicking team. (1st team to possess ball (NO SCRUMS) A touch will be considered possession).
Receiving team must have 4 players on the 40 or 20 yds from kick.
No passing, except laterals are allowed on the kickoff.
PUNTING:
EXTRA POINTS:
The captain must tell the referee which extra point option is desired. Once declared, it costs a timeout to change this choice. You may not change the choice after a penalty.
Defense can return an interception on the extra point. 1 & 2 points awarded if returned to end zone.
Field Goal/Extra Points-Defense cannot rush the kick. It is a free kick. Defending team may jump up and try to block, but may not cross into the neutral zone (1 yd from scrimmage) when ball is snapped. Kicking team has 5 seconds to kick the ball after the snap. Holder has the opportunity to field a muffed snap cleanly off the bounce, but if ball hits his hands and then the ground then it will be whistled down and point try or field goal is no good.
RULES ABOUT THE CLOCK:
25 Second play clock is in effect.
Three timeouts per team per half. If teams have 3 timeouts after 2 minute warning, then they will lose one.
Half time is 5 minutes.
In the last 2 Minutes
of each half (Pro-Clock)
Clock will stop on incomplete passes and player
going out of bounds.
On a change of possession, the clock may start on the set, unless the player goes out of bounds, the kickoff is a fair catch or there is a penalty.
After accepted penalties, the clock starts on the snap.
After a first down, the clock starts on the set of the ball.
TIE GAMES:
Special Rules:
The ball is dead when it hits the ground. No fumbles. Exception: Quarterback may play a bad snap off the bounce or as long as he fields it clean in front or to the sides. If ball is snapped over QB’s head it is dead when it hits the ground. Also, same rule applies on field goals and extra points.
Receivers must have 2 feet in bounds and cannot advance the ball after hitting the ground.
If player inadvertently loses the flag, then the player is still eligible to catch a pass, but will be down where he catches the ball. If a player starts the play without a belt, the penalty is 5 yards and repeat the down.
No sleeper plays.
Player may leave his feet, but may not hurdle any player/s or dive to gain an advantage.
Inadvertent whistles-play is blown dead.
Ball is spotted at the point of hips not the ball..
OFFENSIVE PLAYERS MUST KEEP THEIR SHIRTS TUCKED IN THEIR PANTS OR TAPED TO SIDES, OR THE REFEREE CAN RULE YOU DOWN.
No metal cleats.
No Pockets or belt loops on pants. If present, player must be sure to tape down.
Each team and player must furnish their own flag belts and all flags must be clearly different color from pants. Sonic flag belts are the only official flag used in 8-Man League play. Flags are available through the league for about $6 per belt. Must have like jerseys or shirts. Available through the league. Please contact League Commissioner at admin@naffl.com.
Each team will supply their own ball. Available through the league. Contact Commissioner. Balls must be of official size and weight. Referee’s have option of accepting ball for play or not. I would suggest each team having 2 balls for play.
No arm, hands or wrist pads. Soft knee pads may be worn on the knee.
Baseball, football or golf gloves may be worn.
No caps with extended bills.
Blocking-OPEN HANDS ONLY. Open means open hands extended from the elbow, not loaded-up from the sides. Allowed on any scrimmage play. Blockers must remain on their feet before, during and after contact. Blocking is allowed side line to side line behind the line of scrimmage only.
Defensive Rules:
Rusher starts one yard off the line of scrimmage and may rush immediately. There is no limit of how many players rush. If a player crosses into the neutral zone prior to snap, he has the opportunity to get back, If player is in neutral zone at snap, official will throw flag and play will continue. Neutral Zone infractions (5 yd penalty) will be a declinable penalty for offense. 2nd consecutive infraction is a personal foul 15 yds. Rushers can make initial contact, however he must then make attempt to get around block. No rusher shall bowl over or through Blocker (Bull Rushing) 10 yard penalty.
The defender cannot use contact to break up a pass. Penalty-Illegal contact – 10 yards and first down from line of scrimmage. If un-sportamanlike, then it will be 15 yard penalty. Please remember that it does not matter whether ball is catchable or not, this will not determine whether pass interference is called.
