Rules

Blocking and Contact

The following is not permitted in BCSA Flag Football:

• Blocking (either at the line or in front of the ball carrier)
• Screen Blocking (Running in front of the ball carrier)
• “Chucking”, “Bump and Run” and any other contact at the line
• Excessive Contact

All players must attempt to avoid contact at all times.

Fouls and Penalties

Any penalty may be declined. Unless otherwise noted, acceptance of a penalty does not change the coed status.

The result of a play, including the end of the run and whether the line to gain was reached, shall be determined after the application of penalties for live-ball fouls.

Time-Outs

Each team is entitled to two one-minute time-outs per game.

If an injury occurs for which the clock is stopped, that player must leave the game for at least one scrimmage down.

Running

• An offensive player can advance the ball across the line of scrimmage if the defense crosses the line of scrimmage, regardless of whether it is a legal or illegal crossing. Additionally, the player can advance the ball if they did not receive the snap.
• An offensive player cannot advance the ball across the line of scrimmage if the defense has not crossed the line of scrimmage and the player received the snap.
• At the moment of handoff, the 5-second rush delay will end and the defense may cross the line of scrimmage.
• Jumping or hurdling over players is prohibited unless it is necessary to avoid contact.
• Diving to gain yardage or avoid being deflagged is not allowed.
• Charging or stiff-arming an opponent is prohibited.

Flag Guarding

• A runner cannot use their hands, arms, or the ball in a way that denies access to the flag belt of a defender trying to deflag the runner.
• This includes placing or swinging a hand or arm over the flag belt, placing the ball over the flag belt, or lowering the shoulder in a way that covers the flag belt with the arm.

Pass Interference

• Pass interference occurs when there is illegal contact beyond the line of scrimmage with an eligible receiver or defender during a legal forward pass.
• However, if both an eligible receiver and a defender simultaneously and equitably initiate contact while attempting to reach, catch, or bat a pass, it is not considered illegal contact or pass interference.
• Hindering an opponent’s vision without making an attempt to catch, intercept, or bat the ball, even without physical contact (known as “Face Guarding”), is considered pass interference. This includes placing one or both hands in front of the opponent’s face or waving hands or arms near the opponent’s face.
• Deflagging or tagging an eligible receiver beyond the line of scrimmage during a legal forward pass is considered pass interference.

Standings

Teams earn three points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. Teams are ranked in order based on the following criteria:

• Total Standings Points
• Head to Head
• Total Points Allowed
• Total Point Differential

Playoff Week for Leagues

In the final week of league play, the top teams will compete in a single-elimination playoff to determine the league champion. The playoff may be held on a day or at a venue other than the normal day and venue used for regular season games.

Playoffs will be formatted as a 6 team playoff unless the amount of teams in the league prevents this format.

Championship and other participation prizes will be distributed at BCSA discretion and include, but are not limited to, gift cards/vouchers to BCSA partner establishments, league sponsor promotional items, sports-related apparel, and/or credits toward future BCSA programs.

TEAM ROSTERS:

TEAM ROSTERS FOR CO-ED 8×8 FOOTBALL ARE CAPPED AT 12 PLAYERS. IT IS NECESSARY FOR ALL PLAYERS TO HAVE SIGNED THE TEAM ROSTER AND WAIVER FORM. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL TEAM CAPTAINS TO ENSURE PLAYERS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY.  TEAMS HAVE UP UNTIL THE THIRD WEEK OF THE SEASON TO MAKE CHANGES TO THEIR ROSTER.  AFTER THE THIRD WEEK, ROSTERS WILL BE FROZEN.  ROSTER CHANGES THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL T-SHIRTS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.  ALL ROSTER CHANGES MUST BE COMMUNICATED TO AND APPROVED BY THE LEAGUE OFFICE. 

PLAYING ROSTER:

The maximum number of players on the field is eight. The minimum number of players is six. The maximum number of males is five. The minimum number of females is two.

If a team is short the minimum number of players by game time, the game will be considered a forfeit and an exhibition played.

