CIF Girls Flag Football Rules Explained

Quick CIF Summary

Game Setup & Possession

No kickoffs. No actual punt kicks. Possession is placed by rule.

At the start of a half, the offense begins at its own 20-yard line on a standard 80-yard field. On a 50-yard field, the offense begins at its own 10-yard line.

Each offense has four downs to reach the next line-to-gain. When the offense reaches that marker, it earns a new series of downs.

On a standard 80-yard field, the offense usually starts at its own 20-yard line. From there, the line-to-gain markers are every 20 yards: the own 40, the opponent’s 40, the opponent’s 20 and then the goal line.

Line-to-Gain Progression (80-Yard Field)

On a shorter 50-yard field, CIF uses the 10-yard line as the starting spot. Organizers and officials may use fewer line-to-gain markers on that shorter field, often closer to a midfield line-to-gain setup.

On fourth down, the offense must declare whether it is going for the first down or giving up possession. If it gives up possession, there is no actual punt. The defense takes over at its own 20-yard line, or its own 10-yard line on a 50-yard field.

Possession & Turnover Rules

Rosters & Positions

• CIF games are played 7-on-7.
• A team must have at least seven players to start. A team may continue with five players if needed.
• All offensive players are eligible receivers.
• The player who receives the snap is the quarterback for that play. The snap must come from the ground, but it does not have to go between the center’s legs. The snap must go to a player whose feet are at least 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
• No more than three offensive players may be behind or off the line of scrimmage at the snap.

Field Layout & No-Run Zones

CIF allows field flexibility, but the rulebook gives specific ranges:

No-run zones are designed to reduce short-yardage power plays and contact near the goal line or line-to-gain.

Inside a No-Run Zone

• No quarterback runs unless the defense blitzes.
• No direct handoffs.
• No direct handoffs after a forward or backward pass.
• Offenses need to use passing concepts.

If a penalty or loss of yardage moves the offense out of the no-run zone, direct handoffs become available again.

Equipment Checklist

Players must wear legal flags before the ball becomes live. CIF also notes that games should not be played unless both teams have proper flags.

Timing, Timeouts & Clock Rules

The clock starts with the first legal snap and runs until the final 2 minutes of each half.

Before the final 2 minutes, the clock stops for official timeouts, injuries or penalty administration, then restarts on the ready-for-play signal. After a charged team timeout, the clock starts on the next legal snap.

Clock Starts on the Snap Inside the Final 2 Minutes After:

• The 2-minute warning
• The ball goes out of bounds
• The defense is awarded a new series
• A touchdown or safety
• An incomplete legal or illegal forward pass
• A granted timeout
• An accepted delay-of-game penalty

If the point deficit is 21 or more in the second half, the clock starts on the ready-for-play whistle after the 2-minute warning.

The clock starts on the ready-for-play signal after most other stoppages, including official timeouts, penalty administration, first-down administration and inadvertent whistles.

Overtime

• If regulation ends tied, overtime begins with a coin toss.
• The winner may choose offense, defense or the end of the field. The other team gets the remaining option. Teams alternate possessions in later overtime periods.
• Each team gets one timeout per overtime period.
• Each team starts from the 20-yard line. The line-to-gain is the goal line.
• Each team gets at least one possession unless the defense scores first. Interceptions in overtime remain live and may be returned.
• A winner must be determined. No ties.

Scoring

There are no kicked extra points.

After a touchdown, the scoring player must go to the nearest official for a flag check. If the player removes her own flag before the flag check, the score does not count, the offense loses the down and receives a warning. A second issue can become an unsportsmanlike conduct foul.

If a player tampers with a flag, the first violation results in loss of down and a warning. A second violation can result in disqualification.

Running Rules

• The quarterback may run once per series of downs.
• If the defense blitzes or rushes multiple players, the quarterback may run without that play counting as her one quarterback run for the series.
• Players other than the quarterback may run without a limit, except inside no-run zones.
• Inside a no-run zone: no quarterback runs unless the defense blitzes; no direct handoffs; no direct handoffs after a forward or backward pass.
• No stiff-arming.
• No flag guarding.
• No hurdling, spinning or diving to avoid a flag pull or advance the ball.
• No jumping to avoid a flag pull. If a ball carrier leaves her feet to avoid a flag pull, officials can blow the play dead at that spot.
• Fumbles are dead when they hit the ground. A fumble caught in the air by either team is live and may be advanced.

