Traditional Flag Rules
Team
1. A team may carry a maximum of 10 players on its roster.
2. All players must be of appropriate age.
3. A roster must be completed before the beginning of the season and is subject to random checks
Through out the season.
4. You must be on the roster to play.
5. A maximum of 5 players on the field at one time and 5 minimum to play.
6. If a team can’t replace an injured player or an ejected player with another player causes the team to fall below the 5 player limit, the team must forfeit.
7. Fighting will not be tolerated!! All players wrestling, swinging,kicking or punching will be suspended from playing a number of games determined by Spotlight Sports League Management.
A second suspension for fighting will result in a ban from further league play during the remainder of
the season. Coaches will be notified of any and all suspensions and there will be no refund for the
suspended player.
8. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties called on a player in a game will result in an automatic
suspension
9. Unsportsmanlike conduct including but not limited to: loud swearing, taunting opponents, excessive
arguing with referees, behavior that becomes detrimental to the game, etc is judged solely by the game
officials. A warning is NOT required from a referee.
Field and Equipment
1. The field will consist of 3 first down zones and 2 end zones.
2. No boots or street shoes. No pants or shorts with pockets or belt loops. No hats with bills or brims
are allowed.
3. All plastic or metal leg braces must be covered with sweatpants or other padded material.
4. No jewelry including but not limited to necklaces, earrings, watches, bracelets, etc.
5. Shirts must be tucked into shorts, football jerseys may not hang over flags or belts.
6. All teams must have a numbered, uniformed color shirt.
7. All players are required to wear a mouth protection piece.
Rules
1. Offense teams must have a minimum of 3 players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
One of those players must be within 5 yards of the ball.
2. Defender may not enter the neutral zone designated by the on field markers until the ball is snapped.
3. It is the ball carrier’s responsibility to avoid contact at all times. Ball carrier may not charge a defender
or lower head or shoulder to barrel over the defender.
4. Ball carrier may spin to avoid his/her flag getting pulled, however, he/she may not flag guard to
advance the ball.
5. Flag guarding is illegal. Ball carriers may not stiff arm, push or slap another player’s arm away to avoid
having flag pulled.
6. Defenders may not strip or punch the ball from another player who has possession of the ball.
7. A fumble is a dead ball and the ball will be spotted at the line of scrimmage with a loss of down or
change of possession.
8. Dropped/bad snaps are dead and the ball will be placed at the line of scrimmage with a loss of down.
9. Blocking is allowed with open hands between the shoulders and the waist. You may not use your
forearms, elbows or shoulders while blocking whether on offense or defense.
10. Player may not push another player out of bounds. This is a personal foul.
11. Defenders are allowed to jam a receiver outside 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.
12. Holding the ball carrier to get his flags is illegal. If the defender grabs the shirt trying to get the flag
he/she must release it immediately or it is a holding call.
13. If a player loses their flag they are down where it came off or at the referee’s (common sense)
discretion. If a player loses his flag then gets possession of the ball, he is down by first touch from
an opposing player.
14. There will be two 20 minute halves. The clock will only stop for time outs and injuries.
15. Each team receives 2 timeouts per half.
16. Each team will get 1 point for extra point made from the 2 yard line and 2 points from the 10 yard line.
There is no kicking. These are offensive plays.
17. If a ball is intercepted and returned for a touchdown during an extra point, the team will receive 2
points for that play.
18. Each half will start with the team on their 5 yard line. After each score, the start spot is the same. If a
team turns it over on downs then the offense takes over at that spot. If the ball is intercepted, the team
will get the ball at the point the interception return ended.
19. One foot is needed to be in bounds.
20. There is a 30 second play clock and it begins when the ball is placed.
21. Player is down when his knee touches the ground or his flag is pulled.
22. If an offensive player leaves the field, he is not eligible to receive the ball.
23. One coach is allowed on the field for each team before and after plays.
Penalties
1. Flag Guarding - 5 yards from spot of violation.
2. Offside / Encroachment - 5 yards from line of scrimmage.
3. Illegal Block / Clipping - 5 yards from line of scrimmage no loss of down.
4. Holding - 5 yards from the spot of the foul no loss of down.
5. 1st Personal Foul -10 yards and a warning.
6. 2nd Personal Foul – ejection.
7. More than 5 players on the field - 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
8. Illegal Forward Pass - 5 yards from the spot of the violation and loss of down.
9. Illegal Formation - 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
10. Tripping - 5 yards from the spot of the foul.
11. Roughing the Passer - 10 yards added to the end of the play.
12. 20 Second Violation - 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.
12. Defensive Pass Interference Spot of the Foul - automatic first down.
14. Offensive Pass Interference - 10 yards from line of scrimmage loss of down.
15. Double Foul Offsetting Penalties - replay the down.
16. Offensive Charging - 5 yards from the spot of the foul.
17. Defensive Holding - 5 yards added onto the play.