NYC

NYC-NJ FLAG RULES AND REGULATIONS

2003

Voted on and revised at the August Captains meeting

All rules that have been changed or added are in BOLD

RULE 1

THE FIELD

SECTION 1: Dimensions - The game shall be played upon a rectangular field 120 yards in

length and 53 yards in width.

SECTION 2: Markings - First down markers are positioned at the 20, 40, 40, 20- yard lines.

First downs are achieved by crossing these markers.

SECTION 3: Players area - Players must position themselves within the two 20 yard lines when

not on the playing field.

RULE 2

THE BALL

SECTION 1: Each team must provide either an NFL or NCAA regulation size ball fully inflated. The referee shall

be the sole judge as to whether all balls offered for play comply with these Specifications.

RULE 3

FLAG BELTS

SECTION 1: Sonic flag belts are the only flag belt used in the NYC-Flag Football League

SECTION 2: All players except ineligible linemen are required to wear a Sonic flag belt.

SECTION 3: All flag belts must be a different color from pants worn by team.

SECTION 4: Game jerseys cannot cover flag belts. Jerseys must either be tucked in pants, or 4 inches above

flag belt

RULE 4

BLOCKING

SECTION 1: Open hand - During a legal block, contact can be made with only the open hands.

Open hands can be thrust forward initially to contact an opponent inside his body

Frame. Hands cannot be thrust forward above the shoulders to contact an opponent

on the neck, face, or head. As the play develops, a blocker is permitted to work for

And maintain position on an opponent as long as he does not push from behind or

clip. Open hand blocking is allowed on all portions of the field and is not restricted

to the line of scrimmage. You may not use your shoulder or forearm to block

RULE 5

TACKLING AND RUNNING

SECTION 1: Tackling - Tackling a ball carrier is illegal, as is aggressively shoving or pushing

the ball carrier to the ground or out of bounds. A legal tackle is defined as pulling

off the ball carriers flag without impending his forward movement.

Incidental contact does not constitute a penalty against the offense or defense.

SECTION 2: Flag shielding - A ball carrier cannot shield his flags from the opponent with his

free hand when attempting to allude tacklers. Penalty is 10 yards from spot of foul.

SECTION 3: Stiff arming - Stiff arming is legal as long as an open hand to the opposing players

chest area is used. Any other type of stiff arming is considered illegal and will draw

an unnecessary roughness penalty.

SECTION 4: Ball carrier is not wearing or inadvertently losses his flag belt - In an event a ball

carrier is not wearing or losses his flag belt inadvertently, single hand touching of

the ball carrier will constitute a legal tackle.

SECTION 5: Ball carrier inadvertently falls to the ground - A ball carrier who falls to the ground

with out being touched is allowed to get back up as long as he is not single handily

touched while his knee (s) was on the ground.

SECTION 6: Fumbles - There are no fumbles. When the ball carrier losses control of the ball and

it touches the ground the play is ruled dead and the ball is spotted at the point it

touched the ground as long as the spot is at or behind the ball carriers forward

progress.

SECTION 7: Diving and jumping - Ball carriers may not dive or jump in an effort to gain extra

yardage. Diving and jumping is defined as a player clearly leaving both feet in an

aggressive attempt to gain extra yards.

SECTION 8: Two feet must be "in-bounds" to constitute a legal pass reception.

SECTION 9: Ball stripping - Illegal and will result in a five yard penalty enforced at the spot of

the infraction.

RULE 6

GAME TIMING

SECTION 1: Length of the game - The length of the game is 60 minutes, divided into four quarters

of 15 minutes each. Running time with no clock stoppage is used for each quarter

The clock will stop at the final 2:00 minutes of each half and will restart at the

snap of the ball. During the final 2 minutes of each half's, traditional clock

stoppage is used only when the ball carrier steps out of bounds incomplete

pass, a change in ball possession , or a score is achieved.

SECTION 2: Half-time- Between the first and second half's, there shall be an intermission of

seven minutes. During the intermission , play is suspended , and the teams may

leave the field.

SECTION 3: Starting Each Game - Not more than five minutes before the kickoff, the referee, in

the presence of both team captains, shall toss a coin at the center of the field. The

toss shall be called by the captain of the visiting team. The winner of the toss must

choose one of four privileges.

A) Kick

B) Receive

C) Direction

D) Defer to second half.

SECTION 4: Second Half - For the second half, the captain who lost the pre game toss is to have

the first choice of the two privileges listed in Section 3. Immediately prior to the

start of the second half, the captains of both teams must inform the referee of their

respected choices.

SECTION 5: Time outs - Each team is allowed three time outs per half. Charged time outs can

be used at anytime. The time clock will begin at the snap of the next play.

Exception : The referee may allow:

A) Necessary time to attend to an injured player. That player must sit out for next play.

B) Repair legal equipment.

SECTION 6: Time between plays - The offensive team has 30 seconds in which to snap the ball

once the referee has spotted the ball after the previous play has been ruled dead. It

shall be the responsibility of the defensive team to retrieve the ball and hand it to

the referee after each play. The referee will indicate by signaling to the offensive

team when 10 seconds remain on the 30 second clock.

