FLAG FOOTBALL Rules

2025 Rules

ESCRA Football Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide and promote recreation between churches in the Shelby County area in a Christ-honoring environment.

Purpose

Provide athletic competition for all ages
Promote an environment for the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship
Promote participation in team sports
Encourage fellowship that honors Jesus Christ

Grade Exemptions

In special circumstances, an exemption may be granted for a player to play in an grade division for which he/she is too old
All exemption requests must be submitted by the Athletic Director/Coordinator by email detailing the circumstance for the request to escrasports@gmail.com prior to the 1st game
Churches will be notified concerning the status of the exemption by email
All approved exemptions are for that season and sport and can be revoked if the exemption is deemed not appropriate

Team Rosters

Rosters must be submitted to the League before the first game by each Organization’s sports director/coordinator to EscraSports@gmail.com.
ESCRA Flag football is an “ALL PLAY” League, and Girls are permitted to participate

Playing on More Than One Team

Players are not allowed to play on more than one team within the same sports season.
Anyone playing for their school, on a competitive team, or in another league or association within the same sports season is not eligible to play in the ESCRA league.

Regulation Ball Sizes

1-2nd Grade: K2
3-4th Grade: TDJ
5-6th Grade: TDY

The Game

2 halves; 20 minutes long with 5 minutes for halftime
Game uses a RUNNING CLOCK, not stopping unless there is a time out.
REGULATION TIME, is used inside 1-minute of the 2nd Half for all dead balls and first downs
NO OVERTIME, PERIOD!
Games begin with prayer at mid-field
The start of play will be determined by a Rock/Paper/Scissors match between the Team Captains.
Winner: choose the ball / defer to 2nd half and choose which goal to defend
Possession and Direction of play will alternate at the start the 2nd half

Head Coach

Identified at the pre-game Coaches Meeting
Responsible for all behavior issues related to players and fans
The ONLY Representative who can ask questions about rule clarification or interpretation
Each team is responsible for CLEAN UP their bench area after the game
(ONE) 1st & 2nd Grade Coach may be on the field for Offense and Defense
3-6th Grade Coaches MUST be on the sideline at the time of the snap for safety

Players

7 v 7 Game – and a maximum of 7 players on the field at any time
Recommended players on a roster: 14
Every player must play at least 50% of the game if they are physically able.
THERE IS NO GAMEDAY PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THE 50% PLAY RULE.
Please report to your Director and submit a complaint to the league
Each team must have at least 7 players to begin the game
We strongly recommend playing the game even with borrowed players

The Score

No league standings will be kept
League's purpose is to emphasize fun, fellowship, and instruction
Touchdown – 6 Points
Extra Point – 1 Point (5-yard line)
Extra Point – 2 Points (10-yard line)
Safety – 2 Points (Flag pull, OR fumbled ball in the end zone by the offense)
Pick 6 - 6 Points (interceptions may be returned as long as the Defender has a flag belt on. If not, the play is ruled dead at the spot of catch)
NOTE: Interceptions on Extra Points are NOT returnable...the ball is immediately dead.

Rules of the Game

ESCRA uses the 2016 NFL Flag Football Rules, with age rule modifications
The offense takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three (4) plays to cross midfield, and after 1st Down, 4 additional downs to score a TD
If the offense fails to get a 1st down at midfield or score a touchdown after 3 attempts, the ball changes possession, and the new offensive possession takes over on its 5-yard line
The OFFENSE can select to go for it on 4th down with the RISK of opposing team taking possession of the spot short of the line to gain.
NOTE: If the 4th down try is UNSUCCESSFUL and is spotted inside of the Pass-Only line and the Goal Line, the ball will be placed at the 5-yard line on the change of possession.
Possession changes (EXCEPT interceptions and unsuccessful 4th downs) start on the offense’s 5-yard line
When the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball
A 15-second warning will be given before the delay of the game penalty
Each team has (1) 30-second time out per half
35-Point Mercy Rule: 2nd Half is SHORTENED TO 15 MINUTES

