EAST COUNTY VALKYRIE
U-PICK 6 GIRLS 7v7 FLAG FOOTBALL
OFFICIAL RULES – QUICK OVERVIEW
FLAG BELTS & REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Flag Belt Checks
Any head coach may challenge a flag belt or flags at any time
Approved Flag Belts (POP-SOCKET ONLY)
Pop-socket flag belts are the ONLY approved flag belt for U-Pick 6 play
All players must wear:
Two identical flags
Flags worn on the hips whenever possible
Pop-sockets facing outward and downward
Flags and sockets must:
Be made of the same material
Be the same color
Have no sharp edges
Flag Belt Requirements
Flags must:
Hang freely
Be clearly visible
Contrast with pants color
Minimum size: 2” wide x 13” long
Flags may not be altered, greased, glued, or modified in any way
Any player who deliberately manipulates or secures their flags will be disqualified
Improper Equipment
All players must be properly flagged before the ball becomes live
Penalties:
Offense: Loss of down (3rd down = turnover)
Defense: +5 yards, repeat down (or first down if line-to-gain is reached)
FIELD & GAME STRUCTURE
Ball starts at the 40-yard line
Teams have 4 downs to advance:
40 → 20
20 → End Zone
7 players on offense / 7 on defense
30-second play clock
OFFENSIVE RULES
Blocking & Contact
Blocking is allowed
NO excessive contact
Blocking must be positional and non-aggressive
No blindside or forceful contact
Passing
Only one forward pass per play
Unlimited backward/lateral passes
QB may not throw forward past the line of scrimmage
QB may intentionally ground the ball
Lateral/backward passes are live fumbles
Forward passes = incomplete
No forward passes after an interception
Snapping
Ball snapped from the ground
Does not need to be between the legs
Snap may go to any player 2 yards behind LOS
All players are eligible receivers
Running
QB may run once per series of downs
PAT is a new series (QB eligible again)
If defense blitzes two rushers, QB run does not count
No stiff arms
No-Run Zones
Located 5 yards from end zone and 5 yards from line-to-gain
No QB runs or direct handoffs
No handoffs after passes
QB runs allowed only if defense blitzes
If a penalty moves offense outside zone, runs are allowed again
Receiving
Catch requires:
Possession before ball contacts ground
One body part down in bounds
No pushing off defenders
No stiff arming
Jumping / Diving
No jumping, diving, spinning, or hurdling to avoid a flag
Ball is dead at the spot where feet leave the ground
Fumbles
Dead when they hit the ground
Spotted where ball hits or goes out
Fumbles caught in the air are live and advanceable
DEFENSIVE RULES
Rushing / Blitzing
Rushers must start 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage
Maximum two rushers
Rushers must avoid excessive contact
No hitting the QB’s arm or follow-through
No limit on number of blitz attempts per game
Pass Coverage
No bump-and-run coverage
Receivers receive a free release
No playing through the receiver
Interceptions may be returned for touchdowns
De-Flagging
Defenders must make a play on the flags
No stripping or hitting the ball
Ball is dead where the flag comes unclipped
Spot based on forward progress of the ball
SCORING
Touchdown: 6 points
XP Options:
Automatic 1 point
2-point try from 10-yard line (pass only)
Pick-6: 6 points (no XP)
INT (not returned): 3 points + possession at 40
Defensive Pick-2 on XP: 2 points if returned
FORMATIONS & PROCEDURES
Coin toss (or rock-paper-scissors)
High school hash marks
NO coaches allowed on the field at any time
All coaches must remain on the sideline
Max 4 coaches per team on sidelines
PLAYOFF SEEDING
Based on overall record
Tie-breakers:
Points For
Point Differential
Higher seed wins coin toss in playoffs
OVERTIME (BRACKET PLAY ONLY)
No overtime in round-robin play
Each team gets one possession from the 10
Continue until a winner is determined
INTs do not score; count as defensive stop
TIME & CLOCK
Single running clock
Games start on the hour or half-hour
20-minute running clock
1 timeout per team per game
Clock stops only for injury or official stoppage
EQUIPMENT & UNIFORMS
Soft-shell helmets or padded headbands recommended (not required)
Mouthpieces REQUIRED
Teams must wear matching uniforms