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2007 ELEMENTARY FLAG FOOTBALL
General Information
Leagues:
3rd/4th grades
5th/6th grades
7th/8th grades
Season: July 2nd-August 24th
Game Days:
3rd/4th Division – Tuesdays
5th/6th Division – Wednesdays
7th/8th Division-Thursday
Time: Times vary between 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Site: Sycamore School
Fee: $30.00 per participant
Practice: Coaches will conduct practice at least once per week. Day/time/site/ to be established by the coach.
Team Formation
1. A coach will be assigned to an team. Teams will be formed for 3rd/4th , 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade levels.
2. Kids may register by having their parents sign them up at the Rec. Office.
3. Each team will have a maximum of 12 kids.
Practice
Practice may begin the beginning of July. It is up to the coach to set practice times and to inform all parents of times and locations.
YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
1. THE FIELD
1. The field of play is 80 yards long and 40 yards wide with a 10 yard end zone beyond each goal line.
2. The field will be marked every 20 yards. These will be the first down lines.
3. Each team will share a common sideline, unless otherwise specified. All spectators are to be on opposite sidelines from the players.
4. 3rd/4th grade coaches are the only coaches allowed on the field. They may assist in play set up and execution but not interfere with game play. 5th/6th and 7th/8th grade coaches may be allowed on the field for the first 2 – 3 games depending on your teams abilities.
2. THE PLAYERS
1. Each team may play with a maximum of seven players at one time. A team may play with a minimum of five players, but less than five will result in a forfeit. Teams with less than five players may practice or scrimmage; however, no people outside of the rec. dept. Youth Flag Football Program may participate.
2. Any number of substitutions may be made during a game, but must be made during a dead ball situation.
3. The defensive team must have a minimum of two men on the line of scrimmage for each play.
4. The offensive team can have a maximum of three players in the back field, including the QB.
5. The back field cannot be moving toward the line of scrimmage, but may move laterally (man in motion) before the ball is hiked. The maximum number of players in motion is one.
6. There will be a yard neutral zone between the line of scrimmage and the defensive team at the start of each play.
7. Poor actions deemed inappropriate by the referee and foul language (swearing) by players and coaches is considered unsportsmanlike conduct. The 1st offense will be a warning; 2nd offense will result in a penalty (see penalty #20); 3rd offense will be removal from the game/facility.
3. EQUIPMENT
1. Football equipment, such as helmets, shoulder pads, hip pads, etc. WILL NOT be allowed. Soft knee pads are okay.
2. All players must wear rubber-soled shoes; all-purpose cleats are permitted-NO SPIKES.
3. Players may not wear jewelry. EXCEPTION: Medical alert bracelets.
4. Players with casts MAY NOT participate.
4. LENGTH OF GAME
1. The game will be played in two halves, with each half consisting of 30 plays.
2. Each play counts, regardless of penalty, unless penalty occurs prior to the start of play.
3. If the defense commits a penalty on the last play of either half, the offense will be awarded one more play.
4. Extra point conversions do not count as a play.
5. Halftime is five minutes, or referee’s discretion.
6. One time out per team per half (one minute).
7. The ball must be put into play within 30 seconds from the time of the offensive huddle (see penalty #1).
8. In case of a tie, there shall be NO extension of time.
5. SCORING
1. Touchdown 6 points
2. 3-Yard Conversion 1 point
3. 6-Yard Conversion 2 points
4. Safety 2 points
+ Conversion may be either running or passing.
6. STARTING THE GAME
1. There are no kick-offs. Play begins from the team’s 20 yard line (and after touchdowns).
2. To begin the game, the referee shall toss a coin between two opposing captains to determine possession. The visitors shall call the toss. If the winner of the toss chooses possession, their opponent will choose which goal line to defend, and will receive possession to begin the 2nd half.
3. Teams change goals at half.
7. FIRST DOWNS AND PUNTS
1. The team in possession of the ball has four downs to reach a first down line. After reaching the line, it is a first down.
2. A first down line may be crossed only once for the first down during that series of plays.
3. There are no actual punts. On fourth down, a team can “punt”, which would move the ball to their opponents’ 20 yard line, or “go for it;” if they fail, the ball is turned over to their opponent from that point.
