LMU INTRAMURAL SPORTS FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

LMU Intramural Sports  Burns Recreation Center 239-4  www.lmu.edu/imsports  [email protected]
(310) 568-6623  facebook.com/LMUIMSports  @LMUIMSports

LMU INTRAMURAL SPORTS
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

1. TEAM CAPTAINS:

Team captains are responsible for informing their teammates of all Intramural Sports
governing rules and policies. LMU Intramural Sports honors the National Intramural
Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) flag football rules.
Only the team captain may address an official on matters of rule interpretation or obtain
essential information.
Team captains are responsible for informing teammates about their team’s schedule and
notifying them of upcoming games. Team schedules will also be posted on the IM Sports
board on the first floor of Burns Recreation center and available online on IM Leagues
(www.imleagues.com).
Team captains are responsible for their team’s behavior before, during, and after the game.
Team captains are responsible for any and all equipment given to them and/or their team to
use, such as team jerseys and game ball. Team captains will be charged for missing items.

2. PLAYERS:

7 players are allowed on the field for Men’s and Women’s leagues, 8 players for Co-Rec
league. The minimum number of players required to start and continue the game is 5 for
Men’s and Women’s leagues, 6 players for Co-Rec league. If the minimum number of players
to start is not reached then the game will result in a forfeit. (Acceptable player
combinations for Co-Rec: 4 men & 4 women, 3 men & 4 women, 3 men & 3 women, 2
men & 4 women. There can never be more men than women on the field.)
Players can only play for one same-gender team and one Co-Rec team in each league! NO
exceptions (i.e. Bobby Walker plays on Team X-Bandits [Men’s team]; he can also play on one
Co-Rec team, but no other Men’s team). If an individual is signed up for more than one same-
gender or Co-Rec team, the FIRST team that person played for becomes that person’s team.
Maximum number of players per roster is 12.

3. ELIGIBILITY:

All LMU students, Loyola Law students, faculty, and staff are eligible to play Intramural
Sports.
Alumni and outside visitors are not eligible to participate.
Players MUST create an account on IM Leagues AND add to a team in order to play. Players
may also join the league as a free agent so that existing teams can add people as needed.
Teams may add players to roster throughout the season, BUT cannot drop players once they
have played in one game. Team rosters become frozen after the last season game and players
cannot add once playoffs begin.
Players must play in at least 1 regular season games in order to be eligible for the playoffs.

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NO ID, NO PLAY! All participants must present their one card to the Intramural staff on
duty and check in to be eligible to play.
All participants must be members of the Burns Recreation Center to play in Intramural
Sports.

4. FORFEITS: .

A $40 forfeit deposit is required from every team at the Captain’s meeting. Failure to pay the
deposit will result in removal from the league.

A forfeit is the failure to start or complete a game/contest in its entirety. This includes when
a game is not played due to too few participants, or when a game ends early for any reason.

There are two types of forfeits:
1. Administrative forfeit
a. Not reaching the minimum number of participants to start a game
b. A team falls below the minimum number of participants due to non-
sportsmanship related reasons (i.e. Class)
2. Sportsmanship forfeit
a. Having an ineligible player participate in a game
b. The game must end early due to sportsmanship violations (i.e. Ejected players,
too many penalties, etc.)

An “Administrative” forfeit will result in a loss + a final score of 7-0 + a “0” sportsmanship
rating for the forfeiting team.

A “Sportsmanship” forfeit will result in a loss + a final score of 14-0 + a “0” sportsmanship
rating for the forfeiting team.

A default occurs when a team notifies the Intramural Sports Office at least 24 hours prior to
its scheduled game of its inability to play that game. The penalty for a default is a loss for
said game.

Default #1  Loss Forfeit #1  Loss + loss of forfeit deposit
Default #2  Loss + loss of forfeit deposit Forfeit #2  Removal from league
Default #3  Removal from league

If a forfeit occurs prior to a default, then the first default will be treated as “Default #2” and
the next default/forfeit will result in removal from the league.
If a default occurs prior to a forfeit, then the first forfeit will be treated as “Forfeit #1” and the
next default/forfeit will result in removal from the league.

