Flag Football Knowledge Base

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Meeting Summary — Monday, August 24, 2026

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Video Review

  • Double Pass
    There are two forward passes thrown by Team A on the same play. It was fourth down. No flag was thrown and no penalty called. There should have been a foul for an illegal forward pass. The offended team could have accepted the penalty, and since there is no right to replay the down, the next series would have started after the 10-yard penalty yardage.
  • Forward Pass / Flag Guarding
    Note the yard line where the scrimmage play begins. In your view, was the passer behind the neutral zone when she released the pass? Was it a forward or backward pass? Secondly, watch the receiver’s arms — is she guilty of flag guarding? Was there contact?
  • No Ball Set
    Interesting fact: in this state, the referee does not set the ball. Between plays, the snapper obtains the ball and then moves to the line of scrimmage for the next play. In several plays by either team in this game, the snapper did not place the ball on the ground. Also note the referee is setting pucks to mark the spot and a two-yard defense restriction — we do not do this in Illinois. The ball is marked and set by the referee, and the snapper comes to the line of scrimmage and sets her hand on the ball, which is on the ground.
  • Poor Spot
    The Side Judge does not get in good position to mark forward progress. Notice the flag pull at the 42-yard line — you can clearly see the runner momentarily stop and the flag hit the ground. The Team B coach (in red on the sideline) is pointing to where the flag was pulled. The Line Judge marks forward progress at the 39-yard line, which is three yards beyond where the spot should have been.

Meeting Summary — Monday, August 17, 2026

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Video Review

  • Flag Guarding
    Offensive player runs around the right side and as she cuts up field, watch her arms. The video features two views: the first at regular speed, then a slow-motion replay. The referee throws a flag for flag guarding. In the replay, you can see her arms moving in more than just a normal running movement.
  • Two Minute Warning
    Rule 3-4-3k: The game clock shall start with the snap if the game clock was stopped because the two-minute warning has occurred. The referee correctly gives the two-minute warning to both benches, but then starts the clock immediately. Since the game is in the first half, there is no provision for the score differential and/or running clock. The clock, in this case, should have started with the snap.
  • TD Flag Pull
    Rule 8-2-1c: Following a touchdown, a teammate of the scoring player must remove the scorer’s flag in view of the official. In this play, the player who scores the touchdown immediately pulls her own flags. This could be ruled unsportsmanlike conduct since the teammate did not pull the flags. Was there deception? Or is it just a kid who is excited by the scoring of a TD? How would you handle it?
  • Pitch Pass
    This is a try after a touchdown. Team A comes out in a spread formation, then all of the players on the line shift into a tight formation. Prior to the snap, watch the player on the right side of the line — she takes a step to the side and then curls back to take a pitch from the QB, then attempts a pass. Did the player who goes in motion on the right meet the criteria of Rule 7-2-5? Only one A player may be in motion at the snap, and then only if such motion is not toward the opponent’s goal line. Also watch the opposite side of the line — that player also moves. There should have been a flag down for illegal procedure or illegal motion.
  • Illegal Block
    Watch the Team A player who goes in motion. As she comes to the line, she and another Team A player (#3) are setting a screen for the runner. However, #3 makes definite contact with the rusher in violation of Rule 9-3-3: after assuming a legal position, a screen blocker may move to maintain legal position by moving in the same direction or path as the opponent. Screen blocking shall take place without initiating contact during the process of the block. A screen blocker shall not extend the arms, or use hands, arms, elbows, or legs to initiate contact. Good call for illegal block.

Meeting Summary — Monday, August 10, 2026

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Video Review

  • Flag FB QB Contact
    Multiple views of this play. Two rushers coming with two screeners protecting the QB. One defender attempts to pull the QB’s flag, while the second defender is attempting to block the pass. The ball is knocked out of the QB’s hand. Is this a violation of Rule 9-4-4?
  • Roughing QB 2
    Defender clearly contacts the arm of the QB as she releases the ball. Meets the criteria for roughing. Pass is complete. What is your penalty administration? 10 yards from the end of the play (tack on), automatic first down.
  • Roughing QB 1
    QB is pressured and the defender pulls the flag about the same time as the QB attempts the pass. You make the call? Did this play meet the roughing criteria in Rule 9-4-4? It appears the flag may have been pulled prior to the pass. Roughing was called.
  • Punt Pass
    Team K punts the ball. While in position to catch the punt, the Team R player misses the ball. First, we have to rule if there was any touching. If the Team R player touched the ball, it would be dead at the spot. However, no touching was ruled, and after attempting to run back the punt, the Team R player throws a forward pass. There is a foul for an illegal forward pass, 10 yards from the spot of the foul, 1st down for Team R.
  • Snap Infraction
    A small flinch by the center in position to snap the ball. It did not draw the defense into the neutral zone. However, this is a snap infraction, Rule 7-1-3a.
  • Shorts Grab
    Defender grabs the shorts of the receiver after she caught the ball. No flag pull, and the receiver scores. It’s a holding penalty against the defense. What are the offended team’s options? Team A may choose to enforce the penalty on the try or the subsequent starting spot. Rule 8-2-2, Casebook 8.2.2 Sit A.