The University of Tennessee at Martin
1020 Elam Center
Martin, TN 38238
Flag Football
All games will be played on the Elam Center fields located behind the Elam Center.
Intramural sports are offered to UT Martin students on a voluntary basis and each student participates at his/her own risk. Participants are responsible for ensuring that they are physically fit to participate in the selected sport(s), and are encouraged to check with their family physician or Student Health prior to participation.
The officiating will be done by officials who are in absolute control of the game. The official shall have the power to make decisions on any matters or questions not specifically covered in the rules.
Game time is forfeit time!
The NIRSA Flag Football Rules will govern for any rules not mentioned in the following rules:
1.1 Inform team of game time and playing field; remind all players to bring their UTM ID card.
1.2 Record starting lineup (player’s first and last name) prior to game time.
1.3 Represent team at all discussions with game officials.
1.4 Keep control of team in high stress situations.
1.5 Keep their spectators under control.
1.6 Know and understand all intramural rules and procedures and share with all team members.
1.7 Team captains should check the rec check hotline at 881-7007 when games are questionable due to bad weather.
2.1 Players must wear tennis shoes, rubber cleated shoes, or shoes with molded smooth cleats. Metal or plastic cleats, street shoes, or bare feet are prohibited.
2.2 Headwear
a. Players may wear headwear if it is a knit or stocking cap. The cap may have no bill.
b. Headwear containing any hard, unyielding, stiff materials, including billed hats, or items containing exposed knots are not permitted.
c. Players may wear a headband no wider than 2 inches and made of nonabrasive unadorned single-colored cloth, elastic, fiber, soft leather or rubber. Rubber or cloth elastic bands may be used to control hair.
2.3 Protective padding is prohibited.
2.4 Pads, braces, or cast worn above the waist are not permitted.
2.5 Pants or shirts with any belt(s), belt loop(s), pockets(s), or exposed drawstring(s) are not permitted.
2.6 Any type of jewelry (rings, necklaces, or ear rings) is prohibited.
2.7 Leg and knee braces made of hard, unyielding material, unless covered on both sides and all edges overlapped and any other hard substance is covered with at least ½ inch of closed cell slow recovery rubber or other material of similar thickness and physical properties is not allowed.
2.8 Players of opposing teams must wear shirts and flag belts of contrasting color. The Office of Campus Recreation will supply scrimmage vest and flag belts.
2.9 Each player must wear a T-shirt with sleeves underneath the vest.
2.10No article of clothing may cover any part of the flag belt. All jerseys, shirts, etc. must be tucked in, in their length covers the flag belts. No towels may be tucked in or around the waist.
2.11Flag belts must not have any knots tied in them.
2.12Individual team jerseys are permissible with the following requirements.
a. Every player must wear the same color jersey.
b. Must be of a contrasting color to the opposing team.
c. Must be of a contrasting color to their flag belts.
2.13 Players may use personal equipment, provided it is approved by the Recreational
Supervisor prior to the start of the game.
2.14 Teams must use the ball provided by The Office of Campus Recreation, unless
both teams can agree on the use of another ball.
2.15 Players may carry a playbook inside their clothing as long as it is not made of
any unyielding material. Playbooks may also be warn outside the clothing on a wristband.
2.16 Should there be any question regarding the legality of any equipment, the
supervisor will make the final ruling.
Note: Wearing illegal
player equipment during a down is a ten-year penalty, unsportsmanlike conduct.
3.1 A game consists of two halves. Each lasting twenty-two (22) minutes with a continuous running clock. There will be a five (5) minute half time.
3.2 At the end of the first half teams change ends of the field.
3.3 In the last two minutes of the second half of play the clock will stop for a(n):
a. Incomplete pass—starts on the snap
b. Out-of-Bounds—starts on the snap
c. Safety—starts on the snap
d. Team time-out—starts on the snap
e. First down—dependent on the previous play
f. Touchdown—starts on the snap (after the try)
g. Penalty and administration—dependent on the previous play (Exception: Delay of game—starts on the snap)
h. Referee’s time-out—starts at his/her discretion
i. Touchback—starts on the snap
j. Change of possession—dependent on the previous play
k. Team attempting to conserve time illegally—starts on the ready
l. Team attempting to consume time illegally—starts on the snap
3.4 The halves end when time expires.
3.5 Should a game in progress be called off due to inclement weather, a completed first half and half of the second half will constitute a game.
