The Cal Intramural Sports Flag Football Rules are based on the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Flag & Touch Football Rules. Some of the more important rules as well as rules unique to the Cal Intramural Sports Program are included herein. All players are responsible for reading this document prior to participating in Flag Football.
Conduct and Disqualification
Good sportsmanship is essential in Intramural Sports contests. Therefore, if a player or players are sent off from a game, they will receive a minimum, automatic one-game suspension. The suspension of that player becomes effective immediately following the ejection and carries through the remainder of that game, and the following game. While on suspension, the player is not allowed to participate in any Intramural Sports-sponsored sport, special event, activity, or IFC Sport. In order to be reinstated for play, the player(s) must meet with the Student Director, Sport Programs, and/or the Director, Intramural Sports. Meetings take place at the availability of Intramural Sports Staff and must be scheduled appointments. Call (510) 643-6822 to schedule an appointment. Failure to meet with the above individuals maintains the suspension in full effect. In some cases where appropriate, the Intramural Sports Director may suspend the player(s) for a longer period. In extreme situations, the matter will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
Picture Identification Is Required
All participants must be prepared to show Game Officials a valid University of California, Berkeley, Student ID Card, or a current Cal Rec Club Card in order to participate in Intramural Sports. Individuals without current membership and picture identification will not be allowed to participate. A team unable to field a minimum number of players with current membership and picture identification will forfeit the contest.
Flag Football rules
Rule Changes
End of Game
End of Game: An offensive team may kneel the ball in lieu of running a play at any time during the game including the 5-play series at the end of the 1st half and the 10-play series at the end of the second half.
Roster Limit
Each Open team is allowed a maximum of twelve (12) players on their roster. CoRec teams are allowed a maximum of fourteen (14) players on their roster.
Equipment of Players
Players are prohibited from wearing: track or metal cleated shoes, padded suits, or special protective devices (e.g. shoulder pads, helmets, etc.). Players must wear shoes. Players of opposing teams must wear contrasting colored jerseys. Jerseys must be either:
- Long enough to remain tucked into pants or shorts during the entire down, or
- Short enough so there is a minimum of four (4) inches from the bottom of the jersey to the player’s waistline.
Periods and Time Factors
Playing Time and Intermissions
Playing time will follow the 15-5-15-10 Rule. The first half will be fifteen (15) minutes in length, running clock. The first half will end with a 5-play series. The second half will be fifteen minutes in length, running clock. The game will end with a 10-Play Series.
10-Play Series
The game-ending 10-Play Series shall be conducted in the following manner:
- The Referee will announce to both teams the end of the 15-minute second half and beginning of the 10-Play Series.
- The game shall continue with no interruption other than the Referee’s notification that 10 plays remain. The team with possession shall retain possession.
- PATs and downs on which a non-loss of down penalty is accepted are not counted toward the 10-play total. Punts do count as a play during the 10-Play Series. Exception: A game cannot end with a punt on the 10th play of a 10-Play Series. If a team punts on the 10th play, the receiving team will be allowed to run one play from scrimmage and then, barring a penalty or inadvertent whistle, the game shall end.
Mercy Rule
If after the completion of the 15-minute second half, a team is leading by seventeen (17) points or more (Men’s) or twenty three (23) points or more (CoRec) or obtains such a lead during the course of the 10-Play Series, the game will end.
Tie Game
In the event of a tie game the following procedures shall govern play. During the regular season, the game shall be ruled a tie.
During the playoffs, the tie game will be resolved in the following manner:
- A coin toss shall be held at a Captain’s meeting. The winning side can choose to play offense or defense first, or can choose which side of the field to play on. The losing side makes the choice yet unmade.
- Each team will be given three downs to attempt to score a touchdown from the 10 yard line. If a touchdown is scored, the PATs will be attempted. The second team will then be given four plays to match or beat the score of their opponent. No coin toss will be held if the game is still tied after one overtime period. Teams will alternate starting on offense as the number of overtime periods increases. If the defense returns an interception for a touchdown, the game ends.
- There is no game clock, however, the 25-second play clock shall begin once each ball is placed and declared ready for play. Each team is entitled to one time-out during the overtime period.
Time Outs
Each team shall have two (2) time-outs during each half of the game. An Official may stop the clock at other times if, in his/her judgment, unusual conditions prevail that call for such an action (i.e. an injury).
Ball in Play, Dead Ball, and Out-of Bounds
Inadvertent Whistle
If an official blows his or her whistle inadvertently, the ball is dead and the play stops. Referee’s judgment will govern the situation.
Fumbles
All fumbles are dead as soon as the ball touches the ground. The ball will be spotted for the next down from the point where the ball first touched the ground, if the ball lands parallel to or behind the ball carrier. If the ball lands in front of the ball carrier, it will be spotted from the point where the player fumbled the ball. (Exceptions: Fumbles that land in either end zone.)
- Once any part of ball carrier’s body touches the ground (excluding hands and feet) play shall be ruled dead.
- Twenty-five second count — the ball shall be put into play within twenty-five seconds after it is declared ready.
