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Rules of Play

PVDGFFL Adds Kickoffs for Spring 2025

Based on feedback from our league members, our Spring 2025 season will include kicking for the first time in league history. Each half will now start with a kickoff. Read the guidelines below for instructions and rules related to kickoffs and kick returns. 

PVDGFFL Rules of Play

The Providence Gay Flag Football League uses the National Gay Flag Football League (NGFFL) rule book for our regular season play.

PVDGFFL observes two modifications from the NGFFL rules: 

  • Kicking: In Spring 2025, PVDGFFL is adopting kickoffs to start each half. There is no other kicking in our league. Following a score, teams start the next possession from the 15-yard line. When a team choose to "punt" the ball at the end of a drive, the referee will advance the ball 40 yards and the opposing team will take possession from that spot. 
  • Halo Rule: To protect our quarterbacks, we ask defenders to imagine a three-yard "halo" surrounding our QBs. Within this halo, your arms must come down and you must rush to a QB's hips to pull their flag. You may not have your arms up to block a pass, and you may not hit a QB. The QB must be able to step into their throw and follow through their throwing motion without hitting the defender. 
    •  Any defender who hits a QB within this halo will be assessed a 10-yard "Halo Interference/Roughing the QB" penalty, which results in an automatic first down. Two of these infractions in a game will result in ejection. 
    • The halo only protects a QB when they are "in the pocket." If a QB decides to leave the pocket, run, or initiates the contact (e.g. by accidentally stepping backwards into contact), there is no foul.  

When competing at tournaments, all teams use the NGFFL rule book as written (kicking is added, and the halo rule is removed).



Contact Us

Providence Gay Flag Football League, Inc.
P.O. BOX 16188
Rumford, RI 02916

 

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