Passing, Snapping & Receiving

• The offense may throw one forward pass per play.
• No forward pass may be thrown after the passer crosses the line of scrimmage.
• No forward pass may be thrown after a change of possession.
• Backward passes are allowed.
• The quarterback may intentionally ground the ball by throwing it into the ground or out of bounds to avoid a sack. If the throw is forward, it is treated as an incomplete pass. If it is backward or lateral, it is treated like a fumble and spotted where it hits the ground or goes out of bounds.
• A legal catch requires possession before the ball hits the ground and a body part down in the field of play.
• No receiver may use hands or arms to push a defender away to make a catch.

Rushing & Blitzing

• Any defensive player may rush if she starts at least 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage at the snap.
• Teams may rush up to two players at a time.
• There is no limit on how many times a team may blitz during the game.
• Rushers must avoid offensive players.
• No excessive contact.
• No hitting the quarterback’s arm, including on the follow-through.
• If the defense blitzes or rushes multiple players at the quarterback, the quarterback may run without that play counting as her one quarterback run for the series.

Contact, Flag Pulling & Tackling

• No blocking.
• No screening.
• No bump-and-run coverage.
• No tackling.
• No running through the ball carrier to pull a flag.
• No stripping, grabbing or knocking the ball loose from a player in possession.
• A defender must make a play on the flags. The ball carrier is down when the flag belt comes unclipped, not when the flag falls to the ground.
• The ball is spotted by forward progress of the ball at the time the flag comes unclipped.

Kicking & Punting

• No kickoffs.
• No actual punt kicks.
• At the start of a half, teams take possession at their own 20-yard line on a standard 80-yard field, or their own 10-yard line on a 50-yard field.
• On fourth down, the offense must declare whether it is going for the first down or giving up possession before the play clock expires.
• If the offense gives up possession, the defense starts at its own 20-yard line, or the 10-yard line on a 50-yard field.
• If the offense goes for the first down and does not get it, the defense takes over at the dead-ball spot.

Penalties Parents Will Hear Called

CIF penalties are easiest to understand by looking at the call, what it means, the yardage and whether the foul carries loss of down or automatic first down.

Offensive Penalties

Defensive Penalties

Sideline / Administrative Penalties

Disqualification-Related Fouls

Common Calls Explained

Illegal rush:

A defender rushes from inside the required 3-yard depth, or more than two defenders rush.

Flag guarding:

A ball carrier uses hands, arms, the ball, jersey or body movement to stop a defender from pulling the flag.

Illegal contact:

A player creates excessive contact instead of playing the ball or the flag.

Roughing the passer:

A defender contacts the quarterback during or just after the throwing motion, including the throwing arm.

Pass interference:

A player uses contact to stop an opponent from moving toward, catching or playing the ball.

Illegal flag pull:

A defender pulls a flag from a player who has not touched the ball.

Tackling:

A defender brings down or physically stops the ball carrier instead of pulling the flag.

Illegal run in a no-run zone:

The offense uses a quarterback run or direct handoff where CIF requires a pass concept, unless the defense blitzes.

Coach, Player & Sideline Conduct

• No profanity, insulting language or vulgar gestures.
• No disrespectful objections to officials.
• No attempts to influence officials improperly.
• No coaches on the field to call plays.
• No players, substitutes or team personnel outside the allowed team area when they are not permitted there.
• A second unsportsmanlike conduct foul by the same player or coach results in disqualification.
• Team captains should be the players who speak with officials.

What to Confirm Before Game Day

Before playing a CIF-style girls flag football game or tournament, confirm:

• Whether the event uses CIF rules exactly.
• Whether tournament timing modifies the varsity game clock.
• Whether the field is using the 80-yard setup, 50-yard setup or another approved layout.
• Where the line-to-gain markers are.
• Where the no-run zones are marked.
• Division eligibility.
• Roster size.
• Required flag belts.
• Required football size.
• Mouthguard and equipment checks.
• Overtime format.
• Whether officials will apply CIF, CIF-SS or event-specific interpretations.

Official CIF Sources

Use these official links when you need the primary rule documents. CIF-SS and your event organizer control when exact wording matters.

Frequently Asked Questions