Section I – Role of the Flag Runner

Section II – The Flag Runners Timing

Section III – Flag Runner Requirements

Section IV – Ruled as Down

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Section I – Role of the Flag Runner

1. Role of the Flag Runner
   The role of the flag runner is to prevent the flag from being caught by either team’s seeker for as long as possible while also serving as a fair and impartial official.
2. The Flag Runners Uniform
   1. The flag runner must wear shorts or pants with the flag affixed.
      1. The flag runner shorts and ball must meet all the requirements in section 2.I.9. The Flag Runner.
   2. The flag runner must wear a shirt or jersey and be easily identifiable as distinct from either team.

Section II – The Flag Runners Timing

1. The Flag Runner's Release
   1. The flag runner must be released onto the pitch from the scorekeeper’s table:
      1. After the end of the first period.
2. Remaining on the Pitch
   Once the flag runner has been released onto the pitch, the flag runner may not intentionally leave the pitch until the period ends.
3. Flag Runner Handicaps
   1. The flag runner must remain between the keeper zone lines

Section III – Flag Runner Requirements

1. Flag Runner Code of Conduct
   A flag runner must not:
   1. Make contact with a seeker’s head, neck, or groin.
      1. Minor incidental contact with the head is ignored.
      2. The flag runner may place a hand on the back or side of a seeker’s head or neck in order to protect the seeker’s head during another move.
   2. Make contact with a seeker’s legs at or below the knee unless contact with the seeker has already been es- tablished in another manner.
   3. Interact with any players other than the seekers.
   4. Play recklessly or dangerously.
   5. Intentionally injure anyone.
   6. Play with a bias toward one team.
   7. Remain on one team’s side of the pitch for an extended period of time.
   8. Remain within 2 yards of the pitch boundary for an extended period of time.
   9. Intentionally leave the pitch.
   10. Intentionally attempt to become down in any manner unless injured, unable to play, avoiding a dangerous situation, adjusting equipment, or asked to do so by a referee (See: 9.IV.1. Down Flag Runner).
   11. Intentionally touch any ball, including holding or shielding the flag ball itself.
   12. Intentionally pull a seeker’s headband, clothing, or equipment other than the broom.
   13. Intentionally make an incorrect call or lie about a call to deceive players.
   14. Disobey a directive from the head referee.
   15. Bring any props into the player area.
   16. Throw a seeker's broom
   17. Hold onto a seeker’s broom for longer than 3 seconds.
2. Breach of Standards by the Flag Runner
   1. The head referee may remove any flag runner due to injury, breach of the standards listed in 9.III.1 Flag Runner Code of Conduct, or for being overly aggressive or irresponsible.
   2. A referee may warn the flag runner of minor violations or breaches of the standards listed in 9.III.1 Flag Runner Code of Conduct prior to replacement.
   3. If the flag runner commits a major violation against one seeker, play should be stopped immediately and any flag catch by the opposing team between the violation and play being stopped must be called no good.
3. Flag Runners During Stoppages
   The flag runner may move around during stoppages, however:
   1. The flag runner may move around during stoppages, however:
   2. The flag runner must not delay the restart of play.

Section IV – Ruled as Down

1. Down Flag Runner
   1. A flag runner is considered down when:
      1. Any part of the flag runner’s body, other than their hands or feet, touches the ground.
      2. Any part of the flag runner contacts the ground on or outside the boundary of the pitch.
         1. In the case that a flag runner steps out of bounds during the process of an otherwise legal catch, the catch shall be ruled good.
      3. The flag runner’s clothing needs to be adjusted, as described in 9.IV.2 Adjusting the Flag Runners Clothing.
   2. When the flag runner is down, the flag is uncatchable, regardless of whether the flag flag went down intentionally or unintentionally.
      1. The flag runner is considered down until the completion of their three second head start (See: 9.IV.3 Resetting a Down Flag Runner).
2. Adjusting the Flag Runners Clothing
   1. The flag runner’s clothing needs to be adjusted if the flag runner’s shorts are notably low or off center, the flag runner’s other clothing obscures the flag, or the flag runner’s clothing impedes the flag runner.
   2. If the flag runner’s clothing needs to be adjusted, the flag runner is considered down and the flag is uncatchable from the moment the clothing is askew, at the discretion of the referee.
      1. If the clothing is made askew because a seeker had grabbed the flag tail and it did not release from the shorts, the flag runner shall not be considered down until the seeker lets go of the flag tail so long as the seeker did not also grab other parts of the flag runner’s clothing.
         1. This does not prevent or delay the flag runner from being ruled as down for reasons other than the clothing needing to be adjusted.
3. Resetting a Down Flag Runner
   Once a flag runner has been ruled down, the seekers must:
   1. Cease directly pursuing the flag runner.
   2. Release all parts of the flag runner’s body, clothing, and the flag.
   3. Allow the flag runner to rise to their feet.
   4. Allow the flag runner to adjust all clothing and equipment as necessary.
   5. Allow an additional three-second head start as counted off by the flag referee before directly pursuing the flag again.

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