OFFICIAL - 2011
San Diego C.A.P.S.E.S. Sports League
Flag Football Rules
**Updated: 9/20/2011**
Text hi-lighted in yellow = change from last year
Commitment Statement
The San Diego CAPSES Sports League is committed to developing athletic skills and sportsmanship while providing an opportunity for students with special needs to play competitive sports. The goal of this league is for every game to be a positive experience for all players on both teams, regardless of which team is victorious in the game. As the schools involved in this league serve a wide range of individuals with special needs, coaches on both competing teams, actively work to balance the competition in the interest of keeping the game competitive. All participants, coaches and players alike, promise to play fair, treat others with respect and to always do their best.
Game Time: ALL Games will be played on Friday's starting at 11 AM (except otherwise specially scheduled)
**Changing the date or time of the game is OK only if BOTH Schools agree. Then the “Home” team is responsible notify the Crew Chief: “Bruce” Phone: 619-977-7256, email: bcarvajal5@att.net and verify to the visiting team that they have notified Bruce.
Home Team Responsibilities:
§ Arrange (and if needed pay) for field to play on
§ Call the other school that Tuesday or Wednesday to confirm the game time & location
§ If necessary, call Bruce (the League’s Officiating Chief), of a Cancellation or Rescheduling of the game
§ Mark the field to the required specifications with cones
§ Help keep the “Unofficial” score of the game
§ Provide person to be the “Downs Maker” **Optional if you have the equipment***
§ After the game, call or email the League Commissioner with the Results of the game (Bob Meehan:
School #: 619-243-1325 Ext. 1703, Cell #: 619-415-7785, Email: bmeehan@tiee.org.)
Away Team Responsibilities:
§ Keep the “Official” Score of the game
§ If necessary, call Bruce (the League’s Officiating Chief), of a Cancellation or Rescheduling of the game
Officiating
§ There shall be two paid Referees for each game Flag Football Game.
§ Each Ref. will be paid $40 (in cash). Each school will pay one of the Refs.
Procedure for Notifying The Officials when a game needs to be Cancelled or Rescheduled:
§ Due to Poor Weather: The “Home” Team MUST contact “Bruce” (the Officiating Chief) by 9
AM of the day of the game.
§ Non-Weather Related Reasons: The school that is canceling MUST contact “Bruce” (the
Officiating Chief) and the League Commissioner -- Bob Meehan, by 4 PM the day before the
scheduled game.
§ If a game is cancelled after the time deadlines, BOTH schools must still pay the Referees. $40.
§ Officiating Crew Chief: “Bruce” (phone: 619-977-7256) (email: bcarvajal5@att.net)
Roster:
1. 8-Players on the field. Unlimited Roster size.
**Unlimited Substitutions, but subs must be sent in before the Officials declare the ball “Set”.
2. A School MUST field a Minimum of 8 Student Players. If a team is unable to filed a minimum of 8 student players, the game is considered an automatic Forfeit Loss for that school. However, in the spirit of good sportsmanship and completion, it encouraged that the other team "Loan" some players so the game can still be played. The game is then considered a "Friendly" competition.
Note: Even in the event of a forfeit, both schools school are still expected to pay the $40 Referee fee, if
“Bruce” was not notified by 4 pm of the previous day.
3. All Players in Uniform are encouraged, but not required, to play for at least one-set of downs.
Field
4. The Dimensions of the field shall be 80 yards (240 feet) long by 40 yards (120 feet) wide with two 10-
yard (30 feet) end zones.
Note: The width of the field can be slightly narrower than 40-yards to accommodate available space, but each
Team’s Home field MUST be able to accommodate these field dimensions.
5. Each 20 yards is considered a “First Down Line” (i.e., 20, 40, 20) with a first down being awarded to the
Offensive Team each time they cross those lines.
Flag Belts
6A. A “Triple Threat” aka 3-Flag” Belt MUST be worn by ALL players (i.e., the entire belt comes off when a flag is pulled) & Player Uniform Jersey must be Tucked In. **See Summary of Penalties
6B. The Color of the flag belt must clearly contrast the color of the uniform pants/shorts & jersey.
