Rules & Gameplay

Red Zone Football Game: Game Play Rules 

Game play is similar to a fastbreak in all other organized sports!

  1. Set goals 20 yards (20 paces) apart 
  2. To start a game - offense lines up behind their goal 
  3. The player with the football says “Red Zone” (or any start word), allowing their teammates to enter the field of play 
  4. The team with the ball is allowed 4 throws (aka downs) to teammates to try and score in the defense’s goal. There are three different ways to play: 
    1. Tag rules - if a player has the ball, but they are tagged by the defense with one hand, the ball is downed 
    2. Flag rules - if a player has the ball, but they’re flag is pulled by the defense the ball is downed
    3. Pivot rules - If you have the football, you are allowed 3 steps. After three steps, you can pivot on one foot. You must throw the ball within 5 seconds 

Game Play Notes: 

            *There are no predefined field boundaries outside of the two goals  

            *At the start of a game or start of a down, do not blitz the player starting with the ball (aka the quarterback).  The Quarterback has 5 seconds to get rid of the ball.  

            *Wherever the ball is downed, that becomes the new line of scrimmage. 

            *A line of scrimmage should never be closer than 3-yards (paces) from the scoring goal (helps keep things more fun).

            *On any down, the offense is allowed to elect to “kick” a field goal. Meaning the defense moves out of the way and the offense throws the ball to try and hit the scoring goal for 3 points.

            *Defense should never be closer than one pace/yard from the goal they are defending 

             *Defensive players that knock over the goal, commit pass interference, forcibly push/shove, or tackle all result in a spot foul and a first down for the offense.  

             *Turnovers: a fumble is considered a loss of down (similar to an incomplete pass). An interception immediately results in a change of possession and the intercepting team can start advancing towards their scoring goal (downs start once that intercepting player is tagged/flagged or throws the ball).    

Scoring: 

  1. Dunking/throwing (touchdown) football in top of goal equals 7 points
  2. Hitting goal with football equals 3 points (field goal) on any down
  3. The team that gets 21 points first, wins