Bozeman Flag 2026

High School will play High School Rules 7x7 and follow the Montana Flag Football Rules found here: https://assets-rst7.rschooltoday.com/rst7files/uploads/sites/152/2025/10/05134307/MONTANA-FLAG-FOOTBALL-RULES-BOOK-2026-EDITION.docx-1.pdf

High School will also have 15 minute halves with a running clock and a 5 minute half time and 1 30-second timeout per half

Middle School Boys & Girls Rules

Format

• 5 on 5

• Coin flip to determine possession

• 15 minute halves with running clock.

• 1 30-second timeout per half to stop clock

• 30 seconds to run a play.

QB

• Can only run if rushers cross the line of scrimmage.

• Has 7 seconds to throw the ball. After 7 seconds the play is blown dead.

No Run Zone

• Within 5 yards of end zone or 1st down (mid-field). Referee should declare "no run" before the play

Defenseive Alignment

• Defense must line up 5 or more yards off the line of scrimmage unless the offense is in the no run zone. If offense is in no run zome, the defense can line up 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.

Blitz rules

• Before the play, up to 2 players may raise their hand to declare as rushers and must start 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.

• Declared rushers do not have to actually rush. But as soon as they cross the line of scrimmage, they are locked in as rushers and the QB can run.

Down by Contact

• If a runner's knee touches the ground, they are down at the spot (same rules as HS/college).

• If a runner's flag falls off while running, they are down where their flag fell off

• If flag falls off before receiver catches the ball, they are down where they catch the ball

• Play is over when ball hits the ground (for example on a fumble).

• Bad snap just blow the play dead and redo the play (no loss of down).

• Ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled (for example, if runner holds the ball over the goal line when their flag is pulled on the 1 yard line, it is a touchdown).

Extra Points

• 1-point at 5 yards (cannot run except if QB is blitzed).

• 2-point attempt at 10 yards (can run or pass)

First Down

• Teams get 4 chances to make the first down (midfield) or touchdown.

• A team may choose to punt on 4th down and the opponent gets the ball on 5 yard line.

Common Penalties- must be blatant to call

Defensive Penalties

• devensive PI is spot foul and first down. Ball on 2 if it occurs in endzone

• defensive holding is +5 yards from spot of foul and first down.

• rushing from too close is +5 yards and redo the down.

Offensive Penalties

• if offense false starts or has two people in motion, blow the play dead and start over (no penalty)

• blocking or offensive PI is -5 from line of scrimmage and loss of down

• flag guarding is -5 yards from spot of foul and loss of down (down counts)

• Illegal run play (QB run without blitz or offense runs in no run zone) is -5 and loss of down

• Intentionally delaying the game will stop the clock and loss of down.

Coaches

• Can be in the huddle to call a play of offense but then cannot talk to the players during the play

• Must be on the sideline to call plays on defense.

Overtime

• Each team gets one possession.

• Coin flip to decide who goes first

• Start at midfield with 4 downs to score

• Must go for 2

• If tied after each round of OT, play another round