8. FUMBLES AND TURNOVERS
1. All fumbles, including hikes from center that are dropped, are dead at point of contact with the ground.
2. Interceptions can be advanced, but blocking for the ball carrier is not allowed.
9. DEAD BALL
1. The ball is dead when:
-It is fumbled
-There is an incomplete pass
-When it goes outside the field of play
-When the ball carrier is flagged
-When any part of the ball carrier’s body touches the ground, except the hands
-If and when the QB crosses the line of scrimmage
-During an official time out
-After a touchdown, safety, conversions
-When the referee declares it dead.
10. FLAGS
1. All players must wear flags provided by the rec. dept.
2. Flags must hang freely off the belt on both hips. Tucking, tying, or any other method to keep the flags from being pulled is not allowed. (See penalty #2)
3. If a player loses his/her flag(s) accidentally, inadvertently (not removed by grabbing or pulling), or on purpose, play continues. The deflagging then reverts to a one-hand tag of the player between the shoulders and the knees.
4. A runner/receiver becomes eligible to be deflagged at the point he/she has contact with the ball. (See penalty #12)
5. Players must be going for the flag. (See penalty #19 & #22)
6. Players may not leave their feet to pull a flag. (See penalty # 15)
11. FLAG GUARDING
1. Swinging the hand or arm over the flag belt, placing the ball over the flag belt, lowering the shoulders in such a manner that places the arm over the flag belt to prevent an opponent from deflagging. (See penalty #18)
12. HIKING AND HAND OFFS
1. When the ball is put into play by the center, he/she must hike it between his/her legs.
2. After the ball has been hiked, it cannot be handed back to the player who did the hiking.
13. RUNNING
1. The ball carrier may not run through a defensive player, and must attempt to evade him/her. (See penalty #17)
2. No spinning.* (See penalty #9)
3. No jumping over players. (See penalty #15)
4. The QB cannot run the ball.
+ A player may be called for spinning when he makes a full revolution in an attempt to avoid being flagged.
14. PASSING AND RUSHING
1. All players are eligible to receive a pass.
2. Two forward passes are not legal, but a lateral pass and a forward pass are. (See penalty #4)
3. The defense may rush the QB after the referee says, “GO.” The referee will be making a silent count to three.
15. BLOCKING
1. Blocking shall be done by the use of arms and body, without the use of hands; the hands must be in contact with the chest. (See penalty #3 and #13)
2. Blockers may not leave their feet. (See penalty #15)
3. No player of the team in possession of the ball may help the runner except by blocking for him/her, and there shall be no interlocked blocking.
4. Blocking is allowed behind the line of scrimmage to 5 yards beyond the line of scrimmage.
5. No downfield blocking or clipping. (See penalty #11)
16. PENALTIES
FOUL PENALTY POSITION
1. Delay of game 5 yards L.O.S.
2. Flag tampering 5 yards P.O.I.
3. Holding – Defense 5 yards & 1st down L.O.S
4. Illegal passes 5 yards & loss of down L.O.S.
5. Illegal procedure 5 yards L.O.S.
6. Off sides 5 yards L.O.S.
7. Not enough players on line 5 yards L.O.S.
8. Too many players on field 5 yards L.O.S.
9. Ball carrier-spinning 10 yards & loss of down P.O.I.
10. Stripping the ball 5 yards P.O.I.
11. Downfield blocking/clipping10 yards L.O.S.
12. Flags pulled early 10 yards P.O.I.
13. Holding – offense 10 yards L.O.S.
14. Intentional grounding 10 yards & loss of down L.O.S.
15. Leaving feet to:
Block, pull flag, advance ball 10 yards P.O.I.
16. Pass interference-offense 10 yards L.O.S.
17. Ball carrier – charging 15 yards P.O.I.
18. Flag guarding/straight arming 15 yards & loss of down P.O.I.
19. Tackling/shoving 15 yards P.O.I.
20. Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yards P.O.I.
21. Pass interference – defense First down P.O.I.
22. Roughing the passer 15 yards L.O.S.
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