Matt Leinart Flag Football 6v6 Rules Explained

Quick Summary

What Makes Matt Leinart 6v6 Different

• 6v6 format — not standard 5v5 or 7v7; field dimensions and player rules are specific to this format.
• Grade-based QB sack clock — K–2nd grade gets 6 seconds; 3rd–8th grade gets 4 seconds.
• No direct rushing at the snap — the defense cannot cross the line of scrimmage until a handoff, backward pass, or the ball is thrown.
• No QB runs — the QB cannot run the ball across the line of scrimmage.
• No-run zones — running plays are blocked in the final 5 yards before midfield and the final 5 yards before the goal line.
• Possessions always start at the 5-yard line — after a score, a half, or a turnover on downs.
• K–2nd grade is a no-safety division — sacks, dropped balls, and flag pulls inside the 5 result in placement at the 1-foot line, not a safety.

Field & Game Setup

• Field dimensions: approximately 34 yards wide by 56 yards long, including 5-yard end zones at each end.
• Players: 6 players per side on the field; rosters of 8–10.
• Game length: four 10-minute running-clock quarters.
• Quarter breaks: 1-minute break between quarters; 3-minute halftime.
• Coin flip: the winner chooses possession or direction and may defer the choice to the second half.
• Side switch: teams switch sides at halftime.
• Play clock: 30 seconds from the ready-for-play signal.
• Timeouts: two 30-second timeouts per half per team.
• Offensive coaches on field: K–4th grade allows 2 offensive coaches on the field; 5th–8th grade allows 1. All must remain behind the QB at all times.
• Defensive coaches: must be off the field before the snap.

Timing & Clock Rules

• Running clock: the clock runs continuously through all four 10-minute quarters.
• Clock stops for: timeouts and injuries.
• Clock does not stop for: incomplete passes, out-of-bounds plays, change of possession, or a two-minute warning.
• Timeout after a touchdown: if a timeout is called after a touchdown, the clock starts on the snap of the conversion attempt.
• Final-two-minutes penalty clock: the official rules include a limited exception that can stop the clock for penalties in the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. Coaches should confirm with officials before close games how this will be administered.

Downs & Possession

• Drive start: every possession begins at the 5-yard line, regardless of how it starts.
• 3 downs plus a 4th-down choice to midfield: the offense has 3 plays to reach the midfield first-down marker. If it has not reached midfield after 3 plays, it may either go for the first down on 4th down or declare a punt. The 4th-down option applies only before midfield.
• After midfield: once the offense crosses midfield, it has 3 plays to score. There is no 4th-down try after midfield.
• Turnover on downs: if the offense fails to advance or score in the allotted downs, the opposing team takes possession at the 5-yard line.
• Interceptions: interceptions may be returned. After the play, the intercepting team’s next possession begins where the defender is flagged.

Running, Passing & Rushing

• Run play definition: a play counts as a run when the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage.
• QB runs: not allowed. The QB may not directly run across the line of scrimmage.
• Center handoffs from QB: not allowed. The center cannot take a handoff from the QB.
• Pass after handoff: a player who takes a handoff from the QB may still throw a forward pass. This is treated as a pass play and does not trigger no-run zone penalties.
• Shovel passes: allowed.
• No leaping: not allowed. If a player dives or leaps, the ball is spotted where the runner’s feet left the ground.
• Blocking / tackling: not allowed.
• Runs: allowed on any play except in no-run zones.
• No-run zones: the final 5 yards before midfield and the final 5 yards before the goal line.
• One player in motion: only one offensive player may be in motion at a time before the snap.
• Snaps: the snap may go between the center’s legs or to the side, but must be one continuous motion.
• Fumbled snap: a fumbled snap is dead at the spot. Exception: K–1st and 2nd grade divisions replay the down on a fumbled snap.
• Eligible receivers: all players on the field are eligible to catch a pass.
• Catch requirement: one foot in bounds for a completed catch.
• Ball spotting: the ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled, not where the player’s body is.
• Defense crossing the line: defense may cross the line of scrimmage only after a handoff, backward pass, or thrown ball.

Dead Ball, Fumbles & Lost Flags

• Play is dead when the ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
• Play is dead when the runner’s knee touches the ground.
• Play is dead when the runner steps out of bounds.
• If a player loses a flag during the play (not by being pulled), the defense must touch the player down to end the play.
• A fumbled or stripped ball is dead at the spot where it hits the ground; the offense retains possession.
• If a player attempts a lateral, the defense may intercept it and take possession.
• Games cannot end on a defensive penalty — the offense gets one additional untimed play.
• If the offense commits a penalty on the game’s final possession, the game is over.

Sacks & Safeties

Scoring

Equipment & Uniforms

• Provided by ML Flag: jersey, shorts, flags, and mouthguard.
• Jewelry: not allowed.
• Optional: arm sleeves, headbands, or beanie-style caps.
• Hats with brims: not allowed.
• Cold weather: players may wear sweats or long pants, but ML Flag shorts must be worn over them and must cover pockets.
• Cleats / shoes: no metal cleats. Confirm any additional footwear restrictions with the league.
• Football size: confirm the required size for your player’s grade division with the league.

Overtime

Overtime applies in playoffs only. Both teams go the same direction in each overtime period. Teams alternate who holds first possession each period.

Mercy Rules

When mercy rules are in effect, timeouts are not allowed for the leading team. All other game rules remain in place unless overridden below.

Penalties Parents and Coaches Should Know

Defensive Penalties

Offensive Penalties

What Parents Should Confirm

• Your player’s grade division and which QB sack clock applies (6s for K–2nd; 4s for 3rd–8th)
• Whether your player’s division is a no-safety division (K–2nd grade)
• Game format, field location, and parking details
• Game day arrival time and check-in process
• Football size required for your player’s division
• Any additional footwear restrictions at the venue
• Sideline and spectator rules specific to the facility
• Current season schedule and rainout or reschedule policy

What Coaches Should Confirm

• Coach count limits: 2 offensive coaches on field for K–4th; 1 for 5th–8th — all must stay behind the QB
• Defensive coaches must be off the field before the snap
• No-run zone markers at your specific field and how officials will signal them
• Grade division and QB sack clock for each player on the roster
• How officials will administer the final-two-minutes penalty clock exception
• Overtime format and mercy rule thresholds for your division and game type (regular season vs. playoffs)
• Penalty enforcement procedures, including the ejection escalation policy
• Roster requirements and eligibility documentation

Official Source

Matt Leinart Flag Football posts its official rules at the link below. Use this page when exact wording matters.

Common Questions