Defender may chuck receivers, it must be within 5 yards of the neutral zone line of scrimmage, defender must remain outside the neutral zone (1 Yd.). However, defender cannot make contact (Hold) if ball is in the air within the 5 yds chuck zone. 5 yards and automatic 1st down.
Do not make contact with the passer under ANY circumstance (whether ball is tips or not). Go for his flag. Penalty-Roughing: 15 yards and first down or may be tacked on to play. Also may be deemed a Personal Foul..
No defensive holding. Penalty-5 yards and first down.
No tackling. (10 yards + the play). Any tackle within 10 yards of the end zone or in a “last defender” situation, the play can be judged a touchdown by officials. Also, if viewed by referee as “flagrant” then possible ejections, fines and penalties can be enforced.
No pushing ball carrier out of bounds. Penalty-Roughing: 15 yards and first down tacked on to the end of the play. Also if viewed as “flagrant”, possible ejections, fines or penalties may be enforced.
Guarding the Flag Belt:
A) Swinging
the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from
deflagging.
B) Placing the ball in
possession over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from pulling the
flag.
C) Lowering the shoulders
in such a manner that the defender is shielded from the flag.
D) Holding the flag belt
with the off hand.
E) Stiff arming or running
directly into the defender.
Penalties:
5 yard penalties include (motion, offside, encroachment, defensive
holding, illegal sleeper).
10 yard penalties include most of the other infractions such as (flag
guarding, illegal block, illegal contact).
15 yard penalties are for Personal Fouls, Roughing the Passer and unsportsmanlike conduct. All penalties not included in the flag/touch rules will be
enforced as in the NFL.
Head referee can overturn calls by the other officials.
Verbal abuse of the officials will not be tolerated. The player may be ejected from the game and suspended for an
additional 2 games. If
conduct persists from the same team, official has the right to declare a
forfeit. This applies to
fans as well. If instructed, player or fan must leave facility or team
may incur a forfiet.
Fighting will not be tolerated. 1)If
2 players get into a shoving/wrestling match, they may be ejected.
2) If punches are thrown, they will be ejected and may be
suspended 2 games. 3)Any
players leaving the sidelines may be ejected and in all situations
listed fines may be enforced (This applies also to any fan leaving
sidelines as well). Player must leave facility if
instructed to do so or his team may incur forfiet.
Trash talking, racial or religious remarks will not be tolerated.
Players will be ejected immediately.
If any player/coach bumps or assaults referee, his team will forfeit all
remaining games and all money will be forfeited. League reserves the right to suspend any player or team for
unsportsmanlike conduct. ALL
money will be forfeited.
Teams may be put on warning for verbal abuse, fighting, littering or any
action that is deemed unsportsmanlike by the referees or the league.
Teams are not required to get a warning, your warning is stated
at the league meeting prior to each season.
No littering on fields. Excessive
littering on the grounds for disqualification from future games and
fines. Please pick up your
teams trash, so we can use the fields in the future.
No alcohol is allowed on premises.
It is illegal. Thank
you.
Please remember that this is a recreational football league.
The referees and league will give all their effort to provide
your team with comparable competition.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!.
Protest – a coach has the right to protest an official’s
interpretation of the rules provided that the protest is made
immediately before the next live ball.
A coach may also protest a player’s eligibility.
The protest fee is $25.00 and must be paid by the following
Tuesday. Team must approach head referee and state to him that
they are continuing under protest. Head referee will then advise
League Commissioner at 1st break.
A Player can only play on one team in a specific style, unless it is a
forfeited game. For
example, you can play on a 8-Man, 5-Man, 4-Man and a Co-ed style. If you are caught playing for another team in the same style,
you may be kicked off both teams. You
may play in all 5 leagues if the schedule permits. League
Commissioner will approve this at the field only if both teams are in
agreement. Players who change teams after season starts, must
incur a 2 week grace period in Fall and 1 week in Spring season prior to
playing with new team.
If your team forfeits any games, they will incur a $40 fee which is due
in the league office by the following Wednesday at 5:00PM. Any more than 1 forfeits in a season, team may be dropped
from the league without
refund.