(last updated: 8/8/2026)

1. Flag Guarding: is now a 5-yard penalty, not 10, to keep our penalties consistent.
2. Backfield Motion: Players can be in motion, along the lines of regular football rules.
3. 2-second rush delay: The defensive rusher's starting line will still be at 7 yards there will be a 2 second delay. 
4. Immediate backfield rush: Teams on defense will be allowed 1 immediate rush each series. A defender(s) still has to line up 7 yards from line of scrimmage. Defensive players must yell out blitz if they choose to rush right away. Once player blitzes there is no longer a 7 second count and QB is now eligible to run. You CANNOT blitz on PATs. If blitz occurs in the "no run zone", this is the only time the QB is eligible to run inside the "20" negating the no run zone rule. 
5. Screens, Picks, Crossing Patterns: the rules for these are clarified on page 4
6. Officials: Most games will have 1 official.

• • Enforcing the 2 second delay- Official will enforce the 2 second delay for rushers
  • Timing the QB- Official will time the 7-seconds for the QB to get rid of the ball.
  • Roughing the passer- defensive players can only go after the QBs flags, they cannot strip or swipe ball while QB has possession of the ball. Additionally, players can not dive after the QBs flags behind the line of scrimmage
  • Illegal contact- Official will flag the rusher if he makes any unnecessary contact (cheap shots) on other players while rushing the QB. Watch the offense to make sure they are not blocking or setting intentional picks. If questionable, tell the head official what you see and the head official will warn the team OR the head official will throw a flag after this discussion.
  • Out of bounds- Official will watch for and mark out of bounds plays on his sideline
  • Forward progress- Official will assist with forward progress on all plays. 
  • First down determination- Official will assist on the first down determination in short yardage situations. 
  • Contact fouls - Official will assist will watch for contact fouls in his immediate area.
  • Catch/No catch - Official will assist or make calls in his immediate area
  • Unsportsmanlike acts - Official will watch for Unsportsmanlike acts, gestures, or comments
  • 25 second call - Offense has 25 seconds from the spotted ball to get a play off
  • Defensive Strip - Defenders are NOW allowed to strip ball while the receiver is in the process of a catch. Where as before this was called a Pass Interference/Ruled a Catch. Defensive players are ONLY allowed to punch out/deflect ball while receiver is in the process of a catch. Once the receiver completes the catch and makes initial move/step to run, defenders are then not allowed to punch out ball. Additionally, defensive players cannot make contact with receivers arms or go through their body while attempting to strip the ball. There will be no "winding up". 

Onside Kick Rule

With 5 minutes remaining in the game, a team that is trailing may elect to attempt an onside kick.

• The ball will be placed at the team’s own 20-yard line.
• The team will have one play to gain a first down.
• If the team successfully gains a first down, they retain possession and then have 4 downs to score.
• If the defense stops the attempt, the ball will be placed at midfield and the opposing team will take possession.
• A team may only attempt an onside kick while trailing.
• Each team may attempt an onside kick a maximum of two times per game.
• To be eligible for a second onside kick attempt, the team must successfully convert a first down on their first attempt and still be trailing.

Other Clarifications:

1. CLARIFICATION: players that are not a part of the 7 yard and 2 second delayed rush, cannot rush the quarterback. Quarterback. Players that are lined up shorter are allowed to guard those in the backfield. 
2. Running up the score is discouraged, although we do want you to play full speed while you are out there. 
3. We do allow extra point attempts (from the 7-yard line for 1 point).   If the defense intercepts the PAT try, they cannot run it back, but the defense will be awarded 1 point. Team can elect to go for 2 points from the 10 yard line with 10 mins to go in the second half. If the defense stops the conversion they get a point, if the defense intecepts the conversion they get 3 points. 
4. Ball is spotted at the end of run on interceptions.
5. Only two forward passes are allowed per down, not including pitch back with center.
6. Snapping the ball above ground is allowed.
7. Shirts must be tucked in thoroughly/tight; if not, all the opponent has to do is touch the ball carrier.

What rules are we under: NFL Flag, Air It Out, and a few other leagues were reviewed, and we assembled these rules to fit our taste. The main variation is that the width of field is bigger than any other league. While the other leagues have fields averaging 28 yards wide by 70 yards long, we have fields 35 yards wide and between 70 + 80 yards long. .

Timing: Game length is two 20-minute halves. There will be a halftime period of 2 to 3 minutes between the first and second half. If the score is tied at the end of regulation time, the game stands as a tie. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. The teams will be notified when there are two minutes left to play in the second half. For the final 2 minutes, if the game is within 16 points, the official will stop the clock according to standard football rules.

Players may play on 2 teams: Players may play on 2 teams during the season. For a player to be eligible in the playoffs, that player must have played at least 3 season games with that team.