The minimum number of players to play an officiated exhibition game, and avoid the forfeit fine, is four.

If one team is ahead by twenty or more points, that team must play short one male player.

Teams lose the ability to challenge a player’s eligibility at halftime, except in the case of a late-arriving player.

Quick, repeated, or feigned substitutions intended to deceive opponents at or immediately before the snap are considered Illegal Participation.

PLAYING AREA:

Fields used for BCSA Football are approximately 40 yards wide and 100 yards long. The field is divided into four 20-yard line-to-gain zones and two 10-yard end zones.

FORMAT:

Each game consists of two 20-minute halves separated by a three-minute halftime intermission. Regular season games may end in a tie.

Possession and direction shall be determined by Rock, Paper, Scissors prior to the beginning of the game. The winning team will have the option of choosing possession or direction in the first half only. The other team will have the remaining option. The team that started on defense in the first half will start on offense in the second half and move in the opposite direction they moved in the first half.

Once the second half is underway, the game may be considered final if canceled for any reason.

The clock shall run continuously until the final two minutes of the second half. During this time, the clock will only stop for a time-out or injury.

During the final two minutes of the second half, the clock will stop for the following:

• A team or official time-out
• Runner steps out-of-bounds before being deflagged
• Incomplete Pass
• Injury
• Turnover
• Penalty Enforcement
• Touchdown (clock remains stopped during the try)

The clock will not stop for first downs or when a runner is deflagged in bounds.

If the scoring differential is 20 or more points in the last two minutes of the second half, the clock will not stop, even if the scoring differential subsequently falls to below 20 points.

 GAMEPLAY

To ensure coed participation, a penalty will ensue if the offensive team fails to use a female as an operative player within 3 consecutive downs. This applies to the full game. The penalty for running 3 consecutive plays without a female as an Operative Player will be a 5-yard penalty and a loss of down (i.e. if it was 1st down during the penalty, it is now 2nd down) and the female must now be the operative player on the next play. 

 An Operative Player is defined as a player who:

• Is the intended receiver in the eyes of the official
• Runs the ball as the primary runner (must cross the line of scrimmage)
• Receives the snap as the QB and attempts a forward pass beyond the line of scrimmage.

An Operative Player is NOT defined as a player who:

• Hands off the football
• Snaps the ball into play
• Receives a hand-off only to give it back to a male before crossing the line of scrimmage
• Receives a pitch downfield

Examples of an operative player:

• A pass deflected by a male and caught by a female is a female play
• A pass intended for a female (in the eyes of the referee) that is deflected by a female, and caught by a male counts as a female play
• A pass thrown by a male, received by a male, and immediately pitched to a female (the “hook and ladder”) will not constitute a female play – no matter how far the female advances with the ball after the pitch
• A pass intentionally grounded by a female in the last minute of either half in order to stop the clock DOES count as a female play
• If a female pitches the ball to a male behind the line of scrimmage this will not result in a female play.
• A female intercepting the ball on defense in a pick 6 scenario would count as the operative player.

Laterals: If at any point in a scoring play, a male player on the scoring team receives a lateral or handoff downfield, or in the backfield and runs past the line of scrimmage, the play will be ruled a 6-point play whether a female was involved as an operative player at any point or not.

READY FOR PLAY:

Prior to any offensive down, the referee will declare the line of scrimmage and mark the ball ready for play by announcing the down, zone-line-to-gain, and coed status (open or closed). Once the ball has been made ready for play, the offense shall have 25 seconds to legally snap the ball. The offense shall not snap the ball prior to it being made ready for play.

On a change of possession, the referee will not make the ball ready for play until the defense has had an opportunity to get set (15 seconds maximum).

EXTENSION OF PERIOD:

An untimed down may extend a half if any of the following occurs as time expires:

• A foul for which there was an accepted penalty by either team, except that which calls for a loss of down
• A double foul (offsetting penalties)
• A touchdown (The try will be attempted unless in the second half of a playoff game when the points do not affect the outcome.)

