Gameplay Principles

The most important principle of the rules is to avoid any significant and impactful contact.

The first important aspect of this principle is to make the flags an easy target. The runner is restricted from using anything other than legal flags and legal tactics (e.g. spinning) to restrict an opponent's access to their flags. In return the flag puller must take all reasonable steps to minimize contact during the act of removing the flag from an opponent.

The second important aspect of this principle is Right of Place (RoP) and Right of Way (RoW), which determine who is charged with avoiding contact. As a general rule, priority is given to the offense up to the point before the ball is passed or handed off and to the defense thereafter. However, these rights must not be abused to provoke contact. Intentionally contacting an opponent, even with RoW priority, will be penalized. Ball carrier must try to avoid defenders. Defenders cannot jump in front of a ball carrier and declare RoP. RoP can be clearly defined at the snap or if a position is taken with regard to an opponent that clearly gives the ball carrier enough time to avoid the defender.

Positioning Principles

Right of Place (RoP) and Right of Way (RoW), as defined earlier, offer an excellent starting point for understanding the interaction between offensive and defensive players on the football field. Here is the order of RoP and various Rights of way.

• 1. Right of place
• 2. Right of way of Rusher to the Quarterback
• 3. Right of way of receivers
• 4. Right of way

Equipment

The dimensions and type of football to be used among the different age groups and levels of play may vary.

Cleat specifications are liberal but sharp edges on any part of the footwear may cause removal of the footwear at the discretion of the Referee.

Safety

The Flag Rules Committee considers all players to be responsible for the safety of their opponents as well as their teammates. It is imperative that each player exercise control to avoid bodily contact or minimize inevitable contact.

Measurements

All measurements in this rule book are described in the imperial scale.

When field markings dictate the use of metric measurements, all designated distances contained herein, with the exception of those noted below, and may be converted at par from yards to meters. Thus, a 15-yard penalty will become a 15 meter penalty, and the offensive team must gain 10 meters, as compared to 10-yards, for a first down. In both imperial and metric measure, only 3 downs are allowed to gain the required distance for a first down.

Ethical Play

It is customary in flag football when a player removes an opponent's flag to end a play, the player must first hold up the flag to show the referee and hand the flag back to the respective opponent. To toss a flag aside or to the ground for the opponent to pick up is considered unsportsmanlike conduct.

The football player who intentionally violates a rule is guilty of unfair play and unsportsmanlike conduct; and whether they escape being penalized; they bring discredit to the good name of the game, which is their duty as a player to uphold.

Rules alone cannot accomplish fair play. Only the continued best efforts by coaches, players, officials and all friends of the game can preserve the high ethical standards set by the game of football.

All players are responsible for the safety of their opponents as well as their teammates; therefore, they must balance their aggressiveness with a measure of control to avoid bodily contact or at least minimize any contact that does occur. Coaches will emphasize safety and fair play at all times. Officials are to exercise no leniency in penalizing the infractions described in the rules and regulations, for to refrain from doing so would serve to condone dangerous play.

Football Canada is designated as a True Sport and with that adopt 4 core values: fairness, excellence, inclusion and fun.