GRAND BAHAMA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 7 ON 7 WOMEN

GENERAL RULES GAME PLAY 1. Play will begin at the 15 yard line to start each period or after a score or safety. GAME LENGTH 1. 2 halves lasting 20 minutes each. 2. Running clock until last 2-minutes of each half. Clock will stop for a 30 seconds time out at the start of the 2-minute warning. After the 2-minute warning the clock will stop: a. To award first down, also after a change of possession. b. To complete a penalty. c. A ball or ball carrier goes out of bounds. d. A pass becomes incomplete. e. A score is made. f. A charged timeout is granted. 3. Each team will have 2 time outs per half, and can carry over 1 from the first half to the second half. 4. A time out will last one minute from the time the clock stopped until the referee blows the whistle and marks the ball ready for play. 5. Time outs may be called by any on-field player or the Coach but not by sideline players. 6. Play clock will run at 25 seconds from the spot of the ball. FIELD: i. Width = 35 yards ii. Length = 100 yards (80 yards of field + 2 end zones (10 yards each) iii. Team Area = 2 yards off from the side line and between the respected sides of the 40 yard marker and the Goal line if 2 playing fields are set up,2 yards off from the side line and between the 20 to 20 yard markers if 1 playing field is set up. iv. Zone Lines to Gain = Four 20 yard zones. PLAYERS 1. Team consists of at least 7 players (maximum 18 players to a roster). Minimum of 5 players to play a game. Minimum age for eligibility is 18. a. A 17 year old can be eligible for play, if the 17 year old is turning 18 before the next registration period. Such player must provide a copy of birth certificate and a signed permission waiver by parent and/or legal guardian. 2. Player MUST play in at least one regular season game to be eligible to play in the Playoffs. EQUIPMENT (Each player is responsible for each item listed unless otherwise noted): 1. Shoes - General Requirements:

Must be soft pliable upper material (i.e. canvas/synthetic) that completely covers the foot and is attached to a one-piece molded composite bottom (i.e. tennis shoes). Turf Shoes or Soccer style cleats NO Metal Cleats Allowed. 2. Shorts / Pants - General Requirements: May NOT have pockets. (if unable to provide non-pocketed shorts, players must tape or stitch pockets closed) 3. Shirts / Jersey - General Requirements: Must cover the players shoulders, chest and back (No Tank Tops). Must be long enough be able to be tucked into pants. Each player must have a number on the back of the jersey, and that number must be unique, there may not be two players or more with the same number on the team. Further the color of the number and the color of the jersey must be of contrasting colors so that the number can be readily seen and identifiable. While not required, teams may have numbers on the front and back, and if they so desire, they may also have the players name on the back of the jersey above the number, only. Team names may be on the front of the jersey above the number (if one is on the front) or on the arms of the jersey. Baseball style caps may be worn. IF BASEBALL STYLE CAPS ARE WORN THEY MUST BE WORN BACKWARDS. Novelty hats may not be worn at any time. Note: Do-rags may be worn but must be matching your uniform. 4. FLAGS -General Requirements Pop flag belt (Flag Tag Sonic Boom) 5. FOOTBALL - General Requirements: Standard leather or composite football. MUST be of OFFICIAL or Junior size. No requirements regarding ball pressure. GAME PLAY RULES OFFENSE BLOCKING (AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE): Players are allowed to screen block only. NO intentional contact will be allowed. (This is at the Head Refs Discretion between incidental and intentional contact) Blocker must keep their arm behind their backs or to their sides while screening the quarterback from the rushers. Screen blocker may not: Take a position closer than a normal step when behind a stationary opponent. Make contact, nor lean forward to draw contact when assuming a position at the side or in front of a stationary opponent.

