Flag - Rules
CYFL Flag Rules
Columbia Youth Football League
Official Rules–USA FLAG Football (with CYFL modifications) K-3rd & 4th-8th grades / Updated March 2026
These rules apply to all players, coaches, and spectators. Adherence ensures a safe, positive, and enjoyable experience for all participants.
K-3rd Grade Rules
- Blocking downfield is allowed as long as hands are behind the back.
- All players are eligible to touch the ball.
- No lead blocking or bull rushing.
- Running clock with 2 timeouts and a 2-minute warning.
- Runners are allowed to run the A gap.
- Defenders may shoot the A gap after a legal handoff.
- 4-second handoff and 6-second pass rule.
- Interceptions (INTs) are live.
- Change of possession: On 4th down, if the offense fails to reach the line of gain, the opposing team takes over at that spot.
4th-8th Grade Rules
- 100% passing; no running. Jet sweeps are allowed as long as the QB tosses the ball forward and not handed off.
- Jet sweeps must go outside the slot receiver.
- All swing passes must be thrown outside of hash marks.
- Blocking is allowed using “patting hands” only, no pushing or bull rushing.
- Blitzing rules:
- Blitzing is allowed from anywhere on the field
- Linebackers must be at least 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.
- Players covering a slot reciver or wide receiver are not required to be 7 yards back.
- Defenders covering a tight end (TE) who is attached (lined up in the box) must be 7 yards back. (If the TE is attached, he must be in a 3-point stance. This player is not allowed to be jammed).
- Only one defensive player may blitz per down.
- Running clock with 3 timeouts and a 2-minute warning.
- Under 2:00 (2-minute warning)
- If a runner goes out of bounds, the clock stops and restarts on the snap.
- Incomplete passes stop the clock; once the ball is set, the clock resumes.
- If the ball becomes dead due to a pass, fumble or out of bounds, the clock will stop then restart after the ball is placed.
- Interceptions (INTs) are live.
- Change of possession: On a 4th down, if the offense fails to reach the line of gain, the opposing team takes over at that spot.
- Three players minimum has to be on LOS, (center counts as one) at least one player to the right side on the ball or it will be a 5-yard illegal formation penalty.
General Rules
A) Rosters
- Maximum of 15 players; minimum of 7 players per team
- Rosters including player names and jersey numbers are available upon request (maximum of 4 requests per coach).
B) Weight Limits
- NO weight limits apply.
C) Lines to Gain & Field Setup
- Fields are divided into 5- or 10- yard zones.
- Line of scrimmage (LOS) extends sideline to sideline.
- Only officials, referees, coaches, and players are allowed in this area.
- Violation results in a 15- yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
D) Chains
- No chains are used; a down marker box may be used if available.
E) Coaches on the Field
- Coaches may not give instructions once the QB begins cadence.
- Coaches must be 10 yards behind the QB/RB.
- K-2nd: 1 offensive coach and 1 defensive coach allowed on the field.
- 3rd-5th: 1 offensive coach only.
- 6th-8th: No coaches allowed on the field.
F) Playing Up
- Players may move up a grade level only with Registration Board approval.
G) Injuries, Accidents and Safety
- Coaches and league officials are responsible for monitoring player safety during all games.
- In the event of a serious or life-threatening injury, 911 must be called immediately.
- Return to play
- A player who is injured must be removed from play immediately.
- A player may only return to play when a parent/guardian or qualifed medical professional determines it is safe to do so.
- League officials and coaches have authority to hold a player out of play if safety is a concern.
- Concussions
- If a player shows any signs or symptoms of a possible concussion, they must be removed from play immediately.
- The player may not return to play the same day unless cleared by a qualified medical professional.
- Coaches should always take a “When in doubt, sit them out” approach.
- Return to play
Game and Play Rules
Section 1: General Provisions
- First downs
- Offense starts at its own 20-yard line.
- 4 plays to gain for first down
- First downs awarded at the 40- and 20- yard lines.
