3rd-5th Grade Flag Football Rules

These rules are designed to promote competitive and fair play for our older youth division while maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment.

Field and Game Play

• The field measures 40 yards by 40 yards, with a 10-yard end zone and a midfield line to gain at 20 yards.
• There are no kickoffs or punts. Each possession begins at the 38-yard line.
• Teams have four downs to advance the ball past each line to gain. If a team fails to reach the line, the ball is turned over to the opposing team at the 38-yard line.
• No-run zones are located 5 yards before the end zone to prevent power running plays up the middle. All plays within this zone must be legal forward passes.
• An interception results in a dead ball, awarding the defense 2 points and possession of the ball.

Teams and Participants

• Teams play 7 vs 7 and must have a minimum of 5 players to start a game.
• Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime. The clock only stops during the last 2 minutes of the game and for timeouts.
• Teams have 40 seconds to snap the ball after it is spotted. A warning will be given for the first offense, followed by a delay of game penalty.
• Each team gets two timeouts per half, which do not carry over.
• To ensure fair play, all players are expected to receive equal playing time and should be rotated into various positions.
• In the regular season, tied games are final. For the postseason tournament, an overtime format will be used to break ties.

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Interception: 2 points
• Extra Points:
• 1 point (from the 5-yard line)
• 2 points (from the 10-yard line)
• Mercy Rule: If a team is up by 28 points or more, the clock will not stop during the final 2 minutes of the game.
• Note: There are no safeties in this league.

Offensive Play

• Running:
• The quarterback cannot run with the ball unless a defender rushes them.
• An official will count aloud for 5 seconds before the defense can rush the quarterback.
• If the quarterback still holds the ball after a 10-second count, the play is dead and the down is over.
• The player who receives the direct snap is considered the quarterback.
• No "center sneaks" are allowed.
• The player who receives a handoff can throw a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage. Once a handoff is made, defenders are free to rush.
• Spinning is allowed, but jumping or leaving your feet to avoid a flag pull is not permitted. Diving is only allowed when attempting to pull a flag or catch a pass.
• Receiving:
• All players are eligible to receive passes, including the quarterback, as long as the ball was handed off or thrown backward first.
• Only one offensive player is allowed in motion at a time.
• Only one forward pass is allowed per down.
• Dead Balls: Play is dead when:
• The ball carrier's flag is pulled.
• The ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• A touchdown is scored.
• The ball carrier's knee hits the ground.
• If a flag falls off inadvertently, the play continues until the player is touched by a defender.
• A fumble results in a dead ball at the spot where the ball hits the ground.
• Fumbled snaps also end the down where the ball first touches the ground.
• Stripping the ball from a player is not allowed. However, if a player loses possession and a defender catches the ball before it hits the ground, it is a live ball.

Defensive Play

• Rushing:
• All defensive players must wait for a 5-second count from the official before rushing the quarterback.
• Any number of defenders can rush once the count is complete.
• After the ball is handed off, all defenders can cross the line of scrimmage to rush the ball carrier.
• Blocking:
• Legal blocking involves players keeping their arms in front of their body with closed fists. Extending hands, lowering shoulders, or swinging elbows is not allowed.
• Players may not run through blockers.

Sportsmanship and Penalties

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: The Recreation staff or referees will enforce penalties for unnecessary tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, excessive blocking, and other unsportsmanlike conduct. This will result in a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down for the offense or a loss of down for the defense. Flagrant fouls will result in player ejection and a one-game suspension.
• Foul Language from players, coaches, or spectators is not tolerated and may result in being asked to leave the game.
• All players, coaches, and spectators must follow the Nephi Recreation "Code of Conduct."

Coaches

• One coach is allowed on the field for offense, and one is allowed for defense. Coaches must do their best to stay out of the way of the play.

Penalty Summary

Defense:

• Encroachment: 5 yards, previous spot
• Defensive Pass Interference: 10 yards, previous spot, automatic first down
• Illegal Contact (Holding/Blocking): 10 yards, automatic first down
• Illegal Rushing (before 5-count): 5 yards, previous spot
• Unnecessary Roughness: 10 yards, automatic first down

Offense:

• Illegal Motion: 5 yards, previous spot
• False Start: 5 yards, previous spot
• Delay of Game: 5 yards, previous spot
• Offensive Pass Interference: 10 yards, previous spot
• Flag Guarding: 5 yards from the spot of the foul
• Flag Altering (tying flags): 10 yards, previous spot, loss of down
• Stiff Arm: 10 yards from the spot of the foul
• Leaping/Diving: 5 yards from the spot of the foul

Postseason Play

• Tournament standings will be kept at www.quickscores.com/nephi based on regular season play.
• Ties at the end of a postseason game will be broken using an overtime format.