Respect is the name of the game! Be respectful to refs, staff and others. Berks County Flag Football League, herein referred to as the “BCFFL” or “league” will NOT tolerate fighting, profanity or any other action seen as unsportsmanlike conduct or offensive to others in any way, shape or form. BCFFL reserves the right to suspend, expel and terminate play by an individual, team, a competition or a league based on inappropriate behavior by one or all parties involved.

Must be 18+. 7v7 Semi Contact

18 Player roster. May have a coach/photographer.

Captains are required to be declared prior to game's commencement.

No player may compete in the league or tournament without a matching team uniform! Must have team name/logo, color and number.

No hats, gaiters, shiestys, metal cleats, shoulder pads or helmets (soft shells and integrated padded athletic wear are the only exception).

Flags must be worn by ALL (center and guard are the only exception)! Flags must NOT be covered by jerseys.

Fees paid cover the cost of referees and fields until post season. Post season teams must pay refs.

A minimum of 5 players is required to initiate the game and the offensive line must comprise of 3 down players. Anything less is a forfeit.

Players must play 4 games minimum to be eligible for post season.

Two 20 minute halves, 5 minute halftime and 2 timeouts each half.

Forfeits must be declared with a minimum of 24 hours notice. If the forfeiting team fails to provide timely notice and notifies the league within 24 hours of the scheduled start time, they will be liable for any facility-imposed fees on the league. Non-payment of such fees will result in the team's ineligibility to participate in future league games or events until the outstanding fees are satisfied.

Personal fouls/unsportsmanlike penalties assessed will result in an automatic 1^st down and 15 yards from the end of the play. The player assessed the foul will be removed from the game for the remainder of that half. If a coach or manager is assessed a foul, the offending individual will be required to remain seated until the completion of the game and no communication with officials or scorekeepers will be allowed unless required for request of subs or timeouts.
When a 2^nd foul is assessed to an individual (cumulative during the league), that individual will be required to remove themselves from the game and Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex premises. If the individual refuses, the game will result in a forfeit, local authorities will be called and the team responsible for the forfeit fees (field and refs) prior to the next game. The coach or captain of the team has the final responsibility to make sure this happens. The offending individual will also serve a 1 game suspension and will be reviewed by the league board and Body Zone Sports Director on whether the individual can return to competition.
If a 3^rd foul is issued to an individual at any point, cumulatively during the league, the individual will be expelled from the league and no longer be able to compete in the current league and any future leagues until approved by the Sports Director. 3^rd fouls on an individual results in same penalty as 2^nd foul as outlined in the previous bullet.
All fouls are cumulative throughout the season and into the playoffs. Fouls do NOT start fresh every week.
A foul may be called if a team bench contains any food and/or drinks excluding water, Gatorade, powerade, propel, etc. If a spill occurs and delays the game, the team will also be assessed a foul which will be assesses to the team captain.
A referee has the right to call a game after 2 fouls by 1 player or by 1 team. The offending team will forfeit the game at that point. This will only be determined if there is a threat of further disruptive behavior or offensive actions. In the result of a fight, upon review by referees and Sports Director, both teams may be assessed losses for that game

The ball is dead when a fumble hits the ground. A direct snap that hits the ground is still live and has one bounce to get to the QB. More than 1 bounce is considered a fumble and is a dead ball! A player on the LOS may not receive the snap. It can be snapped to a player other than the quarterback, but must be snapped directly behind center.

Hip dipping is allowed. Dipping player assumes any and all risk. No shoulder lowering. No stiff arm. No flag guarding. No plowing through a defender.

The receiver must have ONE FOOT IN bound AND control of the ball for a legal reception.

PLAY CLOCK is 25 seconds. HUDDLE CLOCK is 15 seconds.

If an inadvertent whistle sounds, the ball becomes dead immediately. The team in possession of the ball when the whistle blew shall have the option to:
a. Replay the down OR

b. accept the play at the point it was terminated and count the down.
If the whistle inadvertently sounds during a legal forward pass or kick (i.e. while the ball is in the air), the down will be played over.

RULES ARE INTERPRETED BY OFFICIALS AND ARE BASED ON PIAA RULEBOOK WITH MODIFICATIONS NOTED ABOVE FOR THE BCFFL.