NCAA Flag Rule 1
The Game, Field, Players and Equipment
SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 1. The game shall be played between two teams of no more than seven players each, on a rectangle field, and with an inflated ball having the shape of a prolate spheroid. A team may legally play with fewer than seven players.
ARTICLE 2. Goal lines, one for each team, shall be established at opposite ends of the field of play, and each team shall be allowed opportunities to advance the ball across the other team’s goal line by running or passing it.
Winning Team and Final Score
ARTICLE 3.
a. The teams shall be awarded points for scoring according to rule and, unless the game is forfeited, the team having the larger score at the end of the game shall be the winning team.
b. When the referee declares that the game has ended, the score is final.
ARTICLE 4. The game shall be played under the supervision of the game officials.
ARTICLE 5. Each team shall designate to the referee not more than four players as its field captain(s). One player at a time shall speak for their team in all dealings with the officials.
Persons Subject to the Rules
ARTICLE 6.
a. All persons subject to the rules are governed by the decisions of the officials. b. Those persons subject to the rules are: Everyone in the team area, players, substitutes, replaced players, coaches, athletics trainers, cheerleaders, band members, mascots, public address announcers, audio/visual/lighting system operators, and other persons affiliated with the teams or institutions.
ARTICLE 1. The field shall be a rectangular area with dimensions, lines, zones, goals, and pylons indicated in Rule 1; Section 2 (above). If using a tackle, football field, the dimensions and zones will be set to those specific to 7-on-7 flag football.
ARTICLE 2. The width of the field shall be lined at 20-yard intervals from goal line to goal line. All yard lines inside the boundaries shall stop 4" from each sideline. Hash marks are required and must be present. They shall run parallel with each sideline, located 15 yards “in” from each sideline. The 3 and 10-yard Try lines shall be 2 yards wide and 4" thick. Both 14-yard lines shall be marked with an “X” or appropriate indicator and shall have a height of 1 yard and a line thickness of 4". White is the recommended color for all field markings.
ARTICLE 3.
a. Limit lines shall be marked 12 feet outside the sidelines and the end lines. Limit lines designating team areas shall be solid lines.
b. No person outside the team area shall be inside the limit lines. Game management personnel have the responsibility and the authority to enforce this rule. (Exception: Hand held cameras under the supervision of the television partners may briefly be between the limit lines and the sideline after the ball is dead and the game clock has been stopped. This exception does not allow cameras to be on the field of play or in the end zone at any time).
c. Limit lines shall also be marked six feet from the team area around the side and back of the team area, if the stadium permits.
ARTICLE 4. The entire width of the goal line shall be part of the end zone.
ARTICLE 5.
a. Each side of the field shall have a team box designated for the players and non players. This team box shall be located a minimum of five (5) yards from the sideline, between the twenty (20) yard lines on both sides of the field. The home team shall have a designated home side, usually the side of the field with the press box. All team members who are not participating in the play shall remain in the Team Box during live-balls.
b. The team area shall be limited to squad members in full uniform. All persons in the team area are subject to the rules and are governed by decisions of the officials (Rule 1-1-6). The individuals not in full uniform shall wear special team area or university credentials.
c. Coaches are permitted in the coaching box, see Rule 1; Section 2 (above), which is the area bounded by the limit line and coaching line between the 20-yard lines.
d. No media personnel, including journalists, radio and television personnel, or their equipment, shall be in the team area or coaching box, and no media personnel shall communicate in any way with persons in the team area or coaching box. In stadiums where the team area extends to the spectator seating area, a pass-through area should be made available for media to move from one end of the field to the other on both sides of the field.
e. Game management personnel shall remove all persons not authorized by rule.
ARTICLE 6. Soft, flexible four-sided pylons 4 inches by 4 inches with an overall height of 18 inches, which may include a 2-inch space between the bottom of the pylon and the ground, are required. They shall be red or orange in color. They are placed at the inside corners of the eight intersections of the sidelines with the goal lines and end lines. The pylons marking the intersections of the end lines and hash marks extended shall be placed three feet off the end lines.
Sideline Zone Markers, Down Indicators and Line-to-Gain Markers
ARTICLE 7. Each line to gain, both 20-yard lines and the 40-yard line, shall have yard-line markers constructed of a soft and pliable material, which shall be located three (3) yards from the side lines. Team members shall remain behind the markers in the team box while not participating in the game.
