SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOTBALL OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION - THE WEEKLY BULL FOR FLAG FOOTBALL – October 7, 2025
Wearing Your Flag Belt in a Proper Manner – All players must wear their flags in a legal manner before the ball becomes live. Officials and coaches should be constantly checking shirts and flags for legal compliance. If the player begins the play with the flags at the sides, then they slip to the front and back, the rule book does not address that specific issue. From the CIF State Rules Interpreter: “What we do know is that sometimes the slippage is due to the player wearing the belt at the hips, not at the narrower waist. Thus, when the player runs, the flag can slide up and loosen around the waist. Flags should be worn at the narrower waist area and the belt tight. If the reason for the slippage is the defense grabbing the belt or strap and causing the flags to shift, then that is on the defense and could be a holding penalty or no penalty, but the play stands and the belt readjusted. If the flag continues to slip due being worn improperly, and the player/team have been warned, then a flag guarding foul can occur at that spot in the run.”
Backward Pass (Lateral) – A backward pass, or lateral, can be used on any play at any time. Even after a change of possession, like an interception or on a punt return. It is always legal if it is backwards.
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.
CA Mercy Rule – The same as tackle football except the point margin is 21-points. At the conclusion of the third quarter or any point thereafter, if there is a point differential of 21 or more points, a running clock shall be instituted for the remainder of the game regardless of the score. The game clock should stop only for a score, following a fair catch or awarded fair catch, a charged team timeout, a coach-referee conference or an official’s timeout (like an injury). Once the stoppage is over (for example the TD and extra point have been completed) the clock will start on the ready for play whistle.
Review of Legal Screen Blocking and Illegal Blocking
Screen blocking is taking a position to obstruct the path of an opponent without contacting the opponent with any part of the blocker's body. After assuming a legal position, a screen blocker may move to maintain a legal position by moving in the same direction or path as the opponent. Screen blocking shall take place without initiating contact during the process of the block. CIF has given everyone the language of “right of place” and “right of way”, and “contact with impact” to assist in this. Remember, Right of Place supersedes Right of Way. Establishing a stationary stance and obstructing your opponent’s path is Right of Place. If there is CONTACT, someone has committed a foul. Contact with Impact is intended to allow for a gentle brush of shoulders or a light touch on a player, without it being considered a foul. The NFHS rule book is obvious, legal screen blocking will take place without contact.
