Adult Flag Football League Rules and Bulletin

League Details:

  • Registration begins June 22, 2025, for all teams.
  • League Fees: 8 games (including tournament) w/ MPRB certified officials.
  • Divisions: Women’s, Men’s & Co-Ed 6-person flag leagues.
  • 6v6 League
  • Registration Link - REGISTER HERE

League Info:

  • League Games: League fees are based on an 8-game schedule (including tournament).
  • League Times: Game times for the evening leagues may begin between 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
  • League Location: Parade Park / Field – 400 Kenwood Pkwy, Mpls 55403.
  • Field Size: 70 yards x 30 yards.
  • Game Ball:
    • Women: Intermediate, Youth or Junior ball.
    • Co-Ed: Intermediate, Youth or Junior ball.
    • Men: Collegiate or Official ball.
  • Uniform: Shirts and jerseys MUST be tucked in; shorts are recommended to be black or a dark navy blue to provide a different color as the flag (flags provided are a variety of brighter colors).
    • Teams may provide their own flags. However, each team must use the same number of flags on their belts (a minimum of two flags must be on all belts during play).
  • Game Time: Two 22-minute halves (running time) w/ 5-minute halftime.
    • In the 2nd half only, if a team is trailing by 1 score or less and time runs out & offensive team has begun at least one play, they are allowed to complete their series of downs. The defensive team can run back an interception but not get any offensive plays.
    • If a score is tied at the end of regulation, the game will remain a tie. 
  • Tournament Overtime: 
    • A coin toss will establish which team will have the first attempt on offense. 
    • Each team will receive one possession (1 down).
    • The offensive team will determine if they want to attempt 1 point at the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 15-yard line. 
    • Repeat this process until there is a winner.
    • Defensive Penalty: Move to half the distance and replay first down
  • Roster: 
    • Maximum of 12 players per team roster. 
    • All players must be listed on the roster before competing.
    • Roster must be completed by the 3rd scheduled game.
  • Forfeits: 
    • Two forfeits and you can be removed from the league.
  • Timeouts:
    • Each team is entitled to three (1 minute) timeouts per game.
    • Timeouts can be used at the team's discretion.
    • All timeouts are one (1) minute in length (stopped time). Officials will give a warning at forty-five (45) seconds.
    • Teams are allowed twenty-five (25) seconds between plays. The official will announce the ten (10) second mark.
  • League Standings & Points
    • A win = 2 points, a tie = 1 point, and a loss = 0 points.
    • Touchdown = 6 points.
    • Extra Point:
      • 1 point: Successfully try from 5 yards.
      • 2 points: Successfully try from 15 yards.
    • Safety = 2 points (offensive team punts from own 15-yard line).

Playing Rules:

  • Minimum 4 players to start (maximum 6 on the field).
  • Co-Ed Play:
    • Both genders must be involved in each possession (every 4 downs).
    • Penalty Enforcement: If the attempt does not involve a female.
      • Loss of down and the next play is still a female play.
      • If an offensive penalty occurs, then the next play is still a female play.
      • If a defensive penalty occurs the next play will be open.
    • Each team will play with six (6) players on offense and defense. Ideally teams will have 3 males & 3 females on the field at all times.
      • Teams playing with six (6) players must have a minimum of two (2) females / two (2) males on the field at all times.
    • Teams may play with a minimum of 5 players on the field.
      • Teams can play with any ratio of males / females if there is at least one (1) female or one (1) male on the field at all times.
  • Starting the Game & Half: 
    • Teams start play from the 15-yard line (no kickoffs).
    • There are no kickoffs.

Dead Ball

  • A dead ball is any pass, lateral, handoff or punt return that touches the ground. The play is always dead in every case.
  • On any lateral or handoff, the new line of scrimmage becomes the point where the fumble occurred.
  • If the quarterback drops the hiked ball, the play is dead, and the line of scrimmage remains the same.
  • Bump-n-run defense is not allowed by any member of the defense. Penalty = 10 yards
  • No player except the offensive center may go into a 3- or 4-point stance.
  • If a player falls, they are down. The flag does not need to be pulled. 
  • Any pass intercepted in the defending team's end zone is an automatic touchback and may not be returned.

