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

2. 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.

  3. All offensive players, including the Center, must be wearing flags to advance the football.

  4. If a player without flags receives the football by snap, handoff or pass, the play is Dead immediately at the spot where the player gains possession. The player

      Cannot advance the football. 

  5. A defensive player does Not need to touch a player without flags to end the play. Possession of the football by a player without flags makes the ball immediately       Dead.

1. Center sneaks are prohibited. 

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

3. Shotgun quarterbacks may run through any gap.

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

1. Formation: At least (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.

2. Swinging Gate Formation: The swinging gate is legal, but at least (1) player must be on the LOS to either side of the center to form the "A" Gap.

1. A legal snap requires a physical tansfer of the football form the Center to another offensive player.

2. Any offensive player may receive the snap directly from the Center, including by taking a direct handoff.

3. The Center merely lifting or holding the football does NOT constitute a completed legal snap. The football must be physically transferred to another offensive player. 

4. The Quarterback or other offensive player having already crossed the line of scrimmage does NOT, by itself, make the exchange illegal. All other applicable TYFA Flag rules remain in effect. 

5. 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.

1. After completing a legal snap, the Center may receive the football back from another offensive player.

2. If the Center receives the football WITHOUT FLAGS, the play is Dead immediately at the spot of possession.

3. If the Center is wearing flags and holding a live ball, a defensive player may legally pull the Center's flag, including while the Center remains crouched. The play is Dead when the flag is pulled.

4. Pulling a flag does NOT authorize tackling, pushing or other prohibited contact.

1. Only (1) player may be in motion. 

2. All shifts require a one-second set. 

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

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

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

1. 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.

 2. DROP - When a player had possession and then lost possession.

• If the QB is in "shotgun" and drops the ball, the play is blown DEAD at the spot.

 3. MUFF - When a player touches a ball while trying to gain possession but fails.

1. • If the QB is under center and muffs the ball, the play is blown DEAD at the spot. Safety Issue. 

   • If the QB is in "shotgun" and muffs the ball, any of the offensive backfield may pick it up and continue the play.

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

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

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

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

4. 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.

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

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

1. 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.

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

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

4. Reference Media and Communication Devices

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

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

1. 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.

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

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

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

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

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

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

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

2. 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.

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

4. 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.

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

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

1. Interference penalty (against Defense – 5 yards + automatic first down) / (against Offense – 5 yards + loss of down)

2. Two (2) coaches from each team is permitted on the field.

3. Coaches:

   • • Are to instruct their players in the huddle; place them; and may continue to instruct them until the ball is snapped. 

     • Are to back off once the QB starts their cadence, so that they are 5 feet behind the Referee and there are no players behind, left or right of them at the snap of the ball.

     • May not physically assist players once the play starts. 

     • Violation of any of the above, the coach will be charged with Interference.