10/04/2026
Falls City Flag Football
Important Rule Clarifications & Game Day Reminders:
To ensure consistency, player safety, fair play, and a positive experience for everyone, we would like to emphasize the following rules and interpretations. Several of these are taken directly from the 2026 NFL Flag Football Rulebook, along with specific rules established for our league.
Please take the time to review these clarifications and discuss them with your players and coaching staff. Our goal is to ensure everyone is on the same page and that games are played safely, fairly, and with good sportsmanship.
General Rules & Rule Interpretations:
1. Rule Interpretation Challenge
A team may use a timeout to challenge an official’s interpretation of a rule.
If the official’s ruling is correct, the team will be charged a timeout.
If the official’s ruling is incorrect, no timeout will be charged, and the correct ruling will be enforced.
2. Forward Passes & Laterals
Only one forward pass is permitted per play, and it must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
The passer must release the ball before crossing the line of scrimmage.
Unlimited backward passes and laterals are permitted behind the line of scrimmage.
3. Simultaneous Possession
If an offensive and defensive player simultaneously possess the ball, possession will be awarded to the offense.
4. Impeding the Rusher
Offensive players may not impede, obstruct, or interfere with the rusher’s path to the quarterback. Offensive players are responsible for avoiding a moving rusher.
Any action that disrupts or makes contact with the rusher in an attempt to obstruct their path will result in an Impeding the Rusher penalty.
5. Intentional Physical Contact & Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Intentional physical contact, including tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or other aggressive or unsportsmanlike physical acts, will not be tolerated.
Such actions may result in an immediate stoppage of play and player ejection, at the discretion of the officials. Ejections under this rule are final and not subject to appeal.
6. Respect & Sportsmanship
Players and coaches are expected to demonstrate respect toward opponents, coaches, field monitors, score/book keepers, officials, and all other participants.
Physical or verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or other disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Violations may result in penalties, removal from the field or facility, or ejection, depending on the severity of the incident.
7. Fumbles
All fumbles are considered dead balls. Play will be stopped immediately, and the ball will be placed at the spot where the fumble occurred. Fumbles may not be recovered or advanced by either team.
8. Interceptions
Interceptions are live balls and may be returned by the defensive team.
The play will end when the interceptor's flag is pulled, the interceptor goes out of bounds, or an official otherwise rules the play dead.
K–1st Grade Specific Rules
1. On-Field Coaches
One coach per team is permitted on the field to assist players before and after the snap.
Once the ball is snapped, the coach must remain at a safe distance from the play and may not interfere with the action or provide assistance that impacts the play.
2. Initial Exchange – Do Over Rule
If the ball touches the ground during the initial exchange between the center and quarterback, the play will be ruled a Do Over, with no loss of down.
One Do Over is permitted per down.
If the initial exchange results in a second consecutive occurrence during the same down, the offense will be charged with a loss of down.
Game Day Reminder for Parents & Fans
We kindly ask all parents, fans, and spectators to use the designated walkways around the fields when entering and exiting.
We have seen an increase in spectators walking directly across active playing fields, which has caused delays in game starts and disrupted play.
Please be respectful of the players, coaches, and officials by walking around the fields rather than crossing through them. Your cooperation helps us keep games running on schedule and maintain a safe environment for everyone.
Cheer loud! Be proud! 📣🏈👏🏼