Payment & Registration Rules: To see about start dates and registration information and how to pay, see the web site at www.nwpremierflag.com. There will be no refunds for any reason. The web site is where you go to find everything: rankings, schedules, directions to fields, past season rankings, etc.

Rainy Weather Cancellation Policy: We do not cancel due to rain or cold, at any point. Teams are required to bring players to every game.

Snow or Ice Cancellation: We will not cancel due to snow, unless the highways are snowy or if the highways have ice on them.

Offensive Rules

Offensive formation: Offense can have players in the backfield.

To start the play: the ball doesn’t need to be snapped on the grown or between the legs. 

Once a ball is spotted: team will have 25 seconds to get a play off. This league highly encourages teams to develop no-huddle offenses. 

The quarterback cannot run with the ball past the line of scrimmage even if rushed. Only on a “blitz” can the quarterback be eligible to run. 

An offense may use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage. Only backward or lateral handoffs are allowed during a down.

Tosses or sweeps behind the line of scrimmage are allowed and are running plays.

"No-running zones" are located 7 yards from each end zone. When the ball starts on or inside the 7-yard line going towards the opponent's end zone, the offense cannot run. On extra points, there will be no running plays (there must be a pass)

The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

All defensive players are eligible to rush once the ball has been handed off or tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake handoff.

The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's hips are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.

No Stiff Arming: A ball carrier may not stiff-arm, slap at, or push away any defender (flag guarding).

Spinning: Players will be allowed to spin, however players cannot spin into contact. An official can deem a spin as dangerous, in that case a flag will be thrown and a 5 yard penalty will be assessed. 

Players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving or jumping to advance the ball).

No Flag Guarding: Players are not allowed to bend over, to use stiff arms, to chop down with the arms or in any way guard the flag from being taken by the defense. Some spinning can be a form (perhaps accidental) of flag guarding. He may not shield or guard his flag belt in any manner. This will be at referee discretion.

CLARIFICATION: Screen blocking, Picks, and Crossing Patterns- Contact is not a part of this league. The general rule is that you are to avoid contact on both sides of the ball; therefore screens, picks, and crossing patterns are all borderline as to their legality in this 5-man league. The screen should be set in a manner that the opponent knows the pick is coming; has time, distance and ability to get around the pick. The only goal of the pick should be to slow the defender from getting to your man. If danger is a part of the pick, even if due to the defender not looking, the fault will be to the person that sets the pick.

Scoring: Touchdown will award 6 points, Safety will award 2 points, and the extra point is worth 1 point (the extra point attempt will always be from the 7 yard line). Last 10 mins of the game teams can elect to go for 2 PATs, if they fail to convert defense gets one point, if the pick off the 2 point conversion the defense is awarded 3 points. 

Running up the score: We do want you to go full speed for the hour you are playing, but running up the score will be discouraged.

No kicking or punting is allowed. Teams open the half, and after scores, from their own 5-yard line. If a team elects to “punt” it will turn the ball over to the opposing team at the 5-yard line.

Flags: We provide pop flags to all of our players. Flags must be returned after your game. 

Flag Removal: Offensive players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be deflagged. A flag removed inadvertently (not removed by grabbing and pulling) does not cause play to stop.

Capture of Flag: If a flag inadvertently falls to the ground, a one-handed tag between the armpits and knees constitutes capture. It is up to the discretion of the officials as to whether a flag fell or came off by being pulled, you are reminded to play until you hear the whistle. A player while in possession of the ball who touches the ground with any part of his body other than his hands or feet is down at the spot of such touching.

Passing Rules: 

• The quarterback has seven seconds to throw the ball. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down and the ball is spotted at the previous line of scrimmage.
• Interceptions change the possession of the ball. Ball is spotted at end of runback.
• Interceptions that occur in the end zone can be returned or downed. If a player gets de-flagged while in the end zone, the result would be a safety for the other team.
• Shovel passes are allowed but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.

Receiving Rules: All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). Players can be in motion, along the lines of regular football rules. A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Rushing the Quarterback: All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage and delay two second from the center’s snapping motion. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off or tossed, or there is a play-action fake or fake handoff, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.

It is okay to line up defensively on the line of scrimmage, but you cannot rush or enter the backfield, unless someone is handed the ball, passed the ball, etc.

REMEMBER, blocking or tackling is not allowed.

Sportsmanship/Roughing: Foul play will not be tolerated - If the referee witnesses any acts of flagrant contact, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game.

Trash talking is illegal (trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams, or spectators). Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If trash talking occurs that disrupts the game, the referee will give a warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.

Fighting:  The league has a zero tolerance for fighting.  We will suspend teams and players without refund for any physical altercations.