Note: If a school comes to a game not wearing the proper Flag Belts, the game is Forfeit/Loss for that school. NO use of Velcro Flag belts or Hook Flag Belts (i.e., any flag belts where a flag will come off individually).
Optional Equipment
7. The use of a “Mouth Guard” is highly encouraged
8. Plastic or screw-in cleats on shoes. No metal cleats.
Football Type
9. The game football MUST be (and say) "OFFICIAL SIZE" as used in the NFL and NCAA.
§ Each school can use their own ball when on offense, but the ball must say "Official Size".
§ During the coin-toss at the beginning of the game, the Refs will confirm that each school's game ball
says "Official Size" on it. If a ball does not say "Official Size," it cannot be used in the game.
Note: “Wilson” is the official ball manufacturer for both the NFL and NCAA
Official Size of the NFL & NCAA Footballs:
§ Short Circumference: 20.75"- 21.25"
§ Long Circumference 27.75 "- 28.5"
§ Length Tip to Tip: 10.75”
§ Weight: 14-15 oz
Game Time;
10. A game consists of Four (4) 12-minute Quarters.
§ Teams switch direction at the end of each Quarter.
§ The clock runs consistently, except for the last 2-minutes of the 2nd & 4th Quarters. The clock also stops for called team time- outs and referee called time-outs (e.g., due to injuries or a rule clarification discussion).
11. During the last 2-minutes of the 2nd & 4th Quarters, the Clock will STOP for penalties, incomplete passes,
plays that run out of bounds, change of possessions and scores (including point after attempts).
** The Ref will verbally call out the Time (in a loud voice) at least every two minutes***
12. 3 Time-Outs per team per half. Any Player or Coach can call for a Time-Out. Unused Time-Outs do not
carry over to the second half.
13. The Offensive Team has 25-seconds to put the ball in play once the Ref has “Set” the ball. The Referee
shall verbally count down out loud from the 10 second mark.
Game Play
14. A coin toss is used to decide which team is on offense first and the field direction.
§ The “Away” team calls “Heads” or “Tails”.
§ The Team that wins the coin-toss choose to be on offense first OR the field direction.
§ The other team chooses the remaining option.
§ Offense and direction of play shall be reversed for the start of the second half.
15. The Team on Offense gets the ball on their own 20-yard line to start the first and second half. The team on
Offense gets the ball on their own 20-yard line after the other team scores a touchdown.
16. First Downs: Each time the team on Offense moves the ball across the “First Down Lines (i.e., 20, 40, 20)”
they are awarded a First Down.
Note: Re-crossing the first down line due to a loss of yards on previous play, does NOT count as another first
down.
Offense
17A. The Team on Offense must have at least 4 players on the actual line of scrimmage.
17B. For safety, players should NOT be in any type of 3-point stance.
18. The player ‘snapping” the ball must hike it to another player. NO sneak hikes. *** See Summary of
Penalties***NOTE: The use of a Fake Cadence OK (e.g., saying “Hike,” but not actually snapping the ball in the
hopes drawing an off-sides penalty on the Defense) is legal, but excessive use of this strategy is highly discouraged.
19. One offensive player is allowed in parallel motion (to the line of scrimmage) before the ball is snapped.
20. The team on Offense shall move the ball by running or passing the ball.
21. Any player on Offense can run, pass, or catch the ball.
22A. The Offensive Team may throw as many forward passes as they like, however the pass
must be thrown from behind the original line of scrimmage.
22b. Backward laterals of the ball is OK. Forward laterals (throwing the ball forward after crossing the line of
scrimmage) is illegal and will result in a penalty *** See Summary of Penalties***
23. No Offensive Player can hold or illegally block a Defensive Player
***See “Blocking” section and Summary of Penalties***
24. Spinning & Jumping while running with the ball is legal, but a Player cannot “Flag Guard” (deliberately attempting to turn or jump in order to prevent his or her flag from being pulled).
