Section 5: Rules of Play
Game Length
Rule 3-2-1 sets total playing time at 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves with a 2-minute intermission. Under Rule 3-2-6, if the score difference reaches 30 points or more at the Referee's notification, the game clock runs continuously (no longer stopping for situations that would normally stop it) for the remainder of the half. Rule 3-1-1 has the Referee toss a coin 3 minutes before the scheduled start; the winner chooses whether to snap first (from its own 5-yard line) in the first or second half, and the loser chooses which end to defend. Rule 3-1-2 has the team that did not snap first in the first half put the ball in play to start the second half.
Overtime
Rule 3-1-3 governs the tiebreaker: after a 2-minute intermission and a coin toss (with no charged team timeouts available), the first extra period consists of 2 series, each team snapping at the middle line for one series of downs with no first down awarded at midfield. If the score remains tied after that period, each subsequent period instead consists of a single 1-point try attempt per team from the 5-yard line, continuing until a period ends with the score no longer tied.
Series of Downs
Rule 5-1-1 awards a series of 4 consecutive scrimmage downs at the start of each half and after any score (including a try), safety, touchback, or change of team possession. If the offense fails to reach the middle line or score by the end of its 4th down, Rule 5-1-1 awards a new series to the defense at its own 5-yard line; after an interception, the defense's new series begins at the dead-ball spot.
Passing and Rushing
Rule 7-1-3(g) gives the quarterback 7 seconds after the snap to pass or hand off the ball; if that limit is exceeded the ball becomes dead at the scrimmage line for loss of down. Rule 7-1-4(d) permits a maximum of 2 defensive "blitzers," each of whom must line up more than 7 yards from the scrimmage line at the snap and signal by raising one hand. Under Rule 7-1-4(e)–(f), any defender who lines up more than 7 yards from the scrimmage line may cross it and rush at any time until the ball is dead, while defenders positioned closer than 7 yards must hold their position behind the scrimmage line until the ball has been handed off, faked, or thrown. Rule 7-3-1 allows one legal forward pass per down, thrown from behind the scrimmage line before any change of team possession.
Dead Ball and Non-Contact Play
Rule 4-1-2 declares the ball dead when, among other conditions, any part of the runner's body other than a hand or foot touches the ground, the runner has fewer than 2 flags in their possession, or the ball goes out of bounds. A "sack" is defined as the removal of the quarterback's flag behind the scrimmage line while in possession of a live ball. Rule 9-1-1 (Illegal Contact) makes clear that flag football is non-contact: no player may intentionally contact an opponent or official, hold, or aim at an opponent, and both runners and defenders are charged with avoiding contact — if a runner and defender contribute equally to contact, the foul is charged to the offense, and if a receiver and defender contribute equally to contact on a pass in the air, the foul is charged to the defense.