FLAG FOOTBALL WINTER 2017

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1 Important Dates 10/22/17 Coaches Look 11/11/17 Season Starts! FLAG FOOTBALL WINTER /23/17 Thanksgiving 12/16/17 End of Season Tournament Program Guide We are excited to get our inaugural season of flag football underway! In partnership with Northwest ISD, we are proud to host games at Texan Stadium on the campus of Northwest High School. HSA BOARD Aaron Pickett - President Christopher Friday Vice President Treasurer Duncan Gates Secretary Laura Dobbs Parliamentarian Holly Page Flag Football Commissioner Eric Dobbs

2 NISD Texan Stadium Information Directions From Haslet: 1. Head Northeast on FM Turn left onto Texan Dr. Stadium will be on your left. From Justin: 1. Head South on FM Turn Right onto TX 114W 3. Turn Left onto Texan Dr. Stadium will be on your right. From I 35: 1. Head West on TX 114 (1.5 Mi) 2. Turn Left onto Texan Dr. Stadium will be on your right. Facility Rules No Food, Gum or Flavored Sports Drinks on Field or Track Areas. This Includes Sunflower Seeds. Spectators Should be Seated in Bleachers. Please Pick Up After Yourself.

3 HSA FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE RULES AND REGULATIONS Eligibility 1. All players must be registered through HSA and fall within the specified age bracket. Players may play up in division. 2. All players must present a waiver that is signed by a legal guardian or parent. Divsions 1. Bantam Ages Junior Ages Senior Ages Equipment 1. Football sizes: Bantam: Pee Wee ball Junior: Junior ball Senior: Youth ball. Game Ball will be provided by the HSA. 2. The League provides each player with flag belts 3. Mouth guards are recommended but not required. HSA and NISD assume no liability for the use or lack thereof mouth guards. 4. Teams must provide their own ball for use during practices. 5. Players must wear shoes. Cleats are allowed, however cleats with exposed metal are not allowed and must be removed. 6. Players must remove all watches, necklaces, earrings and any other jewelry. 7. Approved jerseys must be worn during play and tucked in. 8. Shorts/pants must not be the same color as flags. 9. Food and flavored sports drinks are not allowed on NISD fields. Players should be provided with water ONLY. Field Size 1. Bantam 50 yds in length and 35 yds in width. 2. Junior 60 yds in length and 35 yds in width. 4. Senior 80 yds in length and 53 1/3 yds in width.

4 Terminology 1. Boundary lines the outer perimeter lines around the field. They include the sidelines, and the rear endzone lines. 2. Line Of Scrimmage an imaginary line running through the point of the football and across the width of the field 3. Line-To-Gain the line the offense must pass to get a first down or score 4. Rush Line an imaginary line running across the width of the field 10 yards (into the defensive side) from the Line of Scrimmage 5. Offense the squad with possession of the ball 6. Defense the squad opposing the offense to prevent them from advancing the ball 7. Quarterback the offensive player that calls the signals to start the play and receives the snap from center 8. Passer the offensive player that lines up behind the center. 9. Rusher the defensive player assigned to rush the Quarterback, must be positioned (10yds) behind the scrimmage line. Not allowed in Bantam division. 10. Live Ball the period of time that the play is in action. Generally used in regards to penalties, Live Ball Penalties are considered part of the play and must be enforced before the down is considered complete. 11. Dead Ball the period of time immediately before or after a play. 12. Whistle the sound made by an official using a whistle that signifies the end of the play or a stop in the action for timeout, half time or the end of the game. 13. Inadvertent whistle an official s whistle that is performed in error. 14. Charging the movement of the ball carrier directly at a defensive player who has established position on the field. This includes lowering the head, making contact with the defender with a shoulder, forearm or the chest, resulting in a penalty. 15. Flag Guarding the deliberate guarding of the flags by the ball carrier to inhibit the defense from making a grab. Typically, a lowered and swinging, slapping arm motion, resulting in a penalty. 16. Shovel Pass a legal pass made by throwing the ball behind or beyond the line of scrimmage, underhand or pushing it towards a receiver in a shot put type manner. 17. Lateral or Pitch a backwards or sideways toss of the ball by the QB or ball carrier-behind the scrimmage only. 18. Unsportsmanlike Conduct rude, confrontational or offensive behavior or language- applies to players, coaches and spectators. This results in a penalty. 19. Unnecessary Roughness Any physical contact (attempted or completed) that in the eyes of the referee(s) is determined to be intentionally dangerous or threatening to other players. Game Play Rules 1. Each team will provide one (1) volunteer to keep score during the game. Home Team volunteer will keep the official score while the Visiting Team volunteer will maintain the score board. 2. A coin toss determines first possession. Visiting team calls the coin flip. Coin flip winner chooses offense or defense. The team starting the first half on defense will start the second half on offense. Coin flip loser chooses end of the field to defend. 3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross the line to gain for a first down. If the offensive team fails to cross the line to gain, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. 4. Once a team crosses the line to gain, it has 4 plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its own 5-yard line. 5. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense s 5-yard line.

