It is the goal of the Women’s American Flag Football Federation to conduct the best possible tournaments for its members and to provide a positive participation experience.  To achieve this objective, WAFFF asks for the cooperation of each player, coach, and sponsor.  We are guests in the city in which our tournaments are conducted and nothing should occur that would reflect adversely on your team, players, our host city, or the Women’s American Flag Football Federation.  While we anticipate that each participant will enjoy herself both on and off the field without incident, we provide the following general rules so there are guidelines if issues arise. 

1.         Team coaches must have control of their players at all times during their game.  This means “on” and “off” the field. 

2.         In case of a disputed play or decision, head coaches or captains may consult the game officials.  The other players and coaches or sponsors are to be kept out of the discussion.

3.         At no time will players be allowed to smoke on the field or on the sidelines during their game. 

4.         At no time will players be allowed to drink or have in their possession any alcoholic beverage while on the sidelines or on the playing field during the course of any game.

5.         Coaches are to report any un-sportsmanlike or derogatory acts by players or spectators to the tournament director.  The purpose here is to prevent any serious situation developing that would be harmful to the participants.

6.         Coaches, players, sponsors and teams are liable for suspension by not adhering to the tournament rules in effect.  This could mean suspension for a game, games, tournament, or a longer duration depending on the violation.

7.         A player, coach or sponsor may be penalized and suspended for fighting, abusive tactics or unbecoming acts that are detrimental and not in the best interest of the game.

 Section 1 - TEAMS AND TEAM MEMBERS

Article 1:  The game of flag football played by WAFFF shall be played between two teams of eight players each. All players must also be current members of the Women’s American Flag Football Federation (i.e., WAFFF ROSTERS & LIABILITY FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT CORRECTLY AND THE PLAYER CAN NOT BE SUSPENDED OR INELIGIBLE).

Section 2 - USE OF HANDS, ARMS, LEGS, AND/OR BODY

Article 1: No player may strike another player with a closed hand, or a forearm.  Nor, may a player strike another player with an open hand, except when executing a legal block or chuck.  Any type of blow to the head is prohibited.  One player may not trip, kick, knee or otherwise use her legs to disable another player’s progress.  THE BODY MAY BE USED TO BLOCK, LEGALLY, BUT MAY NOT BE USED AS A BATTERING RAM, OR TO STRIKE AN OPPOSING PLAYER BELOW THE WAIST DURING OPEN FIELD AND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE BLOCKS OR IN THE BACK.   It is a judgment call on the part of the official as to the severity of the infraction, and that official has the right - and the obligation - to penalize the offender with a 5, 10, or 15-yard penalty and/or ejection from the game.

Article 2: A player may not use her hands to hold another player by grabbing her uniform or wrapping her hands or arms around the opponent; pull or use an opponent’s hair to slow that player’s progress; use her hands, or body to assist a team member in advancing the ball; or interlock arms or hands to establish a blocking wedge.  The penalty is 10 yards; however, if the official so deems, the infraction may be classified as a personal foul, and the person charged with the foul may be penalized 15 yards.  Again, this is a judgment call, and the official has wide latitude in enforcement.

Section 3 - CONDUCT DETRIMENTAL TO THE GAME

Article 1:  Players may not:

a)         Use any abusive, inciting, insulting, or profane language, and/or gestures toward other players, coaches, officials, spectators, or league and tournament personnel.

b)         Taunt or bait other players.

c)         Engage in fighting.

d)         Demonstrate after a play in such a manner that may create ill will among players and between teams.  Normal congratulations and high fives are certainly permitted.

e)         Spike, kick, or throw a ball - except where it is permitted.  It is particularly egregious to throw the ball at an opposing player or official.

f)          Block or shove a player who is clearly out of bounds.

g)         Tackle the ball carrier, or hit the ball carrier from the front while attempting to dislodge the flag from the flag belt.

h)         Argue an official’s call, beyond asking for a reasonable explanation, as to why the call was made.  Basically, all discussions with officials should be done through and by the on-field team captains.

i)          Use unnecessary roughness such as roughing a kicker or passer, and hitting a player after the whistle blows.

j)          Use any behavior that the game officials feel is detrimental to the game, the progress of the game, and is detrimental to other players and/or teammates.

Article 2: The officials have wide latitude in establishing what conduct is detrimental to the game.  These are judgment calls and are not subject to protest.  Some violations, if the officials working the game deem them to be serious enough, may be brought to the attention of the tournament officials and the violator may be expelled or suspended from the tournament.