Offense

The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
Quarterbacks must hand off, toss, or pitch to another player behind the line of scrimmage.
The quarterback cannot attack the line of scrimmage (fake a run) or cross the line of scrimmage with the ball.
Quarterback Option plays are not allowed, as they would constitute the quarterback running.
Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
The offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage
The Defense can rush after the first handoff
ALL PASSES - must be forward and across the Line of Scrimmage
ANY DROPPED BALL (FUMBLE OR SNAP) THAT TOUCHES THE GROUND IS DEAD AT THE SPOT
“NO RUNNING ZONE” located 5 yards from each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield, and is designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations
A player taking a handoff, toss, or pitch may pass the ball from behind the line of scrimmage
Spins and Dives are not allowed by either the Offense or Defense teams
Offensive players cannot intentionally leave their feet to avoid a defensive play
The ball is spotted where the flag is pulled, NOT the location of the ball
Downfield blocking or moving screens are NOT ALLOWED
The quarterback has 7 seconds to hand off, toss, or throw after taking the snap
The 7-Second Rule starts on the QB receiving the ball from the Center snap
Violation of the 7-second rule results in a dead ball and loss of down. The ball will be spotted at the original line of scrimmage.
ONE LATERAL IS NOW ALLOWED DOWNFIELD PER SNAP
A LATERAL is defined as a hand-off, toss, pitch, or backward overhand pass thrown to another player.

Receiving

All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or pitched behind the line of scrimmage)
Only one player is allowed to be in motion at a time
A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception
No Lateral Passes Behind the line of scrimmage
Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
Interceptions can be advanced if the Defensive player has a flag belt on

Dead Balls

Substitutions may be made on any dead ball
When the ball hits the ground (even on Quarterback/Center exchange)
The ball carrier’s flag is pulled
The ball carrier steps out of bounds
When a Touchdown or Safety is scored
The Ball carrier’s knee or elbow hits the ground
The Ball carrier’s flag falls off (official’s discretion may be used)
Any penalties or infractions

Defense

NO DEFENSIVE RUSHERS (Until QB hands-off the ball)
Defensive Players may defend on the line of scrimmage, but CAN NOT cross the line of scrimmage until the FIRST HANDOFF is made
Once the ball has been handed off, all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
NO tackling or rough play is allowed.

Defensive Penalties / Infractions

Offsides: 5 Yards and automatic 1st down
Illegal Rushing the QB: 5 Yard and automatic 1st down

(Note: before a handoff, or from inside the 10 Yard marker will result in off-sides)

Interference: 5 Yards and automatic 1st down
Illegal flag pull (before the receiver has the ball): 5 Yards and automatic 1st down
Diving: 5 Yards from the spot of the infraction and automatic 1st down
Rough Play: 5 Yards and automatic 1st down & Unsportsmanlike Warning

Offensive Penalties / Infractions

False Start: 5 Yards and loss of down
Illegal forward pass: 5 Yards and loss of down

(Note: this is a pass received behind LOS or passes made beyond LOS)

Flag guarding: Dead Ball at the spot of the infraction, down counts
Blocking & Screening: Deadball at the spot of the infraction, down counts
Intentionally spinning or leaving the ground: to avoid having a flag pulled and Dead Ball at the spot of the infraction
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it.
(Note: Referees determine incidental that may result in the normal run of the play)

Sportsmanship

If the officials witness any tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped, and the player will be ejected.
ROUGH PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED
Unsportsmanlike Behavior will receive a warning. Player: 1st Penalty, a player is sent to the sideline; on the 2nd Penalty, the player is ejected from the Game-
Coaches who are ejected will receive a 2-game suspension
Officials have the right to determine offensive language. At the discretion of the officials and/or Site Manager, violators of offensive language (coaches, players, and/or spectators) may receive a warning or possible ejection. Repeat violators may be banned.

The Equipment

Triple-threat-type flags are MANDATORY for ALL PLAYERS
And, MUST be a different color from the uniform SHORTS
Mouthpieces are MANDATORY, with no exceptions
Tennis shoes or soft-cleated shoes
Matching shirts/jerseys are required; they must have numbers and the organization's name.
Pylons should be used to determine (2) for a mid-field line of gain and (4) for each End Zone.
The No Run Zone should be 3- 5 dashes, marked with Red Paint, prior to each line of gain.

The Officials

ESCRA will assign two (2) officials to enforce the rules of the game, with instruction, fun, fairness, and safety in mind
The referee(s) should briefly explain all infractions
If a referee does not show up for a game, please inform the Site Director and YOUR organization’s Director
PLEASE NOTE: If officials do not show up for your game, please play the game with honor and respect

Revised: August 22, 2025