Flag Football Rules

Code of Conduct

• All players must follow the Carleton University Intramural & Adult League Player Code of Conduct.
• Sportsmanship and respect are mandatory.
• Taunting, dangerous aggression, or intentional infractions are not tolerated.
• Fighting or deliberate injury results in immediate removal from the league (zero-tolerance policy).

Eligibility & Registration

• Open to Carleton students, staff/faculty, and alumni with active gym memberships.
• Players may play for only one flag football team per semester.
• Team shirts are provided and must be worn for each game.
• All players must be registered on the Fusion IM portal and check in with the league official before each game.
• A valid student or membership ID must be presented at check-in.
• Players must participate in at least 5 games to be playoff eligible (approved spares count).
• Spares must be pre-approved by the League Supervisor and added to the team roster.
• Players may not play for multiple teams in the same division without approval.

Game Supervision

• Each game is officiated by one league official.
• Officials are responsible for sign-ins, rule enforcement, and timekeeping.
• All official decisions are final.
• Team captains handle communication with officials and are accountable for team conduct.
• Abusing officials or organizers results in ejection or suspension.

Equipment

• No jewelry, casts, or braces made of hard substances are allowed.
• The league provides flags, cones, and one football per field.
• Only regulation-size NFL or CFL footballs are permitted.
• Players must wear shorts without pockets and non-metal cleats.
• Shirts must be tucked in, and flags must remain visible on the hips.

General Play

• The game begins with rock-paper-scissors or coin toss to decide possession.
• Kickoffs start from the goal line using punt-style kicks.
• If a kickoff goes out of bounds before touching the ground, possession starts 10 yards behind midfield.
• Fumbles are dead balls and remain with the offense.
• Players may lateral pass the ball backward or sideways, but forward laterals end the play.
• The center must snap the ball between the legs to a quarterback positioned at least 5 yards back.
• Flags must remain visible; concealing, blocking, or hiding a flag stops the play.
• If a player’s flag falls off unintentionally, the play is stopped at that spot.
• Players may dive to catch the ball but cannot dive or jump while running.
• Defensive players cannot block or obstruct running lanes intentionally.
• Minor incidental contact is permitted, but safety comes first.

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points (the player must fully cross the goal line with the ball).
• Teams have 3 downs to reach midfield and another 3 downs to reach the end zone.
• On 3rd down, teams may punt or run a play (no fake punts).
• Teams may attempt:
  • 1-point convert from the 5-yard line
  • 2-point convert from the 10-yard line
• After a touchdown, teams switch sides and resume with a kickoff.
• Quarterbacks can run at any time; rushers must start 6 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Picks & Blocking

• Pick plays (intentional or accidental obstruction) are not allowed.
• A defensive player obstructed within 3 meters of the receiver may call “pick”, resulting in a re-down.
• Offensive players cannot block or screen defenders.
• Stationary positioning is allowed, but movement that obstructs a defender results in a dead ball.

First Point of Contact

• A catch is valid if the receiver’s first point of contact is in bounds.
• A one-foot in bounds catch counts; if the player lands straddling the line, it’s incomplete.
• If a player falls and any body part besides the hand touches the ground, the play is dead.

End of the Game

• When 5 minutes remain, the referee will announce 4 plays left (kickoffs and converts excluded).
• Regular season games may end in a tie.

Timeouts

• Each team is allowed one 1-minute timeout per game.

League Standings & Points

• Win: 2 points
• Tie: 1 point
• Loss: 0 points
• No overtime during round-robin play.
• Standings are updated weekly on the Fusion Play App.

Forfeits & Defaults

• A forfeit is declared 10 minutes after the scheduled start time if a team cannot field enough players.
• Captains may use the default (no penalty) or forfeit (point penalty) function in Fusion IM 10 hours before the game.

Tie-Breakers

If Two Teams Are Tied:

1. Head-to-head result
2. Most wins
3. Point differential
4. Most points scored
5. Fewest points allowed
6. Coin flip

If Three Teams Are Tied:

1. Winning percentage between tied teams
2. Most wins
3. Goal differential (For and Against)
4. Coin flip

Playoff Format

• Format depends on the number of teams and facility availability.
• Playoff schedules are posted on the Fusion Play App.
• If a playoff game is tied, play continues until one team scores a touchdown.

Weather Policy (Outdoor Season)

• Games are played rain or shine, except during lightning or city field closures.
• If thunder is heard within 30 seconds of lightning, play stops and all participants must seek shelter.
• Games resume 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.
• Games reaching 20 minutes before cancellation count toward standings.

Cancellation Policy

• First cancellation: no reschedule or refund.
• Second/Third cancellation: games rescheduled or partially credited to the next season if rescheduling isn’t possible.

Injury Policy

• Injuries must be reported to the official immediately.
• Bleeding players must leave the game until the issue is resolved.
• Participation is voluntary — players assume responsibility for injury or property damage costs.