Penalties

  • If the defensive team commits a penalty, the offensive team can take the result of the play or re-do the play and take the appropriate penalty yardage.
  • If the offensive team commits a penalty, the defensive team can take the result of the play or take the penalty yardage.
  • If there is an argument concerning a play and an agreement cannot be reached, the play will be re-played at the officials' discretion. 

Downs

  • A centerline (marked by cones) at the halfway point of the field will be the 1st down marker.
  • The offensive team has 4 attempts to gain a 1st down.
  • If the offensive team reaches the first down, the team will have 4 attempts to travel 30 yards to reach the end zone.
  • If the offensive team fails to reach the line-to-gain in four downs, the defensive team becomes the offensive team at the ending spot of the last play.

4th Down Kick

  • Teams may punt the ball on 4th down. The punting team must declare if they are going to punt.
  • The punter must punt the ball and may not throw it.
  • The defensive team cannot rush the punting team. 
  • The punting team cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted.
  • The receiving team may send all of its players back to receive a punt.
  • No blocking after the punt.
  • Laterals are permitted.
  • Punts downed in the end zone will be put in play at the 15-yard line.

Pulling the Flag

  • The play is dead when the player with the ball flag-belt has been pulled.
  • The defensive player may not hold the offensive player to help pull the flag.
  • The defensive player may leave his feet to dive for the flag.
  • The quarterback must release the ball before his flag is pulled.
  • The defensive player may pull the flag of a receiver who is in the act of bobbling the ball. Ball is down at the spot if it is subsequently caught.
  • Pulling the flag before the receiver touches the ball is interference.
  • Continuous Spins - The ball carrier may not continuously spin more than one spin per run as they run down the field. This helps to alleviate frustrated defenders from grabbing the runner, to pull their flag. Any player that attempts a second spin is down at the place where the second spin occurred. 
  • Any player carrying the ball that doesn't have their shirt / jersey tucked in is immediately down.

Backfield Play

  • Handoff/running plays are allowed behind the line of scrimmage. Backwards pitches are allowed in the field of play.
  • The snap from the center must be made to the person directly behind them.
  • No-run zones (a 5-yard imaginary zone midfield before the first down and before the end zone) teams cannot run the ball. 
  • The player receiving the snap (QB) cannot run across the line of scrimmage with the ball. The QB can hand off or pitch/throw the ball backwards to a teammate and then catch a forward pass across the line of scrimmage.
  • Once the ball has been snapped to the QB, defense will have a "5 Mississippi" count prior to crossing the line of scrimmage.
  • When the ball is snapped, one offensive player may be in motion backwards or laterally.

Offense:

  • 25 seconds to put the ball in play
  • At least 3 players must be on the line of scrimmage
  • All players are eligible for a pass
  • Only 1 forward pass per play.

Defense:

  • No requirements for number of players at the line of scrimmage.
  • No players can line up directly over the center.
  • Players can advance toward but not pass the line of scrimmage.

Pass Plays

  • One forward pass if thrown behind the line of scrimmage.
  • The receiver must be behind the line of scrimmage if they wish to throw a forward pass.
  • Laterals are legal both behind and beyond the line of scrimmage. Laterals can be either overhand or underhand.

Fair Catch

  • A player signaling for a fair catch shall be given an unimpeded opportunity to catch the ball. Penalty = 10 yards.
  • All players are eligible receivers.
  • Any player that leaves the field of play may not return and catch the ball unless it is first deflected by another player.
  • A receiver must have one foot in bounds for a legal reception; however, the inbounds foot must down prior to the other foot.

Punt Returns

  • Any muffed/dropped punt return is dead at the spot.
  • The defensive team may only down a dropped punt.
  • Screening is not allowed. Player may stand still but cannot run interference for the person with the ball. Penalty = 10 yards.