ARTICLE 8. White field yard line numbers shall be 6' in height and 4' in width, with the tops of the numbers 5 yards from the sidelines, if used.
ARTICLE 9.
a. All obstructions within the playing enclosure shall be placed or constructed in such a manner as to avoid any possible hazard to players. This includes anything dangerous to anyone at the limit lines.
b. After the officials’ pregame inspection of the playing enclosure, the referee shall order any hazardous obstructions located inside the limit lines removed.
c. The referee shall report to game management personnel any obstructions constituting a hazard within the playing enclosure but outside the limit lines. Final determination of corrective action shall be the responsibility of game management personnel.
d. After the officials have completed their pregame inspection of the playing enclosure, it is the responsibility of game management personnel to ensure that the playing enclosure remains safe throughout the game.
ARTICLE 10.
a. No material or device shall be used to improve or degrade the playing surface or other conditions and give one player or team an advantage.
b. The referee may require any improvement in the field necessary for proper and safe game administration.
c. It is recommended there be a slope of 1/4" per foot from the center of the field to each sideline on a natural grass field.
SECTION 3. GAME EQUIPMENT
ARTICLE 1. Prior to the game, each team shall present at least one ball that meets these requirements to the game officials. The referee shall have the final decision on all balls which each team intends on using during the game.
a. New or nearly new. (A nearly new ball is a ball that has not been altered and retains the properties and qualities of a new ball).
b. A brown-colored cover consisting of pebbled-grain, cowhide, or approved composition (leather) case without corrugations other than those formed by the 4 natural seams resulting from stitching panels together to form a football.
c. Each ball shall feature one set of 8 evenly spaces laces along one seam not to exceed 5 inches in length.
d. Each of the two panels adjacent to and connected by the laces shall feature 2 full or partial half stripes or stitch pattern that are 1” wide. Each of the 2 half stripes shall be perpendicular to the football’s long axis and fall within 2.5 – 4 inches from each end of the ball.
e. It shall weigh between 12 and 14 ounces while inflated to 10 to 13 pounds per square inch (psi).
f. The dimensions of each ball shall be within the following when the ball is inflated within the legal range:
1. Long circumference: Women 26-27 inches; Men 27.75-28.25 inches.
2. Short circumference: Women 19-20 inches; Men 20.75-21.25 inches.
g. The ball shall be either assembled or fully made in the USA. The Country of Origin shall be marked on the outer cover of each football.
h. Advertising is prohibited on the ball. All balls shall contain only the following permissible items:
1. School name and/or logo.
2. Conference name and/or logo.
3. Governing body name and/or logo.
4. Ball manufacturer’s name and/or logo.
5. Country of origin.
6. Event name and/or logo.
7. Sponsor name and or logo with a size not to exceed 2-inch circle.
ARTICLE 2. One down box shall be used to indicate the number of the down and shall be placed at the nearest line to gain. It shall be placed three yards from the sideline, directly behind the marker. During the try the down box shall be placed at the goal line, and it shall display the point value which has been declared by Team A. One additional down box will be utilized at the line of scrimmage approximately 3 yards from the sideline, directly behind the Line Judge. This box must be operated on the side of the field opposite the press box. It will also indicate the number of the down.
SECTION 4. PLAYERS AND PLAYING EQUIPMENT
ARTICLE 1.
a. Design.
1. The jersey may not be altered or designed to tear. The jersey must be full-length to be tucked into the pants. The jersey shall not have pockets. No other undergarment shall extend below the waistline at the torso. Vests and/or altered jerseys with zippers, Velcro, clasps, or other fasteners are not allowed.
2. Other than the player’s number, the jersey may only contain:
Player’s name.
School name.
Mascot name.
Sleeve Stripes.
Logo for school, conference, mascot, postseason-game, memorial, the military.
Graduate or academic recognition as part of an institutional or conference logo.
The letter “C” to identify a team captain.
American flag.
State flag.
3. Jerseys may not be taped or tied in any manner.
b. Color.
1. Players of opposing teams shall wear contrasting colored jerseys, with numbers on the
front and back. Players of the same team shall wear jerseys of the same color and
design. The uniform includes:
(a) Shirt and undershirts.
(b) Pants and shorts.
(c) Headgear.
(d) Sweatbands and armbands
(e) Socks.
(f) Gloves.
(g) Shoes.
(h) Eyewear.
