Rules and Modifications
The following are Roar Sports rule modifications. These modifications are in addition to the standard NFL Flag Rulebook found on the NFL FLAG website. If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the league organizer.
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DEFINITIONS
Line of Scrimmage (LOS) - where the ball is placed for an offensive snap
No Run Zone (NRZ) - an area close to 1st down or goalline that is pass-only and no rushing
Player Safety Committee (PSC) - Group of no less than 3 Roar Sports BOD members who will follow a review process regarding excessively physical play
Rush Line - an alignment line 7 yds off the line of scrimmage in the defensive zone
EQUIPMENT
Jerseys must be tucked in; the clock will not stop for adjustment
No metal cleats, only rubber
Mouthpieces are required
Shorts should have no pockets, or have pockets taped
Shorts cannot be the same color as flags (no green or yellow shorts)
Only 2 flags hanging (extra belt must be taped/cut)
OFFENSE
25-second play clock— clocks located at each end of the field
No hurdling or diving
A fumble is a dead ball/play is over
A flip of a coin for possession
Handoffs must be behind the line of scrimmage
6U Division (5v5, Coed)
Coaches will QB w/ QB stand
Coaches do not count as a player
NRZ is 3 yds from midfield or goalline
No defensive rush allowed
8U Division (7v7, Coed)
Players will QB w/ center
NRZ is 3 yds from midfield or goalline
No defensive rush allowed
10/13U Division (7v7, Coed)
Players will QB w/ center
No coaches on the field
NRZ is enforced when LOS is 5 yards before 1st down and/or touchdown
QB has 7 sec to pass/handoff or the play is dead
(10U/13U) If QB is rushed by a defender, he may advance the ball after the rusher crosses the line of scrimmage
(10U) Only one player may rush the QB from anywhere on the field
(13U) Any number of players can rush the quarterback from anywhere on the field
No rushing if the LOS is in the NRZ
In the NRZ all passes must cross the LOS; no lateral passes or handoffs
You have 4 plays to get the first down (midfield), the 4 plays to score
The referee will ask the coach if they wish to go for it or “punt” on 4th down as they are setting the play.
If the coach does not answer, it will be assumed play is going for first down and the play clock is set. If a coach wishes to change his mind, he/she must use a timeout. If no timeouts remain, he must continue with the original decision.
A “punt” will reset the ball on the opposing team’s start position
Only 1 player can be in motion
All players must be set when the ball is snapped (except for the player in motion)
DEFENSE
Rusher(s) must be 7 yds off the LOS (official will enforce)
Rusher may not cross the 7 yds rush line until the ball is snapped
The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the LOS before a handoff or pass – illegal rush (5 yards from the line of scrimmage and first down).
No rushing when the LOS is in the NRZ
Any defender(s) may cross the LOS once a handoff/lateral pass is made
If a QB runs while being rushed, only the rusher can pull the flag until the QB crosses LOS
When defending the Run-Pass-Option (RPO), if there is a dual-possession (QB and RB/WR have the ball), the defensive line may not cross the LOS until the handoff is completed
This does not include the rusher who, who may come in at any time.
If the defense, other than eligible rusher(s), crosses the LOS, it will be an illegal rush (5 yards from the line of scrimmage and first down).
GAMEPLAY
Each quarter is a 10 min rolling clock (6U/8U/10U), 11 min rolling clock (13U)
Clock stops only for timeouts, injuries, or officials' discretion
2 30-sec timeout per half (6U,8U/10U) / 3 30-sec timeouts per half (13U)
Offensive drives start at the 3 yd line (6U/8U) / 5 yd line (10U/13U)
Extra point conversion
1 pt from the 3-yd (6U/8U) / 5 yd (10U/13U) - No Run Zone
2 pt from the 7-yd (6U/8U) / 10 yd (10U/13U) - Pass or Run allowed)
Non-play penalties (false start, illegal motion, illegal formation, etc.) 5 yd + loss of down
(6U/8U) Penalty yardage adjusted for shorter field; 5 yds = 3yds, 10 yds = 7 yds
Due to our rental agreement with The Bridge, ALL GAMES MUST START ON TIME!
The ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled
Dead ball occurs where the ball hits the turf (NOT where it rolls)
(8U/10U/13U) Clock stops per normal football rules last 2 minutes of the game for playoffs
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The indoor field has curtain dividers. Occasionally, a pass will be high enough to hit them. Once the ball hits the divider and its original path is altered, play is dead and the down is consumed.
Celebrations are allowed but NOT taunting, pushing, shoving, or distasteful dances/emotes; those are Unsportsmanlike Conduct (+10 yds, automatic 1st down)
As coaches do your best to get kids as much playing time as possible and spread the ball around when possible
Excessive behavior towards officials/players/other coaches will not be tolerated and will result in ejection from the building (see Code of Conduct)
Coaches may question calls in a respectful manner (no derogatory comments)
Officials will have the final say
Unnecessary rough play will result in the player being suspended from the game for the remainder of the half. If warranted, head officials may request a PSC Review
As standard practice in youth athletics, 2 personal fouls in a game will result in ejection from the game
2 Unsportsmanlike penalties in the same game will result in immediate ejection
*We reserve the right to make some adjustments as needed.
PENALTIES
Defensive Spot Fouls
Defensive pass interference | Automatic first down |
Holding | +5 yards and automatic first down |
Stripping | +5 yards and automatic first down |
Defensive Penalties
Defensive unnecessary roughness | +10 yards and automatic first down |
Defensive unsportsmanlike conduct | +10 yards and an automatic first down |
Offside / illegal substitution | +5 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down |
Illegal rush (Starting rush from inside the 7-yard marker) | +5 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down |
Illegal flag pull (Before the receiver has the ball) | +5 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down |
Roughing the passer | +5 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down |
Taunting | +5 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down |
Offensive Spot Fouls
Screening or blocking | -5 yards and loss of down |
Charging | -5 yards and loss of down |
Flag guarding | -5 yards and loss of down |
Offensive Penalties
Offensive unnecessary roughness | -10 yards and loss of down |
Offensive unsportsmanlike conduct *2 in the same game will result in immediate ejection | -10 yards and loss of down |
Offside / false start / illegal substitution | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Illegal forward pass (Any pass received or lands behind the line of scrimmage or throwing a pass after crossing the line of scrimmage) | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Offensive pass interference | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Illegal motion (More than one person moving) | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Delay of game | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Impeding the rusher | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |
Illegal Procedure | -5 yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down |