HAWKS Flag Football Rule Book. First Edition. 1/1/2017 Spring Hill Hawks

Transcription

1 HAWKS 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk First Editin 1/1/2017 Spring Hill Hawks

2 GAME At the start f each game, captains frm bth teams shall meet at midfield fr the cin tss t determine wh shall start with the ball. The visiting team shall call the tss. The winner f the cin tss has the chice f ffense r defense. The lser f the cin tss has the chice f directin. Teams may nt chse t defer t the secnd half. The ffensive team takes pssessin f the ball at its 5-yard line and has fur (4) plays t crss midfield. Once a team crsses midfield, they have fur (4) plays t scre a tuchdwn. If the ffensive team fails t crss midfield in three plays they have the ptin t attempt t make the first dwn r punt. If the ffensive team des nt make the first dwn, the ppsitin will receive the ball where the 4 th dwn play was called dead. Punting the ball will result in a change f pssessin and the ther team will get the ball n its wn 5-yard line. Teams change sides after the first half. Pssessin changes t the team that started the game n defense. EQUIPMENT Players must wear ftball cleats. Players must wear muthpieces. Players must remve all watches, earrings and any ther jewelry that the fficials deem hazardus. Players jerseys must be tucked int the pants if they hang belw the belt line. Pants r shrts with belt lps r pckets must be taped. FIELD The field dimensins are 30 yards by 70 yards with tw 10-yard end znes, and a midfield line-t-gain. N- Run Znes precede each line-t-gain by 5 yards. N-Run Znes are in place t prevent teams frm cnducting pwer run plays. While in the N-Run Znes (a 5 yard imaginary zne befre midfield and befre the end zne), teams cannt run the ball in any fashin. All plays must be pass plays, even with a handff. Stepping n the bundary line is cnsidered ut f bunds. 2 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

3 ROSTERS Hme teams wear dark clr jerseys; visiting teams wear light clr jerseys. Teams must start a game with a minimum f five players. In the event f an injury, a team with insufficient substitute players may play with fur players n the field, but n fewer than fur. TIMING AND OVERTIME Games are played n a 40 minute cntinuus clck with tw twenty minute halves. The clck stps nly fr cach timeuts, referee timeuts, r player injury. Halftime will last five minutes. Each time the ball is sptted, a team has 45 secnds t snap the ball (60 secnds fr PW divisin). Teams will receive ne warning befre a delay-f-game penalty is enfrced. Each team has tw 60-secnd time uts per half. Officials can stp the clck at their discretin. In the event f an injury the clck will stp and then restart when the injured player is remved frm the field f play. If the scre is tied at the end f 40 minutes, vertime rules apply. OT frmat is as fllws: Each pssessin starts at midfield. First pssessin chice ges t the winner f regulatin cin tss. Each team gets a minimum f ne pssessin t scre. After each team has had ne pssessin, pssessins cntinue until there is a winner. (Example: Team A and Team B d nt scre n their first pssessin. Team A scres n its secnd pssessin and als scres its 2 PAT (Pint After Tuchdwn); Team B must scre n their next pssessin AND scre a 2 PAT in rder fr anther rund f pssessins t begin.) All regulatin perid rules and penalties are in effect. There are n time-uts. Multiple OT perids: First OT perid shwn abve: Scring teams can g fr 1 r 2 pint PAT. Secnd OT Perid: Scring teams must g fr 2 pint PAT. 3 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

4 SCORING Tuchdwn: 6 pints PAT (Pint After Tuchdwn): A team that scres a tuchdwn must declare whether it wishes t attempt a 1-pt. cnversin (frm the 5-yard line) r a 2-pt. cnversin (frm the 12-yard line). 1 pint (5-yard line) Pass nly. 2 pints (12-yard line) Can be run r pass. Interceptins can be returned fr 1 r 2 pints. Safety: 2 pints A Safety ccurs when the ball carrier is declared dwn in his/her wn end zne. They can be called dwn when their flags are pulled by a defensive player, their flag falls ut, they step ut f bunds r they hit the grund with their knee r arm. A Safety als ccurs when there is an ffensive penalty in the end zne. COACHES Caches are allwed n the field t direct players regardless f age grup. Offensive caches must mve back at least 5 yards frm the QB befre the snap f the ball. Multiple caches can be n the field fr PW teams. LIVE BALL / DEAD BALL The ball is live at the snap f the ball and remains live until the fficial whistles the ball dead. The fficial will indicate the neutral zne and line f scrimmage. It is an autmatic dead ball ful if any player n defense r ffense enters the neutral zne. In regard t the neutral zne, the fficial may give bth teams a curtesy neutral zne ntificatin t allw their players t mve back behind the line f scrimmage. A player wh gains pssessin in the air is cnsidered in bunds as lng as ne ft cmes dwn in the field f play. The defense may nt mimic the ffensive team signals, by trying t cnfuse the ffensive players, while the quarterback is calling ut signals t start the play. This will result in an unsprtsmanlike penalty. Substitutins may be made n any dead ball. Any fficial can whistle the play dead. 4 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

