so, i believe we`ve played at all parks, poplar tree, ec lawrence, braddock park, and finally lake fairfax last night. At all parks besides Lake Fairfax, if there was a holding call, or a block behind the back behind the line of scrimmage, referee`s would call a 10 yard penalty from the spot of the foul. However, last night at lake fairfax the refs clearly stated that the penalty should have been from the original line of scrimmage and NOT the spot of the foul. Which rule is right, and is there a way to get all the refs on the same page at least in time for playoffs?

those guys are good, they usually do a good job.

should always be from the line of scrimmage and never the spot of the foul.

dude these refs are F*cking pussies.....if your reading this refs....you are f*cking C*CK Suckers....oh did we "attack you" you call ****ty bull**** to keep us out of the game your a f*cking loser tranny who refs flag football and probably gets f*cked in your ass in your 1 bedroom apartment... You suck... F off

Dude with glasses you look like a f*cking ******

White ref.....stop coming to the games high on crack you F*cking dip****

Someone should look into this post and have him removed from the league. This is the kinda guy that goes postal in a trench coat!

Again WOW!

I don`t have the official flag football rule book in front of me but any level of football (HS, NCAA, NFL) holding is always a spot foul.

I dont know what the rule is here, but in every other level, holding is only a spot foul if it occurs downfield, if its behind the line of scrimmage its a 10 yard penalty from the previous spot.

According to the USFFA Rule Book (Page 45) we have:

"NOTE: When a foul occurs during a LOOSE ball play, the basic enforcement spot is the previous spot. However, if the foul is by the Offense and occurs behind the basic enforcement spot, it is from the spot of the foul.
NOTE: When a foul occurs during a RUNNING play, the basic enforcemetn spot is where the related run ends, which is where the ball becomes dead or where the player looses possession. However, if the foul is by the offense and occurs behind the basic enforcement spot, it is from the spot of the foul."

This is also known as the `all but one` penalty enforcement philosophy. This states that ALL penalties from EITHER team are marked at the basic enforcement spot, e.g. line of scrimmage in loose ball plays or end of the run in running plays EXCEPT for an offensive penalty that occurs BEHIND that basic spot.

Therefore, an official needs to know three things when he throwns his flag: (1) who committed the foul, (2) where it was committed, and (3) during what kind of play (or part of the play) (loose ball or running) did it occur.
The only thing that complicates this a bit, is that a loose ball play (pass or kick) turns into a running play after the ball is caught and a run commences. That`s where the "during" part come in!

Hope this helps! - RCJ

Direct from the NCAA rules book!!!

Use of Hands or Arms by Offense
ARTICLE 3. a. A teammate of a ball carrier or a passer legally may block
with his shoulders, his hands, the outer surface of his arms or any other part
of his body under the following provisions.
1. The hand(s) shall be:
(a) In advance of the elbow.
(b) Inside the frame of the opponent’s body (Exception: When the
opponent turns his back to the blocker) (A.R. 9-3-3-VI and VII).
(c) At or below the shoulder(s) of the blocker and the opponent
(Exception: When the opponent squats, ducks or submarines).
(d) Apart and never in a locked position.
2. The hand(s) shall be open with the palm(s) facing the frame of the
opponent or closed or cupped with the palms not facing the opponent
(A.R. 9-3-3-I-IV and VI-VIII).

PENALTY—10 yards (Exception: Penalties for Team A fouls behind the neutral zone are enforced from the previous spot. Safety if
the foul occurs behind Team A’s goal line) [S42].

holding is a spot foul in flag football. call bob if you don`t believe me.

According to "OUR RULES", which should be the only ones that count (see Page 44 7 45 Rule 10. Section 3, Article 1.) "If a foul occurs during a down, the basic enforcement spot is fixed by the type of play. There are two types of play: (a) a loose ball play, and (b) a running play.
NOTE: When a foul occurs during a loose ball play, the basic enforcement spot is the previous spot. (line of scrimmage). However, if the foul is by the offense and occurs behind the basic enforcement spot, it is from the spot of the foul.
NOTE: When a foul occurs during a running play, the basic enforcement spot is where the related run ends, which is where the ball becomes dead or where the player looses possession. However, if the foul is by the offense and occurs behind the basic enforcement spot, it is from the spot of the foul."
This is known as the "all but one" penalty philosophy. Offensive penalties that occur behind the basic enforcement spot are "spot fouls". The obvious reason is that the offensive foul likely allowed them to gain advantage.
When a penalty occurs, the official needs to know three things: 1. Who committed the foul, 2. Where it was committed, and 3. What type of play was occuring at that "penalty instant". Since a loose ball play usually turns into a running play, e.g when a pass or kick is caught and advanced. This should point out that officiating (correctly) is NOT an easy task! Hope this little explanation helps. - RCJ

why does this douche bag keep jumping on this board suckin us off? VFFA who? IFFL is all I know or need to know.

Is anyone else confused about this? The major source of confusion is the use of the words spot foul vs spot OF the foul. I figured holding calls always resulted in 10 yards from the previous line of scrimmage or spot. replay down.

The problem is that RCJ and VFFA will not get of there butts and change those rules that been around for about 20 years.... VFFA rules which the IFFL follows are so has so many words but are not saying ANYTHING..... Get off of your AZZ and bring the rules up to date!!!!