2. The home team shall wear jersey that is of a dark color and visiting team shall wear
white jerseys; however, the home team may wear white jerseys if agreed to in writing
prior to the game.
ARTICLE 2.
a. All players shall be numbered 0 through 99. Any number preceded by the digit 0 such as “04” or “00” is illegal.
1. The numbers must be clearly visible, permanent Arabic numerals measuring at least 8 and 10 inches in front and back, respectively.
b. No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical
numbers.
ARTICLE 3. Players shall wear pants or shorts, which shall not have pockets of any type, zippers, exposed drawstrings, belts, and/or belt loops. The color of the pants/shorts shall be a school color, black, or white and a contrasting color from the flags.
ARTICLE 4. Each player shall wear a one piece, size appropriate belt without knots at the waistline with two (2) permanently attached standard pop flag holsters, accompanied by two standard pop flags. When worn correctly, there shall be 1 flag on each hip. If the flags are not located as indicated, then the offending player shall be asked to readjust their flags until they are set in legal position. The dimensions of the flags shall be no less than 1-¾ inches wide and no less than 14-inches long when measured from the top edge of the belt. Excess material around the waist belt shall be tucked away or removed.
ARTICLE 5. Each player shall wear a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece must be an intra-oral device of readily visible color. It must not be white or transparent. It must be made with FDA-approved base materials and cover all upper teeth. It is recommended that the mouthpiece be properly fitted.
ARTICLE 6.
a. A glove is a fitted covering for a hand having separate sections for each finger and thumb without connected webbing. There is no restriction on color.
b. Gloves may be worn if they are made of a soft, non-abrasive, non-hardening material which meets the standards of, has been sanctioned by, and bears the logo of the approved sanctioning organization, unless made of unaltered plain cloth.
ARTICLE 7.
a. Players may wear a soft helmet which meets the standards, has been sanctioned and wears the logo of a proper sanctioning organization.
b. Players shall not wear hats with a hard brim.
c. Headbands and hats are legal provided they are not considered dangerous to any player. They shall be made of nonabrasive cloth and the only logos permitted are the manufacturers and/or the school logo.
ARTICLE 8. Pads may be worn on the lower leg, knee, and ankle, if the material is soft and pliable. Soft yielding padded compression shorts and/or shirts may be worn underneath the players jersey, pants and/or shorts.
ARTICLE 9. Players may wear a soft, pliable wrist/forearm band that contains plays. No playbook may be worn around the waist or flag belt.
ARTICLE 10. Sports Eyewear specifically produced which are non-rigid, without sharp edges, and have shatter proof lenses.
ARTICLE 11. Only a physician approved nose protectant face shield is allowable.
ARTICLE 12. A player who is not properly equipped shall not be permitted to participate until the illegal equipment has either been repaired or removed. This applies to all equipment which an official deems dangerous and/or confusing. Types of equipment or substances which shall always be declared illegal include, but are not limited to the following:
a. Equipment worn by a player that could endanger other players.
b. Pants or shorts with any belts, belt loops, pockets, zippers, or exposed drawstrings
c. Jewelry of any type, except for a medical bracelet.
d. Headgear other than that approved in Rule 1-4-7.
e. Casts and braces worn above the waist.
f. Jerseys which do not remain tucked in.
g. Hoods of any type.
h. Shoes with metal cleats.
i. Exposed metal on the uniform or clothing of a player. This includes “O” or “D” rings used to secure flag belts.
j. Towels, hand warmers, playbooks, and other items not specifically approved according to rule attached at the players waist.
PENALTY–Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Illegal Player Equipment, Ten yards. [S24]
Missing or Illegal Player Equipment
ARTICLE 13. When any required player equipment is missing or when illegal equipment is found on any incoming substitute or player, correction shall be made before participation. Players will be sent off the field to correct the issue.
ARTICLE 14. Local Area Network (LAN) phones and/or headsets may be used by coaches, other nonplayers, and players. However, players may use LAN phones and/or headsets only when the officials grant a team, injury or media timeout.
PENALTY–Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Ten yards. [S24]
ARTICLE 15.
a. A microphone is strongly encouraged for the referee to be used for all game announcements. It is strongly recommended that it be a lapel-type microphone. The microphone must be controlled by the referee. It may not be open at other times. Microphones on other officials are prohibited.
b. A protected wireless official-to-official communication system open only to the officiating crew is permitted.