5 Play is ruled dead when: The ball hits the grund. The ball carrier s flag is pulled. The ball carrier steps ut f bunds. A tuchdwn, PAT r safety is scred. The ball carrier s knee r arm hits the grund. The ball carrier s flag falls ut. The ball carrier receives the ball while in pssessin f ne r n flag(s). The receiver catches the ball while in pssessin f ne r n flag(s). There is n recvery f a fumble. The ball is sptted where the ball carrier s feet were at the time f the fumble. In the case f an inadvertent whistle, the ffense has tw ptins: Take the ball where it was when the whistle blew and the dwn is cnsumed. Replay the dwn frm the riginal line f scrimmage. A team is allwed t use a time ut t questin an fficial s rule interpretatin. If the fficial s ruling is crrect, the team will be charged a time ut. If the rule is interpreted incrrectly, the time ut will nt be charged and the prper ruling will be enfrced. Officials shuld all agree upn any cntrversial call in rder t give each team the full benefit f each call. PASSING All passes must be frm behind the line f scrimmage, thrwn frward and received beynd the line scrimmage. Shvel passes are allwed, but must be received beynd the line f scrimmage. RECEIVING All players are eligible t receive passes (including the quarterback, if the ball has been handed ff behind the line f scrimmage). Only ne player is allwed in mtin at a time. All mtin must be parallel t the line f scrimmage and n mtin is permitted twards the line f scrimmage. 5 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

6 A player must have a least ne ft inbunds when making a receptin. In the case f simultaneus pssessin by bth an ffensive and defensive player, pssessin is awarded t the ffense. Interceptins are returnable. RUNNING The ball is sptted where the runner s feet are when the flag is pulled, nt where the ball carrier has the ball. Frward prgress will be measured by the player s frnt ft. The quarterback can run the ball. Only direct handffs behind the line f scrimmage are permitted. Handffs may be in frnt, behind, r t the side f the ffensive player, but must be behind the line f scrimmage. The ffense may use multiple handffs. Center Sneak play The ball must cmpletely leave the center s hands n the snap and he/she must step backwards ff the line f scrimmage in rder t receive a direct handff frm the QB befre advancing the ball. Abslutely NO laterals f any kind. N-Run Znes, lcated 5 yards befre each end zne and 5 yards n either side f midfield are designed t avid shrt-yardage pwer-running situatins. Teams are nt allwed t run in these znes if the subsequent line is LIVE. (Reminder: Each ffensive squad appraches nly TWO N-Run Znes in each drive ne 5 yards frm midfield t gain the first dwn, and ne 5 yards frm the gal line t scre a TD). The player wh takes the handff can thrw the ball frm behind the line f scrimmage. Once the ball has been handed ff in frnt, behind r t the side f the quarterback, all defensive players inside the 7-yard rush line are eligible t rush. Runners may nt leave their feet t advance the ball. Diving, leaping, r jumping t avid a flag pull is cnsidered flag guarding. Spinning is allwed, but players may nt leave their feet t avid a flag pull. Jumping in the air in a frward mtin t advance the ball, while attempting t avid a flag pull, is nt allwed. Lateral mves t the left r right are permitted. Runners may leave their feet if there is a clear indicatin that he/she has dne s t avid cllisin with anther player withut a flag guarding penalty enfrced. A basketball screen is the nly legal frm f blcking. N ther frm f blcking is allwed. Flag Obstructin All jerseys MUST be tucked in befre play begins. The flags must be n the player s hips and free frm bstructin. Deliberately bstructed flags will be cnsidered flag guarding. 6 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

7 RUSHING THE PASSER All players wh rush the passer must be a minimum f seven yards frm the line f scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number f players can rush the quarterback. Players nt rushing the quarterback may defend n the line f scrimmage. Once the ball is handed ff, the seven-yard rule is n lnger in effect and all defenders may g behind the line f scrimmage. A special marker, r the referee, will designate a Rush Line seven yards frm the line f scrimmage. Defensive players shuld verify they are in the crrect psitin with the fficial n every play. Any defensive player, fr any reasn, crssing the line f scrimmage will allw the quarterback t run the ball even if the ffense is in the pass nly zne. A legal rush is: Any rush frm a pint 7 yards frm the defensive line f scrimmage. A rush frm anywhere n the field AFTER the ball has been handed ff by the quarterback. If a rusher leaves the rush line early (breaks the 7 yard area), they may return t the rush line, reset and then legally rush the quarterback. If a rusher leaves the rush line early and the ball is handed ff befre they crss the line f scrimmage, they may legally rush the quarterback. A penalty may be called if: The rusher leaves the rush line befre the snap crsses the line f scrimmage befre a handff r pass Illegal Rush (5 yards LOS and first dwn). Any defensive player crsses the line f scrimmage befre the ball is snapped Offside (5 yards LOS and first dwn). Any defensive player, nt lined up at the rush line crsses the line f scrimmage befre the ball is passed r handed ff. Players rushing the quarterback may attempt t blck a pass; hwever, NO cntact can be made with the quarterback in any way. Blcking the pass r attempting t blck the pass and then making cntact with the passer will result in a rughing the passer penalty. A sack ccurs if the quarterback s flags are pulled behind the line f scrimmage. The ball is placed where the quarterback s feet are when the flag is pulled. A Safety is awarded if the sack takes place in the ffensive team s end zne. 7 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