Section 2: Positions
- Offense
- 7 players: center, quarterback, and eligible receivers.
- Center: snaps the ball and becomes eligible for passes.
- Quarterback: cannot run past the LOS unless blitzed.
- Receivers/Backs: may catch passes, no handoffs.
- Defense
- Any 7-player formation allowed.
- Blitzer
- Must start 7 yards off LOS.
- Only ONE blitzer per play.
Section 3: Equipment
- Flag belts must be league-issued and matching.
- No metal cleats allowed.
- League jerseys required.
- Mouthguards required.
- Soft shell helmets required.
Ball Sizes:
- K-4th: Pee Wee/K2
- 5th-6th: Junior
- 7th-8th: Youth
League Play
Game Clock
- 40-minute running clock (two 20-minute halves).
- Stops only for timeouts, injuries, or official discretion.
Halftime
- 5 minutes
Delay of Game
- 45 seconds to snap the ball after it is set.
- One warning before penalty
Timeouts
- 2 per half (30 seconds each)
Overtime
Will consist of alternating possessions between teams until a winner is determined.
Round 1
- Each team will run an offensive series from the 5-yard line.
- If the first team scores and converts their point-after attempt (PAT), the opposing team must match that score and PAT to continue.
Round 2
- If the score remains tied after round 1, both teams will run a new series from the 10-yard line.
- The scoring team may choose to attempt either:
- 1-point conversion, or
- 2-point conversion
Round 3 and Beyond
- If the score remains tied after round 2:
- Each team will continue from the 10-yard line.
- All teams are required to go for 2- point conversions.
- Play continues until one team scores and the other does not match
Conversion Decisions
- If a team chooses to go for 1 point, the opposing team:
- May go for 1 point to tie, or
- May go for 2 points to win the game.
Live Ball/ Dead Ball
- Play is dead when the whistle blows or the ball hits the ground.
- Bad snap: ball spotted where it hits the ground.
Inadvertent Whistle
- Offense may accept the play or replay the down.
Game Play
Scoring
- Touchdown: 6 points.
- Extra Point:
- 1 point (5-yard line)
- 2 points (10-yard line)
- Safety: 2 points
Running
- Ball is spotted where the flag is pulled.
- Only handoffs behind LOS allowed.
- QB can run past LOS if blitzed.
- Center can run past LOS (he’s eligible to catch the ball).
- Spinning is allowed; no diving or jumping to avoid flag pull.
- Blocking is allowed.
- K-3rd: screening
- 4th-8th: PAT
Passing
- Forward pass must travel beyond release point.
- QB may throw the ball away beyond LOS, but it has to be in the vicinity of the intended target.
Pass Clock
- K-2nd: 6 seconds
- 3rd-5th: 5 seconds
- 6th-8th: 4 seconds
Receiving
- All players are eligible receivers.
- One foot must be in bounds for a catch.
- Simultaneous possession -> offense keeps the ball.
- Interceptions are returnable.
- No contact allowed with QB (roughing penalty enforced).
Flag Pulling
- Legal when ball-carrier has possession.
- No diving, tackling, or holding.
- No stripping the ball.
- If flag falls off, it becomes one hand touch.
- No pulling flags from players without the ball.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Any intentional contact or unsafe play= ejection
- Offensive language= warning, then ejection
Spectators
- Cheer positively; no harassment or profanity.
- Stay 10 yards off the field.
- Keep sidelines and end zones clear and safe.
Penalties
- No spot fouls: All penalty yardage will be marked off from the original LOS. The down will be replayed.
- Offsides and False starts: 5- yard penalty.
- Personal fouls: 15- yard penalty (includes roughing the passer, pushing, bull rushing, and tackling).
- Delay of game: 5-yard penalty.
- All other penalties: 10-yard penalty.
Fighting
- Subject to Board review.
- Possible suspension from 1 game to full season or permanent removal.