4-6 FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

4-6 FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 

1. General Information 

a. A coin flip with weekly captains will decide who receives the ball first 

b. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to get the 

ball to mid-field. Once a team crosses midfield, the team has four plays to score. If the offense 

does not reach the midfield or does not score after reaching midfield, the ball changes 

possession and the new offensive team takes possession on its 5-yard line 

c. After an interception, the new offensive team will take possession from the spot the defenders 

flag was pulled unless the defender returns the ball for a touchdown 

d. Teams will change sides after halftime 

e. All shirts must be tucked in (or the flag belt must be over their jersey) to avoid covering the flag 

f. Time Outs: there will be 2 (30 second) time outs 

g. In case of an inadvertent whistle, the ball will be placed at the previous spot and will replay the 

down. 

h. Two coaches are allowed on the field during the game of play. 

2. Field Size: 50 yards long x 30 yards wide + Endzones 

a. Endzones: Will be 7 yards deep 

b. No Run Zones: No run zones will be 5 yards from each goal line. 

3. Ball Size: Pee Wee 

4. Team Size: 5 v. 5 (Maximum of 10 players per team) 

5. Timing: Two 20 minute halves 

a. Play Clock: Teams will have 40 seconds to snap the ball once the official spots the ball 

6. Scoring: Will not be kept but used as a guide to instruct players 

a. Touchdown: 6 points 

b. Extra Point: Finish a play from 5 yards following a touchdown and must be a passing play. 

c. Two Points 

i. Safety: If the flag of the player with the ball is pulled in their end zone. Team receiving 

the points will receive the ball on their own 5 yard line 

ii. Two point conversion: Finish a play from 12 yards following a touchdown and may be a 

pass or a run. 

7. Live Ball/Dead Ball 

a. Live Ball: A ball is considered live once there is a successful QB/center exchange 

b. Dead Ball: A ball is dead when: 

i. The center/QB exchange is not completed. The ball will be returned to the line of 

scrimmage and a loss of down occurs. 

ii. The ball is fumbled or touches the ground after being in a player’s possession. The team 

that fumbled retains possession of the ball where the fumble occurred. 

c. Laterals: occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or 

directly next to him 

i. No laterals are allowed pass the line of scrimmage. 

JERRY LONG FAMILY YMCA 

1150 S Peacehaven Road Clemmons, NC 27012 

P 336 712 2000 F 336 712 2005 www.jerrylongymca.org A United Way Agency 

Our Mission: “Helping people reach their God-given potential in spirit, mind and body.” Financial Assistance available.

8. Running 

a. Quarterback running: The quarterback cannot directly run the ball and there must be an 

exchange. 

i. If the QB is blitzed and the blitzer crosses the line of scrimmage, the quarterback can 

run with the ball without handing the ball off. 

b. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no 

intentional diving or hurdling) 

c. Runners are not allowed to stiff arm or use any other means to physically keep the defender 

from pulling the flag 

d. If the runner inadvertently loses his flag while maintaining possession of the ball, the defender 

must use a one-hand touch 

e. A player is considered down without having the flag pulled if any other body part other than the 

foot or hand is touching the ground. 

f. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not the location of 

the ball 

i. Players feet cannot leave the ground to advance the ball 

g. There must be a QB-center exchange. Any form is allowed. 

h. No Run Zones: Once a team enters into a no-run zone, they must pass the ball to advance past 

the line of scrimmage. 

i. The No Run Zones start on the opposing team’s 5 yard line. 

9. Passing 

a. If there is no pass rush, the quarterback has a 9 second pass clock to get rid of the ball. After 

seven seconds, the play will result in a loss of down and the ball will be returned to the line of 

scrimmage 

b. When inside the “no running zones” the pass must cross the line of scrimmage 

10. Receiving 

a. All players are eligible to receive a pass 

b. Only one player is allowed to be in motion at a time 

c. Players must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch. 

11. Rushing the Passer: There is no rushing the passer in this age group 

a. Once the ball is handed off, the defense (in any location) may cross the line of scrimmage 

12. Blocking/Screening 

a. Blocking: There is to be no blocking allowed. A block is considered any action that: 

i. Contact is initiated by the team with the ball 

ii. An attempt to purposely get in the way of the defense by moving with the individual 

with the ball 

b. Screening: Screening is allowed. A screen is defined as an individual with stationary feet, arms 

behind the back or crossed at the waist. 

i. Illegal Screen: An illegal screen takes place when the arms are extended or the player is 

moving while getting in the way of the player 





13. Formations: There must be a minimum of 1 on the line (Center) and a minimum of 1 in the backfield 

(QB). 

a. Any variation is allowed with one player being allowed in motion at a time. 

14. Penalties 

a. Delay of Game: 5 yards and repeats the down. 

b. Offensive Pass Interference: 5 yards and loss of down. 

c. Defensive Pass Interference: 5 yards and repeats the down. 

d. Flag Guarding: 5 yard penalty from the point of the infraction and loss of down. 

e. Illegal Contact (Blocking, holding): 5 yards and loss of down 

f. Illegal Screen: 5 yards and loss of down 

g. Illegal Run (quarterback directly running the ball) 5 yards and repeats the down. This includes 

intentional diving or hurdling. 

h. Defensive Offsides (when the defense crosses the line of scrimmage before the QB gets rid of 

the ball: 5 yard penalty and repeat of down. 

i. Unsportsmanlike conduct: 10 yard penalty and loss of down. (includes any attempt or form of 

tackling)

4-6 FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?