St Lucia Bowl

Flag Football Tournament

Saturday, 28 April 2012
1|Page

Contents
St Lucia Bowl Information ........................................................................................................................................................3
Overview .................................................................................................................................................................................3
Where and When .................................................................................................................................................................3
Cost ..........................................................................................................................................................................................3
Contact ....................................................................................................................................................................................3
Flag Football Rules .....................................................................................................................................................................4
General Rules .........................................................................................................................................................................4
Referee Roles .........................................................................................................................................................................4
Playing Field .............................................................................................................................................................................4
Game Clock Format .............................................................................................................................................................4
Scoring ......................................................................................................................................................................................4
Drives .......................................................................................................................................................................................4
First Downs.............................................................................................................................................................................5
Centering the Ball ..................................................................................................................................................................5
Substitutions............................................................................................................................................................................5
Running Plays ..........................................................................................................................................................................5
Receiving ..................................................................................................................................................................................5
Passing ......................................................................................................................................................................................5
Rushing the Quarterback .....................................................................................................................................................6
Contact ....................................................................................................................................................................................6
Dead Balls ................................................................................................................................................................................6
Overtime .................................................................................................................................................................................6
Penalties ...................................................................................................................................................................................7
Standings ..................................................................................................................................................................................7
General .........................................................................................................................................................................................8
Venue ............................................................................................................................................................................................8
Costs .............................................................................................................................................................................................8
Revenue ........................................................................................................................................................................................8

2|Page

St Lucia Bowl Information

Overview
The St Lucia Bowl is the first time ever there has been an organized flag football tournament at the
University of Queensland. Organised and run by TIME Medical Aid Project, it is a charity event that will be
run during Saturday, 28 April 2012. Teams of five will compete against each other in a round robin
competition, with those with best records advancing to the playoffs.
Where and When
The tournament will begin at 9am in the morning, with registration beginning at 8:30am. The venue is TBA,
but will be on one of the fields at UQ St Lucia.
Time

Event

8:30am to 9:00am

Registration

9:00am to 9:40am

Round 1 A

9:40am to 10:20am

Round 1 B

10:20am to 11:00am

Round 2 A

11:00am to 11:40am

Round 2 B

11:40am to 12:40pm

Lunch

12:40pm to 1:20pm

Round 3 A

1:20pm to 2:00pm

Round 3 B

2:00pm to 2:40pm

Round 4 A

2:40pm to 3:20pm

Round 4 B

3:20pm to 3:40pm

Afternoon Tea Announcement of Playoff Teams

3:40pm to 4:20pm

Semi-Finals

4:20pm to 4:30pm

Break

4:30pm to 5:20pm

Final

5:20pm to 5:30pm

Conclusion

Cost
Entry fee is $100 for each team of five, and any players that wish to be applicable for substitutions will be
additional $10 to increase the teams roster. Fees must be paid at least 24 hours prior to the tournament.
Contact
Please Contact Sam Yuan on 0410002226 for further information or to register.

3|Page

Flag Football Rules

General Rules
This is a non-contact sport, where teams of five comprised of any mixture of males and/or females attempt
to score more touchdowns to win the game. Generally speaking, the basis of these rules will be from the
NFL, unless exception is made. Moreover, these rules have been adapted from 5 vs. 5 flag tournaments, and
in any dispute or confusion, please contact an official for clarification.
Referee Roles
Referees main function is to make sure participating teams do not gain an advantage or suffer a disadvantage
due to the breaking of written rules (holding, pass interference, blocking in the back, etc.) or due to
loopholes not specifically written in the rules (taking delay of games to purposely keep the ball away from
the opponent while keeping the clock running, faking an injury to keep clock running, (taking delay of games
to purposely keep the ball away from the opponent while keeping the clock running, faking an injury to keep
clock running). Referees main function is to make sure participating teams do not gain an advantage or suffer
a disadvantage due to the breaking of written rules (holding, pass interference, blocking in the back, etc.) or
due to loopholes not specifically written in the rules. Teams not playing will be asked to volunteer a referee
to enforce these rules.
Playing Field
Length
End Zones
Width
First Down Mark
No Run Zones

