1.1 TEAM SIZE REQUIREMENTS

Games are played with a maximum of 6 players on the field depending on division.

A team needs at least 5 players (6 v 6) to begin the game or they will forfeit. Teams will be given a 5 minute grace period to field the minimum players required before a forfeit is declared.  Teams are required to field as many active players as possible.

 1.2 FAIRNESSOF PLAY

All players should be given the opportunity to become a ball carrier at least once per game. The spirit of the rule is to provide each player with a genuine opportunity to advance the ball.

1.3 PHYSICAL CONTACT

Boca Flag Football is non-contact league. Any use of the hands, arms, elbows, legs, or

body to initiate contact is illegal except for Offensive snapper who can block (two hand touch) NO holding! Defensive players must attempt to avoid physical contact with offensive players.

1.4 SUBSTITUTIONS 

 There is no requirement to maintain a substitution form, teams do not have to rotate all players.

Substitutions can be made freely, but no player may sit out for more than one offensive/defensive series

 1.5 FIELD COACHES

 Teams are permitted ONE coach on the field with their team. Coaches on the field may participate in the team huddle, but play may not begin until the on field coach has completely left the huddle and is lined up a minimum of 5 yards behind the huddle.

1.6 BEHAVIOR

Every person at games, practices, and other official Boca Flag Football League functions shall behave themselves in a respectful and sportsmanlike manner.  Unsportsmanlike conduct during a game by participants, family or spectators will result in a 10-yard penalty. Offensive or unsportsmanlike conduct from players, coaches, family or spectators may result in an ejection.

RULE 2 – UNIFORMS & EQUIPMENT

2.1 UNIFORMS

All players must wear league approved uniforms for all games. Uniforms may not be altered

in anyway without league approval.

2.1A SHIRTS & SHORTS

All players must have their shirts tucked into their shorts for the duration of a game. Only shorts without pockets are permitted in games.

2.2 EQUIPMENT

2.2A MOUTHPIECES

Mouthpieces are required.

2.2B JEWELRY

No jewelry is permitted

2.2C FLAGS

Flag belts must have flags attached. A flag must be present on each side of the player,  Belts are allowed to be cut to better fit a player and remove excess belt material. The flags themselves are not allowed to be tampered with in any way. No player shall be permitted to attach anything to the flags, alter the flags, coat the flags in any substance, obstruct access to the flags in any way. Flag colors are NOT to be of the same color of a players shorts.

2.2D GLOVES

Players may wear gloves which consist of a soft, pliable, and non-abrasive material.

2.2E HEADWEAR

Players may wear knit stocking caps or elastic headbands, provided there are no major protrusions (i.e., no hats with a bill). Headwear may not contain any hard, unyielding, or stiff material.

2.2F SHOES

Cleats must be made of a soft pliable plastic or rubber. Metal, ceramic, or detachable cleats are not permitted.

RULE 3 – TIMING 3.1 GAME LENGTH

All games will consist of two (2) halves of 24 minutes each.

3.2 PLAY CLOCK

All divisions have a 30-second play clock.

The play clock begins after BOTH the ball and defensive rush line have been set, and the official is in position to observe play.

3.3 READY FOR PLAY

An offensive team cannot snap the ball until all offensive players have broken the huddle and are legally lined up on their side of the LOS for at least one second and the ball and rush line have been set.

3.4 TIMEOUTS

Each team is allowed (1) one-minute timeouts per half, timeouts do not carry over.

Officials may call their own timeouts for any reason.

3.5 GAME CLOCK

All divisions, the game clock will run continuously except for the following:

• Official timeouts, with game clock resuming when the ball is set 
• Team timeouts, with game clock resuming on the snap
• At the two-minute warning of each half, with game clock resuming on the snap

3.6 TWO MINUTE WARNING

The clock will be stopped with two minutes remaining in each half (or the completion of a play that takes the clock under two minutes) and resume on the next snap.

THIS IS NOT A TIMEOUT.

Coaches are not permitted to enter the field during this stoppage.

3.7 CORRECTIONS

Officials have the authority to correct obvious timing or rule misapplication errors unless discovery is made after the ball is snapped again or the period has officially ended.

