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.
Interference penalty (against Defense – 5 yards + automatic first down) / (against Offense – 5 yards + loss of down)
Two (2) coaches from each team is permitted on the field.
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.
Water Bottles: Coaches are permitted to have (1) Water Bottle on the field, but it must be kept in pockets or backpack.
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 unless it is a Go Pro like device.
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.