5. FORMAT:

Preseason and regular season play are followed by single elimination playoffs to determine the
champion of each league. Leagues will be divided as Men’s, Women’s and Co-Rec. Not all
teams qualify for playoffs – only the top teams from each division in each league advance to
playoffs.

6. EQUIPMENT:

LMU Intramural Sports will provide ALL necessary sports equipment (i.e. Jerseys, balls, etc.)

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All participants must wear closed-toed athletic shoes. Players are permitted to wear cleated
shoes, but cleats must be rubber and no longer than ¼ inch. Metal spikes are not permitted
nor are any metal revealed in screws in cleats.

No Jewelry. No hats/caps/bandanas. Participants may not cover up jewelry with tape,
band-aids or other such items.

Teams will be provided with 12 jerseys per team.

No cast or splints (hard or soft) are permitted.

Participants must wear athletic shorts/warm ups without pockets or belt loops.

NO POCKETS! Pockets cannot be taped up.

Any player showing up to a game with shorts/pants with pockets will not be permitted to
check in and play for their team until they change into shorts/pants without pockets.

Shirts must be worn underneath the team jersey and MUST BE TUCKED IN.

7. FLAGS:

Each player must wear a belt with three flags. Any player caught deliberately tying their flag
belt will result in a 10-yard penalty and player ejection from the game for unsportsmanlike
conduct. The player is down when the ball carrier's flags are removed.

If ball carrier’s flags fall off without being removed by an opponent, then the opposing team
needs to touch the ball carrier between the shoulders and knees with one hand in order for
them to be down. No article of clothing may cover any part of the flag. Shirts must be tucked
in at all times.

8. GAME TIME:

Before the game begins, players must check in at the scorer’s table.

Game time is forfeit time, unless a team has at least one member present; then a 5-minute
grace period may be added before the game is called a forfeit. One forfeited game will result
in the loss of the $40.00 deposit. Two forfeited games will result in removal from the league.

Teams may default by calling LMU Intramural Sports at least 24 hours prior to the team’s
game time.

Game time consists of two 20-minute halves and a 5-minute half time with a continuous
running clock until the last two minutes of the second half. Clock stops on every dead ball
situation during the last two minutes of the second half.

Each team receives two 1-minute timeouts per half and one timeout in overtime. Timeouts
do NOT carry over.

Mercy Rule: Up by 38 or more points during the last 10 minutes of the game or up by 19 or
more points during the last 5 minutes of the game.

9. SCORING:

Touchdown -- 6 pts. (Men’s & Women’s) & 9pts. (Co-Rec, when female is involved in scoring)
Safety -- 2pts.
Extra Points (3 yd) -- 1 pt.

(10 yd) -- 2pts.
(20 yd) -- 3pts.

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In accordance with NIRSA rules, an interception by the defense during an extra point
causes the play to become dead and ends the try.

10. SUBSTITUTES

There may be unlimited substitutions, but must be made during dead ball situations.
A team may NOT substitute for a disqualified player and the team must play a man down for
the remainder of the game.

11. START OF GAME:

The winner of the coin toss shall have the option to choose “Offense”, ”Defense”, “Goal line to
defend” or to “defer” his/her choice to the second half. The game shall start from Team A’s
own 14-yard line with the line to gain as the 20-yard line.

12. PUNTS:

If a punt is to be made, the kicking team must notify the Head Referee before the down
starts. After the Head Referee announces that the offensive team is punting, neither team
may move until after the ball has been kicked. The kicker cannot delay his/her punt after
receiving ball in hand. Players on the line of scrimmage must remain motionless until after
the ball is kicked. The punter must be at least 2 yards behind the snapper to receive the ball.
All players on the receiving team are eligible to receive the punt.

13. FIRST DOWNS:

A first down will be awarded when a team reaches the “line to gain” and enters the next zone.
Zone lines to gain are marked at the 20, 40, and 20-yard lines.

14. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE:

The offensive team must be behind the line of scrimmage, and the defensive team must be
one yard from the line of scrimmage until the ball is snapped. The snapper shall pass the
ball back from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion of the hand.
Prior to a snap, all players on the offense must come to a complete stop and remain
stationary in legal position without movement of feet, body, head, or arms for at least one full
second before the ball is snapped. A player receiving the snap must be at least 2 yards behind
the snapper. (Only one player may be in lateral motion from the line of scrimmage at the
time of the snap.)

15. WHEN THE BALL IS SNAPPED:

At least four players must be on the offensive line of scrimmage. The remaining players must
be either on their scrimmage line or behind their backfield line. No offensive player, while on
the scrimmage line, may receive a snap. Penalty: 5 yards.

16. DEAD BALL SITUATIONS:

The ball is considered dead in the last two minutes of the second half in each of the following
scenarios:

1. It goes out-of-bounds.
2. Any part of the runner other than a hand(s) or foot (feet) touches the ground

(Exception: if a player slips, but regains balance as the ball in-hand comes in contact
with the ground, play continues as a ball in possession is considered an extension of
the hand).
3. A touchdown, touchback, safety or successful extra point attempt is made.

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4. A forward pass strikes the ground or is caught simultaneously by opposing players.
5. A backward pass or fumble by a player strikes the ground or is caught simultaneously

by opposing players. A ball snapped, which hits the ground before or after getting to
the intended receiver, is dead at the spot where it hits the ground.
6. A forward pass is legally completed or a loose ball is caught by a player on, above, or
behind the opponent’s goal line.
7. A runner has a flag belt removed legally by an opponent, but the flag is removed in the
event of the clip is detached from the belt, the belt is torn into more than one piece, or
the flag is torn off the belt.
8. A runner is legally tagged with 1 hand between the shoulders and knees, including
the hand and arm, by an opponent once the flag belt is no longer attached.

17. LEGAL FORWARD PASS:

All players are eligible to receive a forward pass. During a scrimmage down and before team
possession has changed, a forward pass may be thrown provided the ball, when it leaves the
passer's hand, is behind the line of scrimmage. Only one legal forward pass is allowed per
down.

18. SCREEN BLOCKING:

Screen blocking is legally obstructing an opponent without contacting him/her with any part
of the screen blocker's body. The offensive player (blocker) may not use their hands to
obstruct the defensive player’s route to the ball carrier.

19. USE OF HANDS OR ARMS BY THE DEFENSE:

Defensive players may not use their hands and must go around the offensive player's screen
block. Defensive players may not use their hands to guard any receiver.

20. FLAG GUARDING:

Ball carriers shall not protect their flags (intentionally or unintentionally) by blocking with
arms, ball, shirt or hands; thus obstructing the opportunity of an opponent to pull or remove
a flag. Penalty: 10 yards.

22. 10-YARD LINE OVERTIME PROCEDURE (Playoffs only):

To start the overtime, the offensive team shall put the ball in play, 1st and goal on B's 10-
yard line. Team A shall have a series of downs. After scoring a touchdown, a team may
attempt an extra point with no loss of down. If team B intercepts a pass the try ends. After
Team A has completed its series, Team B will become the offensive team with the ball in its
possession at the 10-yard line. The same end of the field will be used for both possessions in
order to insure equal game conditions and conserve time. If the score remains tied after each
team has been given 1 series, the procedure shall be repeated until a winner is determined.

23. CO-REC RULES

Co-Rec teams are comprised of 8 players (4 men and 4 women on the field). If a team is forced
to play with only 7 players the only acceptable ratio is 3 men and 4 women. 6 players are
required to avoid a forfeit (3 men and 3 women or 2 men and 4 women).

Co-Rec teams may use a regular, intermediate or youth size ball. However, each team must
agree on the size and ball used. If teams cannot agree, the ball provided by LMU Intramural
Sports will be used.

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The minimum number of players on the line of scrimmage is 5 for the offensive team to begin
a play.

A male runner may not advance the ball passed the line of scrimmage.