3.8 COACH-OFFICIAL CONFERENCE

A Head Coach may call a timeout to discuss misapplication or misinterpretation of a rule before the ball is snapped again. This is only permitted if the rule in question applies to the previous play. The calling team will be charged a timeout unless the officials determine there was a misapplication or misinterpretation of a rule.

3.9 INADVERTENT WHISTLE

A referee may accidently or prematurely blow their whistle. The team in possession of the ball has the option of replaying the down or taking the result of the play up to the time of the whistle.

3.10 INJURIES

The game clock will stop for injuries requiring on field attention from the coaches and resume when the player has left the field. An injured player must sit out at least one play and be substituted.  

3.11 GAME START

At the beginning of a game, both teams will send two (2) team captains to the center of the field. The official will then perform a coin toss (or other similar method of random selection). The visiting team will make the call. 

3.12 OVERTIME

There is no overtime in the regular season. Regular season games can end in a tie.

During playoffs,

• There will be one coin toss.
• All overtimes will be played at the same end of the field. 
• Initial possession will alternate in overtimes.
• There is no game clock, but the play clock will continue to be enforced.
• For the first two overtime periods play will begin from the 10 yard line and teams will have three downs to score (absent penalties).
• If a touchdown is made, the scoring team must attempt an extra point (1 or 2 points).
• Each team must have at least one (1) possession.
• If the game is still tied after the 1st overtime a second overtime will be played.
• If the game remains tied after the second overtime, a third overtime will be played. In the third and in all subsequent overtimes, each team will get one play to score from the 10 yard line. Overtimes will continue in this 1 play format until a winner is decided. NO PAT’s in third and subsequent overtimes.
• Interceptions cannot be returned for defensive scores in overtime.

RULE 4 – PUNTS

4.1 WHEN TO PUNT

A team may elect to punt on any 4th down situation. The punting team must inform the official of their intent to punt and cannot change the play unless a team timeout is called.

4.2 PUNTS

If a team elects to punt on fourth down, the ball shall be placed on opposing teams (5) yard line.

RULE 5 – OFFENSE

5.1 LINE TO GAIN

All divisions will use the line to gain for first downs. These are marked midfield.

5.2 DOWNS

Each team receives four (4) downs to gain a first down, after that, (3) downs to score

5.3 STARTING POSITION

There are no kickoffs in any division. At the beginning of each half and after any scoring play, the ball will be placed at the offensive team’s own 5-yard line to begin play.

5.4 LIVE PLAYS

5.4A SETUP

The offense will line up with the center directly over the ball. A player is considered on the LOS if that player’s feet are within one (1) yard of the LOS. Motion is allowed, but only (1) player.

5.4B QUARTERBACK

The player lined up directly behind center(snapper). 

Play will begin with a direct center to quarterback exchange or a shotgun snap.

All snaps, including all shotgun snaps, need to be hiked between the center’s legs.

All snaps must be in one continuous motion without delay or hesitation until transfer of the ball from center to QB.

The fumble-rooski play is ILLEGAL.  Motion is allowed, only but (1) player.

5.4C RUNNING

Any player on the field who breaks the huddle with the offense is eligible to receive the

ball. The quarterback may hand off or pitch(lateral) the ball to any player except back to the center.

If a ball carrier falls down, the play is dead at the spot of the fall. A ball carrier is considered down when any part of the body above the player’s feet (excluding hands) makes contact with the ground.

A runner may not stiff arm or charge into a set defender. 

5.4D ILLEGAL ACTIONS BY BALL CARRIER

A ball carrier may not use his or her hands (or the ball) to prevent a defender from

performing a tackle. Flag guarding by a ball carrier will result in a loss of 5 yards and will be administered from the spot of the ball carrier when the foul occurred. This may or may not result in a first down.

The runner is not allowed to dive forward at any time.

The runner may use a spin move.

The quarterback may jump to throw a pass.

5.5 UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT

While fun is encouraged, players are not permitted to spike the ball, showboat, intimidate, belittle, or use foul or insulting language directed at another player, coach, referee or spectator.

5.6 BLOCKING

All blocking penalties during running plays will result in a loss of 5 yards and will be administered from the spot of the ball carrier when the foul occurred. Center EXCLUDED!