8 FLAG PULLING A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full pssessin f the ball. Defenders can dive t pull flags, but cannt tackle, hld r run thrugh the ball carrier when pulling flags. Defensive players may nt intentinally grab and hld the ball carriers unifrm t make a flag pull. It is illegal t attempt t strip r pull the ball frm the ball carrier s pssessin at any time. If a player s flag inadvertently falls ff during the play, the player is dwn immediately upn pssessin f the ball and the play ends. A defensive player may nt intentinally pull the flags ff f a player wh is nt in pssessin f the ball. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier t bstruct the defender s access t the flags by stiff arming, drpping the head, hand, arm r shulder, r intentinally cvering the flags with the ftball jersey. FORMATIONS Offense must have a minimum f tw players n the line f scrimmage. The quarterback must be ff the line f scrimmage. One player at a time may g in mtin behind and parallel t the line f scrimmage. N mtin is allwed twards the line f scrimmage. Mvement by a player wh is set r a player wh runs tward the line f scrimmage while in mtin is cnsidered a false start. The center must snap the ball between his/her legs t a player in the backfield, and the ball must cmpletely leave his/her hands. 8 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

9 UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT If the field mnitr r referee witnesses any acts f intentinal tackling, elbwing, cheap shts, blcking r any unsprtsmanlike act, the game will be stpped and the player will be ejected frm the game. The decisin is made at the referee s discretin. N appeals will be cnsidered. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Offensive r cnfrntatinal language is illegal. Officials have the right t determine ffensive language. If ffensive r cnfrntatinal language ccurs, the referee will give ne warning. If it cntinues, the player r players will be ejected frm the game. Players may nt physically r verbally abuse any ppnent, cach r fficial. Ball carriers MUST make an effrt t avid defenders with an established psitin. Defenders are nt allwed t run thrugh the ball carrier when pulling flags. Parents/fans must als adhere t gd sprtsmanship, as well the cnduct listed abve. Parents/fans shuld als adhere t the fllwing: Yell t cheer n yur players, nt t harass fficials r ther teams. Keep cmments clean and prfanity free. Cmpliment ALL players, nt just ne child r team. Parents/fans are nt allwed n the field at any time during the game. PENALTY INFORMATION: The referee will call all penalties. Referees determine incidental cntact that may result frm nrmal run f play. All penalties will be assessed frm the line f scrimmage, except as nted. (spt fuls) Only the team captain r head cach may ask the referee questins abut rule clarificatin and interpretatins. Players may nt questin judgment calls. Games may nt end n a defensive penalty, unless the ffense declines it. Penalties are assessed live ball then dead ball. Live ball penalties must be assessed befre play is cnsidered cmplete. 9 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

10 Penalties will be assessed half the distance t the gal yardage when the penalty yardage is mre than half the distance t the gal. All penalties that are spt fuls and result in a lss f dwn mean the fllwing: The lss f dwn is technically the dwn that was just played. As an example: if the penalty ccurs n first dwn, the ffense receives the yards gained minus the penalty yards. The next dwn wuld be secnd dwn. DEFENSIVE PENALTIES: Offside Illegal Rush (Starting rush frm inside 7- yard marker) Illegal Flag Pull (Befre the receiver has the ball) Rughing the Passer Taunting Defensive Pass Interference Hlding (hlding jersey t make flag pull r hlding ffensive player withut ball) Stripping Defensive Unnecessary Rughness Tackling + 5 yards frm line f scrimmage + 5 yards frm line f scrimmage & Autmatic First Dwn + 5 yards frm line f scrimmage & Autmatic First Dwn + 10 yards frm line f scrimmage & Autmatic First Dwn + 10 yards frm line f scrimmage & Autmatic First Dwn SPOT FOUL, Autmatic First Dwn SPOT FOUL + 5 yards & Autmatic First Dwn SPOT FOUL + 10 yards & Autmatic First Dwn SPOT FOUL + 10 yards & Autmatic First Dwn SPOT FOUL + 10 yards & Autmatic First Dwn 10 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk

11 OFFENSIVE PENALTIES: False Start Illegal Frward Pass (Pass received behind the line f scrimmage r thrwing a pass beynd the line f scrimmage) Offensive Pass Interference Illegal Mtin (Mre than ne persn mving) Illegal Run Delay f Game Impeding the Rusher Blcking r Running with the Ball Carrier Charging Flag Guarding Offensive Unnecessary Rughness - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage & Lss f Dwn - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage & Lss f Dwn - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage - 5 yards frm line f scrimmage SPOT FOUL, - 5 yards & Lss f Dwn SPOT FOUL, -10 yards & Lss f Dwn SPOT FOUL, -10 yards & Lss f Dwn SPOT FOUL, -10 yards & Lss f Dwn 11 Spring Hill Hawks 2017 Flag Ftball Rule Bk