2011 SWAFA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

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1 2011 SWAFA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES Game At the start of each game, captains from both teams shall meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team shall call the toss. The winner of the coin toss starts the game on offense. The loser of the coin toss chooses the end zone it would prefer to defend. Teams may not choose to defer their choice to the second half. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. If the offensive team fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense s 5-yard line. Teams change sides after the first half. Possession changes to the loser of the coin toss. Terminology Boundary lines the outer perimeter lines around the field. They include the sidelines, and the rear end zone lines. Line Of Scrimmage (LOS) an imaginary line running through the point of the football and across the width of the field. Line-To-Gain the line the offense must pass to get a first down or score. Rush Line an imaginary line running across the width of the field 7 yards (into the defensive side) from the Line of Scrimmage. Offense the squad with possession of the ball. Defense the squad opposing the offense to prevent them from advancing the ball. Passer the offensive player that throws the ball and may or may not be the QB. Rusher the defensive player assigned to rush the Quarterback to prevent him/her from passing by pulling his/her flags or blocking the pass. Downs (1st-2nd-3rd-4th) the offensive squad has four attempts or Downs to advance the ball. They must cross the Line to Gain to get another set of downs or to score. 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. Dead Ball the period of time immediately before or after a play. Whistle the sound made by a coach/referee using a whistle that signifies the end of the play or a stop 1 of 9

2 in the action for timeout, half time or the end of the game. Inadvertent whistle a coach/referee s whistle that is performed in error. 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, chest or forearm. Flag Guarding an act by the ball carrier to prevent a defender from pulling the ball carrier s flags by stiff-arm, lowering elbow or head or by blocking access to the runner s flags with a hand or arm. Shovel Pass a legal pass attempted behind the line of scrimmage by throwing the ball underhand or pushing it towards a receiver in a shot put type manner. Lateral (Pitch/Toss) a backwards or sideways toss of the ball by the ball carrier. Unsportsmanlike Conduct rude, confrontational or offensive behavior or language. Equipment All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions. Facemask tethers should be removed. Players of opposing teams must wear contrasting colored jerseys with a number on the back of the jersey. SWAFA teams are issued the following colored jerseys: Red / Black / White / Gray / Purple / Dark Green / Blue / Maroon Non-SWAFA teams participating in the SWAFA Flag program are responsible for any changes required due to identical jersey colors. No jersey or pants/shorts may cover any portion of a player s flags. Players jerseys must be tucked into the pants if they hang below the belt line. Each player on the field must wear a belt with two flags attached by Velcro. One flag will be on each side. The flag shall be 2 inches wide and a minimum of 12 inches long. The flags must be a different color than the players pants/shorts. Shoes will be soccer style, non-detachable rubber cleats. Sneakers may also be worn. Illegal Equipment: The use of headgear of any nature, body pads, shoulder pads, shoes with removable cleats or shoes with metal spikes are prohibited. Inspections must be made. Football: The official game ball will be the Wilson K2. (Note: By mutual agreement of the coaches any standard colored, Pee Wee sized football may be substituted for the Wilson K2.) During the game, each team may use its own ball as long as it is a Pee Wee sized ball and the coaches are in agreement. 2 of 9

3 Field The field size is 30 yards by 70 yards with two 10-yard End Zones and a midfield line-to-gain (First Down line). No-Running Zones precede each line-to-gain by 5 yards. No-Run Zones are located 5 yards before each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield. They are designed to prevent short-yardage, power-running situations. Teams are not allowed to run in these zones IF the LOS is within the No-Run Zone AND the subsequent line (midfield or end zone) is LIVE. (Reminder: Each offensive team approaches only TWO No Run Zones in each possession one 5 yards from the midfield to gain the first down, one 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD. All plays originating inside a No-Run Zone, including those that begin with a handoff or lateral, must be pass plays. Each offensive squad approaches only TWO No Run Zones in each drive (one zone 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down, one zone 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD). Stepping on the boundary line is considered out of bounds. 70 Yards END ZONE NO RUNNING ZONE NO RUNNING ZONE 30 Yards NO RUNNING ZONE END ZONE st DOWN 3 of 9

4 Coaches Coaches are allowed on the field but should be aware of the 30-second play rule (enforcing this rule keeps the game moving). Coaches also act as referees. Defensive team coach should indicate the seven (7) yard pass rushing line. Offensive team coach should mark the line of scrimmage (in case of incompletion) or a parent/helper may stand on sideline marking the line of scrimmage and keep track of downs. You may also enlist the aide of parent/helpers as referees but make sure they know the rules. Players Teams should field a minimum of six (6) players at all times. If the coaches agree, 5-8 per side may be used. Team rosters should consist of a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 12 players. Timing/Overtime Games are played on a 40-minute continuous clock. The clock stops only for timeouts. Halftime is one minute long. 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. Try to keep this enforced so the game keeps moving. Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time out per half. A coach/referee can stop the clock at their discretion. In the event of an injury the clock will stop and then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, the game should be determined a tie. Scoring Touchdown: 6 points PAT (Point After Touchdown) o 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or Note: 1 point PAT is pass only Note: 2 point PAT can be run or pass A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1-pt. conversion (from the 5-yard line) or a 2-pt. conversion (from the 12-yard line). Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point, requires a charged time out. Decision cannot be changed after a penalty. Interceptions on conversions cannot be returned. o 2 points (played from 12-yard line) Safety: 2 points o A Safety occurs when the ball carrier is declared down in his/her own end zone. They can be called down when their flags are pulled by a defensive player, their flag falls out, they step out of bounds or they hit the ground with their knee or arm. A Safety also occurs when there is an offensive penalty in the end zone. Live Ball/Dead Ball The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the coach/referee whistles the ball dead. The coach/referee will indicate the neutral zone and LOS. It is a dead ball foul (Offsides) if any player on offense or defense enters the neutral zone. In regards to the neutral zone the coach/referee may give both teams a courtesy neutral zone notification to allow players to move back beyond the line and out of the neutral zone. 4 of 9