SCORING:

The following point values are awarded in BCSA Flag Football:

• Touchdown: six points. Seven points with female participation as the operative player 
• Safety: two points
• Try: one point if from the five-yard line; two points if from the ten-yard line. Two points will be awarded for a successful try with female participation as the operative player from the 5-yard line

After a touchdown, the offense shall declare their attempted try value to the referee. Once this declaration is made, it can only be changed if no attempt has been made and that team calls a time-out.

If the defense gains possession of the ball during the offense’s try after the touchdown, the ball can be returned. However, unless a touchdown is scored the ball will start at their own 10-yard line. Touchdowns scored in this fashion will be counted as two points.

In the case of a safety, the scoring team will next put the ball in play from its own ten-yard line, unless moved by penalty.

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:

The snapper is the only offensive team player required to be on the line of scrimmage at the snap.

No defensive players may cross the line of scrimmage until the referee’s five-second count has elapsed. The five-second count ends if the player who received the snap relinquishes possession to another offensive player.

END OF RUN:

Once a runner has been legally deflagged, the new line of scrimmage shall be determined by the position of the ball when the action to remove the flags occurred.

If a runner’s flags fall off on its own, or the flag belt is covered by an untucked shirt, the runner will remain live until he or she has been touched with at least one hand between the shoulders and the knees.

If a runner goes out of bounds, the new line of scrimmage will be determined by the position of the ball when it crossed the boundary line.

Fumbles become dead immediately and cannot be recovered. If fumbled backward, the line of scrimmage on the ensuing down will be the point where the ball first touched the ground. If fumbled forward, the line of scrimmage on the ensuing down will be the point where the ball was fumbled.

FIRST DOWNS:

Except in the case of a penalty or turnover, teams shall begin each possession at their own ten-yard line.

First downs are awarded when a team advances the ball to the next zone line-to-gain in four downs or less (except if affected by a penalty), as prescribed by penalty enforcement, or either team obtains legal possession following a punt, penalty, score, or turnover.

Once a team has advanced into a zone line-to-gain, that team must advance the ball into the next zone line-to-gain to obtain a first down, even if that team has retreated into the previous zone line-to-gain.

• For example, if a team has to reach the 40-yard line to obtain a first down, that team must still reach the 40-yard line to obtain a first down if moved back to the 18-yard line due to a penalty.

Turnovers can only occur in the case of an interception, punt, or if the offense fails to advance to the next zone line to gain in four or fewer downs.

FOURTH DOWN AND PUNTS:

On fourth down, the offensive team must declare their intention to “punt” the ball or attempt to advance to the next zone line to gain. After this declaration, the referee will not make the ball ready for play until the defense has had a reasonable opportunity to get set. Once the defense has set, the offense may not change their declaration unless they call a time-out.

If the desire to “punt” is declared, the receiving team will start with the ball on their own 10-yard line.

OFFENSE:

1. After a team huddle, all offensive players must come to a complete stop and remain still for one full second before the snap or any player goes into motion. Only one player is allowed to be in motion at the snap, moving parallel or away from the line of scrimmage.

2. All snaps must be from the ground, but can be taken in shotgun or under center.

3. If a snap count is used, whether verbal or nonverbal, only the player initiating the count is eligible to receive the snap.

4. At the snap, all offensive players must be at least five yards inbounds from the nearest sideline. If a defensive player covers an offensive player within five yards of the sideline, it is not a penalty as long as the offensive player was at least five yards inbounds at any point after the ball is ready for play.

PASSING:

1. A forward pass is completed or intercepted when a player gains possession of the ball and first makes contact inbounds with any part of their body.

2. If a player steps out of bounds, they are not allowed to touch a forward pass unless they are first touched by another player.

CO-ED PLAY:

1. The referee will announce the coed status before each play.

2. Teams must include a female player as an operative player within three consecutive downs.

3. To be considered operative, a player must meet one of the following criteria:

   – Be targeted for a legal forward pass attempt.

   – Be targeted for a backward pass attempt behind the line of scrimmage.

   – Receive a handoff behind the line of scrimmage and run the ball, regardless of gaining positive yards.

   – Attempt a legal forward pass.