Penalties

• All penalties are 5 yards (except for Pass Interference - 15+ yards). The down will be repeated unless otherwise noted, and will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• All penalties can be declined.
• Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
• All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• Only the team captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Defensive Penalties

• Offside 5 yards 
• Pass Interference 15+ yards & automatic first down
• Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) 5 yards 
• Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) 5 yards
• Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) 5 yards 
• The defensive restraining line is the line of scrimmage. As explained, if you are rushing the quarterback, you must start 7 yards back and with a 1 second delay, but defenders can line up anywhere, as long as it is on their side of the line of scrimmage.
• A defensive player must go around a screen blocker who has been set for two running strides. The defender may use his hands only to maintain balance while going around a blocker. The defender may not push, pull or initiate contact with the screen blocker or any opposing player. 
• A defender may not rough the passer. Roughing the passer is defined as any contact with any part of the passer, with or without contact of the ball. If the defender is trying to block the ball, he may not touch the passer’s arm or run into the quarterback.
• A defender may not hit or chuck a player off the line of scrimmage (no contact at anytime).
• A ‘tackle’ is made when a defender detaches the ball carrier’s flag belt. The location of the ball at the time of the "tackle" determines where the ball is to be marked for the next play. When a flag belt is detached (but not cleanly pulled by a defender and does not fall to the ground for several yards down the field) the ball is marked at the spot of the initial pull (where the clip was broken).
• A defender may not tackle or push a ball carrier out of bounds (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Offensive Penalties (all 5 yards)

• Delay of game 5 yards
• Substitution fouls 5 yards
• Illegal motion (more than one person moving, etc.) 5 yards 
• False Start 5 yards
• Illegal Snap 5 yards
• Offensive holding 5 yards Illegal shift or failure to pause for one second 5 yards
• Player out of bounds (if player goes out of bounds, player cannot return to the field and catch ball) 5 yards
• Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage) 5 yards & loss of down
• Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) 5 yards & loss of down
• Flag guarding 5 yards from the point of foul & loss of down
• A ball carrier must attempt to avoid contact with a defender. Offensive charging occurs when a ball carrier runs into a stationary defender. Accidental brushing/unavoidable contact is not charging. Penalty: 5 yards if accidental. Considered unsportsmanlike if intentional.
• Screen blocking is permitted- The screen block must be stationary and must be set at least TWO running strides from the defender. The screen blocker may not extend or stick out a knee, hip, shoulder, leg, arm or foot when blocking. The screen blocker and only the screen blocker’s feet may be in contact with the ground when blocking. An offensive player that runs a pattern in front of the rusher may be called for an illegal screen. Moving screens and any other types of blocking are not permitted.

Policies

SHOES: What is illegal: Metal tipped cleats will not be worn on either grass or synthetic field. At synthetic fields, you must wear turf shoes or basketball/tennis shoes only- turf shoes are those defined as ‘non-screw in’ or molded cleats.

Field Dimensions and Markings: Length: Each field may vary a bit, but our fields will always be as big or bigger than the national standards for 5 Man Football. Length standards range from 50 to 80 yards, while width standards range from 20 to 30 yards. End Zones range from 7 to 10 yards deep. Our league will have fields 65 to 80 yards long, by 30 to 35 yards wide, depending on the field and whether we are playing the game as a 4-person or a 5-person game.

Possession: a coin toss determines first possession. Loser of the coin toss has choice of end zone to defend. The team that loses the coin toss gets possession at the beginning of the second half starting at its own 5-yard line.

There are no kickoffs: the offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 7-yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown.

Miscellaneous: No individual may threaten to throw a punch at or inflict bodily harm towards any other individual or taunt verbally or physically any official or referee (unsportsmanlike conduct). Ejected player or players must leave the park in a timely manner.

The officials have the final say on all judgment calls. No protest of a referee’s judgment call will be permitted. Only the captain of the team may approach the referee on a rule interpretation. The referee decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.

Field/Park: Respect other park users and stay off of jogging tracks. Please respect the field we are at. 

RELEASE FORMS: Every player must fill them out and sign online through the player registration.

THE NUMBER OF OFFICIALS: 1 official

COIN TOSS: At the coin toss in the center of the field, the visiting team Captain will be given the privilege of calling the coin while it is in the air. The winner of the toss will be given his choice of defense, offense, or of designating the end of the field at which the ball will be put in play or may defer his choice to the second half.

ENTRY FOR SUBSTITUTES: No substitute will enter during a down. Between downs any number of eligible substitutes may replace players provided having the replaced players off the field before the ball becomes live completes the substitution.

THE BALL: The Referee will be the sole judge of any ball offered for play and may change the ball during play at his discretion. During the game each team must use a legal ball of its choice when it is in possession.

ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT: The use of headgear, shoulder pads, body pads, or shoes with metal tipped cleats, regardless of material is prohibited. Additionally, any unyielding or dangerous equipment is prohibited.

Unavoidable, incidental contact occurs in flag football. Referees have discretion in assessing penalties.