Rules

SFSL 4 on 4 Flag Football Rules

New rules updated 05/01/08 with arrow symbol:

1) UNIFORM RULE

1. • a. (The Jose Fernandez Rule) All players must wear a team shirt of the same color, same logo and with visible numbers.
   
2. • b. Players must wear the same number for the entire season.
   
3. • c. Numbers must be iron-on or tackle-twill. NO Magic Markers or Tape numbers Allowed!
   
4. • d. All players must be wearing there team uniforms by WEEK #1.
   
5. • e. Players may only wear shorts with NO Pockets. If you are wearing shorts with pockets you will be ejected from the game. You can NOT put tape over the pockets. (It’s for every player’s safety!)**
   
6. • f. If a player steps on the field an the referee blows the whistle ready for play and the player or players are not wearing proper uniform as stated on any or all of above rules they will be EJECTED from the entire Game. (NO Exceptions to anyone).
   
7. SFSL will NO LONGER provide flags for any teams. If any player or players forget their flags they will not be allowed to play in the game. No player or players will be allowed to exchange flags during the game.
   
8. (The Jorge Cruz Flag Rule) The ONLY Flags allowed in a SFSL Flag Football Game are the ones with one flag on each side, the Sonic Boom Flag belt with only the cup style flag clips not the round ball or the POPPERS style of clips. Also both flags MUST measure a minimum of 18 inch's from top clip to the end of the flag. Any player or players participating with an illegal flag, flag belt or flag clip holders will be ejected form the game.

1A) Player eligibility rule for each division based on ability.

There will be no exceptions to this rule. (See the Top Gun List to see if your name is in it!)

No more players playing out of positions.

• a. TOP GUN: May carry any players that their playing experience may include (NFL, ARENA, NCAA, SEMI-PRO, PLAYING TOP GUN for ONE or More SEASONS in any league or tournament in the last calendar year 2006.)
• b. Competitive: May only carry 2 players of Top Gun Level.
• c. Recreational: May only carry 1 player of Top Gun Level.
• d. Armchair-QB: May carry NO players of Top Gun Level.
** League Director at any time during the season or play-offs may remove any player or team that is not playing within the eligibility rule **. (There will be no refunds of money!)


2) FORFIETS:

1. If a team or teams does not show-up to play at there schedule game time the game is considered a forfeit. Each team that forfeits a schedule game will have to pay a $75.00 forfeit bond the following week to cover the referee cost. If the team that forfeited the game the previous week does not pay the forfeit bond fee. That team will be dropped from the league schedule. There will be no refunds of any kind for this action.

2. If a team forfeit twice in the same season they will be dropped from the league. There will be no refunds of any kind for this action.

3. If a team paid the league fees up front but they forfeit there schedule game they will have to pay $35.00 forfeit fee.

4. All roster must be certified with an SFSL seal by an SFSL staff by the end of half way point in the season. If your roster is not certified your team will forfeit the chance to participate in the play-off.

3) PLAYERS CHANGING TEAMS RULE:

a. No player may play on two different teams the same night, also no player/players may be pick-up by a team to fill there roster for any game. If a player/players play for any other team his team will forfeit their game and the team he/she or they play on will also forfeit their game.
b. Any player/players or team that repeats rule 3a the he/she/they or the entire team will be suspended for the rest of the season. There will be no refunds of money!


4) Game (General):

a. A coin toss will determine starting possession. The winner of the toss will have choice of offense, defense, or direction. The loser of the toss will have the remaining option. Choices will change at the start of the second half.

b. The offense will take possession at their five (5) yard line, where it has three (3) downs to cross midfield. If successful, the team will have three (3) downs to score.

c. All possessions begin at the five (5) yard line, with the exception of interceptions, which may be returned and the ball spotted where it becomes dead.

d. Teams must field a minimum of four (4) players. Teams may only use players from their roster; they may not grab players from the sidelines. Teams may begin the game with three (3) players.

e. A player may not switch teams once the season starts. Special circumstances may prevail, but must be approved by the league director.

f. Each Team will provide COMPLETE (Each Players: Names, Address, Phones, email, & Signature) ROSTERS before the first game of the season. You may have a maximum of eight (8) players (4 on the field and 4 substitutes).

g. Each player must play in a minimum of fifty percent of the season, in order to be eligible to play in the playoffs.

h. Players may only wear ½ inch cleats or rubber studded shoes. Metal spikes or cleats are prohibited.

i. SFSL reserves the right to reduce, shorten, or reschedule games due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. (It is very strongly recommended that all your players show 30 minutes before schedule game time.)

j. Starting in January 2007 NO ONE will be allowed to play in a South Florida Sports League event or program without a WAIVER form completely filled out and signed along with a copy of your Driver License.



