CALEDON FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE

RULES

League Values

The Caledon Flag Football League is focused on creating a fun, safe, and competitive environment for all players. The goal of the league is to teach football fundamentals, teamwork, sportsmanship, and confidence while encouraging skill development at every age level.

The league is designed with progressive development in mind. Safety, respect, and positive coaching are expected at all levels.

Divisions

Learn to Play (6 and 7 year olds)

Focus:

• Introduction to football fundamentals.

• Fun, movement, and confidence building.

• Basic catching, running, and flag pulling.

Gameplay:

• Simplified rules.

• Coaches permitted on the field.

• Reduced field size.

Developmental (U8/U10/U12)

Focus:

• Skill development.

• Understanding football concepts.

• Spacing, timing, and teamwork.

Gameplay:

• Introduction to rushing and structured offense/defense.

• Increased emphasis on passing concepts.

• Coaches gradually reduced on-field involvement.

Competitive (U14/U16)

Focus:

• Advanced skill development.

• Game strategy and decision-making.

• Competitive gameplay and sportsmanship.

Gameplay:

• Full rules and structured gameplay.

• Coaches remain off the field during play.

• Increased game speed and responsibility on players.

Game Format

• Games are played 5v5 unless otherwise specified by division

• Teams may play with fewer players if both teams agree. If less than 5 players are in attendance teams must forfeit. 

• They may still participate in an exhibition game and add a player from the opposing team.

• If a forfeit occurs, a win will be awarded by a score of 6-0. A double forfeit results in a 0-6 loss for both teams.

• Games consist of two running halves with a short halftime.

Starting the Game

• Coin flip to determine choice of possession or direction.

• Winner chooses to receive: side of field of play or defer choice to second half.

• Ball starts on the offense’s own 5 yard line.

• Offense has 25 seconds to start the play once the referee blows the whistle.

• Play starts when the ball is snapped or quarterback yells “HUT”, the steamboat count will start as well.

• There must be a designated “rusher” marking the quarterback, starting 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.

• Other defenders can only cross the line of scrimmage after the ball is handed off or pitched.

Each team receives:

• 4 downs to reach midfield.

• Once midfield is crossed, teams receive 4 downs to score.

• If a team chooses to play 4th down and does not gain half, the defense takes over where the ball is spotted dead.

• If the offense does not score after 4 downs, the defense takes over from their 5-yard line.

• No-run zones are located:

5 yards before midfield.

5 yards before the end zone.

• One foot in bounds is required for all catches.

Converts

• Converts are live to the defense.

• Converts: 1 point from the 5 yards pass only. 2 points from the 10 yards pass and run option. 

Safety

• 2 points.

• Occurs when the ball carrier is flag in their own endzone. 

• Coaches are permitted on the field for U8 and U10 divisions. 

• Games begin from the offense’s 5-yard line after:

Halftime

Touchdowns

Turnovers

Equipment

All players must wear:

• Athletic clothing, jerseys and shorts will be provided.

• Cleats or running shoes. Soccer cleats are fine.

• Flag belt (provided by league).

• No metal cleats or spikes permitted.

• Jerseys must be tucked in and may not cover flags.

• Mouthguards are strongly recommended.

Scrimmage Rules

• The play begins when the ball is snapped or the quarterback calls “HUT” (division dependent).

• Players may motion before the snap, but all players must be set before play begins.

• The quarterback may not run.

• Running plays are not permitted inside the no-run zone.

• Substitutions can be made at any break or between plays.

• Minimum 2 players on the line of scrimmage.

Rushing

• Rusher must start 7 yards from the line of scrimmage before crossing.

• All players must avoid the rusher.

• If the defense does not send a rusher, the quarterback has seven steamboats to release the ball. The referee will announce the seven steamboats.

The ball is dead when:

• A flag is pulled.

• The ball carrier leaves the field.

• The ball touches the ground.

• A player dives.

• Fumbled snap.

• All fumbles are dead balls at the spot where the ball contacts the ground.

• Laterals are permitted.

• One forward pass is allowed per play.

• Defenders must avoid unnecessary contact.

Interceptions

• An interception turns the ball over at the spot where the play ends.

• Any interception in the endzone will result in the play being dead in the endzone, the ball is turned over and placed on the 5-yard line. 

Ball carriers may not:

• Stiff arm.

• Flag guard.

• Charge defenders.

• Dive forward.

• Players may extend the football for first downs and touchdowns, ball is marked for distance not where the flag is pulled.

• The ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled.

Penalties

Dead Ball Penalties:

• Flag guarding = loss of down.

• Blocking = loss of down.

• Jumping (into another player or away from a player) = loss of down *Jumping is allowed while performing an athletic move (jumping up to catch the ball).

5-Yard Penalties

• Offside (offence crossing line before the snap) = loss of down.

• Too many players on the field = loss of down.

• Rushing obstruction= loss of down.

10 Yard Penalties

• Unsportsmanlike behaviour (i.e. spiking the ball).

• Defensive holding = loss of down.

• Offensive holding = loss of down.

• Offensive pass interference = loss of down.

• Diving with the ball = loss of down.

Spot Foul

• Defensive pass interference .

• In the endzone = ball is placed on the 1 yard line and down is repeated, if occurred during convert, convert is awarded.

15-Yard Penalties

• Contact with quarterback (running into or contacting quarterback arm) = first down awarded.

• Roughing (tackling, rough flagging, aggressive contact) = possible ejection.

• Ball Carrier - you must avoid the defender when running with the ball (no charging!).

Sportsmanship

All players, coaches, referees, and spectators are expected to:

• Respect opponents and officials.

• Demonstrate good sportsmanship.

• Avoid abusive language or behavior.

• Play safely and fairly.

The league reserves the right to remove any player, coach, or spectator displaying unsafe or disrespectful behavior.

Coach Expectations 

Coaches are expected to:

• Promote player development and enjoyment.

• Teach proper technique and sportsmanship.

• Encourage equal participation.

• Respect referees and league staff.

• Create a positive environment for players.

For younger divisions, coaches may assist players on the field during gameplay. As divisions progress, players are expected to take increased responsibility and independence on the field.