   – Receive the snap and attempt a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage.

   – Receive the snap and run the ball, regardless of gaining positive yards.

4. The intention is for the female player to be actively involved in the primary play (running, receiving, or passing), regardless of its success. Receiving a pitch or handoff beyond the line of scrimmage does not reset the coed count.

5. If a female player has not been an operative player for two consecutive downs, the following down will be a closed play.

6. All other plays, including extra-point attempts, are considered open.

7. The coed count resets once a female player has been an operative player or after a change of possession.

DEFENSE DURING CLOSED PLAY:

1. If a male player is in a position to receive the snap on a closed play:

   – The defense must designate one player to guard the quarterback, who can move laterally with the quarterback until a five-second count has elapsed. Afterward, the player can only cross the line of scrimmage to deflag the quarterback.

   – All other male defensive players must line up near male offensive players and remain stationary with their arms down until the ball is advanced or legally touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

   – Unless allowed by a rule, male defensive players cannot touch a forward pass until it is first touched by a female offensive player.

   – An interception by a male player is only valid if a female offensive player first touches the forward pass, and the male defensive player catches it while being restricted to the line of scrimmage during the play.

2. If a female player is in a position to receive the snap on a closed play:

   – All defensive players can participate as if the play were open.

3. The following actions are considered Illegal Procedures by the Defense on a Closed Play:

   – A male defensive player making contact with or denying a female offensive player a reasonable opportunity to catch a legal forward pass, unless allowed by an uneven player ratio or first deflected by a female offensive player.

   – Any male defensive player leaving the line of scrimmage before a legal forward pass is touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

OFFENSE DURING CLOSED PLAY:

1. The offense must declare the intended recipient of the snap on a closed play. Only that player can attempt a forward pass or advance the ball across the line of scrimmage. The referee will not make the ball ready for play until the defense has had sufficient time to get set.

2. If the ball is grounded to stop the clock or the player receiving the snap takes a knee on a closed play, the subsequent down remains a closed play, regardless of the recipient of the snap.

3. If a male player is in a position to receive the snap on a closed play:

   – All other male offensive players must remain stationary until the ball is legally touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

   – Once the ball is legally touched beyond the line of scrimmage, any offensive player can trail the runner to receive a backward pass.

   – If the snap is fumbled or the quarterback is sacked, the ensuing down remains a closed play.

4. If a female player is in a position to receive the snap on a closed play:

   – All offensive players are allowed to participate as if the play were open.

   – If the snap is fumbled or the quarterback is sacked, the coed count resets and the ensuing down becomes an open play.

5. The following actions reset the coed count:

   – A female player is determined by an official to be the intended target of a legal forward pass.

   – A female player is determined by an official to be the intended target of a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage.

   – A female player receives the snap and attempts a legal forward pass.

   – A female player receives the snap and attempts a backward pass behind the line of scrimmage.

   – A female player receives the snap and attempts to advance the ball across the line of scrimmage.

   – The offense accepts a penalty for an Illegal Procedure foul but declines the yardage.

6. The following actions do not reset the coed count:

   – A female player snapping the ball to a male player.

   – A female player receiving the snap and handing the ball off to a male player.

   – A quarterback intentionally throwing the ball to the ground near a receiver without a reasonable expectation of a reception.

   – A forward pass being deflected by a stationary defensive male during a closed play.

7. The following actions are considered Illegal Procedures by the Offense on a Closed Play:

   – A male player receiving the snap and advancing the ball across the line of scrimmage.

   – Any male offensive player leaving the line of scrimmage before a legal forward pass is touched beyond the line of scrimmage.

   – A male player not receiving the snap attempting a forward pass.

   – If a male quarterback intentionally throws a pass into a defensive player in an obvious attempt to draw a penalty, an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty will be assessed against the quarterback.

UNEVEN RATIOS ON CLOSED PLAYS:

1. Two female offensive players; three female defensive players:

   – The defense can use all female players to guard the female offensive players.

2. Four or more female offensive players; three female defensive players:

   – A male defensive player can cover an additional female offensive player one-on-one without a cushion. The male player can make contact with a pass intended for his receiver, but an interception will result in an incomplete pass.