5) Timing / Overtime:

a. Games will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves. A running clock format will be used, except for the last two (2) minutes of the game, provided the point differential is less than fourteen (14) points.
b. Each team will have two (2) thirty (30) second time-outs per half. If a timeout is called before an extra point is attempted the clock will start when the ball is hiked, unless the score is less then (14) points and in the second half.

c. Officials may stop the clock at any time for administrative purposes.

1. d. Should the score remain tied at the end of regulation, team will go directly into overtime.
   
   A coin toss will determine starting possession. The winner of the toss will have choice of starting on offense or defense. The loser of the toss will have choice of direction for the entire overtime. Each team will be provided one (1) time-out for the entire over-time (no carry over). Each team will have one (1) plays to score from an extra point. The offensive team may elect to go for two (2) points on the first round. Should the defense return an interception for a touchdown, the game is over.
   
2. Should the score remain tied at the end of the first overtime period, the teams move directly into the second overtime period? The team that started on defense will now start on offense. Each team will have one extra point (1) play from the twelve (12) yard line to score.
   
3. The third overtime is one (1) play longest yards the team that gains the most yardages will be declared the winner. The winner in overtime will be awarded one (1) point to the final score, including all the scoring during the overtime.

e. The last two minutes of the half and the game, the game and play clock will be controlled by the lead officials.



6) Scoring:

a. Touchdown = 6 Points
b. Point after Touchdown = 1 Point from five (5) yard line, or two (2) points from the twelve (12) yard line.
c. PAT Intercepted and returned for a Score = 2 Points
d. Safety = 2 Points
e. It's a score or a first down when a player's one flag only and ball crosses the goal line or first down line marker.



7) Running:

a. The quarterback can only run the ball after he has made a complete exchange with another player (Officials must see the exchange). The quarterback is defined as the first player to receive the ball after the snap.

b. Only direct handoff's behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. The offense may use multiple handoffs. If the ball ends up in the original quarterback’s possession, he may run the ball; however the five (5) count is stopped.

c. Lateral or pitches of any kind are PROHIBITTED.

d. “No Run Zones,” are located five (5) yards on either side of midfield, and five (5) yards from each end zone.

e. A player, who receives a handoff behind the line of scrimmage, may throw a forward pass.

f. Spinning is allowed, however players cannot leave their feet to avoid a flag pull or a defender.

g. Diving is PROHIBITTED

h. The ball is spotted where the player’s flags are located, NOT where the ball is located at the time of the pull.

i. You may run the option or ride play. The quarterback may only take three (3) steps prior to handing off or pulling the ball back.

j. You may run the center sneak play, provided the quarterback completely releases the ball prior to the center moving down field. The five (5) second count is suspended upon the exchange.

k. It's a score or a first down when a player's one flag only and ball crosses the goal line or first down line marker.

l. The last man rule: If a player is attempting to score and he is prevented from scoring by a penalty (holding, tackling, tripping, pushing etc.) committed by a defender who is the last possible player who could have legally prevented the score, the offensive player will be awarded the score. The same rule applies to a defensive player returning an interception.


m . Illegal Contact/Charging by an Offensive Player - 5 yards from the spot of the foul.

No offensive player shall dislodge or run over a defender who has established a legal defensive position and is attempting to pull a flag.

Explanation: There has been an increase in the amount of contact created by offensive players when turning their hips into a player to avoid flag pulls. While these maneuvers are legal and an integral part of the game, running over or throwing your hips forcefully into a defender who has established a legal position is illegal contact and will be penalized.



8) Passing / Receiving:

a. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback provided the ball has been handed off).

b. Only one player allowed in motion.

c. A completion is established upon the first foot touching the ground with possession.

d. (The Rick Obara Rule) All pass attempts must be forward and cross the line of scrimmage

e. Shovel passes are allowed, provided they cross the line of scrimmage

f. The quarterback has a “five (5)” second pass clock if there is no rush. The ball is declared dead if it has not been RELEASED prior to the whistle. The count is suspended upon a rush, or handoff.

g. Interceptions are live, and may be returned. The interception will retain possession at the point where downed.

9) Dead Ball:

a. The ball must be snapped through the centers legs, not off to the side to start play.
b. Substitutions may be made during any dead ball period.
c. The center must have BOTH flags on his belt at the snap of every play. If the ball is snapped with the center having one or no flags on his belt the play will be stopped and the team would lose that play.

c. Play is ruled “dead,” when:
i. Ball carrier’s flag is pulled
ii. Ball carrier is out of bounds
iii. A touchdown or safety is scored
iv. Ball carrier’s flag falls out
v. Ball carrier losses possession of the ball (NO FUMBLES)



10) Rushing the Quarterback:

a. All players who rush the quarterback must be lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap.
b. The rusher must pick a side for protection, no head-up rushing.
c. The rusher is protected on a STRAIGHT LINE to the quarterback; once the rusher changes his initial direction he is no longer protected.
d. Once the ball is handed off, the rusher is no longer protected.
e. The rusher may not initiate contact with the center.



