Is there a grace period for kickoff? I know when I play soccer they give you about 15 minutes from the scheduled game time for all players to arrive if you`re short. Not sure what the deal is for flag football.

No grace period. Why would the ref want to work when he gets paid regardless. We had to scrimmage once because the other teams last two players came 8 minutes late. Both teams even agreed to take 10 min. off clock if necessary.

Upto 2004 the rule was a 15 minute grace period to get 8 players.

In 2004, coaches voted in a new rule to do away with the grace period, but allow teams to play with only 6 players.

TOM

Why would any team vote not to play a game (do away with a grace period). Are there actually teams that would rather take a victory by forfeit than play a shorter game?

"Are there actually teams that would rather take a victory by forfeit than play a shorter game?"

Yes, and there was more of them at the coach meeting when this rule was put in place.