1. SMOKEY MOUNTAIN FLAG FOOTBALL
LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS
6-10 Teams: Single Division, play everyone once to determine playoff seating.
Players: 7-14 players per team; a player must play at least one of the regular season games with
a team to play playoffs. A player may not play on more than one team per season unless
“Traded.”
“Trades”: A player may play for another team if:
1) The other team has room on their roster (Max Players 14).
2) A fee of $25 is paid in full to the SMFFL.
3) Must occur before the middle of the regular season.
4) A player cannot play for 2 teams in same night/week.
Playoffs: Every team makes playoffs and seeds will be determined based on records. Playoffs
are a single elimination format.
Entry Fee: $20 per person to go towards buying equipment, taking care of the fields, maybe
paying referees and some a prize for the winning team such as T-Shirts.
Waiver Forms: ALL players MUST sign and return a copy of a liability waiver form that
states that we are NOT liable for ANY injuries that may occur on or off the field before they
can participate in any SMFFL activities.
Referees: The game shall be played under the supervision of 2 to 4 officials with 1 stat
keeper. The officials are: Referee, Line Judge, Back Judge, and Field Judge. It is
recommended strongly that a minimum of 3 officials be used. Referees some seasons will
be paid per game. We will need help with refereeing each week. A player must take this job
serious, pay attention to what’s happening on the field not off the field, and perform as expected
from a referee or they will not be asked to help again and could not be paid for the provided
service.
Referees Authority: The Referee has authority to rule promptly, and in the spirit of good
sportsmanship, on any situation not specifically covered in the rules. The
Referee’s decisions are final in all matters pertaining to the game.
Game Officials Authority: The game officials shall assume authority for the contest,
including penalizing unsportsmanlike acts, 30 minutes prior to the scheduled game time,
or as soon thereafter as they are able to be present. The official’s jurisdiction extends
through the Referee’s declaration of the end of the second half or overtime.

2. Team Captains: Each team shall designate to the Referee the team captain(s). If more
than one player is designated, a speaking captain must be selected to make all decisions.
Persons Subject to the Rules: Players, nonplayers, and spectators affiliated with the team
are subject to the Rules of the game and shall be governed by decisions of officials
assigned to the game.
Safety: Any player, who exhibits signs, symptoms, or behaviors consistent with a
concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance
problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play.
1.0 PLAYERS AND EQUIPMENT
1.1 Each team fields 7 players, but may play with 5 to avoid a forfeit.
1.2 Shirts must be long enough to tuck in so that they remain tucked in the pants/shorts
during the entire down or short enough so there is a minimum of 4” from the bottom
of the shirt to the player’s waistline.
1.2 Pants or shorts with BELT LOOPS are prohibited. Pockets are ok as long as the
flags stay out of the pockets.
1.4 Baseball hats are NOT allowed. Winter hats without brims are allowed.
1.5 Metal or screw-in cleats are NOT allowed. Plastic/rubber cleats are legal. Plastic
with flat metal tips are currently allowed unless later deemed unsafe.
1.6 Game balls will be provided, but offensive teams may choose to use their own
footballs, provided they are regulation size. The offense is responsible for the
retrieving of the football and returning it to the line of scrimmage after each play.
1.7 Each player must wear a one-piece quick release flag belt (provided) at the
waistline with three flags permanently attached, one flag on each side and one in
the center of the back. The flag belt must be free of any knots.
1.8 All players must wear jerseys, (shirts), each team must wear the same color jersey
or shirt. If not, jerseys will be provided for one team. The jersey must be tucked
in to allow for grabbing the flag.
1.9 Belt loops, pockets (see 1.2), exposed drawstrings, jewelry, or un-tucked hoods
on sweat tops, and sandals are illegal. Players wearing such illegal equipment will
not be allowed to participate until illegal equipment is removed.
2.0 The officials on the field will make any decision on the legality of any equipment
on or being used by a player, and his/her decision will be final.
2.1 Each player must wear pants or shorts. The pants or shorts must be of a
different color than the flags.

