5 Man Rules

NFL Farm League FLAG RULES

UPDATED 9/18/07

• A coin toss determines first possession. the winner of the toss chooses BALL , DIRECTION , or DEFER. the loser of the coin toss makes their selection. In the second half the team that lost the coin toss chooses either BALL OR DIRECTION. The other team then makes their choice.. Flip for jersey color if a problem.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (3) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.

• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offenses 5-yard line.
• 2 - 25 minute halves running clock . 5 minute half time

Players/Game Schedules

• Teams must field a minimum of five (5) players at all times. 2 players must be on the line of scrimage
• Teams consist of 7 to 12 players

Timing/Overtime

• Games are played to 50 minutes running time. Two 25 minute half's .
• If the score is tied at the end of 50 minutes, teams move directly into overtime in the play offs. The first team to score wins. Teams do 5 yard extra points until a winner is decided. In the regular season the games will end in a tie
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
• Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time out per half. 2 total .
• Officials can stop the clock at their discretion for injury or conversations with coaches

Scoring

Touchdown: 6 points

Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line NO RUN ZONE ) or 2 points (played from 12-yard line Run or pass ok)

Safety: 2 points

Running

• The quarterback cannot run with the ball.

Quarterback can field a snap that bounces to him or flys un touched over his head. The ball must be picked up and handled cleanly. If the quarterback drops the ball it is a dead ball at the spot where it hits the ground.
• Offense may use multiple handoffs, laterals or direct hand offs. The QB must get make a clean exchange of the ball to the running back. center sneak rule - The qb can not receive the snap from under center and then hand it back to the center between the centers legs, if this occurs it is a dead ball loss of down.

• laterals, hand offs, or pitches allowed behind the line or in the field of play. If in the field of play this play must be backwards . no forward pitch.
• No-running zones, located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, are designed to avoid short-yardage. TEAMS MUST PASS. A pass in this zone MUST be accross your line of scrimage.

Power-running situations.

• The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. If he hands off that player can throw OR run.
• Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
• Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player. Defense may dive to pull a flag.
• The ball is spotted where the ball carriers hips are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

Receiving

• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing

• The QB can throw any type of pass forward ie shovel is OK. The pass does not have to be beyond the line of scrimage UNLESS in the NO RUN ZONE. If in the no run zone the wr must be across the line of scrimage to receive the pass. . Once the pass is caught ALL Defense can rush in the backfield

• The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect. All defenders are eligable to rush the qb once the ball is handed off. If a behind the line of scrimage lateral is made the defenders can not rush until the ball is caught by the rb.
• Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. An interception can not be returned. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line. A Lateral recovery is treated the same as and interception. The Defence can not advance a lateral but gets possession of the ball

Dead Balls

• The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
• Play is ruled dead when:

• Ball carrier`s flag is pulled.
• Ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• Touchdown or safety is scored.
• At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
• Ball carrier`s knee hits the ground.
• Ball carrier`s flag falls out.

Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback

All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. One RUSHER can rush the qb. Any player from any location on the field may rush as long as they are 7 yards back. IE a corner may rush the qb as long as they are behind the marker. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. .

Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.

Sportsmanship/Roughing

If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the tournament. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.

Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game AND THE PLAYER AND PARENT WILL BE SUSPEND FOR 1 GAME ! ! !

Penalties

All penalties will be called by the referee. A penalty can negate a first down (spot foul penalties that push the ball back)

Defense:

Offsides 5 yards and automatic first down . not a dead ball play . Play continues offense can choose result of the play or penalty

Interference 10 yards and automatic First down

Illegal contact (holding, pushing, blocking, etc.) 10 yards and automatic first down

Illegal flag pull (pulling a players flag when they do not have the ball) 10 yards and automatic first down

Illegal rushing (starting the rush from inside 7-yard marker) 10 yards and automatic first down.

If a rusher "jumps" the snap count he must go back behind the marker and then rush in. Play continues . Free play for Offense. They choose penalty or result of the play.

Offense:

Illegal motion/ FALSE START more than one person moving, false start, etc. DEAD BALL 5 yards & replay down .

Illegal forward pass 2 forward passes-- 5 yards and loss of down

illegal contact block pushing off/away defender from either a blocking back or WR = 10 yards and loss of down

Screen flag is legally obstructing an opponent without initiating contact with him with any part of the screen blockers body. This block will take place with out contact. The screen blockers hands and arms interlocked in his front belt or behind his back. Any use of arms, elbows, knees or legs to block the rusher is an illegal block.

down field screen - Spot foul 10 yard penalty

Non contact flag ! The offensive players must stop and can not move if they are in front of or near the WR who catches the ball. A team can not have 2+ players running side by side down the field or have players running in front of the ball carrier . All WR must stop and stand still like a "baseketball pick" block . The official will judge if the players did this to gain an advantage on the play.

Flag guarding 10 yards (from spot of the foul ) and loss of down

Delay of game Clock stops, 5 yards no loss of down

• Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

HUDDLE COACHES - Only 1 coach per team in the huddle at a time. personal foul 10 yard penalty no loss of down

OT

In the playoffs we play overtime only. Regular season ends in ties. OT - Teams each get a chance from the 5 yard line . Run Extra points until someone wins. (from no run zone EXPTs)

Attire

Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. Optional protective mouthpiece

Official NFL Flag jerseys must be worn during play.
Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed

Shorts and flags must be contrasting colors.

Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or

2 points (played from 12-yard line)

Safety: 2 points

TD- 6 points

Coaches may go in the huddle however they need to be off the field of play when the ball is snaped