TFA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 2 ND GRADE 2015

Transcription

1 TFA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES 2 ND GRADE 2015 Section 1 & 2: Organization and Philosophy 1.1 Tonka Football Association (TFA) is a youth football organization established in XXX. 1.2 TFA has aligned with the Lake Minnetonka Athletic Association (LMAA) league for grades four through eight. The 2 nd and 3 rd grade teams operate under TFA rules which have been structured to emulate the LMAA rules used at grade levels TFA sponsors a football program each fall to offer young people in 2 nd grade the opportunity to begin learning the fundamentals of football and to have fun doing it. The program has been designed for all players to enjoy the benefits of participation in youth football. Games will be played 7 players on 7 players. Section 3: Coaches 3.1 Coaches shall be selected on their ability to work with young people and not on their technical football knowledge. Coaches are required to abide by the coaches code of conduct found at Amendment A, by the Spirit of the Rules, and by the overall philosophy of TFA. Coaches must remember the program is for the players and not for the Coaches. 3.2 Coaches must complete all the requirements below to be certified as a head or assistant coach by the TFA Board of Directors. 3.3 Multiple coaches may be present on the actual laying field to assist players in positioning themselves in huddles, directions, etc. 3.4 Coaches may not interfere in any way with the actual play. 3.5 Coaches on the field are to remain silent until the play is over, and my not yell instructions during the play. Section 4: Equipment 4.1 Flags are provided by TFA. 4.2 Each player must wear the TFA team shirt. 4.3 Players are required to wear mouth pieces during all games and practices. 4.4 Players must have shirts tucked in pants and flags properly displayed. 4.5 Flags may not be wrapped around belt loops or the belt. 4.6 Every player must wear a flag belt. 4.7 Flags should be a different color than a player s pants or shorts. Section 5: Fields and Games 5.1 Fields size will be 60 yards long by 40 yards wide with 15 yard first down zones. 5.2 Each team will play 6 games. 5.3 Each game must start on time. 5.4 There are no kick offs in this division. Play will start with the ball spotted on their 20 yard line). 5.5 At the start of the game, the choice of field ends is determined by the flip of a coin or by odd/even.

2 5.6 There is to be no offensive movement after the players are set. 5.7 Substitutions will be made every SIX plays. 5.8 On 4 th down if a team chooses to punt, the ball will be advanced 15 yards from the spot and the opposing team takes over on downs. For the sake of player rotation, this free Kick will not count as a played down. 5.9 There will be a 45 second play clock. Coaches are encouraged to run as many plays as possible. Section 6: Practices 6.1 Teams can practice on Wednesdays. Practice times should not exceed 1 ½ hours per week. Coaches are encouraged to keep a close watch on maintaining the interest level of their players. All practices are to be held at the TFA practice field. Section 7: Weight Restrictions 7.1 There are no backfield weight restrictions in 2 nd grade flag football. Section 8: Offense 8.1 All Plays will run from a single standard formation. Team must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage (Tackle, Center, Tackle) and 4 in the back field (QB, 2 Half Backs in a split formation and one Wing Back). For 2 nd grade flag football the Wing Back will always be positioned on the right and cannot be positioned more than 3 feet outside of the right tackle. See playbook for standard offensive and defensive formations. 8.2 Offensive Line players must be split more than 2 feet apart from each other. Recommended split is having line players be able to touch each other s hands when extended. 8.3 Players on the Offensive Line must be set for at least one second prior to the center snap. 8.4 Players are to be given equal playing time in the backfield. 8.5 Alternating the quarterback after every six downs is required. QB must attempt a pass or throw the ball away on a drop back / pass play. There are no QB draws and QB cannot advance the ball by running once QB shows pass. Conversely, once a QB shows a hand off or QB run, the QB cannot advance the ball by throwing. Any QB draw, QB fake or play action will result in no gain and loss of down. 8.6 Players running the ball are not allowed to lower or butt their head, use a straight arm, use a stiff arm, hurdle another player or run directly at an opposing player. 8.7 Ball carriers may not use their hands or the football in any way against defenders reaching for their flags. 8.8 All players should start in a two point stance with hands on their knees. 8.8 Blocking Arms cannot be fully extended and no shoving or delivering a blow to other players Arms and hands must be somewhat near the body and the arms should remain in a flexed position.