3.6 A game cannot end in a tie. Additional playing time will be allowed in order to determine a winner. (Rule 25)
3.7 PAT attempts will be un-timed in the last 2 minutes of the second half.
4.1 Each team is allowed two (2) one (1)-minute time-outs during each half. Time outs cannot be carried over.
4.2 A time-out may be called by either team only during a dead ball situation.
4.3 No time-outs are allowed during Tie-breaker play.
5.1 Substitutions may occur only during a dead ball, must be immediate, and must be announced to the official
5.2 The player entering the field must obtain a flag belt from the player they are substituting for.
6.1 Games are played 7 on 7 with minimum of 5 players to start and continue play.
6.2 The offensive team must have at least four (4) players on their scrimmage line at the snap. The remaining players must be either on their scrimmage line or behind their backfield line. All players must be inbounds.
6.3 All plays must originate with a snap from the center. This snap must be received two yards behind the offensive scrimmage line.
6.4 All players not in the game must remain within the 20 – 40 yard line markers and 2 yards off the sideline on their designated side of the field.
6.5 All spectators must remain on the opposite side of the field behind fence.
6.6 Each team is allowed 2 designated coaches on the sideline, and those coaches must be registered on the team roster.
6.7 Only dressed players and coaches are allowed on the team’s sideline.
The neutral zone is that area one yard form the forward point of the ball to the defensive teams scrimmage line, equaling one yard.
Note: The defensive team must line up one (1) yard from the offensive
team’s scrimmage line.
8.1 Toss of the coin—Three minutes before the start of the game, the referee will conduct a captain’s meeting in which he/she will designate which captain shall call the toss of the coin. The captain winning the toss will choose either:
a. To choose whether his/her team will first be offense or defense.
b. To choose the goal his/her team will defend. The captain, not having the first choice of options for a half, shall exercise the remaining option.
8.2 Each half begins with the ball being first played from the fourteen (14) yard line. This is where possession will begin after all scores and touchbacks.
8.3 Each team will receive 4 downs (tries) to advance the ball to the next zone line.
These lines are the 20 and 40 yard lines.
For example: The first play of the game the offensive team only has to break the plane of the 20 yard line, for a first down.
8.4 The ball must be put into play no more than 25 seconds after the official has placed the ball.
8.5 Men’s women’s team needs 5 players to start the game. Co-rec teams must have 6 players.
8.6 At the point of a change of possession the team who has just gained possession
may choose which hash mark to play from (right or left). After that, if the ball goes out of bounds on the left it will be spotted on the left hash mark and vice versa on the right of the field.
9.1 The playing field is divided into four-twenty (20) yard zones and two ten (10) yard end zones. The zone-line-to-gain is the zone in advance of the ball, unless distance has been lost due to penalty or failure to gain yardage.
9.2 When distance has been lost, the original zone in advance of the ball at the beginning of the series of downs remains the zone-line-to-gain.
9.3 A new series of four (4) downs shall be awarded when:
a. A team moves the ball on or over the original zone-line-to-gain free from penalty.
b. A penalty against the opponents moves the ball into the next zone.
c. Either team obtains legal possession of the ball as a result of failure to gain the zone in advance of the ball, a penalty, a free kick, a kick from scrimmage, or a pass interception.
10.1 When the flag belt is taken from the runner, the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. The spot of the ball is ball is determined at the point where the clip of the flag belt becomes detached, not where the belt falls to the ground.
10.2 The player must have possession of the ball before they can be legally de-flagged.
10.3 A player who removes the flag belt from the ball carrier should immediately drop the flag at the spot of the capture.
10.4 If during a play, the ball carrier’s flag belt inadvertently falls off, play continues, and the de-flagging reverts to a one-hand touch of the ball carrier between the shoulders and the knees.
