RVSL Rules
Flag Football
Fast, inclusive football without tackling. A player is down the instant a defender pulls a flag.
Team size & setup
| Age division | Players on field | Field |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 5 to 8 | 5v5 | 25 × 60 yards, two 25-yard zones |
| Ages 9 to 12 | 5v5 | 30 × 70 yards, two 30-yard zones |
| 13 & Up | 5v5 (a league may elect 7v7) | 30 × 80 yards, two 40-yard zones |
Game format
| Item | 12 & Under | 13 & Up |
|---|---|---|
| Game length | Two 20-minute halves | Two 25-minute halves |
| Downs | 4 to reach midfield, then 4 to score | 4 to reach midfield, then 4 to score |
| Pass rush | Rusher counts to 4 before crossing the line | Rusher counts to 4 before crossing the line |
| Playing time | At least 50% of snaps | At least 20% of snaps |
How the game starts
- No kickoffs. The offense starts on its own 5-yard line and has four downs to cross midfield.
- Once a team crosses midfield it has a new set of four downs to score a touchdown.
- If the offense fails to cross midfield or score, the ball changes hands at the spot of the last down.
- After a score, the other team takes over on its own 5-yard line.
Flow of play
- Every play begins with a snap from the ground or between the legs. The quarterback cannot run the ball across the line of scrimmage.
- The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
- Runs, handoffs, laterals, and forward passes are all legal behind the line of scrimmage. Only one forward pass is allowed per down.
- A touchdown is 6 points. The scoring team may try for 1 point from the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 10-yard line.
Fouls & safety
- No tackling, diving, or driving into a player. Contact is what we are removing from the game.
- No flag guarding, a ball carrier may not use a hand, arm, or the ball to keep a defender off the flags. First offense is a 5-yard penalty, a second by the same player is loss of down.
- Screen blocking only: blockers keep their hands in, feet set, and never lunge or push.
- Roughing the passer is a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
- A second unsportsmanlike act by the same player results in removal from the game.
Equipment
- A flag belt with two flags for every player, worn on the hips with the flags exposed.
- Mouthguards recommended for every player; no pads or helmets.
- Molded or rubber cleats or turf shoes, no metal cleats.
What technique looks like
Route-running precision, catching with the hands away from the body, accurate ball placement on throws, and clean two-hand flag-pull form on defense.
Scored the RVSL way
Referees rate both teams on the five criteria: effort, technique, teamwork, fun, and sportsmanship.