SECTION 7: After a team scores, both teams have 45 seconds to set up for the kickoff.

SECTION 8: Mercy rule - Should a team be trailing by 30 or more points in the second half or

trailing by 18 or more points at the final "Two-Minute Warning", the referees shall

end the game immediately. (There will be no exception to this rule).

RULE 7

PLAYERS

SECTION 1: Number - The game is to be played by two teams of nine players each. In the event a team only has 8

players in attendance they will be required to play 9 on 8 (Power Play). Less than 8 is a forfeit. Team with

9-players get choice at coin toss.

More than nine players on the field is illegal, while less than nine players is legal.

SECTION 2: At the coin toss, each team must designate its captains, one for the offense

and one for the defense. Captains act as sole representatives of there team in

all communications with the officials. (No other players may question the officials)

SECTION 3: Rosters - Team rosters must be submitted by week 3. Players cannot switch teams nor be added

after this period. This will be the official roster for the playoffs.

SECTION 4: Rosters - Teams may carry up to 40 players on their roster.

SECTION 5: Teams must be in matching jerseys by week 3.

RULE 8

KICKOFFS

SECTION 1: Kickoffs - Kickoffs are from the kicking teams own 40-yard line and must travel

to at least the receiving teams 40-yard line or the ball is ruled dead at the point it

touches the ground with the receiving team taking possession at this spot.

SECTION 2: Kicking tees - Legal on all kickoffs.

SECTION 3: On-Side Kicks - Illegal. However , Should a kickoff that travels past the receiving

teams 40-yard line be recovered by the kicking team prior to the receiving team

touching the ball, possession will be awarded to the kicking team.

SECTION 4: Out of bounds kickoffs - Out of bounds kickoffs will be spotted at the 35 yd line.

Out of bounds kickoffs that do not travel to the receiving teams 40-

yard line will be spotted at the point the ball went out of bounds.

SECTION 5: Dropped kickoffs in the end-zone will result in the ball being spotted at the 20 yard

line . All other "Dropped" kickoffs will be ruled dead at the spot.

RULE 9

PUNTS

SECTION 1: Punts - The offensive team has two (2) choices.

1. Declare a punt: (Informing the referee)

A. Offense must punt the ball (NO FAKING). If a team performs a play other than a punt there will be a

15 yard penalty a the ball is turned over to other team

B. Defense can only rush outside the tackles on a declared punt. Rushing the punter in between the tackles

will result in a 15 yard penalty, and a automatic first down

2. Undeclared punt

A. Offense can punt, fake, or set up in a offensive formation

B. Defense can fully rush the punter or QB on the snap of the ball.

SECTION 2: Formation - Punting team must have five men on the line of scrimmage.

Ball must be snapped to the punter from the center on a declared punt .

Defensive team must have at least three players on the line of scrimmage

RULE 10

FIELD GOALS AND EXTRA POINT KICKS

SECTION 1: Kicking Field goal & extra point The offensive team has two (2) choices.

1. Declare a field goal or extra point: (Informing the referee)

A. Offense must kick the ball (NO FAKING). If a team performs a play other than a field goal there will be a

15 yard penalty and the ball is turned over to other team. On a extra point the play will be called dead

B. Defense can only rush outside the tackles on a declared field goal or extra point. Rushing the kicker

in between the tackles on a field goal will result in a 15 yard penalty, and a automatic

first down. Extra points will result in a automatic extra point.

2. Undeclared field goal or extra point:

A. Offense can kick, fake, or set up in a offensive formation

B. Defense can fully rush the kicker or QB on the snap of the ball.

SECTION 2: All field goals attempted and missed will be spotted at the original line of

scrimmage unless the original line of scrimmage is inside the 20-yard line, in

which case , the ball will be spotted at the 20-yard line.

SECTION 3: Fake field goals are legal if you do not declare.

SECTION 4: Blocks - Kicking blocks are legal on field goal and extra point attempts.

SECTION 5: Snaps that hit the ground on undeclared field goal and extra point attempts can be picked up

for a field goal attempt or advanced if picked up cleanly. If snap goes over the

head of the kicker the ball is ruled dead at the point at which it lands.

Snaps that hit the ground on declared field goal and extra point attempts can be picked up

for a field goal attempt if picked up cleanly but not advanced. If snap goes over the

head of the kicker the ball is ruled dead at the point at which it lands.

SECTION 6: Roughing the kicker - Will result in a 15 yard penalty, and automatic first down. Player(s)

committing the roughing will receive a possible game ejection.

RULE 11

OFFENSIVE FORMATION

SECTION 1: Line of scrimmage - Offensive team must have at least three players on the line

of scrimmage spaced no more than one yard apart (tackle-center-tackle).All three

lineman are ineligible to catch passes and are prohibited from running down field

until the pass is thrown. (Lineman cannot catch a pass even if the ball has been

tipped).

SECTION 2: Eligible receivers - With the exception of the three lineman, all other players are

eligible to run down field and catch passes. Receivers can all line up on one side-

there does not have to be a balanced wide receiver set, however at least five players

(counting the lineman) must be on the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

SECTION 3: Tackle eligible - Not legal. The Center and Tackles are ineligible during all plays

including tipped balls.

