Flag Football coming this Spring!  It is a 4-4 format with
two 14 minute halves.  There is NO COST!   Teams are encouraged
to have matching shirts or jerseys.  Games are from 6pm- 8pm
on Sundays beginning this Spring at Festival Foothills Park. 

The league will run 7 weeks total; 6 weeks plus a playoff week. 
There will be NO GAMES on the Fourth of July Weekend.

Players are encouraged to form their own team.   Ideal teams have
6-8 players; enough to field a team each week and allow everyone
to play.   If you would like to register as a free agent, our sports
director will place you on a team.  For more information, email
sports@sunvalleyfamily.org.

Click here to read the RULES

The Church at Sun Valley  4 on 4 Flag Football League Rules

The Game

· No contact allowed

· A coin toss determines first possession.   Teams can elect to have offense, defense, defer, or direction.  Choice in the 2^nd half will be awarded to the team that did not have 1st half election.

· The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has four plays to cross mid-field.  Once a team crosses mid-field they have four plays to score.  If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession.

· If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession.  All drives start from the 5-yard line except interceptions.

Game Clock Format

· Each game is 30 minutes long. Two 14-minute halves and a 2-minute halftime, the clock will not stop unless a time out has been called or the official feels it is necessary.

· Each time the ball is spotted the offensive team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. (Officials will warn the offense when there are 10 seconds left to snap the ball).

· Teams may not snap the ball until the officials are set.  NO QUICK SNAPS!

· There will be NO pro clock in effect, regardless of score and time.

Time Outs

· Each team has two time out per game.

· Time outs will only stop the game clock for 30 seconds. The offense must snap at the completion of the time out.

· If a time out is called after a touchdown the clock will not run during the extra point.

Attire

· Shirts must be tucked in.

· Flags must be worn on each side of the players’ hips.

· No pockets are allowed on shorts or pants.

Scoring

· TD = 6 points

· Extra point- 5 yards out = 1 point, 12 yards out = 2 points.

· Safety = 2 points

Rushing the Quarterback

· Players that rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

· Players that are not 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there has been a change of possession.

· The official will designate 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

· The rusher is allowed a direct line to the quarterback as long as he rushes from either side of the field and not up the middle.  The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher.

Running

· The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been handed off to him.

· Teams may handoff, pitch, or throw back the football in the backfield only.

· The player who receives the pitch or handoff may throw the ball as long as he is not beyond the line of scrimmage.

· Multiple handoffs and pitches are allowed in the backfield.

· If the ball is placed on the “Back” of ANY Player on or off  the line of scrimmage, the player MUST run the ball, no give and go to the QB

· No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone.

· The ball is spotted where the flag was pulled.

· The leading flag must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.  The ball does not have to cross.

· Players may not block at any time. Once a player begins to run all other players must stop.

· Players may not leap or jump in an effort to avoid having their flag pulled or to advance the ball.

Passing

· The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, the play is dead, resulting in a loss of down. The ball returns to the line of scrimmage. (Once the ball has been handed off or pitched there is no 5-second count).

· Intentional grounding is not a penalty.

· If the defensive team rushes the quarterback there is no 5-second count.

· Interceptions may be returned.

· The rusher may not hit the quarterbacks’ arm, or knock the ball out of the quarterbacks’ hand. The rusher must play the flags.

Receiving

· All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched back or handed off behind the line of scrimmage.

· Players must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.

· Players that run out of bounds during a play are not eligible to come back in a make a reception.

Start of a Play

· There are no quick snaps; both officials must be set before the ball is snapped.

· Players may not be moving forward when the ball is snapped.

· The ball must be snapped between the legs with the center facing the line of scrimmage to start the play.

Play is ruled dead when:

· The offensive players flag is pulled.  Note if a defensive player pulls the offensive players flag before they receive the ball, the defense must pull the second flag to end the play.

· Ball carrier steps out of bounds.

· Touchdown is scored.

· Ball carriers’ knee touches the ground.

· Incomplete pass.

· Ball hits the ground.

· If a player loses a flag unintentional, the defense only has to touch the ball carrier, not pull the flag.

Defensive Penalties:

· Offside-Illegal Rush.

· Pass interference /Face Guarding (must play/look at ball).

· Illegal contact (holding, bump and run, blocking) * Note the officials will determine incidental contact which may result from normal run of play.

· Roughing the quarterback the rusher may not knock the ball out of the quarterback’s hand or bump into them.

· Holding-Spot foul from infraction.

· Excessive contact – even if the defender is making a play on the ball.  If the official feels it was intentional or with intent to harm the player will be ejected from the game and may be removed from the tournament.

· All defensive penalties are five yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down except holding which is added on to the end of the play and illegal rush, which is replay down.

Offensive Penalties:

· Illegal motion /False Start. Not a loss of down.

· Pass interference (illegal pick, pushing off defender).

· Impeding the rush (the offensive players must avoid the rusher).

· Flag guarding (players must keep their hands above their waist).

· Charging (the offensive player must avoid the defender if they are set).

· Delay of game (all delay of game penalties stop the clock)

· Blocking -All Offensive players must be still if a player is running the ball

· Excessive contact – If the official feels it was intentional or with intent to harm the player will be ejected from the game

· All offensive penalties are five yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down except flag guarding which is from the point of infraction.

Sportsmanship / Roughing


No Foul Language.

· Trash talking will not be tolerated.  The official has the right to determine language that is offensive.  (Trash talking is language that may be considered offensive to the official, opposing team, or spectators).  The official may eject players from the game for trash talking.

· If the official witnesses any act of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, or any other sportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game.

· UNSPORTSMAN-LIKE CONDUCT IS A 15 YD PENALTY

· The league director will eject the player from the league if necessary.

FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!

Overtime Extra Point Shoot Out

· A coin flip determines first possession.

· Each team has one possession in overtime.

· They may elect to go for one or two points.

· If the score is tied at the end of the first overtime teams will go into a second, third, fourth … until one teams scores more points than the other.

· The winning team in overtime is awarded one additional point.

· Interceptions in OT are considered a Dead Ball.

Keep in mind, this is a church league.  We will pray before each game and expect all players to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.  Expect families to come and watch the games.  Be a good example to the little eyes watching you. 

HAVE FUN!!!