10.5 In attempt to remove the flag belt from the ball carrier, defensive players may contact or the body of an opponent with his/her hands. A defensive player may not hold, push or knock the ball carrier down in an attempt to remove the flag.
10.6 No player shall attempt to steal the ball, trip an opponent, contact an opponent who is on the ground, make unnecessary contact with an opponent, deliberately dive or run into an opponent or tackle the ball carrier. Penalty: personal foul, 10 yards (flagrant offenders will be ejected).
10.7 The ball becomes dead when:
a. A legal de-flagging occurs
b. The ball carrier touches the ground with any part any part of their body other than the hands or feet.
c. A fumble hits the ground.
d. A snap from the center touches the ground.
11.1The snapper, after assuming position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may neither move nor change the position of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of a play until it is snapped. An infraction of this provision may be penalized, whether or not the ball is snapped; and the penalty for any resultant encroachment or contact foul by an opponent shall be cancelled.
11.2 When over the ball the snapper shall have his/her feet behind his/her scrimmage line (first ball spotter-orange)
11.3 The snapper shall pass the ball back from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion of the hand(s). The ball shall leave the hand(s) in this motion.
11.4 No players shall interlock legs at the scrimmage line.
11.5 Players on offense and defense may use a two, three, or four point stance.
11.6 No player may make contact or interfere with an opponent or the ball before it is snapped.
11.7 After the ball is ready for play and until it is snapped, no player on defense may encroach, touch the ball, nor may any player contact opponents or in any way interfere with them.
11.8 At least four (4) offensive players must be on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
11.9 All offensive players must momentarily be inbounds within 15 yards of the ball before the ball is snapped.
11.10 One offensive player who is at least three yards behind the line of the scrimmage may be in motion, but not toward the opponent’s goal line.
11.11 All offensive players, with the exception of the one in motion, must be stationary in their positions for one full second without movement of the feet, body, head, or arms.
11.12 The offensive team must have at least four (4) players on their scrimmage line (first ball spotter-orange) at the snap.
11.13 No offensive player, while on the scrimmage line may receive a snap. The player who receives the snap must be at least two (2) yards behind the offensive scrimmage line.
11.14 The offense has twenty-five (25) seconds to put the ball in play each down after the officials has signaled the ball ready for play.
11.15 Offensive players are responsible for retrieving the ball after a down has ended.
12.1 Fumbles are dead when the ball touches the ground.
12.2 The ball is put into play at the point where the ball first touched the ground.
12.3 Any passed or fumbled ball that does not touch the ground may be advanced by any player catching the ball.
12.4 A ball fumbled into the offensive teams end-zone will result in a safety. If the ball is fumbled into the opponent’s end-zone the result is a touchback (opponent’s ball on their 15 yard line.)
13.1Screen blocking is the only permissible form of blocking and is only legal on or behind the line of scrimmage.
13.2 Screen blocking is defined as legally obstructing an opponent without contacting him/her with any part of the body.
13.3 While screen blocking the player must keep his/her hands to the side or behind the back with both feet on the ground. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs, or body to initiate contact during an offensive player’s screen block is illegal. Penalty: Personal foul.
13.4 A blocker shall not:
a. When he/she is behind a stationary opponent, take a position closer than a normal step from him/her.
b. Take a position so close to a moving opponent that this cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing directions.
c. After assuming his/her legal screening position, move to maintain it, unless he/she moves in the same direction and path of his/her opponent.
13.5 If contact is made flush into the body the foul will be assigned defense.
13.6 If contact is made on the side of the body the foul will be against the offense.
14.1 The ball carrier shall not grasp a teammate or be grasped, pulled, or pushed by a teammate.
14.2 Ball carriers shall not guard their flags (any act to prevent the defender from removing the flag) or obstruct an opponent with extended hand or arm.
14.3 Defensive players shall not hold, grasp, or obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when attempting to remove the flag belt or make a legal tag.