5 6. Teams change sides after the first half, and the ball changes possession based on the coin toss at the beginning of the game. 7. Substitutions are allowed on dead balls or on time outs. 8. Teams will field six (6) players a. If a team has less than 6 players show up for the game, they may field a minimum of 5, but no less than 5 b. A team starting the game with only 5 players may finish a game with a minimum of 4 players if caused by injury. 9. Each child must play at least 50% of the game. There is not a requirement that each player plays both offense and defense. 10. A center must be used. The center cannot move the ball off of the ground before snapping it. The ball must stay in contact with the ground and not be moved. 11. When the center snaps the ball to the quarterback if the ball is dropped it is a dead ball at the original line of scrimmage. The quarterback cannot pick the ball up and pass or run with it. It will be considered a loss of down. 12. Offense must have at least three (3) players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped Timing 1. Time will be kept by referee(s) on the field. 2. Games will consist of two halves with a running clock, except for the last two (2) minutes of each half. When the game clock reaches two minutes at the end of each half, the clock will stop and a total of 6 more plays will be run (excluding PAT attempts). 3. Half Times by Division a. Bantam = 20 minutes b. Junior = 20 minutes c. Senior = 20 minutes 4. Teams will be given 10 minutes to field the minimum required number of players. The game clock will be running during this time period. If a team cannot field the minimum number of players by the 10 minute mark, that team will be considered to have forfeited the game and the score will be reflected as Halftime will be 5 minutes (reduced to 3 minutes if games are running behind schedule) 6. The clock will be stopped for injuries and timeouts only. 7. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 25 seconds to snap the ball. 8. No Huddle and Up Tempo offenses will be allowed, but referee(s) will allow a reasonable amount of time for the defense to return to the line of scrimmage and get set before spotting the ball.

