Nashville Adult Flag Football League
8-Man
Eligible – (Contact) Tournament Play
8 Players per side. Less than 6 would result in a forfeit. You may start with 6 players.
Field 100x50 yards, First downs by crossing the 20-40-40-20.
Team areas-all coaches and players must be within the 20 yard lines.
League: All rosters are due by Week 1 of the Season. 22 Player Roster limit. All players must sign the waiver. Rosters are final after the 4th game of the season.
Tournament: ALL rosters/waivers must be signed before your first game.
Only the TEAM CAPTAINS may ASK the referee questions about rule clarification or interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
KICKOFFS:
All kickoffs must be from a tee or held. Kickoffs are from the 40 yard line unless there is a penalty.
Both teams kick and receive from their own 40 yard line. 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. Touchbacks are placed at the 20.
An untouched ball that has traveled over the receiving team’s 40 yard line on the fly or bounce can be possessed by the kicking team.
Receiving team must have 4 players on the 40.
No passing, except laterals are allowed on the kickoff.
Low bridging or tackling on a kickoff is determined to be flagrant is an IMMEDIATE ejection.
PUNTING:
No live rush-Players must stand in place until the ball is punted.
EXTRA POINTS:
Extra point option:
2 points if run/pass/kick from the 10 yard line or 1 point if
run/pass/kick from the 3.
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 for 2 points.
Field Goal/Extra Points-Defense cannot 1)rush through the lane on either side of center. 2)or make contact with the kicker/holder. Penalty: Kick is ruled good and 15 yards assessed on the kickoff. A college style kicking block may be used.
Rushers coming from the outside can dive to try and block as long as they do not make contact with kicker/holder. Running into the kicker or holder is a possible ejection from the game if determined to be flagrant.
RULES ABOUT THE CLOCK:
25 Second play clock is in effect.
Three timeouts per team per half. At 2 minutes, you lose a timeout if you still have Three.
Half time is 5 minutes.
In the last 2 Minutes
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:
Center must snap ball between legs.
The ball is dead when it hits the ground. No fumbles.
Receivers must have 2 feet in bounds and can advance the ball after a diving catch unless he is touched on the ground.
If player inadvertently loses the flag one hand touch prevails. If a player starts the play without a belt, the penalty is 5 yards and repeat the down.
No sleeper plays.
Inadvertent whistles-play is blown dead.
Ball spot is determined by where the ball is when player is deflagged.
No lineman, except the center, can get into a
three point stance.
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.
Each team and player must furnish their own flag belts. On piece triple threat flag belts are the only official flag used. Flags are available through the league. Must have numbered jerseys or shirts. Home is dark, away is light. Available through the league.
Each team will supply their own ball. Available through the league.
No arm pads, 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 kickoffs/punts and any scrimmage play.
Defensive Rules:
Rusher starts one yard off the line of scrimmage and may rush immediately.
The defender cannot use contact to break up a pass. Penalty-Illegal contact – 10 yards and first down.
Only one bump/chuck is allowed and it must be within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Do not make contact with the passer above his waist under ANY circumstance. Go for his flag. Penalty-Roughing: 10 yards and first down or penalty can be tacked on to the play.
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.
No pushing ball carrier out of bounds. Penalty-Roughing: 10 yards and first down tacked on to the end of the play.
Gaurding the Flag Belt:
Flag guarding includes:
-Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from
deflagging.
-Placing the ball in possession over the flag belt to prevent an
opponent from deflagging.
-Lowering the shoulders in such a manner that the defender is sheilded
from the flag.
-Holding the flag belt with the off hand.
-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, roughing the passer).
15 yard penalties are for 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.
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.
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
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.
If your team forfeits any games the team may be dropped from the league
without any refund.