During an offensive possession there may not be 2 consecutive legal forward pass
completions from a male passer to a male receiver. This rule also applies for the extra point
try. If a male completes a forward pass to a male, the next play is now considered “CLOSED.”
CLOSED means that the next play must involve a female either catching the pass or throwing
the pass and the ball must break the plane of the line of scrimmage while in flight. If the
pass is completed to a receiver (male) behind the line of scrimmage the player may not
advance past the line of scrimmage. In order to open a play, the ball must break the plane of
the line of scrimmage while in flight.

Once this has been accomplished the next play of the sequence of downs is considered
“OPEN.” OPEN means that everyone on the field (male or female) is legal to catch a forward
pass.

Mercy Rule for Co-Rec: Up by 25 points or more at/or within 5 minutes of the 2nd half or up
by 50 points or more at/or within 10 minutes.

24. SPORTSMANSHIP:

The Intramural Sports staff on duty will grade all teams on their sportsmanship and has the
authority to ask anyone to leave the field. A team’s sportsmanship grade is a reflection of its
players as well as fans.

Any team receiving below a “B/3.0” average for their entire regular season will not be eligible
for the playoffs NO MATTER THE TEAMS RECORD!

Any team receiving a below “B/3.0” sportsmanship rating during playoffs will automatically
forfeit and not advance to the next round of the playoffs tournament. At this point the
opponent will advance.
When a player is ejected, the team cannot substitute for the ejected player and must play a
player down for the remainder of the game.
No player shall strike, attempt to strike, or hit an official or another player. “He/She hit me
first” or “it was self defense” is not an excuse.
Any player ejected for any reason receives an automatic one-game suspension and will
remain suspended pending he/she meets with the IM Sports Director, Raamen Bass, or an
IM Sports Student Manager. Once the ejected player has had the meeting, he/she will be
reinstated into the league.
In case of ejection, NO substitutes are allowed for the ejected player.

Standard of Conduct

A part of the philosophy of the LMU Intramural Sports Program is that good sportsmanship is
vital to the conduct of every contest. The aim is to provide an opportunity for each of the
players to participate in his/her favorite sports and to cultivate a healthy appreciation of
competition through fairness and team sportsmanship. We understand that each game is
important to the participant, but the importance should not become so overriding that
players lose sight of the appropriate behavior.

The playing field is not a venue for physical or verbal abuse for the players or the spectators.
Supervisors and officials should never be placed in the position of taking physical or verbal

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abuse from either the participant or spectators. Students, faculty, and staff who participate
in competition as well as spectators are expected to conduct themselves in a manner marked
by rational behavior, respect for others and awareness of appropriate conduct. Good
sportsmanship means understanding and practicing the rules of the game, respect for the
supervisor, officials, and for all in attendance by maintaining a positive attitude. Those who
do not choose to exhibit this behavior jeopardize not only their own eligibility, but that of
their team in current and future competition.
The following will not be tolerated immediately prior, during, and following competition:
1) Harassment of anyone involved in the contest that includes improper language, gestures, or
intimidation by any player or that player’s supporting spectators.
2) Any threat of physical force to intimidate anyone involved in the contest by a player or that
player’s supporting spectators.
3) Physical force, to include, but not limited to, shoving, punching, swinging at, and causing
intentional harm towards anyone involved in the contest.
4) Failure of a player or team to comply with directions of the Intramural supervisor and/or
officials.
5) Disruption of any competition by spectators in any way, either verbally or by entering the
court or field of play.
The team captain is responsible for the actions of any player of the team and for spectators
directly related to it. The conduct of all players and spectators before and after the game is as
important as conduct during the game. Those who fail to comply may be subject to one or
more of the following penalties:
1) Forfeiture of game.
2) Ejection of player from game or spectator from game site.
3) Suspension of an individual or team’s playing privileges for a period between one day and
their academic life at Loyola Marymount University by a specified period of probation.
4) Referral of a disciplinary case to the university’s Judicial Affairs.
5) Permanent disbarment from Intramural competition in that sport or in all sports
6) Loss of membership to the Burns Recreation Center.