14.4 Defensive players must go around the offensive player’s screen block.
14.5 Teammates of a runner or passer may interfere for him/her by screen blocking, but shall not use interlocked interference by grouping or encircling one another in any manner.
15.1 Players shall not bat a loose ball other than a pass or muff in flight.
15.2 A backward pass in flight shall not be batted forward by the passing team.
15.3 No player shall participate by touching the ball or hindering an opponent after having been out-of-bounds. This does not include being illegally blocked or pushed out-of-bounds.
16.1 Any player may hand the ball backward at any time.
16.2 During a scrimmage down, a team player may hand the ball forward behind the line only:
a. To any line player who has clearly faced his/her goal line by moving both feet in a half-turn and is at least 1 yard behind the line when he/she receives the ball.
b. To a teammate who, at the snap, was behind his/her scrimmage line or on an end of his/her line and was not the snapper.
17.1 A backward pass or fumble may be caught in flight inbounds by any player and advanced.
17.2 A backward pass or fumble which goes out-of-bounds between the goal lines belongs to the team last in possession at the out-of-bounds spot unless lost on downs. If out-of-bounds behind a goal line it is a touchback or safety.
17.3 A backward pass or fumble which touches the ground inbounds between the goal lines is dead at the spot where it touches the ground and belongs to the team last in possession unless lost on downs.
18.1 All players are eligible to touch or catch a pass.
18.2 A forward pass is illegal if:
a. The passers foot is beyond the scrimmage line when the ball leaves his/her hands.
b. The ball is thrown after team possession has changed during the down.
c. The ball is thrown intentionally to the ground or out-of-bounds.
d. There is more than one forward pass per down.
e. A passer catches his/her own pass. Unless touched by a defender first.
18.3 An offensive player, who goes out-of-bounds on his/her own violation during a passing play, is not eligible to receive a pass until the ball is touched by an opponent.
19.1A pass is ruled complete when caught by a player inbounds. The part of the person’s body (normally one foot) which touches the ground first, after the catch, must be inside (not on or outside) the boundary line.
19.2 A legal pass caught simultaneously by members of opposing teams becomes dead and belongs to the team that put the ball in play at that spot.
20.1 During a down in which a legal forward pass is thrown, contact by either the offense or defense which interferes with an eligible receiver who is beyond the scrimmage lines 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.
20.2 It is pass interference if the eligible receiver is de-flagged/flagged prior to touching the ball on a pass thrown beyond the line of scrimmage.
21.1 On fourth down or any preceding down, the offense may choose to kick the ball (punt). All scrimmage kicks must be announced to the referee who will immediately inform the defense of the decision. Once the decision is made it is final. However, if a team time-out is called the kicking team must re-declare the protected scrimmage kick.
21.2 The kicker and kicking team must remain and kick the ball behind his/her line of scrimmage.
21.3 The receiver and receiving team must remain and receive the ball behind his/her line of scrimmage.
21.4 Once the ball is kicked the receiver has the option of receiving the kick or letting it strike the ground.
21.5 If the ball goes out-of-bounds the ball becomes dead and is spotted at the spot where the ball crossed the plane of the side line.
21.6 Once a punt has crossed the scrimmage line and the receiving team has caught the ball in the air, it can be advanced by the receiving team. If the ball is caught by the kicking team, the ball is dead at that spot. If the ball touches the ground it is dead at that point and is in possession of the receiving team.
Forfeited or defaulted game---------------------------------------- 1 point
Safety--------------------------------------------------- 2 points
Touchdown-------------------------------------------- 6 points
PAT
from 3 yards---- 1 point
from 10 yards--2 points
from 20 yards--3 points
A Defensive player returning a turnover on a PAT for a score is worth 3 points.
Touchdown verification – the player scoring the touchdown must raise his/her arms so the nearest official can deflag the player. If the player is not deflagged with one pull, and the official determines the flag belt has been secured illegally, the touchdown is disallowed, the player is ejected and there is a five yard foul from the previous post with a loss of down.