25. The Ball Runner may NOT “Guard” his or her Flags, “Straight-Arm” or run directly into a Defensive Player. *** See Summary of Penalties***
26. If an Offensive Player has the ball and their flag belt unintentionally falls off (i.e., there was no contact) – the play is STILL live. When this happens, a Defensive Player must touch the player with the ball with just one hand between the shoulders and the knees to end the play.
Punting:
27. The Offensive Team can declare a “Punt” to the Refs before the ball is put in play. Once a “Punt” is declared, the Offensive team MUST Punt the ball. NO Fake Punts or Sneak Punts (i.e., punting the ball without declaring it).
28. During a declared Punt, ALL Offensive & Defensive Players MUST remain still until the ball is Punted.
29. During a declared Punt, if the snapped ball touches the ground, it still may be picked up and Punted.
30a. Teams MUST Punt with the ball that is regularly used by the Offense. A team cannot bring in a different,
“special” ball to punt.
30b. No “Sneak” (aka, undeclared) Punts – See Summary of Penalties.
Defense
31. The goal of a Defensive Player MUST be to pull the flag of the Offensive Player who has the ball.
No Holding, pushing, tackling, striking/pulling at the ball carrier’s arms in an attempt to cause a fumble or intentionally hitting a quarterback’s arm in an attempt to knock the ball loose.
*** See Summary of Penalties***
32. Any Defensive Player may intercept and return a pass thrown by the Offense.
Blocking:
33a. Any type of Blocking must be done safely.
33b. No defensive player shall line up directly in front of the Offensive Center. No “Canning” of the
Offensive Center (i.e., when a defensive player makes contact with Offensive Center before they
have a chance to stand up and block – violation will be considered a 15 yard personal foul penalty (Rule #70).
34. No Forearm or Cross-Arm Blocking is allowed. *** See Summary of Penalties***
35. NO Blocking to the head/face, below the waist, or from behind.
***See Summary of Penalties for further examples and penalties***
Dead Balls:
36. There are no “Lost Fumbles,” such that the ball is returned to the original line of scrimmage (37a and 37b).
37a. If the football ball is “Fumbled Forward,” the ball shall be placed at the spot where the ball carrier lost the
football.
37b. If the ball is “Fumbled Backward,” the ball shall be placed at the spot where the football first touched the
ground.
Scoring:
38. Touch Down = 6 points
39A. Extra Points:
§ 1 Points from the 5-Yard Line
§ 2 Points from the 10-Yard Line
39B. NO kicked “Field Goals” or “Extra Point Kicks.“
Note: If a Defensive Player intercepts a pass during an Extra Point Attempt, and they run the ball back to the
other end zone, that team will be awarded 2 points.
40. Safety = 2 Points
§ The scoring team will receive the ball on Offense at their Own 20-Yard Line
OVERTIME FORMAT ~ *** A Game cannot end in a Tie ***
41. California Tiebreaker~
§ Coin Toss, the Winner of the Toss can choose one of the four options:
1. The Ball Last; 2. The Ball First; 3. One Side of the Field; 4. The Other Side of the Field.
**NOTE: Choosing “The Ball Last” option is most advantageous.
§ The Ball is placed at the 40-Yardline (Midfield)
§ The Teams Alternate Playing 4 Downs Each.
§ The team going first will run 4 offensive plays unless a score occurs, or the ball is turned over due to interception or loss of downs. The team going second will then run 4 offensive plays from the point where the team going first advanced the ball. Regardless of yardage gained, no first downs in California Tiebreaker.
§ All Penalties & Interception Rules are the same.
§ If a Team scores a TD, point after procedures still apply.
§ After Each Team has played their 4 Downs, the Team that has gained the Most Yards or scored the
Most Points, is declared the Winner.
§ In the very unlikely event of the Yardage & the Score are equal after each team has played 4
downs, a second California Tie-Breaker session shall be played.
§ The California Tie Break should take less than 10 minutes to play.
