2026 SFFL Rule Book
7. Moving the Ball
-First Downs: Achieved by crossing midfield.
-Snaps: Must be from the ground.
-Passing: All players are eligible to receive passes.
-Running: Quarterbacks and receivers may run the ball before crossing the line of scrimmage.
8. Flag Pulling
-A play ends when a defender pulls a flag from the ball carrier.
9. Turnovers
-Interceptions change possession and can be returned for touchdowns.
-Fumbles result in a dead ball and loss of possession if the offense last had clear control.
10. Penalties
-Penalties for infractions like offsides, flag guarding, and unnecessary roughness will result in yardage losses.
-Offsides/False start: 2-yard penalty.
-Flag guarding: moves the ball to the spot of the foul.
-Unnecessary roughness: penalty is decided by the severity of the infraction.
11. Timeouts
-Each team is allowed two timeouts per half.
-Timeouts are 30 seconds each.
-Injury timeouts do not count against a team’s timeout total.
-Game will be paused until the injured player is safely off the field or cleared to continue.
-Broadcast team may call a time out whenever needed for commercial breaks or equipment repair.
12. Safety and Conduct
-The emphasis is on sportsmanship, fun, and safety.
-Aggressive physical contact, taunting, and unsportsmanlike behavior are prohibited.
13. Officials
-Game is officiated by at least one referee, who enforces the rules, and manages the game flow.
-A scorekeeper will be in charge of keeping score and time.
1. Field Dimensions
-Field Size: The playing field is 80 yards (240 feet) long and 40 yards (120 feet) wide, with two 10-yard (30 feet) endzones.
-Markings: Yard lines are marked every 10 yards with cones.
2. Game Equipment
-Football: A youth-size football will be provided.
-Flags: Each player wears flags on a belt around the waist coordinating with their overshirt.
-Players must wear appropriate athletic attire.
-Players will be provided with a colored overshirt (aka stinkie).
3. Teams
-Teams must have an equal number of players (3 to 5 players per team on the field at a time)
-Teams can have additional players as substitutes.
-Team captains are picked by the league commissioners before the start of the season.
-Team captains are responsible for picking their teammates.
4. Game Duration
-The game is divided into two halves, each lasting 12 minutes.
-There is a 5-minute halftime break.
-The clock stops for incomplete passes, penalties, timeouts, and injuries.
5. Starting the Game
-A coin toss determines the first possession.
6. Scoring
-Touchdown: 6 points.
-Extra Point: Options for 1 point from the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 10-yard line.
-Safety: 2 points.