Field and Equipment

1. The Field

The 5v5 Field of Play for U8 + U10 + U12 + U14 + U16 is 60 x 25 including end zones and for U18 + U20 + Senior 70 x 25 including end zones.

In 7v7 the field is 110 by 65-yards. The size of field may be altered for specific events and to suit the needs or resources of independent leagues.

Field specifications and markings are diagramed and detailed on page 23, 24, 27 & 28.

• 1.1Goal posts are not required for the game of flag football. If they exist on the field, they must be padded to prevent injury and must be in the end zone if present.
• 1.2League/Tournament organizers should decide the ground rules regarding obstructions and inform the teams and officials of these decisions in writing prior to the season/tournament. When obstructions are not covered by the ground rules, the Referee will consult the teams to arrive at ground rules that are satisfactory to both teams.
• 1.3The team bench areas should be on the same side of the field unless circumstances dictate otherwise. The team bench area is to be marked. All team accessories, such as buckets, bags and equipment, should be placed at least 5-yards from the sidelines.
• 1.4Team members must stay in the team bench area or be penalized for objectionable conduct or Leaving Team Area unless they are given permission by an official to leave the area or are entering the field during the legal substitution as a player. Only team members are allowed to stay in the team bench area; anyone else in the area must leave immediately or the team will be penalized for objectionable conduct.
• 1.5Any spectator that interferes with the normal course of the game will be ejected from the field area. It is the local organization's responsibility to ensure that the ejected spectator complies with the decision, to ensure the safety of all players, staff members and officials.
• 1.6If a spectator interferes during the play, the official will evaluate the impact of the interference and act accordingly. For example, if it is obvious that a touchdown would have been scored without the spectator's interference, the official will allow the touchdown. If the impact is not clear, the down will be replayed at the initial line of scrimmage or distance gained at point of interference at officials discretion.

2. The Ball

• 2.1Teams may use their own ball or mutually agree to use 1 game ball.
• 2.2For youth leagues / recreational play it is recommended that appropriately sized footballs are used for both male and female players to accommodate the players abilities (examples below outline the minimum ball size that should be used).

For senior men's and women's leagues / recreational play they will typically use whatever ball they are comfortable with unless otherwise specified by the league.

• For regional, national & international tournaments or championships the ball(s) to be used will be specified in the Technical Package for that event.
  • 2.3No team or player is permitted to make alterations to the natural surface of the ball being used. Teams doing so will be penalized for objectionable conduct. The Referee must remove any ball that has been altered.

3. The Kicking Tee (7v7 only)

• 3.1The kicking tee must not raise the lowest part of the ball more than 2 inches off the ground or it will be deemed'illegal procedure.'The kicking team is responsible for removing the kicking tee from the field after the play is dead. Failure to do so will result in objectionable conduct penalty against the team.

4. Uniforms

• 4.1Official tournament jerseys must be worn during play and properly tucked into shorts. If 2 teams are using similar jerseys, the winner of the coin toss has the option to change sweaters unless 1 team agrees to change its colors voluntarily.
• 4.2If numbered jerseys are worn then all players must wear different numbers and ensure they are visible. Changing jersey numbers during a game is deceitful to the opponents and prohibited. Uniforms cannot contain any equipment that would cause injury to any player, such as flexible padding.
• 4.3Players are not permitted to use adhesive material, paint, grease or any other slippery or sticky substance applied to equipment or on a player's person, clothing or attachments that affects the ball or an opponent.
• 4.4Players must not wear shorts or pants that have pockets, belt, press studs or clips of any kind. Shorts or pants must be of a color different from the flags, to avoid camouflage of flags. Players cannot tape or secure their shorts or pants to meet this regulation. Short pockets may be sewn shut so that an opponent's finger does not get caught and passes inspection of the game official.

5. Player Equipment

• 5.1All players must properly wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
• 5.2A player is permitted to wear athletic support/protector, completely covered by clothing or a clear, non-protruding face shield. Tape or bandages are permitted if they are non- abrasive or are of a nonhardening material in a wet or dry state.
• 5.3Jewelry must be removed prior to the start of the game. If it is not possible to remove the jewelry it must be covered up completely, padded and secured. Medical bracelets may be worn but they must be fastened securely so as not to cause injury.
• 5.4Soft headgear, including religious headdresses that are securely fastened and do not include metal or hard plastic that could be harmful to participants, is permitted.
• 5.5Sunglasses are permitted.
• 5.6Knee and elbow guards must be flexible and contain no hard material.
• 5.7Arm casts may be worn only to protect an injury and must be flexible and contain no materialsin a wet or dry state. Knee braces may be worn but must be completely covered by pants or by adhesive or tensor bandages such that no part of the brace is exposed, so a finger cannot be placed between any edge of the brace and the leg. Finger splints may be worn to protect an injury, but the finger splint must be appropriately padded. The officials will have the final decision on the acceptability of this type of equipment.
• 5.8If a player or official has any part of their uniform or equipment saturated with blood, the uniform must be cleansed or changed immediately. "Saturated" being defined as the amount of blood being sufficient to soak through the garment and into the skin or such that blood would easily be transferred to another participant.
• 5.9Players may wear cleats but must be rubber cleats. There is no minimum or maximum number of cleats to be worn, but cleats must be a part of the natural design of the shoes and in good condition. Spikes or similar sharp pointed type shoes such as track spikes, metal baseball cleats, or golf shoes are not permitted.
• 5.10Play cards, play books, and play sheets may be used if they are not attached to the belt, and are safely secured during the play. Play sheets may not be placed on the ground where a runner could step on them.

6. Team Equipment

Different types of flags are available, including:

• 6.1Looped belts, in which the belt is tightened around the waist and does not come off. Flags are typically 2 inches x 17 ¼ inches and are attached with either Velcro or suction sockets and all players should be wearing the same size flags.
• 6.2Clipped belts, in which the belt is fastened around the waist with a quick release clip are available in different sizes. Flags are typically 2 ¼ inches x 14 ½ inches and are attached with either Velcro or suction cups and all players should be wearing the same size flags.
• 6.3Cloth flags, in which 2 separate flags are tucked into a player's shorts or pants. The white section of the flag (8 inches x 2 inches) must be worn inside the pants with a minimum of 2 inches showing and the colored section of the flag (14 x 2 inches) must be worn on the outside of the pants. The officials must always be able to see a part of the white section of the ball carrier's flag otherwise a penalty for flag guarding will be called.
• 6.4If a player is wearing unacceptable attire, equipment or shoes, the player must leave the game for at least 1 play and remove the equipment before returning. If the player returns to the game with the unacceptable equipment, the team will be penalized for objectionable conduct and the player will be ejected.

Note: Inspections of players' attire and equipment will be inspected by the official at the beginning of each game. The referee has the final decision and will decide on any on-field ruling which is not covered by this rule book.