Take a forward position so close to an opponent that they cannot avoid contact by stopping or changing direction. Take a stationary stance with feet wider than shoulder width. BLOCKING (BEYOND THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE): Players are allowed to block down field using the following criteria: NO contact between the blocker and defender. Blocker CANNOT continue moving once they reach the defender (i.e. No Moving Picks). PASSING: The offensive team may NOT make more than one forward pass per play. The offensive team MAY throw an unlimited number of backward passes during any one play. The QB cannot throw the ball forward once they have crossed the line of scrimmage (LOS). (Pass is still legal as long as one foot remains behind LOS) The QB cannot intentionally ground the ball by throwing the ball into the ground to avoid a sack. If the ball is thrown laterally or backwards it is considered a fumble and the ball will be placed at the spot where the ball crossed the out of bounds demarcation or hits the ground. If the pass is thrown forward it is considered an incomplete pass and will be placed at the previous spot. HIKING: The ball must be hiked from the ground, but does not have to be hiked between the legs. The ball may be hiked to any person at least 1yard behind the LOS. RUSHING ALL players are eligible receivers and running backs. NO limit on the number of rushing attempts by a team by all Non-QBs. Quarterback can only run the ball ONCE per SERIES. (1 run per 4 downs) Out of bounds play is down where the PLAYER goes out of bounds, NOT the ball. RECEIVING A reception is deemed made if: o The receiver possesses the ball before the ball makes contact with the ground. o The receiver has at least one foot in the field of play after possessing the ball. The receiver may NOT use their hands or arms to move a defender in order to make a reception (i.e. No Pushing Off). DEFENSE RUSHING: Player(s) can rush from any position on the field as long as they are 7 yards off of the line of scrimmage.

Rusher must attempt to avoid any blockers / Players. NO intentional Contact is allowed. (i.e. No Bull Rushing) - (This is at the Head Refs Discretion between incidental and intentional contact) (NOTE: Rusher does NOT have clear right Rusher must avoid hitting the QB arm, even through the follow through motion. PASS DEFENSE: Receivers are allowed a free release from the line of scrimmage. NO Bump and Run coverage. Defenders are NOT allowed to play through the receiver to make a play on the ball. Interceptions occurs if: a. See RECEIVING RULES De-Flagging / Tackling - When de-flagging the ball carrier: The defender may NOT impede the ball carriers progress while attempting to pull that players flag. The ball carrier is down at point where the flag is pulled, not where defender is standing Defender must show proper sportsmanship and hand flag back to the ball carrier. In the event a ball carrier inadvertently loses their belt, or flag, single hand touching of the ball carrier (between shoulders and knees) will constitute a legal tackle. Kicking: Kick-offs o There will be a kick off at the beginning of each half. o Kicking team will kick from their 20 yard line. o Receiving team must have at least 4 players lined-up on the 40 yard line. o Touchbacks will be brought out to the 15 yard line. Punting o Punts must be declared (i.e. no fake punts). o Punts can NOT be blocked (i.e. no rushing). o Players can NOT move prior to the punt o Punts landing in the end zone are considered touchbacks and will be spotted at the 15 yard line. Receiving the Punt o Once the receiver catches the kick they are allowed to advance the ball. o If the receiver drops the kick, the ball is dead, and will be spotted at that point. PENALTIES OFFENSIVE PENALTIES Play Clock: Lapse of Play clock - 5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, repeat down. False Start: When an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped / hiked. (movement outside of a traditional motion play) - 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, repeat down

Illegal Contact: When an offensive player attempting to block a defensive player makes intentional physical contact with that player - 10 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, repeat down.