Summary Of Penalties
Offensive – Dead Ball Penalties – Loss of 5-Yards
42. Illegal Motion or False Start
43. Illegal Formation (e.g., player stands in a 3-points stance)
44. Illegal Snap (e.g., not snapping it to another player)
45. “Sneak” or Undeclared Punt
46. A Defensive player not wearing his or her flag belt properly attached when the ball is snapped.
47. Delay of Game (e.g., Not snapping the ball within 25-seconds from when the Ref. "Sets" the ball).
**These Penalties are automatically enforced and cannot be declined by the Defensive Team
Offensive Penalties – After Play – Marked off from the Original Line of Scrimmage – Repeat Down –
Lose of 5-Yards
48. Off-Sides
49. Helping/Pushing a Runner
50. Too Many Players on the Field (i.e., 9 or more Players on the Field).
51. An Offensive player not wearing his or her flag belt properly attached when the ball is snapped.
**The Defense may choose to accept the Penalty or the result of the play
Offensive Penalties – After Play – Marked off from the Original Line of Scrimmage – Repeat Down –
Loss of 10-Yards
52. Illegal Blocking & Illegal Use of the Hands/Arms **see “Blocking” section
53. Holding (Safety if foul occurs in the End Zone)
54. Clipping
55. Tripping
56. Ball Runner Straight Arming opposing player
57. Ball Runner intentionally running into a Defensive Player
58. Illegal Forward Pass or Lateral pass
59. Quarterback Intentional Grounding -5 yards from the Spot of Foul & Loss of Down
60. Offensive Pass Interference -15 yards from Line of Scrimmage & Loss of Down
61. Flag Guarding - Loss of 10-yards from the spot of the infraction, repeat the down.
§ Exception: If the result of the play and the –10 yards have been marked off, and ball has still crossed a
first down marker, the Offensive Team will still be rewarded a First Down.
Defensive Dead Ball Penalties – 5-Yards
61. Intentional Delay of Game
62. Encroachment (A Defensive Player makes contact with an Offense Player before the Ball is Snapped).
63. Interfering with the Snap of the Ball (this includes making sounds to distract the QB from saying “Hike”)
64. Illegal Formation (e.g., a lining up in a 3-point stance, lining up directly in front of the Offensive Center).
65. A Defensive player not wearing his or her flag belt properly attached when the ball is snapped.
**These Penalties are automatically enforced and cannot be declined by the Offensive Team
Defensive Penalties – After Play – Marked off from the Original Line of Scrimmage – Repeat Down
& 5 Yards
66. Defensive holding, pushing, tackling, striking/pulling at the ball carrier’s arms in an attempt to cause a fumble or intentionally hitting a quarterback’s arm in an attempt to knock the ball loose. **An Automatic First Down**
67. Off-Sides
68. Too Many Players on the Field (i.e., 9 or more Players on the Field when the ball is snapped)
69. Any Defensive player not wearing his or her flag belt properly attached when the ball is snapped.
**The Offense may choose to accept the Penalty or the result of the play
Defensive Penalties – After Play – Marked off from the Original Line of Scrimmage – Repeat Down
15 Yards
70. Illegal Blocking/Contact & Illegal Use of the Hands/Arms ** See “Blocking” section
71. Tripping
72. Tackling
73. Roughing the Quarterback (including making contact with the throwing arm) 15 Yards and Automatic First
Down.
*The Offense may choose to accept the Penalty or the result of the play
Defensive Penalties – Spot of Foul – Automatic First Down
74. Defensive Pass Interference*
*If pass interference occurs in the end zone, the Ball will be placed at the 1-yard line.
**The Offense may choose to accept the Penalty or the result of the play.
Offensive or Defensive Personal Foul Penalties – Dead Ball – 15 Yards
75. Unnecessary Roughness (including the “Canning” of the offensive center by a defensive player).
76. The “Canning” of the Offensive Center (i.e., when a defensive player makes contact with the Offensive
Center before they have a chance to stand up and block).
