Advantage Flag Football League 7on7 MISSION STATEMENT

Transcription

1 Advantage Flag Football League 7on7 MISSION STATEMENT To provide the most well organized, entertaining & educational sports programs that best prepares our youth for their futures playing football. Advantage Flag Football 7on 7 is the next step in player development. For the 7 th - 8 th division, we are expanding to a full width football field and adding an extra defender to help cover it. Combining High School passing league rules with some basics of our current format, an exciting new creation has emerged that emphasizes passing, helps teach advanced concepts and better prepares our athletes for their Football futures. Changes include No rushing, Very limited run plays, 4 second QB clock, full-width field. It is the perfect transition for our Junior High players on both sides of the ball. Rules and Regulations THE BASICS A coin toss determines first possession. All possessions start on the 40 yard line placed in the middle of the field - 1 st down and 20 yards to gain (unless INT ended previous possession) 3 plays to cross the 20 yard line, then 4 plays to score. - 3 plays to cross the 20 yard line for a 1st down. Failing to do so will result in a turnover on downs. Crossing it will give you an additional 4 plays to score a touchdown Interceptions cannot be returned (Defense gets 2 points and possession on 30 yd line) There are No Kickoffs There are No flags. One hand touch anywhere below the neck ball carrier is down 1 Run play is allowed in each series of downs. Shovel passes are allowed ONLY when the receiver begins the route outside of the Tackle Box (The area approx 4 yards on either side of the timing Tee and QB) No rushing the QB. Timer tee is set for FOUR seconds. Ball must be released before 4.1 seconds(audible tone) No Blocking/Impeding - Player can not intentionally cutoff, reroute or impede the progress of a defender and his clear path to the ball carrier. - Contact is not necessary for a foul - Player can trail runner but not lead/impede Fumbles are dead - The ball is spotted where it hits the ground. ** Exception: Forward fumble Brought back to where the ball is lost. QBs can pick up a bad snap but still must release the ball within the allotted time. R 1

2 PLAYERS/GAMES Teams consist of 10 to 14 players - 7 on the field on Defense. 6 for Offense. - Teams must field a minimum of 6 players at all times Player participation There is no must play. Players may play Offense only, Defense only or both sides. Players may play the entire game at the coaches discretion. Regular High School Football substitution rules apply. In between plays any player(s) may be substituted on Offense or Defense. ATTIRE Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions!! Official Advantage Flag League jerseys and shorts must be worn Baseball style ball caps (hats with bills) are not allowed Game breaker protective headgear recommended to be worn. (Gray w/logo) If a player has a cast, a doctor s note and pre-approved safe padding is mandatory in order to be considered for a Safe inspection - Safe will be determined on game night by AFL Staff If AFL game shorts are unavailable, players must have all black shorts. No pockets - No logos - No stripes. This will be allowed for 1 game only. COACHES ON THE FIELD During a dead ball, defensive coaches are allowed on the field but must be completely off before the next play is started Two Offensive coaches can huddle and remain on the field but must be 5 yards behind the deepest offensive player before the ball is snapped A coach may be used to snap a shotgun snap on 1 knee but must remain down for the entire play (a substitute player may also do this but someone must be responsible for starting the Timer Tee) Offensive Coaches must be completely out of the way and make sure they don t interfere with the play R 2

3 TIMING REGULATIONS Official game time is kept by an on field official. A Timer Tee will be set for 4 seconds that begins as the ball is removed from the Tee. A shotgun snap is allowed but a substitute player must lift a ball off the tee at the snap to utilize the timer. Games are played with TWO 25 minute running halves with a 2 minute halftime. THE CLOCK DOES NOT STOP UNLESS A TIMEOUT IS CALLED (Example: Injury) 30 second play clock From whistle to snap - After the QB Tee and ball are spotted, Official will blow the play clock whistle - When the whistle sounds, the ball is ready for play - See Delay of Game 1 timeout per half and no carry over s During the second half, if the team with possession is down by 8 points or less as time expires, they will be allowed to finish their drive. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, they will play overtime OVERTIME Coin flip determines first possession Each team will have 4 plays to score from the 20 yard line. No Timeouts Each team gets 1 series to score a TD and then their choice of PAT - If the ball is intercepted during their series, they lose possession If the score is tied after both teams have 1 series the game is a tie ** Exception: Playoff games will repeat OT until winner is determined Interceptions end the possession and give the defense 2 points - A series is 4 plays in overtime SCORING Touchdown - 6 Points Interceptions 2 Points for Defense Interceptions on PAT Defense awarded same amount as Try attempted (1 or 2) P A T 1 point - 5 yard line (1 point for Defense if INT) 2 points - 10 yard line (2 points for Defense if INT) INTERCEPTIONS Interceptions cannot be returned. Interceptions awarded 2 points & start possession of the ball on the 30 yd. (except PAT) PAT Interception only awarded amount PAT try was attempting (1 or 2 pts)- no 30yd. line R 3