Illegal Stance: a. When a blocker takes a stance wider than shoulder width b. 5 yard penalty from line of scrimmage, repeat down Offensive Pass Interference: When an offensive player hinders a defensive players ability to catch a pass by making physical contact with the defensive player - 10 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, repeat down. Illegal Forward Pass: When a player past the line of scrimmage throws the ball forward, or when more than one forward pass is thrown during a play - 5 yard penalty from the spot of the infraction, loss of down. Illegal Motion: When an offensive player in motion moves towards the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped / hiked. (Only one player may go in motion at a time) - 5 yard penalty form the line of scrimmage, repeat down. Flag Guarding: When an offensive player, either intentionally or accidentally, inhibits a defensive player from de-flagging them by the use of their hands, arms, lowering shoulders in such a way the defender is shielded, stiff arming or purposely running directly into defender to influence a tackle penalty - 10 yard penalty from the spot of the infraction, down counts. Illegal Formation: When the offensive team does not have at least 3 players on the line of scrimmage - 5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, repeat down. Hurdling/Jumping: A player leaving his feet in the proximity of a defender - 10 yard penalty from the spot the offensive player is deemed to have left the ground and down counts. Diving: When a player leaves his feet and dives forward - 10 yard penalty from spot the offensive player is deemed to have left the ground and down counts. DEFENSE PENALTIES Illegal Rush / Off-sides: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped or rushes within 7 yards of the line of scrimmage - 5 yard penalty from the line of scrimmage, repeat down. (If during PAT the distance towards goal) Illegal Contact: When a defensive player makes intentional contact with an offensive player 10 yard penalty spot of foul or line of scrimmage, repeat down.

Roughing the Passer: When a defensive player makes contact with the QB while the QB is in the throwing motion, or completing the throwing motion. This includes hitting the QBs arm after they have released the ball - 15 yard penalty, automatic 1st down.

Unnecessary Roughness: a. Where a player, in the judgment of the officials, uses tactics that are above and beyond what is necessary to block or tackle another player. b. 15 yard penalty, automatic 1st down. Defensive Pass Interference: See Offensive Pass Interference above - Ball is placed at the spot of the foul and an automatic first down is awarded. Holding: When a defensive player holds up the offensive player while attempting to de-flag that player or to obstruct the offensive player from running their play pattern - 10 yard penalty from the spot of the infraction, automatic first down. Tackling: When a defensive player runs through an offensive player to retrieve the flags or physically takes player to the ground - 10 yard penalty from the spot of infraction, automatic 1st down Pushing out of bounds: No pushing of a ball carrier out of bounds -10 yard penalty, automatic first down. Not Returning Flag: Throwing flag to the ground or away from the offensive player can be interpreted as an act of unsportsmanlike conduct. (at the discretion of the head official) 10 yard penalty from place of down. Last Defender: Any effort to hold up the offensive player outside of normal flag pull within 10 yards of end zone, the Official can rule as Touchdown. Player Conduct: Players who are excessive in disputes of referee calls may be assessed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. A warning should be given prior to this penalty being enforced. The result will be 10 yards from the spot of the ball at the end of the play (no loss of down). If a player has a second offense, they may be ejected for the remainder of the game. As before, team captains should be the ones to address the officials. In the case of an ejection, the team captain or coach must leave and escort ejected player from field area. Team Captain may return to play. Scoring: Touchdown: 6 points (the ball) must break the plain of the goal line before being de-flagged. Point After Touchdown: 5 yards = 1 point / 10 yards = 2 points / 20 yards = 3 points During a PAT attempt, the ball remains live, allowing the intercepting team to return the try for equal points of the attempted conversion to the other end of the field.

Safety: 2 points

MISCELLANEOUS RULES During the last 2 minutes of a game, after the trailing team scores, they can elect to give the leading team the ball with only 20 yards to a touchdown. This prevents the leading team from running out the clock. OVERTIME: In the event the 2nd half ends in a tie. o ONE Overtime will commence after a 2-minute intermission. o A coin toss shall decide who receives ball first. o Each team will get ONE possession o EACH, starting at the 40 yard line, of which the referee will declare field direction. o No team timeouts will be granted. o Teams may go for 1, 2 or 3 points after a touchdown is scored. Games may end in a tie due to time. Mercy Rule: If the point deficit is greater than 20 points with 2 minutes or less remaining the game is over. Game may play out if both teams are in agreement for play. OFFICIAL'S AUTHORITY: An official assumes authority 10 minutes prior to the scheduled game time, and until they have left the field. The officials have the authority to rule on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. His/her decision is final, the official has the right to eject players or have the player sit out of part or all of the game. Coaches are a part of a team and any fouls they commit will go against their team. Player Transfer: No registered player will be allowed to transfer from one club/team to another once they have played a game.