SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL FOR FLAG FOOTBALL – August 6, 2025
Hello Flag Football Coaches and Ads – Make sure all head coaches have this contact information: Tom Ables, Assignment Secretary - assignsdcfoa@gmail.com - H - (858) 272-9179 Cell – (619) 997-7684 Steve Coover, Instructional Chair - cooversteve@gmail.com - (619) 921-3006
High Risk Play - When a team has just scored and they are still behind in the score they have the option to elect to run a high-risk play. (4/20 from their own 20-yard line). Q1. Is there a certain number of points we have to be down by to run this play? A1. No. As long as you are behind in score after your try, you can opt for the high-risk play.
Q2. How many times can we run this play? A2. As many times as you want as long as you are still behind in the score.
Q3. What happens if there is a penalty during the play? A3. We will enforce the penalty as we would on any scrimmage play. If the defense commits a foul that results in an automatic first down (like roughing the passer), the offense will get a new series starting with first down.
Q4. If we’re behind in the score after we score a safety on the other team, can we run the high-risk play? Yes, but you will most likely choose to have them punt the ball to you from their 20-yard line, rather than try a high-risk play from your own 20-yard line.
Neutral Zone Infractions The defense is not allowed to reset after entering the neutral zone.
Roughing the Passer - Defensive players are not allowed to contact the ball while it is the possession of the passer. Any contact to a ball in player possession is an illegal batting penalty. - Any contact to the QB's arm on a follow-through (even after a tipped pass) will result in a roughing the passer penalty.
Screen Blocking - Right of place always supersedes right of way - Screen blocking down field is legal as long as the screen blocker is moving in the same direction as the defensive player - A screen blocker establishing right of place must provide enough space between themselves and the defender to allow the defender to make a move or change direction
A Runner Who is Trapped When a runner has no opening to advance forward due to the defenders, maybe with the help of the sideline, surrounding the runner’s path forward, the runner must not attempt to “break through” the defenders and initiating contact with them. This will be illegal contact on the runner. The runner has basically two options, retreat backwards if there is an opening there, or give herself up.
Conference Meetings – Thank you to all of the coaches who participated in the meetings. The exchanges between you and Tom, Katie and myself were most helpful. Again, we are here to help so contact us whenever you have a problem. And keep checking your Arbiter account to make sure each week’s games have officials assigned.
The Field – 80 yds. X 40 yds. Most are attempting to use the Lacrosse lines which are already painted on many fields, which are centered and 40-yards apart. 10-yard line-to-10-yard line is also preferred. BUT using the home sideline is totally acceptable as using one of the endzones. I’m just sharing what I’ve discovered in the conference meetings.
Adornment – Black eye shade only one-stripe under the eye. No crosses or other symbols painted on the face. No jewelry. Wrist bands must be worn on the wrists. Hair ties and ribbons are legal. Headbands are legal. Guardian caps are legal.
Coin Toss – If you win, you can choose to start on offense, defense, or defer your choice to the second half. If a team defers, they will then have a choice of directions to start the game.
Kicking/Punting – Some important reminders: - No formation requirements - Players must remain stationary - Snap must be a backward pass (not hand-to-hand) - Ball must be punted within 5-seconds - Once the ball is kicked, all other players may move or jump. - Kickers and receivers have on opportunity to possess the ball. If it is touched, muffed, or fumbled to the ground, the play is dead. This includes a rolling or bouncing ball. -If the punt does not go beyond the neutral zone, then the ball is dead instantly. Neither team may advance a punt that does not go beyond the neutral zone.