5 A player who gains possession in the air is considered in bounds as long as one foot comes down in the field of play. The defense may not mimic the offensive team s signals while the quarterback is calling out signals to start the play. Substitutions may be made on any bead ball. Any coach/referee can whistle the play dead. A play is ruled dead when: o The ball hits the ground o The ball carrier s flag is pulled o The ball carrier steps out of bounds o A touchdown, PAT or Safety is scored o The ball carrier s knee or arm contacts the ground o The ball carrier s flag falls out o The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one or no flags o An inadvertent whistle is performed (at the spot where the ball was whistled dead). In the case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense has two options: o Take the ball where the whistle blew o Replay the down from the original LOS. On a fumble the ball is dead and spotted where the ball hits the ground. Exception: The quarterback may pick up a dropped snap but must have control of the ball before any rusher crosses the line of scrimmage. Running The ball is spotted where the runner s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball carrier has the ball. If one foot precedes the other, the forward foot marks the spot. The quarterback CANNOT run with the ball past the LOS. Laterals and pitches are permitted, but ONLY behind the line of scrimmage. Enforce the fumble rule on a dropped lateral. Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are permitted past the line of scrimmage. The player who takes the handoff or lateral CAN throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Multiple direct handoffs are permitted. Once the quarterback has lateraled or handed off the ball, all defensive players are eligible to rush. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping or jumping is considered Flag Guarding. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a flag pull. Runners may leave their feet if there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid collision with another player without a flag-guarding penalty being enforced. No-Run Zones, are located 5 yards before each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield. They are designed to prevent short-yardage, power-running situations. Teams are not allowed to run in these zones IF the LOS is within the No-Run Zone and the subsequent line (midfield or end zone) is LIVE. (Reminder: Each offensive team approaches only TWO No Run Zones in each possession one 5 yards from the midfield to gain the first down, one 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD. All plays originating inside a No-Run Zone, including those that begin with a handoff or lateral, must be pass plays. Flag Obstruction All jerseys must be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on the player s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding. 5 of 9

6 Blocking NO Intentional Contact Blocking is allowed. Blocking is accomplished by screening out the defensive player. o Example: An offensive player sets himself or herself in position to alter the course of a defensive player away from the ball carrier without pushing, shoving or contact. The defensive player may not run through the screen or use their hands to push off of the offensive player. Passing All passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, thrown forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage. Only one forward pass per play is allowed. Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage. Receiving All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line). A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense. Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the 5-yard line. Interceptions are returnable, but not on conversions after touchdowns. Rushing the Passer All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven (7) yards (seven large adult steps) from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the seven yard rule is no longer is in effect, and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. A special marker (beanbag), or a coach/referee, will designate seven (7) yards from the line of scrimmage. Players rushing the passer may attempt to block a pass. However, NO contact can be made with the passer in any way. Blocking the pass and then striking the passer is considered Roughing the Passer and will result in a 10- yard penalty. A Sack occurs if the QB s flags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball is placed where the QB s feet are when the flag is pulled. A Safety is awarded if the sack takes place in the offensive team s end zone. Flag Pulling A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball. Defenders can dive to pull flags, but cannot tackle, hold or run through ball carrier when pulling flags. It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier s possession at any time. If a player s flag inadvertently falls off during the play, the player is down immediately upon possession of the ball and the play should be whistled dead. A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off of a player who is not in possession of the 6 of 9

7 ball. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender s access to the flags by stiffarming, dropping of head, hand, arm or shoulder, or intentionally covering flags with the football or jersey. Formations An offensive team must have a minimum of one player on the line of scrimmage (the Center) and may have a maximum of four players on the line of scrimmage. The quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage and no motion is permitted towards the line of scrimmage. Offensive players must come to a complete stop for one second before the ball is snapped unless he/she is the one player in motion. Movement by a player who is set or a player who runs toward the line of scrimmage while in motion is considered a false start. The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion to a player in the backfield, and the ball must completely leave his/her hands. The ball can be snapped between the legs, or off to one side. Unsportsmanlike Conduct FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED If the coach/referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player may be warned (1 st offense) or ejected from the game at the discretion of the coach/referee in addition to assessment of the applicable penalty. Offensive or confrontational language (Trash Talking) is illegal. Coach/referee s have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the coach/referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent or coach/referee. Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position. Defenders are not allowed to run through the ball carrier when pulling flags. Penalties Penalties will be called by the coach/referees. Coach/referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, except as noted (spot fouls). All defensive penalties result in an automatic first down. All offensive penalties result in a loss of down. Only the team captain or head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it. Penalties are assessed Live Ball then Dead Ball. Live Ball penalties must be assessed before play is considered completed. Penalties will be assessed half the distance to the goal yardage when the penalty yardage is more than half the distance to the goal. 7 of 9

8 The object of this league is for the kids to have FUN while learning about football. It is not about winning or losing and especially not about beating your opponents up. DO NOT run up the score if you can avoid it. Have all players rotate through all positions. Remember to have the sides shake hands at the end of the game. Encourage and exemplify good sportsmanship. Encourage compliments to opposing players for their good efforts. It is a good idea to name a volunteer team coordinator to set up a treat list, handle the banquet preparations and other details that can be done by someone other than you. We call this a team manager or sometimes team Mom. REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN YOURSELF AND THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING! 8 of 9

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