Offensive/Defensive Line Play

  • Other than the quarterback, three offensive players must start along the line of scrimmage.
  • Offensive receivers (within 5 yards of the center) may not move positions once the team is at the line of scrimmage prior to a play. This rule does not apply to a receiver starting more than 5 years from the center.
  • Any of the defenders may rush the quarterback, provided that they complete the "5 Mississippi" count prior to crossing the line of scrimmage.
  • Defenders may not bump/touch any offensive receiver. Penalty = 10 yards.
  • Offensive receiver may not push off / touch any defender. Penalty = 10 yards.

Penalties:

All penalties will be enforced in 5, 10, or 15-yard increments, except for taunting / profanity. If a 10 or 15-yard penalty occurs within 20 yards of the goal line, it will be marked off as half the distance (A 5-yard penalty within 10-yards of the goal line will also be marked off as half the distance). Some penalties may be marked with a loss of down or automatic first down.

  • Ejected Player: An ejected player will be suspended from that game plus the next game.
  • Taunting / Profanity:
  • Direct vulgar language to the official or opposing player or MPRB staff.
  • Taunting the opposing team.
  • Penalty: see 15-yard penalties 
  • Any penalties not listed will be at the sole discretion of the official.

5-Yard Penalties

Illegal Procedure: Either team moving into the neutral zone before the ball has been snapped, liming up in the neutral zone, multiple players in motion or the quarterback in motion before the ball in snapped. Enforcement: 5-yards from the line of scrimmage, replay the down.

Delay of Game: Not snapping the ball within the allotted 25 seconds, taking too long to return the ball to line of scrimmage. Enforcement: 5-yards from the line of scrimmage, replay the down.

Illegal Equipment: An offensive player starting play without having tow-three flags. Enforcement: 5-yards from the line of scrimmage, replay the down.

Batting or Stripping the Ball: Any attempt to strike to grab the ball away from the ball carrier. Enforcement: 5-yards from the spot foul.

Illegal Forward Pass: Throwing from in front of the line of scrimmage. Enforcement:5-yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down.

Illegal Forward Lateral Handing or Pitching the ball forward down field. Enforcement: 5-yards from the spot of the foul.

Defensive Flag Guarding: Pulling the offense's flags before the player receives the ball. Complete Pass: 5-yards from the spot of the foul or the result of the play. Incomplete Pass: Replay down.

10-Yard Penalties

Flag Guarding: Preventing a defensive player from grabbing a flag by swatting the player's arm or keeping the defender at a distance with an extended arm ("stiff arming"). Enforcement: 10-yards from the spot of the foul, loss of down.

Blocking: Making physical contact with a defensive player downfield or interfering with a defensive player's path of travel to down the ball carrier. Enforcement: 10-yards from the spot of foul loss of down.

Pass Interference (Offense): Pushing a defensive player away to make a catch, going through a defensive player to make a catch. Enforcement: 10-yards form spot of foul, loss of down.

Pass Interference (Defense): Preventing the offensive receiver from completing a catch by swatting or holding the receiver's arms, going through the receiver to play the fall, or face guarding. Enforcement:10 yards from spot of foul.

Bull Rush (Defense): Running directly at a player protecting the quarterback and initiating contact. Enforcement: 10-yards from spot of foul.

Intentional Grounding: Enforcement: 10-yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down.

Hurdling: Enforcement: 10-yards from the line of scrimmage and loss of down.

15-Yard Penalty

Enforcement: 15-yards from line of scrimmage.

  • Taunting / Profanity:
    • First Violation: A team warning
    • Second Violation: Individual(s) involved must sit out for the duration of the current offensive or defensive series. The team may not substitute a player in for the one removed. When a change of possession or a touchdown occurs, that player may enter back into the game.
    • Third Violation: Individual will be removed from the game & suspended for the next game.
  • Ejections: Loss of down
  • Tackles: Spot of foul
  • Roughing the Passer

 MPRB League Director reserves the right to make additions and/or changes for the betterment of the program.