Sportsmanship Rating System

Officials for each game are required to assign a Sportsmanship Rating describing the quality
of sportsmanship displayed by each Intramural Sports team. Teams will be graded on a 4.0
scale at the end of each contest.
Each team must average a “3.0” sportsmanship rating during league play in order to qualify
for the post season tournament. A team receiving a sportsmanship average below “3.0” will be
ineligible for the playoffs.

How the Sportsmanship Rating System Works

Sportsmanship Ratings will be based on the following criteria:

4 pts Excellent Conduct and Sportsmanship: Players cooperate fully with the officials and other
team members. The captain is the only player who confronts the officials for questions.
He/she calmly converses with officials about rule interpretations and calls. The captain also
has full control of his/her teammates, bench, and spectators.

3 pts Good Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team members verbally complain about some decisions
made by the officials and/or show minor dissension, which may or may not merit a
unsportsmanlike conduct penalty). Players other than the captain confront the officials for
questions. Teams that receive 1 unsportsmanlike conduct penalty cannot receive higher than
a “3” rating.

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2 pts Average Conduct and Sportsmanship: Teams show verbal dissent towards officials and/or
the opposing team, which may or may not merit unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Players
other than the captain continually confront the officials for questions. Captain exhibits minor
control over his/her teammates, bench, and spectators, but is in control with himself/herself.
Teams receiving multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties cannot receive higher than a “2”
rating.
Examples:

 Team personnel or spectators make abusive remarks toward opponents or officials
 Captain/players persist in questioning officials
 Team has to be warned about unnecessary roughness
 Spectators clearly related to the team fail to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion
 Team receives a behavioral unsportsmanlike conduct foul or is ejected

1 pt Below Average Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team consistently comments to the officials
and/or opposing team from the field and/or sidelines. The team captain exhibits little or no
control over teammates, bench, spectators, and/or himself/herself. A team which receives an
ejection cannot receive higher than a “1” rating.
Examples:
 Repeated warnings are given to a player, coach, or spectator clearly related to the
team for any of the above listed infractions
 The team fails to cooperate with the officials to keep the game running in an orderly
fashion
 Team receives two behavioral unsportsmanlike conduct fouls or is ejected

0 pts Poor Conduct and Sportsmanship: Team is completely uncooperative. Captain has no
control over teammates, bench, spectators, and/or himself/herself. Any team causing a game
to be forfeited or receives multiple ejections will receive a “0” rating.
Examples:

 Team personnel or a spectator strikes or physically abuses an opponent or an
intramural staff member

 The team, after being warned, continues to play with unnecessary roughness
 Team behavior warrants discontinuance of the game for any reason (i.e. three

unsportsmanlike penalties)
 Spectators clearly related to the team engage in disorderly conduct that violates

college regulations or jeopardizes the official’s control of the game

The Intramural Professional Staff reserves the right to drop any team and/or individual
from participating in Intramural competition for sportsmanship violations regardless of
that team’s sportsmanship rating average.

Any player who is ejected from a contest must meet with the Intramural Sports Director or
Manager before he/she may be eligible for the next played contest or tournament.

Any team receiving a “0” or “1” rating must have their captain meet with the Intramural
Sports Director or Manager before the team is eligible for the next played contest or
tournament.

Special Situations
1) For contest which are rained out or cancelled, teams will receive a “4” rating.
2) A team winning by forfeit or default will receive a “4” rating.
3) Teams losing by default will receive a “4” rating.
4) Teams losing by forfeit will receive a “0” rating.

Sportsmanship Ratings during the Playoffs:
1) If a team receives below a 3.0 rating they will be eliminated from the playoffs.
2) A player receiving an ejection will be disqualified from the remaining playoff games unless

the Intramural Sports Staff finds the punishment to be unnecessary.

25. PROTEST: 8

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A team captain may only protest before or during the game, not after. In protesting an
official’s call, the team may only protest a rule interpretation or eligibility and not a judgment
call. A timeout must be utilized in order to protest, and a team may get it back if the
interpretation goes its way.

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