11) Ejections and Sportsmanship:

a. If the officials witness ANY acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or other unnecessary conduct, the offender will be EJECTED. (The player or players will be automatically suspended for 2 games.)

b. Trash talking is illegal. Officials will determine what is and what is not offensive in nature. Offenders are subject to ejection. (The player or players will be automatically suspended for 2 games.)

c. ** Any player, players, team, teams and/or fans using abusive language or threaten an official or any SFSL staff member before, during, or after the game. This is the Florida law as of 10/01/2004. Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed a sports officials’ protection bill, giving Florida sports officials at all levels of competition added protection from assaults effective Oct. 1. With the governor’s signature, Florida becomes the 18th state to specifically pass legislation protecting sports officials. The new law, which was unanimously approved by the Florida Senate and House, provides enhanced penalties for assault, battery, aggravated assault or aggravated battery against sports officials. Those crimes against officials could now result in fines up to $10,000 and three years in jail.**

d. Any player ejected for fighting (throwing punches, slapping, or other physical contact) will be automatically suspended for the remainder of the season.

(It does not matter if you started or were defending yourself If you swing or push you are gone for the season.) (Directors Discretion) (There will be no refunds of money!)

e. (The Joe Raider rule) There is No Cursing allowed in the park that (SFSL) has a permit. Any (player or players) that use any curse words before, during or after a game will receive unsportsmanlike like conduct penalty with the proper enforcement. (If this occurs before or after the game the player will ejected from the park and will serve a two game suspension.) If the same player or players receive a second penalty for cursing. The (player or players) will be ejected from the game and suspended from the next game.

f. Any (player or players) that (is/are) ejected from the game will have 1 minute leave the entire park. The Teams are responsible for there (Players/fans/spectator) playing or watching the game if he, she or they can not maintain good conduct will be asked to leave the park. The referee will stop the game and anyone Player ejected or any (fan/spectator) will have 1 minute leave the entire park. If anyone refuses to leave the (game/field). The game will be stopped and the opposing team will awarded the victory by forfeit. If the ejection occurs during the last minute of the game the ejection will be enforced the next 2 games If the ejection occurs the last regular season game, the offender will be suspended for the ENTIRE playoffs. Any player or players that get ejected twice in the same season will be suspended for the remainder of the season. NO EXCEPTIONS! (There will be no refunds of money!)

g. (The Jonathan “Tronky” Cruz Rule): Any (Player or Players) who speak to an official in a or Make a Negative derogatory comments of personal nature, curses, or makes threatening comments at an official will be suspended from the game and the next 3 games (This also means suspended from all game day the players play in).

g1. Also any Referee that Speaks to or Make a Negative derogatory comments of personal nature, curses, or makes threatening comments at a player. That Referee will be suspended for the next three weeks. (This also means suspended from all game days the referee works.)

g2. If this offense happens a second time with the same player or referee. The player(s) and/or the referee will be suspended from the entire season.



12) Penalties:
(All fouls called by the officials: Referee, Field Judge, And Back Judge)

a. Offense:
i. False Start: 5 yards, down repeated
ii. Illegal Motion: 5 yards, loss of down
iii. Illegal Forward Pass: 5 yards, loss of down
iv. Offensive Pass Interference: 10 yards, loss of down
v. Flag Guarding: 5 yards from the spot the foul, loss of down
vi. Impeding the Rusher: 5 yards, loss of down
vii. Delay of Game: 1st offense: clock stops, warning 2nd offense: clock stops, 5 yards, down repeated
viii. Illegal Contact/Charging by an Offensive Player - 5 yards from the spot of the foul.

b. Defense:
i. Encroachment: 5 yards, down repeated
ii. Defensive Pass Interference: 10 yards, first down
iii. Illegal Contact: 10 yards, first down
iv. Holding: 5 yards from the end of the run, first down
v. Illegal Flag Pull: 10 yards, first down
vi. Illegal Rush: 5 yards, first down
vii. All penalties are enforced from the line of scrimmage, unless noted.
viii. Officials will determine incidental contact that may result during play.
ix. Games can not end a defensive foul, unless declined.

13) Player Awards:

All awards are based on players performance during the season.

Best Quarterback based on a (QB Rating system.)

Best Wide Receiver based on a (WR Rating system.)

Best Defensive Back based on (D. B. Rating system.)

Best Defensive Rusher based on (D. L. Rating system.)