Eligibility: All players are eligible to catch or advance the ball.

De-flagged Player: If a player’s flags fall off, is pulled off or does not have a flag belt on, the play is dead at the spot of possession.

Center sneaks are prohibited. 

Quarterbacks under center may not run through the A-gap. 

Shotgun quarterbacks may run through any gap.

Violation of any of the prohibited items would result in an Illegal Procedure

Formation: Only (1) player must be on the LOS to either side of the center, and a formation may not have more than (4) players in the backfield. The offense must maintain an "A Gap" no wider than (1) foot between the center and the adjacent players. Violation is penalized as Illegal Formation.

Snapping: The ball must be snapped from the ground. Side-saddle snaps are legal provided the center’s lead foot is not in front of the ball. If the center's foot is in front of the football it is penalized as Offsides.

Only (1) player may be in motion. 

All shifts require a one-second set. 

Movement toward the line or abrupt movement results in False Start or Illegal Shift.

Prohibited Actions: Spinning, diving, lunging, or jumping (except to avoid a fallen player) are prohibited and results in Illegal Player Movement.

Flag Guarding: Carriers shall not use hands, arms, or shoulders to obstruct access to flags or play results in Flag Guarding.

Fumbles and Mid-Air Recoveries: There are no fumbles in Flag; any ball that hits the ground is immediately dead, but the defense may advance any loose ball caught before it touches the ground.

• Example: If a runner loses possession and a defender catches the ball before it hits the turf, it is an interception and may be returned.

Dropped Balls are dead at the spot. 

Backward Passes that are not caught are considered dead at the spot they hit the ground.

Muff: A failed attempt to catch the ball; under-center muffs are dead at the spot, but shotgun muffs stay live for any offensive backfield player to recover and advance.

• Example: If a QB in shotgun drops the snap, they can pick it up and keep playing, but a dropped snap under center ends the play immediately.

Teams have (4) downs to cross each 20-yard zone line.

A 1st down is awarded as each zone is crossed.

There are (4) 1st down zones on the field – 20, 40, 40, 20

A zone line rewards only (1) first down per possession; crossing that same line again after a penalty or loss of yardage results in no new first down.

• Example: If Team A earns a first down at the 40-yard line but is pushed back to 45 by a penalty, crossing the 40 again does not award a new first down.

First downs are awarded when the forward part of the ball breaks the plane. 

The offense starts at its own 20-yard line unless modified by penalty.

Two (2) coaches per team are permitted on the field. - (2) on Defense and (2) on Offense.

Coaches must remain (5) yards behind the Back Judge at the snap of the ball or be penalized as Interference. 

On-Field Coaches may not physically assist players during a live play.

Field Coaches: Coaches are permitted to have (1) Water Bottle on the field, but it must be kept in pockets or bags.

• A bottle on the field results in Illegal Equipment, while a bottle that trips an opponent result in Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

Recording: Handheld recording is prohibited; using any device (including tablets or phones) to record play results in Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

On Field Cameras: "On Field" coaches cannot have any type of recording device in their hands. 

Reference Media and Communication Devices

A ball lost into the opponent's end zone results in a touchback.

The defense takes possession at its own 20-yard line.

Blockers must remain on their feet; linemen must start in a standing or 2-point stance and are prohibited from interlocked, cross-body, roll, punch, elbow, and knee blocks. Violation will result in an Illegal Block.

Drive-blocking defenders cannot be more than 3 yards. Violation results in a Personal Foul.

Hands must be open with arms extended, contacting only the defender's chest, arms, or shoulders. Violation results in a Personal Foul.

Blockers must maintain contact with the defender's chest, arms, or shoulders. Punch blocking is prohibited. Violation results in a Personal Foul.

Flag belts must remain accessible and worn properly; ball carriers are prohibited from using their body or the ball to prevent a defender from pulling a flag.

Any action denying a legal flag pull constitutes Flag Guarding and is enforced at the Referee’s discretion.

Illegal Guarding: 

• Carriers shall not use hands, arms, elbows, or dipped shoulders to obstruct a flag pull. 

• Swatting a defender’s hands or pinning flags against the body is prohibited.

Judgment: Referees may call Flag Guarding if a runner's motion creates a decisive advantage by blocking a pull attempt.

Exceptions: No penalty shall be called if no defender is within reach or if the flag is successfully pulled despite the guarding attempt.

A legal catch requires a player to have control of the ball with at least one foot in bounds.

Boundary Violations: A player who goes out of bounds on their own accord becomes ineligible. If they return and are the first to touch the ball, it is Illegal Touching.

Simultaneous Catch: If an offensive and defensive player catch the ball at the same time, possession is awarded to the Offense.

Bobbled Catches: If a receiver is de-flagged while bobbling the ball (before full possession), they are ruled down at the spot of the flag pull once the catch is completed. There is no penalty for an early flag pull in this scenario.

Tipped Balls: A ball being tipped or touched in the air does not nullify any fouls (e.g., Roughing, Personal Fouls, or Illegal Contact).

Intentional Redirection: Receivers shall not intentionally bat or redirect a ball toward their own end zone to advance it.