SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL FOR FLAG FOOTBALL – September 7, 2026
New Video Attached - Thank you Katie Ott for another informative Instructional Video which is attached to this bulletin. Take a moment to learn from her and this 10-minute video. More each week if we get enough film!
Encroachment – The neutral zone begins at the back side of the football, nearest the offense, and extends one full yard from the front of the football. Thus, the neutral zone is one yard PLUS the length of the football. The defense may not enter the neutral zone after the snapper has placed her hands on the ball. If a defender jumps, but does enter the neutral zone there is no foul. If a defender enters the neutral zone, it is a dead ball foul of 5-yards.
Punted Ball Bouncing – How many times can a ball bounce or roll before it is ruled dead? The rule is the same as tackle football, the ball can bounce and roll as many times as it takes before the ball becomes still or the defense places their hand(s) on the ball stopping it from rolling or bouncing. The ball would be declared dead at that spot. Now if a player, from either team, attempts to secure possession of the bouncing or rolling ball, and they muff their attempt, and the ball then hits the ground, the ball is dead when it hits the ground.
More on Punting – There is no penalty for a team choosing to punt the ball directly out of bounds.
Penalty by the Opponent of the Scoring Team – We know that the penalty by the defense on a scoring play can be enforced on the Extra Point (PAT or Try) or at the subsequent starting spot. If this happens, and it is a 15-yard penalty, then a team who wants to attempt the High Risk Play, would be starting at the 10-yard line and have to get to the 40-yard line in one play.
25-Second Play Clock – Referees must blow their whistle and signal the ball ready for play with the “hack” signal, on every play.
2-Minute Warning – The 2-minute warning is not a time out even though we stop the clock. We inform both head coaches that we’re inside of two minutes of the half, or the end of the game. We then start the clock on the snap.
Does a player give up their right of way when they change direction / make a cut? - Yes, they would then need to reestablish a new right of way. We will see this mostly between the rusher and the screen blockers
Safety – Following a safety, the ball is put in play by the team who had the safety scored against them, which is the same as tackle football. They will put the ball in play by a scrimmage kick from their own 20-yard line.
There are No No-Run Zones – These were eliminated 2-years ago. An offense may run as many times as they wish, from any location on the field. And there is no limit on how many times the QB may run either.
Extra Points Are From the 3-Yard Line – One report I received was the official quoting last year’s rule that PAT are from the 5 and the 10. Not true. The PATs are from the 3-yard line for one point, and from the 10-yard line for to points.
The Neutral Zone is 1-Yard Plus the Length of the Ball – The neutral zone is the length of the football PLUS one yard. If the defense comes into this area before the snap, it is a foul for encroachment (dead ball foul) 5-yards and the down stays the same unless the 5-yards gives the offense a first down.
More on Screen Blocking in the Backfield – The blocking back in the backfield may move following the snap. This sliding is legal as long as it does not create contact with the rusher. If the blocker moves and makes no contact, we have a legal screen block. If the blocker slides and the stops immediately in front of the rusher or slides into the rusher, we have a foul for Illegal Block. If the blocker slides and then becomes stationary with enough room for the defender to adjust, and the rusher chooses to initiate contact, then we would have a foul for illegal use of the hands on the defense.
Do We Have to Use the Tie Breaking Procedure - In the CIFSDS, the current approved tie breaking procedure will be used to break all ties in all regular season and postseason games at the varsity level. A winner will be declared following applicable overtime procedures.
Tie Breaking Procedure, Overtime – Overtime starts at the 10-yard line. Both teams get 4 downs to score at TD which counts for 6-points. They then will attempt either a 1-point (3-yard line) or 2-point (10-yard line) PAT. If the score is still tied after both teams have had one possession of the ball, the ball will be placed at the 3-yard line for each subsequent series. If a team scores from the 3-yard line, they are awarded 1-point.
QB Sneaks at the Goal Line – This is a legal offensive play UNLESS there are stationary defensive players in the way. If so, the offense may not make contact with the defenders as they have the Right of Place. Offensive players would have to avoid any contact with the defenders who are stationary.
Runners Initiating Contact – In a similar manner, the runner must also avoid defensive players who have the Right of Place in front of the runner. Runners may not just run into defenders. Conversely, a defender may not run in front of the runner, causing contact, in an attempt to pull both flags at the same time. Defenders must attempt to pull the flag from one side or the other side of the runner. Choose which side of the runner and attempt your flag pull.
Play Clock Visible Count Down – Referees are to wear a “ReadyRef” or a watch to keep track of the 25-second play clock. It is a required mechanic that the referee will raise his arm with 10-seconds remaining, and then begin a 5-second count down signal like they do in basketball.
Jumping and Diving – These two acts are now fully legal. There is no penalty for diving or jumping.
Fumbling the Snap, Including on a Punt Play – Any time a snap hits the ground, the ball is dead, and the play is over. We’ve had very kind referees trying to be nice to the teams by allowing the punter to pick up the muffed snap off of the ground and punt it. This is incorrect and does not help the players learn and respect the rules of the game. As harsh as it seems, the snap hitting the ground causes the ball to be dead, and because this is occurring on 4th down, the opposing team takes over on downs.
Jump Ball on a Punt – We had this happen his past week where a very high punt hits the ground about 15-yards downfield, and the ball bounces straight back up high into the air. Players from both teams jump in an honest attempt to catch this “jump ball”. As a result of the attempt, there was some contact between the players. The referee correctly ruled that there was no foul for the contact in this case.