It is a safety when:
a. A runner carries the ball from the field of play to or across his/her own goal line, and it becomes dead there in his/her team’s possession.
b. A player forces a loose ball from the field of play to or across his/her goal line by his/her pass, fumble, snap, muff, or bat and the ball subsequently becomes dead there in his/her team’s possession. This includes when the ball is declared dead on or behind their goal line. However, it does not apply to a legal forward pass which becomes incomplete.
c. After a safety, the ball shall be snapped by the scoring team at their own 14 yard line, unless moved by penalty.
If a team is 25 or more points ahead any time after half time the game shall be declared complete.
25.1 If the score is tied when the time has expired the teams will play a tie breaker.
25.2 Pre-Toss Procedures:
In case of a game ending in a tie score, the officials must bring all players and coaches of both teams to the center of field. They will discuss the tie breaker procedures and answer all questions prior to the coin toss. After this meeting the field captains will stay while the remaining players and coaches return to their respective sidelines.
25.3 Tie breakers play:
a. The referee shall toss a coin (or pick a number 1-10) in the presence of the two (2) field captains. The captain winning the toss/number has the remaining choice. Field captains will alternate choices if additional overtime periods are played.
b. Each team will be given 4 downs from the same 10 yard line. The object is to score a touchdown. If the first team which is awarded the ball scores a touchdown, the second team will still have 4 downs to attempt to win the game.
c. PAT will be attempted as scored as indicated in Rule 22
d. Penalties shall be interpreted according to the regular rules of the game..
f. Time-outs are not permitted during overtime periods.
g. Both teams will use the same side of the field.
26.1 If a fight occurs on the playing field, the players involved will be ejected,
and the game will be subject to termination.
26.2 The offended team may have its choice of the penalty or the result of the
play. (note if there is a foul by the defense during a down that results in a successful touchdown, the scoring team may choose to have the foul enforced during the PAT)
26.3 When both teams commit an infraction during the same live ball period,
regardless of the severity, the down is automatically replayed, provided there is no change of possession. If an ejection is warranted, this may occur even though no yardage is assessed.
26.4 When a live ball and dead ball penalty occurs, each is handled on its own
merit, regardless of whether the penalties are on the same or opposing teams.
26.5 A player receiving an unsportsmanlike conduct foul must sit out the next
play. If the team involved is playing with the minimum allowable it is acceptable to play down one player for the play involved.
26.6 If a player receives a second unsportsmanlike penalty, that player will be
ejected
from the game. They must meet with the
Intramural Coordinator or the Director of Campus Recreation. For more
information see page 9 in the Handbook.
26 The following penalties will result in loss of 5 yards from the spot of the foul:
a. Required equipment worn illegally
b. Illegal delay of game (Dead Ball)
c. Unfair tactics
d. Substitution Rules Infractions
e. Putting ball in play before declared ready for play
f. Exceeding 25-second count
g. Illegal ball adjustment by snapper
h. Illegal snap (Dead Ball)
i. Interlocked legs on scrimmage line
j. Interference with opponents or ball
k. Defensive encroachment or interference
l. False Start (Dead Ball)
m. Failure to pause a full second following a huddle or shift
n. Infraction of scrimmage formation (4 person on the line)
o. Player out-of-bounds when ball is snapped
p. Offensive player illegally in motion
q. Player on scrimmage line receiving snap
r. Receiving snap within 2 yards of scrimmage line
s. Offensive player not within 15 yards of ball
t. Intentionally throwing backward pass or fumble out-of-bounds (Loss of down if by offense)
u. Helping the runner
v. Encroachment (Dead Ball)
26.2 The following will result in loss of 5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down:
a. Illegally handing ball forward (loss of down if by offense)
b. Illegal forward pass
c. Intentional Grounding
d. Illegally secured flag.