3. 2.2 Shoes are required at all times. If a player is not wearing shoes that cover his feet
he will be asked to go to the sideline. Failure to comply will result in an
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
2.3 Players may wear gloves which must consist of a soft, pliable and nonabrasive
material.
2.4 It is strongly recommended that a mouth piece be worn by all players.
2.5 Players may carry a play book inside their clothing as long as it is not made of
an unyielding material and is not visible. If carried on the field, a player must
keep the play book rather than throw it on the ground. Players may wear a
soft, pliable wrist/forearm band that contains plays.
2.6 Players may wear pliable and non-rigid sunglasses.
2.7 Players may not have any slippery or sticky foreign substance on any
equipment or exposed part of the body.
2.0 PLAYING FIELD, TIME FACTORS, SUBSTITUTIONS, SCORING
2.1 The field shall be a rectangular area with zones. The field is 100 yards in
length, 40 yards in width. There shall be a 10-yard end zone at each end of
the field, and four 20-yard zones down the length of the field. Cones should
be placed at the corner of each zone and, when possible, at least two cones
on the rear line of each end zone. Pylons or yard markers may be used in
lieu of cones.
2.2 The defensive line of scrimmage will be set one yard away from the offensive line
of scrimmage.
2.3 The winner of the pre-game coin toss shall have the first choice of options:
Kickoff or receive, Differ, or which goal to defend and who wears the pennies if
necessary.
2.4 The game shall consist of two 20-minute halves, with running clock. During the
last 2 minutes of each half, the clock will stop for the following:
Incomplete pass - starts on the snap
Out-of-Bounds – starts on the snap
Safety – starts on the snap
Team time-out – starts on the snap
Referee time-out – starts at his/her discretion
Touchdown – starts on the snap (after the extra point)
Penalty administration – dependent on previous play
Touchback – starts on the snap
Change of possession – starts on the snap
Inadvertent whistle – starts on the ready
* The game cannot end on a defensive penalty.

4. 2.5 Mercy Rule: if a team is up 19 points after 18 minutes in the 2nd half, or
anytime thereafter, the clock will run continuously, or if a team is up by 50
points in the first half the game will be called, or if a team is up by 35+
points with 10 minutes to go in the second half the game will be called.
2.6 The offensive team has a 25 second play clock to snap the ball after the
referee signals "ready for play."
2.7 Tie games: Ties will be broken by the “Texas Tie Breaker”
A. Play will begin on the 10-yard line and teams will have 4 plays
each.
B. A coin toss will precede the “Tie Breaker”. The team winning the
toss has 3 options: offense, defense, or direction. The opposing
team then has the remaining choice.
C. The object is to score a touchdown and subsequent extra point (1
or 2 points). After team A scores, team B then has 4 plays within
which to score. If no team has scored after their respective plays
the process is repeated.
D. After a touchdown is scored the teams have the option of going for
a 1, 2, or 3 point conversion. Beginning with the 3rd overtime,
teams must attempt a 2 or 3 point conversion.
E. When a pass is intercepted the defense becomes the offense and
begins their series of 4 plays from the 10-yard line. Interceptions
can be returned for a touchdown.
F. A team shall be given a new series of 4 plays when an automatic
first down penalty is accepted.
2.8 Each team is allowed 2 timeouts per half. 1 minute in length, they do not carry over.
You must take the full 1 minute.
2.9 Free substitution is allowed on any dead ball, and the substitute must join the team
huddle.
2.10 Scoring: Touchdown = 6 points;
PAT from 3 yard line = 1 point;
PAT from 10 yard line = 2 points;
PAT from 20 yard line = 3 points;
Safety = 2 points; after a safety, the scoring team will have possession at its
own 14 yard line.
If a PAT is intercepted and returned to the end zone = Always 3 points.
2.11 Half-time will be 5 minutes. This can be shortened to save time.
2.12 Half or halves may be shortened in any emergency by mutual agreement of
the opposing captains and the Referee (i.e., darkness, inclement weather).
2.13 If a touchdown is scored to end the game the extra point will not be
attempted unless it will change the outcome of the game.

5. 2.14 The Referee shall have authority to correct obvious timing errors if discovery
is prior to the second live ball following the error unless the period has
officially ended.
3.0 KICKOFFS
3.1 No Kickoffs, play will begin on the offensive teams own 14-yard line.
4.0 POSITION AND ACTION DURING THE SNAP
4.1 The center, after assuming the position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may not
move nor change the position of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of
play. The ball must be snapped in one continuous motion. Penalty: False Start, 5
yards.
4.2 The ball may be snapped between the legs or to the side of the center.
4.3 The player who receives the snap must be at least 2 yards behind the offensive
scrimmage line, and cannot be moving forward. Direct snaps are always illegal
(under center). Penalty: Illegal Snap, 5 yards.
4.4 The offensive team must have a minimum of four players set within 1 yard of the
offensive line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped (not necessarily lineman, but
can include receivers). Penalty: Illegal Formation, 5 yards.
4.5 Only one offensive player may be in motion at the time of the snap, and this motion
may not be towards the line of scrimmage. Penalty: Illegal Motion, 5 yards.
4.6 The defense is not allowed to say or do anything to interfere with the snap of the
ball. Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards.
4.7 No defenders or offensive players are allowed in the neutral zone until the ball is
snapped. Penalty: Encroachment/Off-sides, 5 yards.
4.8 All false starts, illegal procedures, and offsides penalties will be blown dead at the
line. There are no free plays.
5.0 PASSING, BALL IN PLAY, DEAD BALL, OUT-OF-BOUNDS
5.1 All players are eligible for a forward pass. The passer may pass from anywhere
behind the offensive line of scrimmage.
5.2 Pitches and backwards laterals are legal anywhere on the field.
5.3 Throwing the ball away in order to avoid a sack is illegal. Penalty: Intentional
grounding, 5 yards + loss of down.
5.4 Defensive players must make a definite effort to avoid charging into a passer. Any
contact with the quarterback is illegal. Penalty: Roughing the Passer, 10 yards +
result of the play (if positive yards have been gained) + automatic first down.

