The NGFFL Rule book

The NGFFL Rule Book governs the annual Gay Bowl tournament.
The most recent update: August 10, 2025.

To propose a rule change, please email our Director of Officials, Lance Burage at officials@ngffl.org. A brief summary is adequate, and if approved, the Director will write up the rule in the format necessary to fit the rule book.

Rule change proposals/suggestions are taken from member cities once per year, due around July 1 to the Director of Officials.

Rule changes must be voted on and approved by a majority vote of the NGFFL board, and then shall be considered by member cities. If a majority of member cities approve, the rule change becomes effective with the next Gay Bowl.

Updated rules, which highlight changes year-to-year, are provided to all member cities and posted here every year.

Some rules are identical to high school football rules such as:

• QB is across the line of scrimmage (and therefore cannot make a legal forward pass) if either of his feet are across the line.

• The ball becomes dead upon possession by the defense during overtime periods.

Some rules are identical to college football rules such as:

• Receiver needs to get one foot in bounds with possession of ball for a legal catch.

• Downfield blocking is allowed after a receiver makes a catch or during a running play.

Other rules that are unique to flag football such as:

• Only one down per series allowed that advances beyond the line of scrimmage and does not include a legal forward pass.

• There is no penalty for intentional grounding by the QB.

• No flag guarding is allowed.

• Receivers cannot contact the defenders when coming off the line of scrimmage. Once offensive receivers pass or occupy the same yard line as a defender, that defender cannot obstruct the receiver’s opportunity to move freely about the field. 

• When rushing as a defender, you must be beyond the neutral zone—5 yards off the line of scrimmage. Other players may not cross the line of scrimmage until said designated rusher has crossed the line of scrimmage first.

CHANGES FOR 2024-2025

9.4.4 - 9.4.5
Defines hate speech and requires that when contest officials witness hate speech or acts of harassment that the alleged offender is penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, including an immediate ejection from the current game.

10.7.1
The 10-second runoff for applicable fouls has been adjusted to apply any time after the two-minute warning in either half.

Minor editorial changes

1.4.5
Codifies that the flag belt must also be a different color than a player’s pants/shorts.

1.4.7
Eyeglasses or sunglasses must be over the eyes during live ball play, not resting on top of a player's head.

1.4.8 & 4.4.5
Codifies that players may wear a towel tucked into the waistband of their shorts or flag belt, as long as the towel is not obstructing any of the three flags, and that a runner wearing a towel is considered deflagged when the towel is removed from the waistband or flag belt.

1.4.9.h & 9.8.1.g
Clarifies that communication devices are not allowed for coaching or playing purposes during games or between halves.

1.5.1 & 1.5.2
Defines communication devices and lists examples of types of communication devices that are not allowed and specifies that drones are not allowed over the playing field or team areas when players are present.

2.2.8
Clarifies definition of a bat, matching NCAA rule.

2.2.9
Adds definition of a forward fumble.

2.3.7
Codifies rule to explicitly forbid a rusher charging through blockers standing side-by-side.

2.3.8
Clarifies that the rush zone restrictions for team B end when the ball is advanced beyond the line of scrimmage.

2.8.2 & 2.8.5
Clearly defines the neutral zone.

2.14.1.c
Adds definition of a team unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

4.2.1.k & 4.4.4
Clarifies that a runner with fewer than three flags is considered down when touched anywhere between the shoulders and the knees.

7.1.4.c & 7.2.4
Adjusts rule regarding an illegal shift that converts to a false start when the offensive team never comes to a one-second stop prior to the snap.

7.3.3
Clarifies rule regarding using one scrimmage running play per possession by referencing the definition of a scrimmage running play.

7.3.4
Aligns the wording with other rules to state that one scrimmage running play can be used per possession.

7.4.2
Clarifies rule regarding where to spot the ball in case of a forward fumble.

8.4.4
Clarifies rule regarding how and where a team should next put the ball in play following a touchback or safety.

9.3.2.a
Clarifies that no intentional contact with an official is allowed by players or non-NOTE players.

9.4.3
Clarifies that a non-player unsportsmanlike conduct foul is applied to the captain of a team (unless the offender can be readily identified), and could lead to disqualification.

9.9.1
Codifies rule and penalty enforcement for sideline interference.