Flag Football Basic Terms

James Madison University Intramural Sports

Officials Development Program- Flag Football

Last Minute Mechanics

Communication between officials is tantamount throughout the entire game but is perhaps most important in the final minutes. These signals and mechanics allow officials to ensure that the clock is properly managed in the closing seconds of a tight game.

Flag Football Home Rule Book Illustrated Rules

The clock will run continuously for the entire first half and the first 19 minutes of the second half, only being stopped for time-outs, injuries, and at the officials discretion. When the final minute of the game is reached, the clock will be stopped, a whistle blown, and the Referee will announce the One Minute Warning to both teams and the scorer's table.

If a play is in progress when the clock reaches one minute, the clock will be stopped at the conclusion of the play. The Referee will also announce that the clock will now be stopped according to NCAA rules.

• Out-of-bounds - Starts on the snap
• Safety - Starts on the snap
• Time Out - Starts on the snap
• Offensive First Down - Starts on the ready
• Touchdown - Starts on the snap (after the try for point)
• Penalties - Dependent on previous play (usually on the ready)
• Referee's Time Out - Starts at Referee's discretion
• Touchback - Starts on the snap
• Change of possession (including punts) - Starts on the snap
• Team attempting to conserve time illegally - Starts on the ready
• Team attempting to consume time illegally - Starts on the snap
• Inadvertent Whistle - Starts on the ready
* Try for points are untimed

Communication during stop time is paramount, each official must know exactly what's going on and what's happening next. After every play, the official making the call needs to demonstrate to their partners whether the clock is stopped or if it is running.

For example, if a player is running down the sideline and is deflagged or steps out of bounds, the official making the call is the only one that knows what is happening with the clock. As they are marking the spot of the ball, they must also be giving either the `wind the clock' or `stop clock' signal.All of the other officials should then mimic the signal and verbalize what is happening. When the referee sets the pucks and is retreating to the ready for play position, they will announce the down and line-to-gain as usual, and also add how much time is on the clock and when it will be starting.

One coin toss will decide possession for the 1st round and subsequent rounds, if necessary. Possession will consist of one series of downs, starting at 1st and goal from the 10 yard line. Both teams will play towards the same goal line. Try-for-point swill be attempted and all penalties will be assessed as normal. Possession for each round will alternate for scores, turnovers and an unsuccessful series of downs. If either team is ahead at the end of a round, they shall be declared the winner. There is no overtime for tied games during the regular season, only for playoff games.