6. 5.5 THERE ARE NO FUMBLES!! The ball is declared dead when the ball touches
the ground and that spot is the new line of scrimmage (except when the ball is
fumbled forward). A fumble in the end zone is a safety.
5.6 A ball carrier is ruled down when his/her knee touches the ground. The ball is
considered part of the ball carrier’s hand.
5.7 The sideline and end lines are considered out of bounds. Only one foot needs to
touch in bounds in order for a pass to be complete.
5.8 Once an offensive or defensive player steps out of bounds, that player is no longer
eligible to touch the ball.
5.9 Players may not hurdle teammates or opponents. Diving to gain yardage or to
remove opponents’ flags is legal as long as there is no “charging” into other
players.
5.10 There shall be no bumping, checking, or other intentional contact between a
defender and an offensive pass receiver. On pass attempts, both the offensive and
defensive players have a right to “go for the ball”. Some contact is legal,
provided the contact does not give one player a distinct advantage while putting
the other player at a disadvantage. Penalty: Pass Interference, 10 yards +
automatic first down/loss of down (plus additional 10 yards if blatantly
deliberate).
5.11 All players are eligible to touch a forward pass after it is thrown. The passer
may catch his/her own forward pass provided it has been touched by another
player first.
5.12 If a legal forward pass is caught simultaneous by members of opposing teams,
the ball is immediately dead upon returning to the ground and belongs to the
offense.
5.13 A forward pass is a live ball thrown towards the opponent’s goal line. A
backward pass is a live ball thrown parallel or backwards. The initial direction
of the pass will determine whether or not the ball is backwards or forwards.
5.14 It is illegal to attempt to steal the ball while in player possession. Once a player
has obtained possession of the ball, his/her opponent must play the flag, not the
ball.
5.15 Defensive players must not contact the passer at anytime during or after the
play. They may only go for the flag. Rushers may try to deflect the ball, but
they may not contact the passer even if the ball is deflected. If the defender
contacts the passer, it is considered roughing the passer.
5.16 Team Players are responsible for retrieving the ball after a down has ended.
Officials are not responsible for retrieving the ball. The offensive team may
take the ball to the huddle after each play.

7. 6.0 FLAG BELT REMOVAL
6.1 Tampering with the flag belt in any way to gain an advantage including tying,
using foreign materials, or other such acts is illegal.
Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards + player ejection.
6.2 When the flag belt is clearly taken from the ball carrier (determined by when the
belt is “unclipped”) the down shall end and the ball is declared dead. The position
of the BALL (not the player or flag) determines the spot of the new line of
scrimmage.
6.3 The defensive player shall not (intentionally or accidentally) hold, grasp, or
obstruct forward progress of a ball carrier when in the act of removing the flag
belt. Penalty: Obstruction/Holding: 10 yards.
6.4 Players must have possession of the ball before they can legally be de-flagged. A
defensive player intentionally pulling a flag belt from an offensive player without
the ball is illegal. Penalty: Defensive Pass Interference, 10 yards + automatic first
down.
6.5 It is illegal to steal or attempt to steal (strip) the ball from a player in possession.
The object of the game is to de-flag a ball carrier, not to steal the ball.
Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 10 yards.
6.6 Players may not trip or push the ball carrier out of bounds to stop play.
Penalty: Personal Foul, 10 yards.
6.7 When a runner loses his/her flag belt accidentally (no defensive player pulled it),
play continues. The de-flagging reverts to a one-hand tag of the runner between
the shoulders and knees.
6.8 Ball carriers shall not intentionally or unintentionally guard their flags by blocking,
with arms, hands, or ball, the opportunity for an opponent to pull or remove the
flag belt. Penalty: Flag guarding, 10 yards.
6.9 Following a touchdown, the officials will “test” the flag of the player who scored
to make sure that it was legal by pulling to remove the flag belt.
7.0 BLOCKING
7.1 All blocking must be “Screen Blocking”-- Offense cannot initiate contact with
defense to prevent defense from reaching quarterback or ball carrier. Any use of
the arms, elbows, legs, or knees to initiate contact during an offensive player’s
screen block is illegal. Blockers may use their hands to protect themselves, but
may not “push” defensive players away. A blocker may use his/her feet in order
to gain position before, during and after screen blocking. Penalty: Illegal Block,
10 yards.