4 RUNNING The QB cannot direct run with the ball or receive a pitch/handoff to run. A player can carry the ball across the LOS, but it must after catching a pass from QB. - 1 handoff/ running play is allowed per series of downs (NOT on Extra Point) The ball is spotted where the ball was once the runner is touched RECEIVING All 5 players (4 WR, 1 RB) are eligible but must be lined up in a legal formation at the snap 2 players on the line of scrimmage on opposite sides of the ball. 2 players off the line 1 player (RB) must start inside the tackle box and release on his route outside of that box (4 yards wide either side of the Tee) when crossing the LOS. Only one player is allowed in lateral motion at the snap A player must have 1 (one) foot inbounds when making a reception DEFENSE 7 defenders allowed on the field Line backers are encouraged to start within 5 yards of Line of Scrimmage There is no rushing the QB. PASSING QB or ANY passer has 4 seconds from timer start to release to forward or lateral pass the football. A sack will occur if the ball is not released before timer goes off (Referee will call sack ) Shovel passes cannot be made within the Tackle Box (4 yards either side of Tee) An intercepted ball thrown after the 4 second clock has expired will still be considered an interception It is the offense s responsibility to retrieve the ball after every play and return it to an official The QB is responsible to move the timer tee downfield Leather AFL football, YOUTH (size 7) Intermediate or team provided, AFL approved size ball shall be used. Offense may provide their own, AFL approved ball. Ball will be placed in the middle of the field for the first possession Hash marks will be used as team move down the field Teams can request ball placement in middle, one hash mark or another for PATs only R 4

5 DEAD BALLS Play is ruled "dead" if: A player is blocking The runner is touched The runner steps out of bounds Touchdown is scored Any part of the runners body except for his palm and/or the bottom of his foot hit the ground Ball hits the ground QB sack (4 second clock expires with ball still in QB s hand) Pass is intercepted (Defense awarded 2 points, start series on 30 yard line) PAT=pts only COACHES RESPONSIBILITY Jerseys must be tucked inside the shorts before the snap DEFINITIONS QB Player that takes snap from center LOS Line of Scrimmage Forward pass Defined as one that travels from QB to WR or RB past the LOS Screen Pass A pass that is caught behind the LOS Runner The Player in possession of the ball Tackle Box The imaginary distance around the ball from Tackle to Tackle. Approximately 4 yards on either side of QB Tee and QB at snap. Live Ball Snap to whistle Dead ball Whistle to snap DPI Defensive pass interference OPI Offensive pass interference Fouls on scoring plays Carry Them over to PAT; or Loss of Down on Next possession R 5

6 FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED SPORTSMANSHIP Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that is offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee may give one warning and if it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. Warnings are not required. The team may be penalized for USLC. Foul language is unacceptable One hand Touch is contact from the neck down. Wrap up or touch, no shoving. This will be monitored and the officials will control the game - If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game PENALTIES - SUMMARY Referees determine whether contact is legal or illegal Incidental contact - Contact that is not a foul - It s the sole discretion of the referee if the contact is incidental Only the team captain and head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations Players cannot question judgment calls. Games cannot end on an accepted defensive penalty PENALTIES DEFENSE: All defensive penalties carry an automatic 1 st down Or Loss of down on next offensive possession Offsides:5 yards - Previous spot - Defender in the neutral zone before the snap Illegal Contact: 10 yards - Previous spot - Bump n run/illegal chuck from LOS; Stripping the ball Holding: 10 yards: End of the run Pass Interference:10 yards - Previous spot - Ball does not have to be catchable Coach Interference: 10 yards Previous Spot -Basically, too many men on the field at the snap. R 6

7 Last Man Rule: Award a score - If in the Referees sole discretion, a player is on a direct path to the end zone, with only one opponent between him and the goal line and he is fouled which prevents him from scoring, that team will be awarded a score.(tackling, holding, tripping, pushing etc.) 6, 2 or 1 points will be awarded. Depending on what the team was attempting to score when the foul occurred ** Note: If a foul occurs after the interception by someone other than the last man, the foul will carry over to start the new series (Pushing Holding Tackling Tripping) Incidental Contact: Contact that is not a foul - 2 types of contact: Legal and Illegal Example: The DB is attempting to knock down a pass and he slaps the WR arm just after the WR touches the ball, which in turn causes an incomplete pass That contact to his arm is legal since he was playing the ball and the ball beat the slap to his arm OFFENSE: All offensive penalties occurring on the 40 yard line result a loss of down and NO loss of yardage Illegal Motion:5 yards - Previous spot - More than one player in motion at the snap False start:5 yards - Previous spot - Offensive player jumps before the ball is snapped Delay of Game:5 yards Previous spot - 30 second play clock - Officials will be instructed to verbally call out the play clock periodically Illegal Forward Pass:5 yards - Previous spot, Loss of Down - Pass thrown with QB beyond the LOS 4 Second sack: Loss of down Same spot - If QB does not release the ball before the 4 second timer goes off Run: 5 yards - Previous spot -There are No Direct run or Running plays allowed. No Handoffs, passing only. Blocking/Impeding:10 yards Spot foul - Player can not intentionally cutoff, reroute or impede the progress of a defender and the clear path to the ball carrier - Contact is not necessary for a foul R 7

8 Pass Interference 10 yards Previous Spot - No Illegal pick plays - No pushing off the defender Coach Interference 5 yard Previous Spot Charging: 10 yards Spot foul - Running through or into players. It is the runner s responsibility to avoid contact with the defender. Pick a side. Go around USLC Unsportsmanlike Conduct - 10 yards - Non-contact excessive unsportsmanlike act Examples: Trash talking Excessive celebration Personal Foul 10 yards - 2 Personal fouls in 1 game and that player will be ejected form game + 1 (next) Game Week Examples: Late hit Tackling An extra hard push R 8