Draft Draft is held on the day of assessments immediately after grade level assessment

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1 Rules It is our goal to provide a safe, fun, athletic and educational environment that gives our young boys and girls the opportunity to enjoy sports while learning the great game of football

2 Draft Draft is held on the day of assessments immediately after grade level assessment Kindergarten if it is a standalone grade will have no draft, teams will be selected by lottery It will be a snake draft 1-10, 10-1 We will do our best to accommodate requests by families. This will be discussed prior to draft and must be ok d by all coaches. Coach s child or children will be counted as their 5 th + round pick. Assistant coaches, if decided prior to draft will be 1st round pick. Order of drafted athletes is not to be made general knowledge. Has no significance to league play. Playing Time 1. Each team will be made of up of no more than 10 athletes. 2. Each athlete will play equal time on either side of the the ball. 5 athletes will play on one side of the ball (the offense) for a series. Then sit out the defensive series. Then they will rotate on the other side of the ball (defense) for the next series they play. This requires coaches to strategize and WIN WITH ALL athletes not just a few. You will need to have kids play multiple positions to be successful. This will require you to have multiple QB s The only way an athlete will play in both and offensive series and then defensive series is if the team has less than 10 players. This should be a different athlete every series. Playing an athlete on one side of the ball the entire half then switching them to the other side of the ball second half is not acceptable. 3. Rotating athletes to different position is recommended. This is good coaching. Teach the game to every athlete. That is why they are here and that is why we coach. Game Play 1. At the start of each game, one captain from both teams shall meet at the QB Tee for the coin toss to determine who shall start with the ball. The visiting team shall call the toss. The team can choose to defer the first possession and will receive the ball at the start of the second half. 2. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at the 40-yard line and has four (4) plays to cross midfield (20-yard line). Once a team crosses midfield (20 yard line), it has four (4) plays to score a touchdown.

3 3. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over back on the 40-yard line. 4. If the offensive team fails to cross the 20 yard line, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from the 40-yard line. 5. All possession changes, including interceptions, start on the 40-yard line. 6. At halftime ball possession changes to the team that began the game playing defense. 7. Amount of players on the field a. Kindergarten is 5 vs 5 (min of 3) b. First through Sixth Grade is 5 vs 5 (min of 4) c. Junior High is 7 vs 7 (min of 6) (not for 2018) 1. Touchdowns are worth 6 Points. Scoring 2. After an Offensive touchdown teams can choose to go for a 2 point PAT (points after touchdowns) or 1 point PAT. a. 2 point attempts will be from the five yard line (NO run zone) b. 1 point attempts will be form the 7 yard line (teams may run the ball). 3. Defense can score a touchdown on an interception if the advance the ball back to the 40 yard line without the player s flags being pulled or falling off 4. PATS will be given after a defensive touchdown Equipment 1. Players must wear shoes. Cleats are allowed, no metal are allowed to be worn. 2. Players may wear gloves, elbow pads, and kneepads. 3. Players must remove all bracelets, watches, earrings and any other jewelry. 4. Official FLAG jerseys and shorts must be worn during play. 5. Players jerseys must be tucked in at all times. 6. Every player must wear a mouth piece.

4 7. Headgear must be worn and fastened at all times in field of play 8. No Hats may be worn. Only Flag league soft shell protective headgear. Field of Play 1. The field size is 45 (Ball starts on the 40 yard mark. 5 yard buffer) yards by 26 yards with one 10-yard end zone and a midfield line-to-gain at the 20 yard line. No-Running Zones precede each line-to-gain by 5 yards (the 5 yard line and the 25 yard line). 2. No Run Zones are in place to prevent teams from conducting run plays. While in the No Run Zones (a 5 yard imaginary zone before midfield and before the end zone), teams may not run the ball in any fashion. All plays, including play action, must be pass plays. 3. Stepping on the boundary line is considered out of bounds. 4. Junior High Level is played on a full size field from the 40 yard line in to the end zone. Timing and Overtime 1. Games are played in two 25 (K= 20) minute Halves. Game clock is continuous (will not stop for any reason). 2. Halftime is 5 minutes. NOTE: A team who has a possession at the end of 1 st or 2 nd half will get 1 play at the end of the half. THEY WILL NOT FINISH DRIVE. 3. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 20 seconds to snap the ball4-7. K-3 has 30 seconds teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced. 4. If the score is tied at the end of 50 minutes, there will be an overtime period. (Kindergarten do not keep score) 5. If at the end of regulation each team has the same score an overtime period will take place. a. This is an untimed period. b. Each team will start with the ball at the 10 yard line and have four downs to score. The five yard no run zone will be enforced. c. If a team scores they will have go for two points. d. If the score remains tied after two overtime periods (each team has had two possessions). Each team will get one play to score from the 10 until we have a winner.

