MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS FLAG GAME RULES

6V6 GAME FORMAT

– Field is 25 yards wide and 50 yards long, including 5-yard end zones

– Games are 6 players v 6 players

– Two 20-minute running clock halves (2–5-minute break at half)

– Each possession starts at the 5-yard line after scores, turnover on downs and/or

halftime

– 30 second play clock

– The offensive team has three downs to get a first down at mid-field, then 4

downs to score once they have crossed mid-field

– All players are eligible

SCORING

– Touchdowns= 6 points

– Extra Point @ 5-yard line= 1 point

– Extra Point @ 10-yard line= 2 points

– Safety= 2 points and the defense gets the ball

o A safety occurs when the ball carriers’ flag is pulled in the End Zone

RULES

– One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense

– The Center can snap the ball sidesaddle or between their legs

o If sidesaddle snap, the center must snap to the player directly behind

them

o There are NO trick snaps to other players

– The defense can rush the QB from 7 yards off the LOS; there is no limit to the

number of players that can rush the QB

RUSHING THE QB

– The defense has the right of way when rushing the QB – the offense must try to

avoid the rusher with exception to the Center

o The Center IS allowed to stay in a stationary athletic position or run a

route

o The Center cannot set a “pick” with their feet sliding laterally

o If the Center is set before the defensive rusher is in proximity to them (like

a basketball charging foul) then this is deemed legal.– Only players line up 7 yards away from the LOS can rush into the offensive

backfield

o On QB direct runs, players lined up within 7 yards of the LOS cannot pull

the QB’s flag until the QB crosses the LOS

– The defensive rusher has a responsibility to not initiate contact with the Center if

they are in a legal stationary position

– All receivers no matter where they are lined up are not allowed to set a pick on

the rusher as they are rushing the quarterback

o If the defensive rusher is going toward the quarterback, it is the

responsibility of the receiver running their route to avoid the defensive

rusher

RUN PLAYS

– Offense can run the ball on the following situations:

o Anywhere on the field

o Extra Points

– The QB can have direct runs

o The defense cannot cross the LOS until the QB crosses the LOS

– If the ball is handed off, then only defensive players who started 7 yards away

are eligible to cross the LOS to pull the opponent’s flag

LAST 1 MINUTE OF THE GAME

The clock will stop in the final 1 minute of the game on these actions:

• Incompletions

• Out of Bounds

• QB Sack

• Change of Possession

• Penalties. If it’s an offensive penalty the clock will start on the official

unless dead ball foul.

• TWO 30-second timeouts per half

• If a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock will not start until the play after

the conversion attempt

• If there is a bad snap, the ball is dead and placed at the LOS. There is no loss

of yardage.

• Offense can throw a backward pass behind the LOS

• Ball is placed where a flag pulled, not where the ball is when the flag is pulled.

• A receiver must have one foot in bounds when making a reception.• Laterals are allowed but if the ball hits the ground, the ball is spotted at that yard

mark.

• Absolutely no tackling or blocking (stationary pick is allowed but player cannot

move)

• Only one player can be in motion at the same time.

• 1 Player must be on the Line of Scrimmage on both sides of the ball or Illegal

Formation; The Center does not count.

• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty.

MERCY RULE

If a team is up by 30 or more, they only have 2 downs to get a first down and 2 downs

to score until that point difference is trimmed below 30 pts. Than regular game rules

apply.

The team that is behind by 30 or more points will start their offensive possession at the

+10 yard line and get 4 downs to score. If the point difference is trimmed below 30 pts,

then regular game rules apply.

OVERTIME FORMAT (ONLY IN THE PLAYOFFS)

• Overtime period will take place with each team receiving a possession.

• Coin flip determines choice of 1st or 2nd possession

• Possession begins at the 10-yard line (both teams will go in the same direction)

• If a touchdown is scored, a team can elect to go for a 1- or 2-point conversion.

• If the Defense intercepts the ball, it’s a change of possession starting at the 10-

yard line unless the Defense returns it for a TD. Game could be over if the

intercepting team was ahead in points in OT prior to playing Defense or

intercepting team returns it for a TD on its 1st Defensive possession per OT.

• If the game is still tied, overtime will be repeated until there is a winner.

• Offensive team will get 2 downs to score from the +10-yard line

• Teams alternate first possession each overtime periodGAME PENALTIES

OFFENSE PENALTIES:

Offensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal motion (2 men in motion) – 5-yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal Formation – 5-yard penalty and replay the down

Illegal Run – 5-yard penalty and loss of down

False Start – 5-yard penalty, replay the down

Illegal Forward Pass – 5-yard penalty and loss of down (QB steps over the LOS)

Blocking – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down

Leaping – ball is placed at the spot of the foul and loss of down

Flag Guarding (including stiff arms) – 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul and

loss of down

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty (possible ejection)

Delay of Game – clock is stopped and a 5-yard penalty

DEFENSIVE PENALTIES:

Defensive Pass Interference – 10-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an

offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Illegal Contact (holding, jams, etc.) – 5-yard penalty and replay down unless it’s an

offensive catch; Offense decides. 1st can occur depending on the yardage.

Defensive Holding while pulling flag – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play

and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the yardage.

Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) – 5-yard penalty and replay down. 1st down

can occur depending on the yardage.Off-sides – 5-yard penalty and replay down. 1st down can occur depending on the

yardage.

Inadvertent tackle – 5-yard penalty added to the end of the play and replay down.

Inadvertent tackle From Behind w/clear path to end zone – Automatic Touchdown

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15-yard penalty and automatic 1st down (possible

ejection)

Defensive Penalties inside the 10-yard line will result in half the distance to the Goalline

if applicable.