3. Three offensive female players; two defensive female players:

   – A male defensive player can cover a female offensive player one-on-one with a three-yard cushion and must allow a reasonable opportunity to catch a pass.

   – If a female offensive player first touches the ball, and it is subsequently recovered by a defensive male in coverage, it will be ruled an incomplete pass.

4. Three offensive female players; four or more defensive female players:

   – The additional female defensive players must individually line up against a male offensive player and remain stationary with their arms down until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage.

PLAYOFF RULES:

1. Each game consists of two 18-minute halves with a three-minute halftime intermission.

2. In case of a tie at the end of regulation, the game proceeds into overtime.

3. Overtime periods are untimed, and the game continues until the tie is broken at the conclusion of an overtime period.

4. Each team is allowed one one-minute timeout during the entire overtime period, and timeouts do not carry over from the regulation period.

5. Scoring and coed rules remain the same in overtime periods.

6. Before the first overtime period, the team captains will play Rock, Paper, Scissors. The winning captain can choose possession or which side of the field the overtime periods will take place. The other captain will have the remaining option.

7. Each team will have the opportunity to score from the opposing team’s 20-yard line in four downs or fewer, unless affected by a penalty.

8. If a pass is intercepted during overtime, the ball becomes dead, and the defense will start its possession from the 20-yard line.

9. The order of possession changes after each overtime period.

10. Starting from the third overtime period, any team that scores a touchdown must attempt a two-point conversion.

Bat City Sports Alliance (BCSA) follows a mixture of USA Flag football guidelines and our own take on recreational Flag football. Please read the following rules and policies before attending your first BCSA game.

THE FIELD
Standard dimensions of the field are 60 yards long by 25 yards wide with 7 yard endzones. Approved field sizes may fluctuate from 53-64 yards long when necessary, or 23-30 yards wide. Endzones should not be shorter than 5 yards.

GENERAL RULES
The maximum number of players on the field is five. The minimum number of players is three.

If a team is short the minimum number of players by game time, the game will be considered a forfeit and an exhibition played.

Teams lose the ability to challenge a player’s eligibility at halftime, except in the case of a late-arriving player.

Quick, repeated, or feigned substitutions intended to deceive opponents at or immediately before the snap are considered Illegal Participation.

A coin toss determines 1st possession. The winner can elect to have offense/defense, defer or direction. The loser can select the next option, followed by the winner selecting the final option.
1st choice in the 2nd half will be awarded to team who deferred or loser of coinflip if no defer.

The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has three plays to cross mid-field. Once a team crosses mid-field they have three plays to score. If the offensive team fails to cross mid-field, the ball changes possession. If the offense does not score, the ball changes possession. All drives start from the 5-yard line with the exception of an interception.

No blocking is allowed. No intentional contact is allowed.

UNIFORM
Teams also must have the same color shirts and have an alternative color (one dark color/one light color). They do not have to be official uniforms. If both teams are wearing the same color, there will be a coin toss, and the losing team will need to change into a different color. Failure to provide a secondary uniform or unwillingness to change will result in a forfeit.

GAME CLOCK FORMAT
Game clock is 25 minutes long. Two 12 minute halves and 1-minute halftime.

Each team has two 30 second timeouts PER GAME. If a time out is called after a TD the clock will not run until the change of possession and the offense snaps their ball.

The play clock is 25 seconds from the end of the previous play.

FIRST HALF CLOCK
The clock will run continuously during the 12 minutes of the first half unless a team timeout is used or play is stopped by an official (e.g. deal with an injury, challenge, referee conference, game management purposes, etc.)

The head official will give a verbal two-minute warning (for rule specific changes inside 2 minutes)

The clock will run during point-after-touchdown attempts (PATs) in the first half unless either team opts to use a team timeout.

SECOND HALF CLOCK
In the second half the clock will run continuously for the first 11 minutes unless a team timeout or an official’s time out is used.

The one-minute warning will stop the clock in the second half if the score difference is 8 points or less.