SECTION 4: Motion - Only one player can be in motion at the snap of the ball and must be

running parallel to the line of scrimmage. Please note that more than one player

can initially go into motion, but only one at the snap of the ball.

SECTION 5: Bad snaps from center - The Quarterback has one chance to recover the ball cleanly

if it falls in front of him. If the ball goes over his head the ball is dead at the spot

it touches the ground.

RULE 12

DEFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE FORMATION

SECTION 1: Full rush is allowed on every down except declared plays.

SECTION 2: Formation - Defensive team can line up in any formation they choose.

SECTION 3: Bump and run - One bump is allowed on a receiver within five (5) yards of the line

of scrimmage by only one defensive player.

RULE 13

SCORING

SECTION 1: Touchdowns = 6 points

Field goals = 3 points

Safety = 2 points

SECTION 2: Extra points - Run/Pass/Kick from the 5 yd line = 1 point

Run/Pass/Kick from the 10 yd line = 2 points

Defensive team can return a blocked or interception 2-point attempt for 2 points.

SECTION 3: Overtime - Tie games at the end of regulation will be decided in a "shoot out"

Format. Each team will take possession at the opposing teams 10-yard line and will be

given four downs in which to score a touchdown or a field goal. The opposing team

shall be given the same opportunity. If at the end of 3 consecutive Shoot outs the

score remains tied each team will get ONE play from the 50 yard line. The team that gains

the most yards on that single play will be awarded the win

SECTION 4: Missing field goals (not a botched snap) will result in a change of possession regardless of the down.

RULE 14

FIGHTING AND UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

SECTION 1: See Rule 22

Rule 15

REFEREE FEE and, BOND

SECTION 1: At the start of each game before the coin toss each team is responsible to pay the referee fee of $70.00.

SECTION 2: The referee bond is $140.00 which is paid before the season starts. This bond is used in the event a team forfeits a game.

Team that forfeits will not be allowed back until another bond is paid. If a team does not use its bond it will be returned

at the end of the season via. mail.

Rule 16

Forfeit game bond & Team elimination from schedule/league

SECTION 1: Each team is required to submit a referee forfeit bond in the amount of $140.00. If you do not forfeit a

Game the bond will be returned. If you do forfeit a game you will not be eligible to play until you reenter

another forfeit bond of $140.00.

SECTION 2 If a team forfeits a game before week 4 they will be eliminated from the schedule with no refund of registration fee and bond.

Two forfeits during the season a team will be eliminated from the schedule with no refund of registration fee and bond

RULE 17

Forfeit of a scheduled playoff game

SECTION 1: If you forfeit a scheduled playoff game by not showing up, or you do not have enough team members to field a team for

a scheduled game after15 minutes of scheduled game time , your team will be charged with a loss

for that scheduled game. There will be no refund of bond, or registration.

RULE 18

Schedule & schedule changes for the regular season & Playoffs

SECTION 1: Schedules will be given for the first 4 weeks of a season. Any team that forfeits a game will be eliminated from the schedule.

After week 4 the remainder of the schedule will be given out for the rest of the season

SECTION 2: A scheduled regular season game or playoff game can be rescheduled with 5 days notice.

SECTION 3: Game days can be either Saturday or Sunday for both regular season and playoff games

RULE 19

CHOICE OF SIDE LINE

SECTION 1: During the regular season its first come first serve for choice of side line.

SECTION 2: During the playoffs its home teams choice for side line.

RULE 20

Alcohol & Drugs

Alcohol & Drugs are strictly prohibited from the playing field, and parking lots. Any team that does not comply with this rule

will be ejected from the league with no refund.

RULE 21

SECTION 1: Rules not covered in the NYC-NJ Flag official rules and regulations book will

automatically defer to NFL rules and procedures.

RULE 22

Fighting & Verbal Abuse Policy.
Any person during a game that verbally or physically approaches another player during a game will receive a game misconduct unsportsmanlike penalty, and will be ejected from the game. There will also be a 2 game suspensions or possible ban on the player in question.

The player in question will be required to leave the area or the game will be called and the team will receive a forfeit.

In the event there are any fights prior, during or after a game at the field or surrounding area all team(s) involved even if it is one player will be kicked out of the league (No questions asked)

If a player threatens an official during a game his team will receive a forfeit loss on the spot. If a league member or fan threatens or physically approaches an official the parks department, or police will be called and charges will be filed.

If a suspended player, or team is in attendance at the field or surrounding area the referees will be required to contact either the parks department, or local police and have that person or team removed from the area.

Teams will also be responsible for their sidelines. Any verbal abuse toward a referee, or player will result in a 15 yard penalty, and automatic 1st down.

If the person in question is from another team they will be suspended from league play and be required to leave the permitted area. The game will be stopped until the person in question leaves.

If the person in question is a fan the game will be stopped until the person in question leaves. If the person in question does not leave the authorities will be called.

Daniel Doherty

Commissioner

New York City – New Jersey Flag Football League