6 9. Each team has two 1-minute time-outs per half or overtime period. Timeouts do not carry over. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. 10. Overtime will only take place during post season tournament games and will consist of 10 minute periods following the same rules as regulation first and second half. The team who started with ball in the first half will start with the ball in the first overtime period. If the score is tied after an overtime period teams will switch directions and possession change will follow that of the previous periods. 11. A game cannot end on an accepted defensive penalty. Running 1. No-running zones (does not apply to Bantam) are located five (5) yards from each end zone and 5 yards out from each line to gain are designed to avoid short-yardage power running situations. 2. A player cannot take more than one consecutive direct handoff. 3. The quarterback cannot directly run the ball unless a legal defensive rusher crosses the line of scrimmage while the quarterback is attempting a pass. The quarterback must lateral or handoff the ball before the ball can cross the line of scrimmage. Multiple handoffs and laterals are allowed including beyond the line of scrimmage 4. The quarterback cannot run the ball in the no-running zone (defensive rushing is not allowed when offense is in the no-running zone.) 5. Quarterbacks must take the snap with both flags attached. If quarterback does not have both flags attached, the ball will be re-spotted at the line of scrimmage and a loss of down will result. (referee(s) will do their best to ensure all players flags are attached at the time of snap). 6. Laterals or pitches are allowed. A dropped snap from center will be treated as a dropped pass and will be placed at the original line of scrimmage. It will be a loss of down. 7. The player who takes the handoff or lateral can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. 8. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no offensive diving or jumping is allowed to make a defender miss the flag). The referee will use their judgment to call a penalty based on player s movement. 9. Offensive players are not permitted to guard their flags by making or attempting to make contact with defensive players who are trying to remove their flags or grabbing and holding onto flag. (no stiff arms) 10. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier s flags are when the flag is pulled or the ball carrier steps out of bounds, not where the ball is. Unless the ball breaks the plane of the end zone before the flags are pulled. 11. If a flag(s) falls off a player without influence from a defensive player, the defense will be required to touch the ball carrier with one hand below the neck to down the ball carrier. Overly aggressive contact in this scenario (as determined by the officials) will be flagged for unnecessary roughness.

7 Contact 1. Center plunges and stiff arms are illegal. 2. Clipping, or hitting a defender in the back or from behind, is not allowed. 3. Blocking/screening is allowed only at or behind the line of scrimmage a. Players blocking or screening must keep their hands behind their backs and may not use their legs to trip or impeded the defender. 4. Pushing, striking, holding, slapping, or tripping of any kind on offense or defense is not permitted. Receiving/Passing 1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off or thrown behind the line of scrimmage). 2. If a player receives a pass (or interception) in a downed position, the ball will be ruled dead at the spot of the catch 3. Only one player is allowed in motion at one time. And only one player may be put in motion during a single play. Motion may be horizontal of vertical as long as the player in motion does not cross the line of scrimmage before the snap. Multi-player shifts before the offense is set are permitted. 4. A player must have at least one foot completely in bounds when making a reception. 5. The quarterback has a seven (7) second pass clock. Referee will count the seven seconds aloud when the ball is snapped. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Ball will be spotted at the original line of scrimmage. Once the ball leaves the hands of the quarterback, the seven second clock is off. (The Bantam division has a 10 second pass clock.) 6. Interceptions change the possession of the ball and may be returned. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line. Defense 1. All players on defense starting the play at least ten (10) yards from the line of scrimmage will be eligible to rush the quarterback. However, only one rusher per play is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage before the ball leaves the quarterback s hands. 2. When the flag is clearly taken from the player with the ball, the down is over and the ball is declared dead. The player who removes the flag should immediately hold the flag above his or her head to assist the official in locating the spot where the removal occurred. The player must then hand the flag back to the player is was pulled from. 3. A defensive player cannot hold, grasp, impede or obstruct the forward progress of a runner when in the act of removing the flag belt. 4. A defensive player may not remove a flag from an offensive player who does not have possession of the ball.

8 5. A defensive player may not try to intentionally cause a fumble. This will be considered unnecessary roughness. 6. Defensive players must be one yard off the line of scrimmage. 7. A defensive player cannot jam, hold, or push an offensive player at any time when running with the ball or during the offensive player running the route. Defensive Rushing (not allowed in Bantam) 1. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of ten (10) yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Only one player may rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend one yard off the line of scrimmage but can only cross the line once the ball has been handed or lateraled/pitched by the quarterback. 2. Once the ball is handed off, the ten yard rule is no longer in effect. 3. The defense cannot rush when the offense is in the no run zone. 4. Rushing will not be allowed while a team is leading by 21 points or more. Dead Balls 1. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball. Scoring 2. Play is ruled dead when a. ball carrier s flag is pulled (or downed by one hand touch if flag(s) falls off inadvertently) b. ball carrier steps out of bounds c. touchdown, PAT, or a safety is scored d. ball carrier s knee, elbow, or head hits the ground e. ball is fumbled on a running play. The ball is placed down where it touches the ground (except for fumbled center snap) 1. Score will be kept as follows: a. Touchdown = 6 points b. Point After Touchdown Attempts: i. Rush = 1 point (including laterals and forward passes that are caught behind the line of scrimmage) ii. Pass = 2 points (passes/laterals must be caught beyond the line of scrimmage) iii. All extra point attempts will take place from the 5-yard line (no-running zone not in effect on PATs) iv. A fumbled snap on a PAT will result in a failed attempt and change of possession c. Safety = 2 point