3 Section 9: Defense 9.1 Defense will operate out of a standard formation. Two Tackles lined up across from the offensive lineman. Two ends (could be viewed as outside linebackers or corners) that should be lined up outside the defensive tackles and at least 2 yards off the line of scrimmage, two inside linebackers at least 3 yards from the line of scrimmage and a safety 5 7 yards of scrimmage. 9.2 Defensive players should play from a two point stance with their hands on their knees. 9.3 Removing flags from anyone other than the ball carrier is illegal and will result in a penalty. 9.4 A ball carrier s progress can only be stopped by de flagging, dropping of the ball, dropped flag, penalty or running out of bounds. 9.5 The ball will be marked at the point of the field where the flag was removed. 9.6 The defense may not intentionally impede the progress of the ball carrier by holding, tripping, tackling or hitting. If, in the opinion of the referee, the impediment prevented a score, the ball will be placed on the 3 yard line with a first down. 9.7 Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage unless it is determined the play is a pass, then only the defensive tackles are allowed to rush the passer. If it is deemed that a coach is attempting to stretch or push the limits of this rule and/or his players continue to violate the rule without correction, it will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and result in a penalty. The TFA board recognizes this area of the game is typically the most contested. The TFA board expects the coaches work together in this regard, and address it in a respectful and appropriate manner. Section 10: Playing Time 10.1 Coaches must strive to provide equal time for all players present It is a requirement of the TFA that the players shall participate in at least half of the plays in a game. In order to accomplish this goal, after six (6) consecutive plays have been completed, all the team s players on the sideline shall enter the game and replace each of the players on the field unless there are fewer than fourteen (14) players on a team. If any player remains in the game at the time of the substitution because there are fewer than fourteen (14) players on the team, then any player remaining on the field must move to another position for the next six (6) consecutive plays. This procedure of replacing players after six (6) consecutive plays shall be repeated throughout the game including the requirement that any player who remains in the game shall rotate to another position. It is the home team s responsibility to track play count. The visiting team is required to comply with the home team s count.

4 Section 11: Scoring and Timing 11.1 Each game will consist of four, 12 minute quarters running time. Clock will stop only during time outs Teams will be given 1 time out per half, one minute in length. Time outs do not carry over There will be 5 minutes at the half and 1 minute between quarters. Play will not change direction between quarters Touchdowns are 6 points. Extra point by run is 1 point. Extra point by pass is 2 points. Extra points will be from the 3 yard line. Section 12: Rules and Penalties 12.1 Should a player s flag fall off during a play in the back field, the ball is dead and spotted at the line of scrimmage If a player s flag falls off after the line of scrimmage the ball carrier is considered down at the point of the fallen flag If a player s flag falls off before a pass is caught, the player is considered down at the point of the catch If the ball hits the ground at any time in the game, including during the snap, it is a dead ball Any activity directed toward the face or the eyes by a defensive player other than normal de flagging will be considered a penalty Spotting the Ball. The ball will be spotted where: a. the flag was removed by the defense, b. where the ball carrier goes out of bounds, c. where the ball carrier goes to the ground. The ball will go back to the line of scrimmage on an incomplete pass Off sides, encroachment, illegal procedure, delay of game, flag guarding, holding (O&D), and illegal formation: 3 yards from the line of scrimmage Unsportsmanlike behavior, personal fouls, clipping, tripping, head butting, de flagging players without the ball, straight arming, head butting, hurdling, pushing the ball carrier out of bounds, defensive pass interference (unnecessary physical contact): 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and automatic first down A penalty may never score points. When you are in the last zone; use the lesser of penalty yardage or ½ the distance to the goal. ANY COACH THAT EXHIBITS BEHAVIOR THAT IS DEEMED NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES IS PROHIBITED AND SUBJECT TO ACTION FROM THE TFA BOARD.

5 Attachment A COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT I hereby pledge to live up to my obligations as a Coach in the TFA football program by pursuing the following standards for coaching ethics: I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead personal desire to win. of a I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group. I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players. I will lead by examplee in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players. I will provide a sports environmen nt for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all youth sportss events. I will be knowledgeable and adhere to the rules of the organization in which my team will participate and I will teach these rules to my players. I will use appropriate coaching techniques forr each of the skills I teach. I will treat the officials and league staff in an appropriate and respectful manner. I will treat all my players and parents with respect and appropriate behavior. I will realizee that sometimes things are not always accurate and correct and will accept decisions made on the field by the current officials representing the on field authority during game time situations. I will remember that I and not the adults. am a youth sports coach and the game is for the children Spirit of the Rules Coaches, Players, and Parents must remember the rules are defined to create the most beneficial experience for the players. Coaches must remember that the games are to be played for the players and not for the Coaches or Parents creating the Spirit of the Rules. Name: Signature: Date: