RULE 4. DEFENSE
Flag Football
Flag Football
A defender must have one foot inbounds and full control of the ball to record an interception.
If a player missing their flag belt intercepts the ball, the play is blown dead immediately.
Upon intercepting a pass, the defender becomes the ball carrier and is subject to all ball carrier rules.
Stripping is defenders punching, ripping, swipping, or pulling at the ball of any ball carrier; they must attempt to pull the flags only.
Taking the ball during a QB handoff extension is Stripping.
If the ball is knocked out of the QB’s hands in the act of passing it will be considered Stripping.
Defenders must target the QB’s flags; ANY CONTACT with the QB in the act of passing will be considered Roughing the Passer.
Penalty: Personal Foul.
Tackling is prohibited. A runner is down if his flag is pulled.
If a player falls without contact, he is down at that spot.
If a player takes a knee, falls, or a flag is removed (including accidental or torn flags) he is down.
A player is considered down—and the ball dead—the instant any part of their body other than their hands or feet touches the ground, regardless of whether a defender de-flags them or not.
The Sack: Pulling a QB's flag while the ball is in hand is a sack, regardless of throwing motion.
Illegal Pulls: Pulling the flag of a non-carrier results in Illegal Procedure.
Flag Ethics: Throwing or hiding a pulled flag results in Unsportsmanlike Conduct.
Safety Violations: Physical containment (holding/tackling) or contact to the head/neck results in a Personal Foul.
Diving: Diving to pull a flag results in Diving. – This will be the judgement of the Referees.
Rushing: Defenders may rush from any position.
The defense may place a maximum of (5) players in the tackle-to-tackle "box."
No defender shall align directly over the Center (must maintain a 2-yard/6-foot cushion) and may not line up in the "A" gap prior to the snap.
Penalty: Illegal Formation.
Field Coaches: Two (2) coaches per team are allowed on the field.
Water Bottles: 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.
Reference Media and Communication Devices
Pass Interference is contact above the waist that disrupts a catch; catchability is not a factor.
Face guarding is legal if no contact is made.
If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone, the ball is placed on the 1-yard line with an automatic first down.