9 Safety 1. It is only considered a safety if a player s flag is pulled while they are standing in the end zone or a handoff/lateral is fumbled and lands completely in the end zone. When this happens the opposing team will be awarded the ball back on their 5-yard line. 3. If the snap is fumbled or the ball is snapped out of the back of the end zone completely it will be a loss of a down and the ball will be re-spotted at the original line of scrimmage. Penalties All penalties may be declined Defense 1. Off-sides a. 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat down on offense s team choice 2. Illegal Rushing (start rushing from inside 10 yards or more than one player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball leaves the quarterback s hands) a. 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat down on offense s team choice 3. Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) a. 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat the down 4. Illegal Contact a. holding, pushing, stiff arming, tackling, improper blocking, or clipping b. 10 yards from spot of foul and automatic first down 5. Pass Interference a. 10 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first down b. Interference in the end zone: ball will be placed at the 1-yard line and automatic first down 6. Unnecessary Roughness a. 10 yards from spot of foul and automatic first down 7. Unsportsmanlike Conduct a. 10 yards enforced from spot of foul and automatic first down b. Player receives warning for first infraction and disqualification for second infraction c. A 3 rd unsportsmanlike conduct penalty committed by a team in a single game will result in a forfeit by the offending team. The final score will be recorded as the actual score or 14-0 (whichever favors the opposing team) d. Includes, but is not limited to: intentionally dangerous play, cheap shots, trash talking, foul language, abusive treatment of referees, players, coaches, or fans, and excessive arguing with referees or opposing coaches. 8. Coach Interference a. 15 yards from end of the play and automatic first down 9. Inside the 10 yard line a. Penalties committed inside the 10 yard line will assessed as half the distance to the goal. b. Penalties committed in the end zone will be placed on the one yard line.

10 Offense 1. Illegal Formation a. 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat the down 2. False Start a. 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and repeat the down 3. Illegal Motion a. 5 yards from line of scrimmage and replay down b. more than one person moving at the time of snap or more than one person sent in motion 4. Illegal Forward Pass a. 5 yards from line of scrimmage and replay down b. forward pass in front of line of scrimmage 5. Flag Guarding a. 5 yards from where player started flag guarding and loss of down 6. Delay of Game a. 5 yards from line of scrimmage and remain same down 7. Downfield Blocking a. 10 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down 8. Offensive Pass Interference a. 10 yards from line of scrimmage and replay the down b. Illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender 9. Illegal Jumping or Diving a. 5 yards from spot of foul and loss of down 10. Unnecessary Roughness a. 10 yards and loss of down 11. Coach Interference a. 10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down Coaching 1. One coach is allowed on the field. Coaches must be out of the field of Play (10 yards behind quarterback on offense and 15 yards from the line of scrimmage on defense.) Spectators 1. Spectators are required to remain in the bleachers. Conduct & Sportsmanship 1. Sportsmanship is a vital part of HSA philosophy and should be exhibited at all times. Parents and coaches are a model for children to follow and should maintain these very principals and practices of sportsmanship. Anyone at or on the field who is exhibiting poor sportsmanship may be asked to leave the premises. 2. Players are also responsible for maintaining and displaying good sportsmanship and if a player is not demonstrating good sportsmanship during game play, the player and team may be penalized.