Rules and regulations resources:

UTL Flag Football Rule Book 2023-2024

Game Format

5 v 5 and 6 v 6 Flag Game Format

  • The field is 25-30 yards wide and 50 yards long, including the 5-yard end zones.
  • Games are 5 players v 5 players for grades Pre-K – 2 and 6 players v 6 players for grades 3 – 12. 
  • Teams are required to have a minimum of 4 players to begin the game (Pre-K – 2nd grade) or 5 players (grade 3 – 12) or the game will be considered a forfeit.
  • Two 20-minute running clock halves (5-minute break at half)
  • Each possession starts at the 5-yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or halftime.
  • 30 second play clock (45 second play clock for K-2nd Grade Division)
  • The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field, then 4 downs to score once they have crossed mid-field.
  • All players are eligible!
  • NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK! Unless the QB fakes a handoff, which will trigger a defensive player to cross the LOS and rush the QB.

Goals by Division

Pre-K – 2nd Grade Division – U6 & U8 yrs. old
In this division we want to get the players lined up properly and running in the right direction. We want to be flexible with the rules and teach the players the proper fundamentals of football. The Deception Rule will be in effect to help with the integrity of the passing game for both offense and defense.

3rd – 4th Grade Division – U10 yrs. old
In this division we want to encourage the teams to start focusing on passing the ball more than running the ball. The Deception Rule will be in effect to help with the integrity of the passing game for both offense and defense. We want the players to start applying proper QB, WR, and DB fundamentals in the passing game.

5th – 8th Grade Division – U12 & U 14 yrs. old
In this division we make the transition into an every-down is a pass play or a scaled down version of HS 7v7 pass game. We want the players to start working on their skills as a QB, WR, and DB that they have learned from their coach and apply it in a fun, competitive format.

9th – 12th Grade Division Goals – U16 & U19 yrs. old
In this division it is a competitive pass play/a scaled down version of HS 7v7 pass game. We want the players to practice enhancing their skill set as a QB, WR, and DB.

Overview of Grade Division Rules

K – 2nd Grade Division 

  • 45 second play clock
  • UNLIMITED runs
  • NO runs 5-yards from the End Zone
  • NO runs on extra points
  • ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

3rd – 4th Grade Division

  • 30 second play clock
  • ONE run per offensive possession  
  • NO runs 5-yards from the End Zone 
  • NO runs on extra points
  • ONE Coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

5th – 8th Grade Division

  • 30 second play clock
  • NO RUNS
  • NO Coach allowed on the field

9th – 12th Grade Division

  • 30 second play clock
  • NO RUNS
  • NO Coach allowed on the field

Scoring

  • Touchdown = 6 points
  • Extra Point (5-yard line) = 1 point
  • Extra Point (10-yard line) = 2 points

General Rules

  1. A coin flip determines the choice of possession or direction. The winning team has the choice or can elect to defer the choice to the 2nd half.
  2. Once the clock starts at the beginning of the game, the clock will only stop for time-outs, injuries, or the last minute of the game. The clock does not stop for incomplete passes, out-of-bounds, or a change of possession.
  3. LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME

The clock will stop in the final minute of the game on these actions:

  • Incompletions
  • Out of Bounds 
  • QB Sack and kneel downs
  • Change of Possession 
  • Penalties. If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official unless dead ball foul.
  1. TWO 30-second timeouts per half.
  2. If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after the conversion attempt.
  3. Teams switch sides at halftime.
  4. If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS. There is NO loss of yardage.
  5. Center cannot take a handoff from the QB.
  6. Ball is placed where a flag pulled, not where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
  7.  A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception.
  8.  Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is spotted at that yard mark, including when it occurs behind the LOS. 
  9.  Absolutely no tackling or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot move)
  10.  Only one player can be in motion.
  11.  3 Players must be on the Line of Scrimmage or Illegal Formation; The Center counts as 1 player on the LOS.
  12.  Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

Pass Game

The Offense must throw the ball within:

  • K – 2nd Grade – 6 seconds
  • 3rd – 6th Grade – 4 seconds
  • 7th – 12th Grade – 3 seconds
  • The sack count starts on the snap of the ball no matter what offensive play is attempted.
  • Forward passes can be underhand or overhand and must be beyond the line of scrimmage (LOS).
  • If the QB does not release the ball before time expires, the result of the play is a sack and the ball stays at the LOS.
  • There are NO passes behind the LOS. This is a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
  • NO RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK!
  • In K – 4th Grade, the QB can HANDOFF, THROW or PITCH the ball backwards to another player where they can throw the ball beyond the LOS within the allotted time. If the QB hands-off, pitches or throws a backward pass to another player, this alerts the defense that they CAN cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball.
  • All grade levels have the option to throw a backward pass for a double pass play.  This alerts the defense that they CAN cross the LOS to pull the flag of the player with the ball. (5th-8th grade can never take a hand off nor run the ball across the line of scrimmage on a backwards pass.) 
  • Defense must start 2-yards off the LOS unless the ball is at the 1-yard mark, then the Defense can start at the goal line.

Run Game

A play will be considered a run play, when the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage, or if a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback and does not cross the line of scrimmage in the allotted time. A play in which a player takes a hand-off from the quarterback, and then throws a forward pass will be considered a pass play, and not count as a team’s run play.

Dead Ball

The play is dead when the following occurs to the ball carrier:

  • Flag is pulled
  • Runner’s knee touches the ground
  • Runner steps out of bounds
  • Runner dives, jumps or leaps; ball is spotted where the runner left their feet.
  • NO direct QB runs
  • The ball carrier can spin to avoid their flag being pulled but cannot flag guard.
  • No fumbles (a fumbled, or stripped ball is dead and placed at the spot of the fumble with the offensive team retaining possession)

Special Alert Rules

  • Defensive players can cross the line of scrimmage when a handoff, fake handoff or backward pass has occurred. This Deception Rule is applied to define the integrity of the LOS and development of the passing game for both offense and defense. This rule applies to all Divisions.
  • Interceptions can be returned for a TD, if the intercepting team's flag is pulled before the end zone, then possession will begin where the defender is flagged.
  • If a runner loses their flag, then the opposing team must tag them. 

Mercy Rule
If a team is up by 30 or more, they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs to score until that point difference is trimmed below 30 points. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 points, then the regular game rules will be in effect.

The team that is behind by 30 or more points will start their offensive possession at the +10-yard line and has 4 downs to score. 

Overtime Format

OVERTIME FOR PROVINCIALS ONLY IN PLAYOFFS 

  • Coin flip determines choice of 1st or 2nd possession.
  • Overtime period will take place with each team receiving 2 possessions.
  • Possession begins at the 10-yard line (both teams will go in the same direction), the team with the possession has 2 downs to score.
  • If a touchdown is scored, a team can elect to go for a 1- or 2-point conversion.
  • If the Defense intercepts the ball during converts, the play is dead.
  • If the Defense intercepts the ball during the offence's possession, the defence is eligible to run back the ball to score a TD.
  • If the game is still tied after both teams have completed their 2 offensive possessions, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner. 
  • If overtime is required to repeat more than the first two possessions, there will be one more coin flip to determine who goes first.
  • Teams alternate first possession each overtime period.