26.3 The following will result in loss 10 yards:
a. Delaying start of either half
b. Quick Kick
c. Protected scrimmage kick failing to cross scrimmage line
d. Two or more consecutive encroachment during same interval between scrimmage downs
e. Forward pass interference—Offense (loss of downs)
f. Forward pass interference—Defensive (automatic first down)
g. Illegally secured belt on touchdown (loss of down)
h. Unsportsmanlike player conduct
i. Spiking, kicking, throwing, or not returning ball to official during dead ball.
j. Unsportsmanlike conduct by Coaches, Substitutes, or Others
k. Steal, strike, or attempt to steal ball
l. Trip and opponent
m. Contact with opponent on ground
n. Throw runner to the ground
o. Hurdle any player
p. Contact before or after ball is dead
q. Unnecessary contact of any nature
r. Dive or run into player
s. Clipping
t. Position upon shoulders or body
u. Tackle runner
v. Roughing the passer (automatic first down)
w. Illegal offensive screen blocking
x. Interlocked interference
y. Defensive use of hands
z. Guarding the flag belt
aa. Stiff arm
bb. Obstruction of runner
cc. Batting a free ball
dd. Illegal kicking
ee. Illegal participation
ff. Illegal substitute/replace player
gg. Pretended, unfair substitution
hh. Re-entry of disqualified player
ii. Illegal flag belt removal
26.4 The following will result in disqualification with certain 10 yard penalities
a. Flagrant unsportsmanlike player conduct
b. Intentionally kicking at or swinging an arm, hand, or fist at any opposing player
c. Flagrant spiking, kicking, throwing, or not returning the ball to the official
d. Flagrant unsportsmanship conduct by players, coaches, substitutes, or others subject to the rules
e. Intentionally contacting an official
f. Flagrant personal fouls
g. Tackle the runner
h. Intentional tampering with flag belt—Offense (loss of down)
i. Intentional tampering with flag belt—Defense (Automatic first down)
27.1 CoRec Modifications
27.1.1 CoRec Teams consist of four (4) males and four (4) females. A team may play with uneven numbers of men and women so long as the number of either gender does not exceed four (4). A minimum of six (6) players are needed to begin and continue play.
27.1.2 Open/Closed Plays After any change of possession, a team will begin their offensive series with an “open” play. In “open” plays, any gender passer may complete a pass to any gender receiver. During a “closed” play, either the passer or receiver (or both) MUST be a female if the pass is completed.
27.1.3 During the offensive team's possession there may not be 2 consecutive forward pass completions from a male passer to a male receiver. If a male passer completes a forward pass to a male receiver, the next play will be closed. During a closed play, the next forward pass completion must involve either a female passer or a female receiver for positive yards. If a female is involved as the passer and/or receiver during a completed legal forward pass for positive yardage, the next play will be open. A running play or any other play where a forward completed pass is not involved will not open the next play. The spot where the ball becomes dead must be beyond the offensive team's scrimmage line. This rule also applies to the tryforpoint. Penalty: Illegal Forward Pass, 5 yards from the spot where the second consecutive male to male completed forward pass is released, and a loss of down. Any penalty, whether accepted or declined, shall have no effect on whether the play from scrimmage is "open" or "closed".
27.1.4 Male ball carriers are prohibited from advancing the ball across the offensive line of scrimmage prior to the ball being beyond the offensive team’s scrimmage line (this rule does not apply after a change of possession). Penalty: Illegal Procedure, 5 yards from the previous spot.
27.1.5 If a female throws a forward pass to a male receiver behind the offensive team’s scrimmage line and he runs beyond the scrimmage line, it is an illegal forward pass.
27.1.6 A regular, intermediate, junior or youth size football may be used. The offensive team is responsible for getting the desired ball in play.
27.1.7 The offensive team must have (5) players on the line of scrimmage, including the snapper. If a player is in motion, they are not considered to be on the line of scrimmage.
27.1.8 During a punt, the offense must have five (5) players on the line of scrimmage. Players can not advance beyond the scrimmage line until the ball is kicked. Males may advance the ball on a punt.
27.1.9 If a female player scores a touchdown, the point value is nine. If a female player throws a legal forward pass and the end result of the play is a touchdown for that team, the point value is nine. All other touchdowns will be worth six points.
27.1.10If at, or following, the eleven minute mark in the 2nd half one team is ahead by 25 or more points, they will be declared the winner and the contest will end.