About Our Rules...
All DSL Rules are based on traditional rules from the sport and have been amended to fit what WE as a group want them to be in order to create an atmosphere of fair play that is the most fun for everyone.
About Our Officials...
DSL Officials are fellow members that have pledged their time to make sure that you have officials to help run the games and settle disputes. They are present as non baised guides that only want to help you and will answer any question that is asked in a calm and respectful manner. we will protect our officials at all times and all umpire calls are final. Any arguing, yelling, insulting, or otherwise offensive behavior towards an umpire will result in an ejection from the game, a subsequent suspension, and possible termination of DSL membership without refund. So just be nice to them, give them a hug, a five, or a simple thank you will do. They are there to make sure you have fun every night, it's the least you could do.
About Honesty...
The Officials are not going to see everything. DSL is meant to be a community of honest individuals that share in the responsibility of maintaining a level of integrity that we can all be proud to be a part of. Please do not wait for the umpire to call you out. If you know you have been hit or think you have been hit, then please have the maturity and the integrity to remove yourself from the court on your own. This is what seperates a DSL member from the rest of trhe world of sports. We will remove those that continuously undermine the integrity of our league and will always protect the values the rest of us share with a commitment that is never ending. Thank you for your support and commitment...it's what makes DSL great!
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Flag Football RULES
1. The playing field shall be 80yds long and 40yds wide.
2. Shoes must be worn. Shoes with metal cleats, exposed metal screw-in cleats, boots, and/or sandals are strictly prohibited. Furthermore shorts or pants with pockets and/or belt loops are prohibited. No article of clothing may cover any portion of the players flag (sweatshirts and shirts MUST be tucked in). Unsecured half shirts and exposed knots are not permitted as with hats with protruding rims. JEWELRY IS ILLEGAL AND SHALL NOT BE WORN. All type of earrings, eyebrow rings, nose rings, necklaces, bracelets, and watches (not meant to be inclusive) must be removed.
3.No Kick off in WinterBall. Start at 8 yard line. KICK-OFF will be done from the 40 yard line at the beginning of the game. Minutes before game time the captains should meet with all game officials to determine who gets the ball and direction. If the ball does not reach the opponents 20 yard line in play or out of bounds the receiving team can choose to either re-kick or play the ball where it lies. If the ball reaches the 20 yard line then the kick must be played whether it goes out of bounds or stays in play. A ball in the end zone results with stating on the 20.
4. PLEASE BE PROMPT. GAME TIME IS FORFEIT TIME!
5. The game shall consist of four 10-minute quarters, running clock. With 1.5 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter the ref will announce 5 plays and this will finish the half. When there is 3 minutes left the referee will announce 10 plays. This means there are 10 plays left in the game. Kickoffs and extra point plays do not count as plays.
6. The offense is responsible for the ball on all plays and over throws. Teams may take the ball to the huddle and bring it up to the line themselves.
7. MERCY RULE. There is no mercy rule. Let’s have fun.
8. NO FUMBLES. The ball is dead when it hits the ground! The only exception is on kickoffs and punts as the ball is live when it is on the ground however the kicking team can only down the ball whether it was touched or not touched. Once possession is obtained by the receiving team the ball will be dead when it hits the ground.
9. 4th Down. You can either punt or go for it. If you go for it “Where the ball lands rules apply” So if it is incomplete the defense would get the ball where it hits the ground.
10. TRY-FOR-POINT. After a team scores a touchdown they will be asked if they want to go for 1 point (ball placed on the first orange line), or 2 points (ball placed on second orange line) You can either choose an offensive play or snap from this spot for a kicked extra point. Where you snap it from determines whether it is 1 or 2 points. You can set up the hold as far back as you like. If the snap is botched and the ball hits the ground the play is dead. The snap can be a toss back and does not have to be between the legs. The defense can not rush but may try to block from the line of scrimmage. No Fake Kicks. If the defense intercepts a try-for-point attempt and returns it for a score they shall receive the 1 or 2 pts.
11. N/A in Winter Field Goals. No Fake Field Goals. You can set up the hold as far back as you like. If the snap is botched and the ball hits the ground the play is dead. The snap can be a toss back and does not have to be between the legs. The defense can not rush but may try to block from the line of scrimmage. If the kick occurs behind the 20 yard line the kick is worth 5 points.
12. Offense must have at least 3 people on the line of scrimmage including the snapper. The max number of females is 1. After the 3 second rush count all lineman are eligible as receivers. If it is the automatic rush then all lineman are immediately eligible. There is 1 automatic rush per set of downs and you must announce rush. The official will keep the 3 second delayed rush count. He or she will drop her hand when the time is up.
13. If a player’s flag belt inadvertently falls off, then two-hand tag rules apply. No Striping.
14. Players MAY dive to catch a pass, defend a pass, or to remove an opponent’s flag. However if you make contact diving for a flag it will be a penalty. You cannot dive for a first down or touchdown. If no-one is around and are doing it for fun that is fine.
15. Players may not guard their flag. The offense must be given the opportunity to remove the flag belt. Slapping a hand away, lower of the shoulder, placing the ball near the belt, and stiff-arming is illegal. The result is the play is dead and is a spot foul if the defense accepts.
16. The defense may not HOLD someone to remove their flag and they MUST GO FOR THE FLAG. If a hold occurs the play will continue as is. The offense will then to choose to accept the play and add 5 yards to the end, but the down counts or they move the ball 5 yards from the previous spot and replay down.
17. SCREEN BLOCKING ONLY. Similar to basketball the block/charge theory will be used. Blockers MUST have their hands and arms BEHIND THEIR BACK or INFRONT OF THEM. Any use of the hands, elbows, knees, or feet is illegal and will be penalized. Conversely, the defense MUST GO AROUND a blocker, not through them. Undue roughness will be penalized and a subsequent ejection will result. Unintentional or accidental will result in a 5 yard penalty. Intentional or flagrant will result in a 15 yard penalty.
18. CO-ED RULES
a) The game shall be played between 2 teams of 8 players (5 men and 3 women).
b) The offensive team must have 3 players on the line at the time of snap assuming there is a full team.
c) If the play is OPEN there are no restrictions on how can RUN the ball. The quarterback can not run unless the defense crosses the line of scrimmage which is 3 yards back from the snap point.
d) Female Play. A female must be involved in every 3rd play. It doesn’t have to be the 3rd play, but out of 3 she must be involved in one. So it can go like this (Male Male Female) (Female Male Male) (Male Male Female). As long as it a female within the group of 3. If this does not apply that play would be null and void and loss of down. Female involvement includes a reception, a throw or a run. A lateral after a completion does not count. If an attempt is made but incomplete or dropped that will count.
e) If a female player scores a touchdown, the point value is 9. If a female player (QB) throws a legal forward pass and a touchdown is subsequently scored the value shall also be 9.
19. Penalties – Most penalties (offsides. Crossing the line too early, accidental tripping, holding) will be 5 yards. A-hole penalties (tripping, illegal blocks, running into people) will be 10 yards. Pass interference will be spot fouls and automatic and replay down. Offensive or defensive penalties will result in non-penalized team choosing to accept the play and add 5 yards to the end, but the down counts or they move the ball 5 yards from the previous spot and replay down.
20. First Downs will occur at the 20, 40 and opponents 20. Once you get the first down once you can receive it again.