The head official will give a verbal two-minute (for rule specific changes) and one-minute warning as close as possible to the actual marks but will not interrupt a live play.

At the one minute warning officials will use a ‘stop’ clock mechanic for the remainder of the contest.

GAMEPLAY

RUNNING
The quarterback may not run unless the ball has been thrown back, handed or pitched to them in the backfield.

Pitching (backwards/laterally) is allowed downfield (unlimited). Handoffs are allowed forward or backwards when behind the line of scrimmage, and only backwards beyond the line of scrimmage. A handoff DOES NOT count as a lateral/throwback.

No run zones are located 5 yards before mid-field and 5-yards before the end zone. You may not run the ball in the no run zone (5-yards before the first down and end zone), only forward passes are allowed to advance the ball past the line of scrimmage. Laterals and handoffs are still allowed.

Ball is spotted where the ball is at the time of the flag pull. The ball must break the plane of the midfield or goal line to be considered a first down or touchdown.
Players may NOT block down field in any form.

PASSING
The quarterback has 5 seconds to pass the ball if there is no rush. If the ball is not thrown, then the play is dead. After the ball is ruled dead it is returned to the line of scrimmage.

Once the ball is handed off or pitched backwards the 5 second count stops. If the defensive team rushes, then there is no 5 second count.

There is no arm in motion, if the ball is in hand when the quarterback’s flag is pulled then it will be ruled a sack.

Interceptions may be returned.

The rusher may not have any contact with the QB (no hitting the QB arm or knocking the ball out of the QB hand).

If ANY part of the players body is behind the LOS it is a legal pass

A forward pass is completed or intercepted when a player gains possession of the ball and first makes contact inbounds with any part of their body.

If a player steps out of bounds, they are not allowed to touch a forward pass unless they are first touched by another player.

RECEIVING
All players are eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, if the ball has been pitched or handed off in the backfield.

Players must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.

DEFENSE

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK
Players that blitz/rush the quarterback must be a minimum of 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

The 7 yards will be measured off by a referee.

Players that are not 7 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped may not enter into the backfield until there is a change of possession.

The blitzer/rusher is allowed a direct lane to the line of scrimmage as long as he or she rushes from either side of the center or outside the bunch formation. The offense must avoid interfering with the rusher if he or she has established a lane. Officials will announce LANE or NO LANE for rushers/blitzers prior to the snap. This is a judgement call/decision based on the spacing between the players in the offensive formation. A space of 12″ or greater in length between two players constitutes a lane at the officials discretion.

The rush of a blitzer has to be immediately after the snap, quick and straight towards the point where the quarterback receives the snap in order to retain the right of way. If a blitzer is rushing late, slowly, aiming at another spot, changing direction during the rush or just does not rush the quarterback, the player loses the right of way but still can participate as any other defensive player.

PASS COVERAGE
Contacting receivers is not allowed

Pass interference normally occurs above the waist; entangled feet are not considered pass interference. Incidental contact is not considered pass interference.

A player may “find” their opponent by reaching out and placing a hand on them as long as touching does not delay, impede, twist, or turn their opponent. This is not considered pass interference.

A player may use their arms or hands to intentionally obstruct the receiver’s view (face guarding) of the ball without turning their own head to play the ball as long as noteworthy contact is not made with the receiver.

If defensive pass interference occurs in the end zone the ball will be placed on the one-yard line, automatic first down.

Interceptions may be returned. Interceptions in the end zone that are not returned to the field of play will result in a touchback and the ball will be spotted on the 5-yard line.

Contact away from the direction of the pass is not considered pass interference but may be considered illegal contact.

Whether a pass is catchable or uncatchable has no bearing on pass interference. The benefit of the doubt is given to the receiver.

Examples of pass interference include:

• Shoving or pushing off to create separation.
• Playing through the back.
• Hook and turn: grabbing the torso and turning an opponent before the pass arrives.
• Arm bars, hooking, restricting, grabbing wrists, or turning a receiver.
• Blocking downfield before the ball has been touched, commonly seen through “pick plays”.