Arena YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL RULES:
The Football SIZE...
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Division
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Grade
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Football Size
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Little Pro
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1st – 2nd Grade
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NFL Peewee
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Junior Pro
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3rd – 4th Grade
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NFL Peewee
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Pro
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5th – 6th Grade
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NFL Junior
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The Basics
- A coin toss determines first possession. Visitor calls toss. Team wining the toss gets the ball to start the 1st half and the team losing the toss gets the ball to start the 2nd half. The team not getting the ball the 1st half choosing the goal they defend. The teams change directions for the 2nd half.
- The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.
- If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
- All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.
- Teams change sides after the first 12.5 minutes. (Clock stops for a 3-minute half time)
Players/Game Schedules
- Participants must rotate into game every change of possession. Coaches should try to play players an equal amount of time.
- Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times.
- Teams consist of 10 players – five on the field, with five substitutes.
Timing
- 25 minute game (Two 12.5-minute half’s). Running clock
- Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced
- Each team has one 30-second time-out per half
- Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
Overtime
· If the score is tied at the end of 20 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. Overtime begins with a coin toss. The team that wins the coin toss gets to decide to take the ball first or second. Both teams will have one drive beginning at the five-yard line to get as many yards as possible or score a touchdown. Both teams go in the same direction when on offense. The team with the most yards after one drive wins the game. If both teams score a touchdown, each team has the option to go for 1 point (5 yard line) or 2 points (12 yard line). In the event that the teams are tied after the conversion attempt, both teams must go for 2 points on all ensuing possessions. There are no time outs in overtime.
Scoring
· Touchdown: 6 points
- Extra point: (Interceptions can be returned for the same point value attempted)
- 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or
- 2 points (played from 12-yard line)
- Safety: 2 points
Running
- Quarterback cannot run with the ball.
- Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs.
- “No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations.
- The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
- Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
- Any football move by ball carrier to avoid a defender is allowed (Spinning, juking, sidestepping, cutting, jumping). Players cannot dive headfirst or hurdle over a player.
- The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is.
- Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are allowed.
Receiving
· All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
· As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time. Player in motion may move towards the LOS.
· A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
Passing
· Shovel passes are allowed.
· The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
· Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of the interceptors flag pulled.
· Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line.
· Interceptions are live and can be returned.
Dead Balls
- The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
- Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
- Play is ruled “dead” when:
- Ball carrier’s flag is pulled
- Ball carrier steps out of bounds
- Touchdown or safety is scored
- Ball carrier fumbles the ball
- Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground
- Ball carrier’s flag falls out
- Player catches the ball and does not have both flags
- If a player does not have his flags on the side (front or back) the referee may call the player down at the point he gets the ball. Please help referees and make sure that your players flags are on the side and that the belt is tucked in or wrapped around their belt. Shirts must be tucked in.
- Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.
Rushing the Quarterback
- All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Defender that is rushing QB is off sides if passing the 7-yard marker prior to the snap.
- Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.
- Rushers cannot make contact with the Quarterback (hit arm while throwing)
- Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
- A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.
Illegal Contact
· Offense or defensive players cannot run into each other (all players must make an attempt to avoid contact)
· It is illegal for a player to “intentionally” contact another player
o Examples - (defender cannot hand check receiver nor can a receiver push defender, no blocking, no colliding with another player, no tackling, no pulling or pushing, pass rushers must avoid contact with quarterback, players must let go of clothing immediately, no pushing or shoving (being clumsy or fast is not an excuse to bring a player down), Official witnessing acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, will stop the game, call illegal contact, penalize the team 10 yards, and do one or all of the following (warn player, team, coach…eject player or coach. Referee notifies League Director (LD) of ejections ASAP…Program Director is notified ASAP by LD. Multiple ejections could limit player or coach’s ability to participate with Neighborhoods Sports…Rough Play isn’t tolerated.
- Trash talking is illegal.Officials have the right to determine offensive language.
- (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will warn or eject player, coach, or fans.
- Blocking:
- Blocking is not allowed…this includes shielding or screening a defender while moving as they try to get near the ball carrier.
Coach and Spectator Conduct / Responsibilities
- Coaches, family members, parents, and spectators are required to observe the contest from a designated area
- Participants, coaches, parents, and family members must conduct themselves appropriately during League and tournament play. Comments or cheers must be positive (not negative) to coaches, players, teams, or officials.
- Misconduct may lead to removal from premises at the discretion of the Neighborhood Sports Program Officials
- Only the head coach can ask the referee questions about rule clarification, interpretations or to watch for perceived rule violations. Players, parents, or fans cannot question judgment calls.
Penalties (The referee calls all penalties.)
- Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties are assessed from the line of scrimmage.
- Only a head coach can ask referee for rule clarification, interpretation, or to watch perceived rule violations. Players and fans cannot question calls.
- Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declinesit.
Unsportsmanship conduct – player, coach, or spectator who yells at official
· Warning given to team
· 10 yard penalty & loss of down if given to offense or 10 yards and first down if on defense
· Referee ask offender to leave property
Defense Penalties:
· Interference - 10 yards and automatic first down
· Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) - 10 yards and automatic first down ****(illegal contact preventing a score (referees opinion) is enforced from point of infraction).
· Illegal FLAG pull (before receiver has ball) - 10 yards and automatic first down
· Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) - 10 yards and automatic 1st down
Offense Penalties:
· Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) - 5 yards and loss of down
· Illegal forward pass (pass caught behind line of scrimmage) - 5 yards and loss of down
· Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) - 10 yards and loss of down
· Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) - 10 yards and loss of down ****(Blocking is not allowed… offensive players can not move to inhibit defensive players from getting to the ball carrier…an offensive player may stand still while the ball carrier uses them to screen defenders). (illegal contact preventing a score is enforced from point of infraction)
- FLAG guarding - 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down (Referee interprets ball carrier as intentionally using arm / hand to prevent defender from getting flag)
- Delay of game - Clock stops, 10 yards and loss of down
Attire
- Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Official NFL FLAG jerseys must be worn and be tucked in.
- All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions.
- All players are encouraged to wear athletic shorts or sweat pants (cargo shorts and jeans are discouraged due to safety reason for games)
Coaches on the field:
· One (1) coach allowed on the field in offensive huddle (coach must stand behind the offense once play begins).
One (1) defensive coach allowed on the field but must move to the sideline prior to each snap of ball.