5.7 RECEIVING

A receiver needs one foot in bounds with possession of the ball to be a legal catch. A simultaneous catch is awarded to the offensive team.

A receiver may jump or dive in an attempt to make a catch.

RULE 6 – DEFENSE 6.1 SETUP

The defensive team must line up at least one (1) yard from the LOS.

6.2 TACKLING

A tackler must attempt to grab a ball carrier ’s flags only. A tackler may not hold, pull, push, or hit anything other than the flags. Incidental contact is at the sole discretion of the official.

6.3 DEFENDING THE PASS

6.3A CONTACT WITH QUARTERBACK

Defenders may raise their arms to defend a pass. BUT ANY CONTACT with the quarterback’s arm BEFORE, DURING or AFTER a throw will be considered roughing the passer. The penalty is 10 yards from the previous spot OR added on to the end of the play AND the offended team will receive an automatic first down.

6.3B RECEIVERS

Defenders may not directly prevent a receiver from running his or her route at any point during a live play.

If a defender and receiver are both attempting to catch the ball, any physical contact may be considered inadvertent at the officials’ discretion.

Defensive Pass Interference will be a 10-yard penalty enforced from the previous LOS with the offended team awarded a first down.

6.4 RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK-BLITZING

Defenders are permitted to rush the quarterback as soon as the live play begins. Rushers have the right to a straight line clear path to the QB(either directly opposite the center or from an angle). All offensive players may run routes but must not interfere with the rusher’s straight line clear path to the QB. Doing so results in a penalty for impeding the rusher. However, if a rusher alters their straight line clear path to the QB and in doing so initiates contact with an offensive player there is no penalty on the offense for impeding the rusher. 7 yard rush line.

6.5 UNSPORTSMANLIKECONDUCT

Defenders may not attempt to strip or remove the ball from an offensive player who has possession. This is an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

RULE 7 – DEAD BALL FOULS

Off Sides and Illegal Procedure/Motion are dead ball fouls.

These plays will be whistled dead before play begins. There are no “free” plays.

In cases of simultaneous infractions by the offense and defense, the penalties will offset.

If there are infractions by both teams, not simultaneous, the first infraction will be the one penalized

RULE 8 – SCORING 8.1 RECORDS

All divisions will keep score and win/loss records. The win/loss records will determine teams’ playoff seeding.

8.1A TIEBREAKERS

For seeding purposes, ties will be resolved by the following methods: 

Head to Head results

Point Differential

Coaches and officials must keep score, and coaches confirm score with each other at conclusion of the game. 

8.2 TOUCHDOWNS

Touchdowns are worth six (6) points. A touchdown is awarded when one of the ball carrier’s breaks the plane of the goal line. 

8.3 EXTRA POINTS

Following a touchdown, a team will run another play to attempt to score an extra point. If the offensive team chooses a one (1) point attempt, the LOS will be placed at the five (5) yard line. If the offensive team chooses a two (2) point attempt, the LOS will be placed at the ten (10) yard line.

8.4 DEFENSIVE   SCORES 

8.4A SAFETIES

If a defender performs a tackle while the ball carrier is still within their own end zone, the defense is awarded two (2) points and possession of the ball at their own 5-yard line.

If the offense fumbles the ball or a backward pass hits the ground in the end zone, a safety is awarded. The QB still has an attempt to pick up a muffed snap.

8.4B EXTRA POINTS

If during an extra point attempt by the offense, the defense secures possession of the ball and returns it to the opposing end zone, the defense will be awarded two (2) points. 

 8.4C INTERCEPTIONS

If a defender legally secures possession of the ball (i.e., interception) and successfully returns it to the opposing end zone, the defense will be awarded a touchdown. PICK SIX!

9.0 SPORTSMANSHIP 

Immediately upon the conclusion of every game both team players and coaches will meet at midfield and shake hands.

10.0 GAMES STOPPED DURING PLAY FOR WEATHER OR OTHER REASONS

Any games stopped before halftime for weather or other reasons will be picked up from the exact point of stoppage. Coaches are to record the field position, down, distance to first down, score, timeouts remaining per team, time remaining, and who started the half with the ball. Any games stopped for weather or other reasons at the conclusion of the first half will be final and not 

resumed.

11.0 FIELD DIMENSIONS