Punts
The following procedures will govern punt situations:
- Offensive team must declare its intention to punt. No fake punts are allowed.
- Both teams must have and maintain at least four (4) players within one yard of their scrimmage line and they must remain motionless until the kick is made. A line player may not raise his or her arms to distract the kicker or block the kick. The kicker must be at least five yards behind the scrimmage line when receiving the snap. After receiving the snap, the kicker must kick the ball immediately and in one continuous motion.
- A fumbled punt is dead at the spot, with the fumbler’s team maintaining possession (this is true unless the player fielding the punt fumbles directly into the hands of a player on the kicking team, without the ball hitting the ground).
- A punt that is muffed in the end zone is a touchback.
- A third down, incomplete pass in the end zone will be considered a touchback if the ball had been spotted within thirty yards of the goal line. A third down, incomplete pass in the end zone from more than thirty yards from the goal line shall be returned to the line of scrimmage. The receiver must make a bona fide attempt to catch the pass; otherwise, the penalty shall be for intentional grounding of a forward pass. In cases where touchbacks are called, the ball shall be put into play on the ten-yard line.
Snapping, Handing, and Passing the Ball
Legal snap
The ball must be snapped with one fluid motion from the ground. Legal snaps need not be through the legs.
Formation
The offensive team must have at least four (4) players on their scrimmage line (anywhere along their scrimmage line).
Motion
One offensive player may be in motion, but not toward the opponent’s goal line. Other offensive players must be stationary in their positions without movement of their feet, body, head, or arms. The offensive team must still have four (4) players on their scrimmage line at the snap not including the man in motion.
No direct snap
The player who receives the snap must be at least two yards behind the offensive scrimmage line.
Passing Plays
- A forward pass may be made from any point behind the line of scrimmage. Handing the ball forward will not be considered a forward pass.
- Only one foot needs to touch in bounds for a pass to be complete.
Simultaneous catch
If a legal forward pass is caught simultaneously by members of opposing teams, the ball becomes dead at the spot of the catch and belongs to the team that snapped the ball. Such catches may not be advanced.
Pass Interference
During a legal forward pass, contact which interferes with an eligible receiver is pass interference, unless it occurs when two or more eligible receivers make a simultaneous and bona fide attempt to reach, catch, or bat a pass. It is also pass interference if an eligible receiver is deflagged prior to touching the ball. In addition, if the pass interference by either player is intentional or unsportsmanlike, his or her team shall be penalized an additional ten yards.
Running Plays
The player directly receiving the ball from center may only cross the line of scrimmage if they are five (5) or more yards from where the ball is snapped.
Scoring Plays and Touchbacks
Touchdowns
A touchdown scored by a male or during a male-to-male play shall be worth six points.
Conversions
An opportunity to score one (1) point from the three yard line, two (2) points from the 10-Yard line, or three (3) points from the 17-yard line shall be granted to the team scoring the touchdown.
- Note: Interceptions of an attempted conversion may be returned. If returned to the end-zone, the intercepting team will be awarded two points.
Safeties
It is a safety when any player in possession of the ball is downed in his or her end zone, or when a ball is fumbled or muffed in one’s own end zone. Exception: when a defensive team’s player intercepts a forward pass or catches a kick between his or her five yard line and the goal line and his or her original momentum carries him or her into the end zone. When the ball is declared dead in his or her team’s possession the ball will come out to the spot of the catch.
- Note: In the case of any foul for which the penalty is accepted, a measurement is from on or behind its (offensive team’s) goal line, it is a safety (e.g. intentional grounding).
Touchbacks
It is a touchback when: a) any kick lands on or behind the receiving team’s goal line; b) the ball goes out-of-bounds behind the goal line c) when a player possessing the ball goes out of bounds or is tackled on, above, or behind the player’s own goal line.
Conduct of Players and Others
Offensive Screen Blocking
The offensive screen block shall take place without contact. The screen blocker shall have his/her hands and arms at his/her side or behind his/her back. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs or body to initiate contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal. A player must be on his/her feet before, during and after executing a screen block.
Interlocked Interference
Teammates of a runner or passer may interfere for him/her by screen blocking but shall not use interlocked interference by grasping or encircling one another in any manner.
Use of Hands or Arms by the Defense
Defensive players must go around the offensive player’s screen block. The arms and hands may not be used as a wedge to contact the opponent. Screen blocks will be judged as legal or illegal similar to how blocks and charges are judged in Basketball.
Runner
- Guarding the Flag belt: Runners shall not flag guard by using their hands, shoulders, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for opponent to pull or remove the flag belt.
- Spinning: Spinning is allowed, however, two full steps must be taken between spins.
- A player on the ground cannot touch a ball carrier.
Loss of Flags
When a runner loses his/her flag belt accidentally, inadvertently or intentionally, play continues and the deflagging reverts to a one-hand tag between the shoulders and knees.
Taunting
Taunting, in any way, is not allowed in Intramural Sports and is considered a dead ball penalty.