8. 7.2 There is NO downfield blocking, or blocking on returns - only “screen blocking”.
Teammates of a runner or passer may interfere for him/her by screen blocking,
but shall not use interlocked interference by grasping or encircling one another in
any manner. Penalty: Illegal Block, 10 yards.
7.3 Defensive players must go around the offensive player’s screen block without
charging into the blocker in any way. The arms and hands may not be used to
grab or push the opponent aside. Penalty: Personal Foul, 10 yards.
NOTE: Screen blocking is enforced the same as the block/charge rule in basketball.
8.0 PUNTING THE BALL
8.1 If a punt is to be made, the team punting must announce it before the down starts.
There are no fake punts.
8.2 Offense must have 4 players on the line of scrimmage and the defense must have 5
players within 1 yard of the line of scrimmage until the punt is made. No one can
move until the ball is kicked. Penalty: Illegal Procedure, 5 yards.
8.3 The ball may NOT hit the ground before being returned. Once the ball touches a
receiving player, it cannot hit the ground or it will be ruled dead. Balls not caught
by the return team will be ruled dead.
8.4 Punts that are downed in the end zone or kicked through the back of the end zone
are touchbacks. Play will begin at the 14-yard line. For punts that go out of
bounds on the sidelines, play will begin at the yard line where it went out.
8.5 Any kick caught by the kicking team behind the line of scrimmage cannot be
advanced.
Kicking the Ball: After receiving the snap, the kicker must kick the ball immediately and
in a continuous motion. If a kicker drops the ball, it is considered a fumble, and the ball
becomes dead at the spot.
9.0 PLAYER CONDUCT
9.1 Any act of tackling, throwing an opponent to the ground, or any physical
contact deemed overly rough is punishable by a minimum of ejection and 1
game suspension.
9.2 Other prohibited acts: Constant complaining or disrespecting officials; using
profanity, insulting, or vulgar language or gestures; threatening or intentionally
making contact with an official; Excessive trash talking or taunting opponents.
9.3 Any player that receives two unsportsmanlike fouls for any reason will be
automatically ejected from the contest and the next game.

9. 9.4 Any player that throws a punch will immediately be ejected from the game and
suspended for the remainder of the season. (To be reviewed by League
Administrator)
9.5 Any team that receives 4 unsportsmanlike fouls in one game will automatically
forfeit the contest to their opponents.
9.6 Team captains are responsible for the sportsmanship of all players.
9.7 A team captain is the only player with the right to address game officials
respectfully.
SUMMARY OF PENALTIES:
LOSS OF 5 YARDS:
1. Required equipment worn illegally
2. Delay of game
3. Illegally conserving or consuming time
4. Substitution rules infractions
5. Infraction of punt formation
6. Infraction of punt
7. Encroachment
8. False start
9. Illegal snap
10. Offensive player not within 15 yards of the ball
11. Infraction of scrimmage formation
12. Player out-of-bounds when call is snapped
13. Offensive player illegally in
14. Player receiving snap within 2 yards of the scrimmage line
15. Illegal shift (Line of Scrimmage)
16. Intentionally throwing backward pass or fumble out-of-bounds
17. Illegal forward pass
18. Intentional grounding
19. Helping the runner

10. LOSS OF 10 YARDS:
1. Illegal player equipment
2. Quick kick
3. Kick catch interference
4. Two or more consecutive encroachments during the same interval between scrimmage
downs
5. Forward pass interference-Offensive
6. Forward pass interference-Defensive
7. Illegally secured flag belt on a touchdown
8. Unsportsmanlike player conduct
9. Spiking, kicking, or throwing the ball during dead ball
10. Unsportsmanlike conduct by Coaches, Substitutes, or Others
11. Strip or attempt to strip the ball
12. Contact with opponent on ground
13. Throwing runner to ground
14. Hurdle any player
15. Contact before or after the ball is dead
16. Unnecessary contact of any nature
17. Drive or run into a player
18. Position upon shoulders or body of a teammate
19. Tackle the runner
20. Roughing the passer
21. Illegal Offensive screen blocking
22. Interlocked interference
23. Defensive use of hands
24. Guarding the flag belt
25. Stiff arms
26. Obstruction or holding the runner
27. Batting a free ball
28. Illegal kicking
29. Illegal participation
30. Illegal substitute/replaced player
31. Pretended, unfair substitution
32. Illegal flag belt removal