40m
10m
20m
Mid Field
Short Yardage plays including the five metres before
the first and end zone

Game Clock Format

1. Each game is played in two 15-minute halves. A running clock format is used.
2. The clock will stop on out-of-bounds, first downs, change of possession, extra points and incomplete
passes in the final two minutes of the second half providing the lead is in single digits (9 points or
less).
3. Each team has two 30 second time outs per half (no carry over)
4. There will be a two minute break at halftime and between games.
Scoring
1. Touchdowns = 6 points
2. Safety = 2 points
3. Extra Points
a. 5 metres out = 1point; no run zone
b. 12 metres out = 2points; run zone
4. Field Goal = 3 points
a. Team can choose to take a field goal on a particular down (usually fourth) if they have
already passed the First Down Mark.
b. Cannot be taken in final five minutes of the second half if team has the lead.
Drives
1. There are no kickoffs or punts
2. All drives begin on the five-metre line with the exception of interceptions
3. Drives consist of three plays to either make a first down or score a touchdown
4|Page

4. Interceptions may be run back and the drive will begin where the players flag is pulled
5. Extra points can be returned for the amount of points the other team is trying for
First Downs
1. A drive can be extended should a team push the ball past mid field using up to three plays.
2. After a team passes mid field, they must score within three plays or the other team gains possession.
a. Team may elect to take 3 points on their final down
Centering the Ball
1. The ball must be snapped between the legs
2. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 25 seconds to snap the ball.
a. A five metre penalty will be assessed for delay of game.
3. The defense is allowed 5 seconds to organise once the offence has been set.
4. Only one player is to be in motion on the offense.
Substitutions
1. Players may substitute during a dead ball but be on or off the field before the next play starts.
2. All substitutes must be registered, including any applicable fees.
Running Plays
1. There is no limit to the number of handoffs made behind the line of scrimmage
2. One lateral or pitch is allowed behind the line of scrimmage. If the pitch is forward, then the
recipient cant pass and must run. No laterals past LOS.
3. The No Run Zone is designated to avoid short yardage power running. It is located five metres
before first down and five metres before the endzone.
4. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball as long as he does not pass the line of
scrimmage.
5. Once the ball has been handed off or pitched, any or all defensive players are allowed to rush even if
they arent behind the 7-meter mark.
6. No handoffs or laterals are allowed past the line of scrimmage
7. There is no jumping or diving when running with the ball to avoid a flag pull.
a. Players can jump step or jump back to avoid a flag pull. If officials indicate illegal jump, the
ball will be placed where they leave their feet.
8. The QB cannot run the ball. If the ball is handed off behind the line of scrimmage that person can
run as long as its not in the no run zone or pass. Once the ball is handed off there is no 7 second
count.
Receiving
1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the
LoS)
2. Player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
3. No bump and run coverage on the opposite gender.
4. No pass interference is permitted, or contact more than 5 metres downfield.
Passing
1. Shovel passes are allowed even behind the line of scrimmage
2. The QB will have Seven second pass clock if no defensive player rushes. If a pass is not thrown
within seven seconds, the play is dead and treated as an incomplete pass.
3. Interceptions may be returned (including extra points).
5|Page