77. Unsportsmanlike Conduct (by Player or Coach) – this includes swearing, taunting, yelling, threatening, throwing equipment, fighting and arguing with the Referee- see page 8.
*The Ref. may choose to also “Eject” a Player or Coach from a game for dangerous or inappropriate behavior.
**These Penalties are automatically enforced and cannot be declined.
Other Penalties:
78. Any Players determined to have intentionally tied their flags so it cannot be pulled will be ejected from the game and the other team will be awarded 2-points and the ball on Offense at their own 20-yard (same procedure as “Safety”).
79. Coaches, Players and Fans on the sidelines must be at least 3-yards away from the out of bounds markers – and not past the 20-yard line on either side of the field. Violation of this rule could result in the Referee
Calling “Too many players on the field –5 yards.”
SPORTSMANSHIP:
80. Unacceptable Behaviors by a Player or Coach:
§ Taunting
§ Name Calling
§ Teasing of Making Fun a player (from either team)
§ Criticizing the other team or Excessive Criticism their own team members
§ Excessive use of foul language
§ Flashing Gang Signs
§ Excessive intentional physical contact with another player
§ Throwing/kicking objects in anger
§ Complaining About Referee’s Call (audible to others)
§ Arguing with the Referee
** Doing so may result in the Referee calling an “Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” 15 Yard penalty and may further result in the offending Player or Coach being ejected from the game. A second violation by the same individual in a game will result in automatic ejection from the game and League Commissioner review of circumstances.
81. Ejection:
§ If a Player or Coach is ejected from a game, they are suspended from the next game played (including
playoff games).
§ A 2nd ejection during the season will result in that Player or Coach being suspended for the next 2
games played (including playoff games).
§ If suspensions are not honored and that Player or Coach is determined to have participated in a game
while under Suspension, that Team is no longer eligible for the post-season.
§ Repeated violations will put the Team's participation in the League in jeopardy and will be addressed at
the next San Diego CAPSES Director's meeting.
82A. Lopsided Scores: If a team is ahead by 17 or more points at 2-Minute Warning of the 4th Quarter, then
the clock will run continuously.
82B. Management of the Score – While it is the goal to win the game, it is the Head Coach’s responsibility, not the Referee’s, to keep the score of the game respectable (i.e., not to have a blow-out score such as 70
to 6 or 43-0). When the outcome of the game has already been decided, the Head Coach of the Team that is
ahead should be implementing the following strategies:
When on Offense:
§ Let other players, who typically don’t play the position, be the Quarterback or the Running Back
§ Don’t Pass the ball
§ Only run plays up the middle
§ Sit players who might have a hard time “holding back”
§ Give less experienced players more playing time.
When On Defense:
§ Don’t rush the Quarterback
§ Defensive Players only defend secondary part of field
§ Sit players who might have a hard time “holding back”
§ Give less experienced players more playing time.
Note: Does this mean that the Head Coach should purposely let the other team score? No, but if implementing
the above mentioned strategies results in the other team scoring a little more and their own team scoring a little
less, then everyone walks off the field a winner.
83. Game Sportsmanship:
§ At the end of each game, it is expected that ALL players and Coaches will shake the hands of the other
team.
§ Each team will nominate a Game MVP from the other team.
*****************************************************************************************
84. Playoff Format:
§ Standings and Playoff seedings are determined by the best Winning Percentage (calculated by Games Won / (divided by) Games Scheduled).
Note: Regular season forfeits count as a win for the opposing team. Weather cancellations which could not be made up still count as a game scheduled for both teams. This is to prevent a team from purposefully not rescheduling a game to preserve a win/loss record.
§ Top 4 Teams with the Best Win/Games Scheduled Record will make the Playoffs.
§ The Best Games Won/Games Scheduled Record and then Head-To-Head Results will determine the Playoff Seedings.
§ NOTE: If two teams are tied in the standings, but did not play each other during the regular season, then
each school’s record vs. common opponents will be used to determine the final standings.
