Flag Football Line of Scrimmage

James Madison University Intramural Sports

Officials Development Program- Flag Football

The Line of Scrimmage

Every play begins at the line of scrimmage giving the officials an ideal opportunity to ensure that all players and the field are ‘set’ prior to the snap.

Flag Football Home Rule Book Illustrated Rules

The offensive team must have at least three players, including the snapper on their scrimmage line at the time of the snap. The remaining players must be either on their scrimmage line or behind their backfield line. All players must be inbounds.

Motion

At the time of the snap, one player may be in motion so long as they are not moving towards the line of scrimmage. Any number of players may go into motion prior to the snap. However, all players must come to a stop for at least 1 second before the ball may be legally snapped. One player may then reinitiate motion for the snap. The player in motion is not counted as one of the three people necessary to be on the line.

Any player that is receiving the snap, must be at least 2 yards off of the line of scrimmage. There are no direct snaps. Violation of this is an Illegal Snap. 5 yard penalty, Live Ball foul.

The snapper, after assuming the position for the snap and adjusting the ball, may neither move nor change the possession of the ball in a manner simulating the beginning of a play until it is snapped. An infraction of this provision may be penalized, whether or not the ball is snapped. When over the ball, the snapper shall have their feet behind their scrimmage line (First ball spotter-orange puck). The snapper shall pass the ball back from its position on the ground with a quick and continuous motion of the hand(s). The ball shall leave the hand(s) in this motion.

Once all the requirements are met, the Line Judge will declare that the "Line is Set." This is a courtesy for the players - they do not legally have to wait for this announcement.

After the ball is ready for play and until the snap, no player on defense may encroach, touch the ball, nor may any player contact opponents or in any other way interfere with them.

This includes standing in the neutral zone to give defensive signals or shifting through the zone. After the snapper has made their final ball adjustment, it is encroachment for any player to break the scrimmage line plane, except for the snapper's right to be over the ball. 5 yard penalty.

In a snap preceded by a huddle or a shift, all offensive players 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 snap. 5 yard penalty.

One offensive player may be in motion, but not in motion toward the opponent's goal line at the time of the snap. Other offensive players must be stationary in their positions without movement of the feet, body, head, or arms at the time of the snap. 5 yard penalty.

No offensive player shall make a false start. A false start includes simulating a charge or start of a play. An infraction of this rule may be penalized whether or not the ball is snapped and the penalty for any resultant encroachment shall be canceled. One offensive player may be in motion, but not in motion toward the opponent's goal line at the time of the snap. Other offensive players must be stationary in their positions without movement. 5 yard penalty.