Rushing the Quarterback

1. All players that rush the QB must be a minimum of 7 metres beyond the line of scrimmage when the
ball is snapped. However, once the ball has been handed off, all players are eligible to rush from
anywhere in front of or beyond the 7 metre marker.
2. Any number of players can rush the QB provided they are behind the seven metre mark.
3. Official will designate 7 metres from the LoS.
4. If the rusher enters the 7-metre neutral zone before the snap, he must get back before the ball is
snapped or else he is ineligible to rush on that play.
5. Rusher must go for the quarterbacks flags. Rusher may attempt to block the pass but it is a penalty
to make contact with the QB,s body or arm even if the ball is deflected.
6. If no one rushes, the quarterback will have 7 seconds to release the ball. With a defensive rush, the
7 second rule is waived.
Contact
1. No tackling, grabbing, stiff arming or excessive contact is allowed.
2. Absolutely no blocking is permitted. The officials will judge what is classified as incidental contact.
3. Runner shall not guard their flag belt using their hands, arms, or the ball to deny the opportunity for
an opponent to pull the flag.
Dead Balls
1. Play is ruled over when/where the ball is spotted.
2. When the ball hits the ground
a. Includes bad snap
b. No fumble recoveries allowed
3. When the Ball carrier loses their flag (pulled off or falls off)
a. if the receiver catches a ball and he has lost his flag already, it goes as a completed pass, but
is unable to advance the ball.
b. If the flag is pulled by an opponent prior to reception, the receiver may advance the ball and
the defence must either pull the other flag or two hand touch the receiver.
c. If flags have been pulled prior to the catch, this is an Illegal Flag Pull, with the defence
penalised by five metres from point of reception plus automatic first down.
4. When the ball carriers knee hits the ground, the play is ruled dead. Players can put their hand down
to keep balance, but not to avoid a flag pull.
5. When the ball carrier steps out of bounds, the ball is ruled dead.
6. Ball is spotted where the flag is pulled.
Overtime
1. Overtime only occurs in playoff games. If scores are locked in the regular rounds, both teams are
awarded 1 point for a tie.
2. Overtime rules
a. Flip for first possession
b. Overtime period is based on possession turns. I.e. both teams have an equal opportunity to
score.
c. If both teams score equally for 3 sets of possessions, then each team will receive 1 play to
see who gets the most yardage. Team with most yardage will be the winner
d. Teams are awarded an additional 30 second timeout.

6|Page

Penalties
1. All offensive penalties = loss of down and five meters except
a. Excessive contact/ Rough Play 10 yards and loss of down (Referee discretion warning/
ejection from game)
2. All defensive penalties = first down and five yards (or half the distance to the goal) except
a. Pass interference is a spot foul + automatic first down
b. Defensive holding on a player with the ball is 5 yards from hold and automatic first down.
c. Excessive contact/Rough Play is 10 yards and first down (Referee decides the severity of
excessive contact)
3. Note that the game cannot end on a defensive penalty even if time expires. One additional play will
be required to finish the game.
Standings
1. Teams will receive the following points following each match
a. Win = 2 points
b. Tie = 1point
c. Loss = 0 points
2. If two or more teams end the four rounds with the same number of points, ties will be broken by
a. head to head games if applicable
b. most wins
c. points differential (not to exceed 9 points per game)
3. 4 teams will make the playoffs, with the 1st seed vs. 4th seed and 2nd seed vs. 3rd seed.
4. The following rule changes apply in playoffs
a. Overtime is enforced if scores are tied after regulation.
b. NFL timing will be used in the last 2 minutes of both first and second halves.
c. Half time breaks will be 5 minutes long.

7|Page

MAP Flag Football Tournament

General
Please see the document St Lucia Bowl for the logistics of the event.

Venue
We will need to contact UQ union about potentially using a field on the day.

Costs
There will be some costs involved, which can be ordered from HART Sports
1. Heavy Duty Flag Belts 30 x $5.30 = $159 (only 20 required, but need some for substitutions and in
case some get broken.
2. Cones Probably require at least 10 per field, so 20 required for two fields 20 x $1.60 = $32.
3. Whistles Probably can get 8 x $1.30 = $10.40
Total cost from sporting equipment = $201.40. Note that this cost is a one off, and if we were to repeat this
even next semester, then the same equipment can be used.

Revenue
Assuming that 8 teams register with 5 players each, which is the minimum (and team number wise limit) that
we are hoping for, then that is a revenue of $800.00. However, each sub that registers is an additional $10.
Thus, we can see that at the minimum, we should be able to profit around $600 from the day.
In addition to this, we can sell other items such as soft drink on the day. That may add significantly more to
our fundraising.

8|Page