§ The 1 & 2 Seed Schools will Host "Home" Playoff Games the first week of the Playoffs (i.e. 4th Seed @
1st Seed and the 3rd Seed @ 2nd Seed).
§ The Winning Schools will play each other the following week in the "S.D. C.A.P.S.E.S. Super Bowl"
§ The Super Bowl will be played at the higher remaining Seed's Home Field.
§ The "Home" Team for all Playoff Games will be responsible for arranging a field to play on and
contacting "Bruce" to have a Refs. at the Game. **Same $40 Ref. fee still applies.
§ If the use of the field required money, then the "Away" team will be expected to pay 50% of the Field
Fee.
OFFICIATING:
85. Rules Are Written To Be Followed
86. Referees - things to keeping mind:
§ It is very hard for the Referees to see everything, especially things that happen away from the ball.
§ Like our players, Referees are human too and may make mistakes from time to time.
§ Everyone needs to accept that there will always be a human aspect to the games.
87. No arguing a Referee’s Judgment Calls:
Referee Judgment calls, such as flag guarding, holding, complete or incomplete pass, inbounds or out of bounds are considered Judgment Calls and CANNOT be Argued or Challenged by Players and/or Coaches. Doing so may result in an “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” Penalty being called (-15 yards) and possibly that Player or Coach being ejected from the game.
All Referee Judgment Calls cannot be Argued or Challenged
88. Rules Clarification Conference Procedure:
If Coach feels the Referee is incorrect or not following a Procedural” aspect of the rules, they will need to call
for a “Time Out” (if they have any left) and request a “Rules Clarification Conference” with the Head Referee.
If the Referee agrees with the Coach, their Team’s will NOT be charged a Time-Out (similar rule as in the
NFL).
During the last 2-minutes of the 4th Quarter and a team is out of out of Time Outs, they can still request a “Rules
Clarification Conference”, but can ONLY do so during a natural stoppage of the clock (e.g., incomplete pass,
a play runs out of bounds, penalties).
NOTE: ALL Coaches are PROHIBITED from talking to their players during this “Rules Clarification
Conference”
The Coach must refer directly to this set of written rules. Procedural Topics for a “Rule Clarification
Conference” may only be from the list below:
§ Team Roster
§ Field Dimensions
§ The size of the Game Ball
§ Type and Color of the Flag Belt (contrast with uniform). Uniforms Covering the Flag Belts
§ Management Of The Game Clock (e.g., clock was not stopped at the correct moment, the clock was not
restarted at the correct moment).
§ Placement of the Ball after it hits the ground from fumble
§ Yardage Enforcement of a Penalty
§ Procedure for the 1 or 2-point attempt (after a touchdown)
§ Placement of the Ball after a Safety
§ No “sneak” or undeclared punts
§ California Tie Breaker Overtime Format
§ A Referee calling a penalty for something that is NOT stated in the Rules
89. Hierarchy to Settle Disputes:
• If the League Commissioner is NOT present at a game and/or their own school is playing in the game,
then the two Head Coaches from each team can consult with the Head Referee/Umpire about the
enforcement of Procedural Aspects of the Rules (i.e., must be about a topic from the designated list).
Like above, this consultation will be based on the interpretation of the written rules. Hopefully, after
this consultation, everyone will come away agreeing. However, if needed, the Head Umpire/Referee
and the two Head Coaches will vote about what should be decided. The majority wins. Then ALL
Referees/Umpires and Coaches will need to abide by what was decided in that vote.
• If the League Commissioner is present at a game and can be considered neutral (i.e., his or her school is NOT
playing the game ~ mostly likely only during playoff games), this person can consult with the Referees/Umpires about the enforcement of Procedural Aspects of the Rules (i.e., must be about a topic from the designated list). This consultation will be based on the interpretation of the written rules. Hopefully, after this consultation, everyone will come away agreeing. However, if needed, the League Commissioner will make a final decision about the dispute. The Referees/Umpires and Coaches will need to abide by the League Commissioner's
decision.