5 e. No game will end in a tie. Live Ball/Dead Ball 1. The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead. 2. The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage. It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone. In regards to the neutral zone, the official may give both teams a courtesy neutral zone notification to allow their players to move back beyond the line. 3. A player who gains possession in the air is considered in bounds as long as one foot comes down in the field of play. 4. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball only if athlete needs to come out due to some equipment issue, fatigue or injury. Athletes need to finish entire series on offense or defense to complete their rotations. 5. Any official can whistle the play dead. 6. Play is ruled dead when: a. The ball hits the ground. b. The ball carrier s flag is pulled. c. The ball carrier steps out of bounds. d. A touchdown or PAT is scored. e. The ball carrier s knee or arm hits the ground. f. The ball carrier s flag fall off. g. The 5 or 7 second pass clock expires. h. An inadvertent whistle is performed (at the spot where the ball was whistled dead). i. There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground. 7. In the case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense will replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.

6 Running the Ball 1. 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. 2. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball unless he shows he s going to hand the ball off. This would be considered a play that the defense can freely rush in. The quarterback may pull the ball back from the runner and he is free to run, i.e. zone read play or zone option. THE BALL MUST BE AT THE RUNNERS BELLY AT MESH POINT. IF IT DOES REACH MESH POINT (SPACE BETWEEN RUNNER AND BALL) THIS IS ILLEGAL IF QB RUNS THE BALL. (Thumps up and thumps down from ref indicates QB can run) 3. Direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Pitches and laterals are legal behind the line of scrimmage. Offense may use multiple handoffs. 4. Pitches or laterals after the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage ARE ALLOWED 5. No-Run Zones are located 5 yards from the end zone (5-goal line) and 5 yards from the midfield (25 to the 20 yard line). Teams are not allowed to run in these zones. 6. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. They must be handed the ball behind the QB (i.e. reverse) 7. Once the ball has been handed off in front or behind the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush. 8. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping or jumping is considered flag guarding. 9. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a flag pull. 10. 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 enforced. 11. No blocking or screening is allowed at any time. 12. Offensive players must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. NO running with the ball carrier. 13. 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. Passing 1. All passes must be from behind the line of scrimmage, thrown forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.

7 2. Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage. 3. The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, the down is consumed and the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the 5 / 7-second rule no longer is in effect. This important to understand that when a QB snaps the ball to deep player of the TEE, 5/7 rule is off. This also means a defensive player can rush Receiving 1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line). 2. 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. 3. A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception. 4. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense. 5. Interceptions change the possession of the ball. Defense can score touchdowns if the ball is taken back to the 40 yard line without their flags being pulled or falling off Rushing the Passer 1. All players who rush the passer must be a minimum of seven yards 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 from 4 yards. 2. All defensive players must be lined up 4 yards from the LOS, but may cross that if the ball is handed off or the QB shows a play action (fake handoff). There is no press coverage 3. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. 4. A special marker, or the referee, will designate a Rush Line seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Defensive players should verify they are in the correct position with the official on every play. a. A legal rush is: i. Any rush from a point 7 yards from the defensive line of scrimmage. ii. A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed off by the quarterback.

8 iii. If a rusher leaves the rush line early, they may return to the rush line, reset and then legally rush the quarterback. iv. If a rusher leaves the rush line early and the ball is handed off before they cross 3 yard buffer from the line of scrimmage, they may legally rush the quarterback. b. A penalty may be called if: c. Special circumstances: i. The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff or pass Illegal Rush (5 yards LOS and replay down or decline penalty). ii. Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped Off sides (5 yards LOS and replay down or decline the penalty). iii. Any defensive player, not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is passed or handed Illegal Rush (5 yards LOS and replay down or decline the penalty). i. Teams are not required to rush the quarterback, 5 or 7 second clock in effect. ii. Teams are not required to identify their rusher before the play. iii. If rusher leaves the 7-yard line before the snap, he/she may immediately drop back to act as a defender with no offside penalty enforced. 4. Players rushing the Quarterback may attempt to block a pass. However, NO contact can be made with the quarterback in any way 5. Offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has a CLEAR PATH to the QB and any interference that would impede his/her path to the QB will be considered screening. The defense may attempt to block a pass provided they do not strike the passer. 6. Blocking the pass and then striking the passer will result in a 10-yard penalty. 7. 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. 8. If the 5 or 7 second timer goes off and the QB has not gotten rid of the ball it is considered a coverage sack, loss of down and ball spotted at the original location of the tee. Flag Pulling

9 1. A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball. 2. Defenders cannot dive to pull flags, cannot tackle, hold or run through ball carrier when pulling flags. 3. It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball or pull from the ball carrier s possession at any time. 4. If a player s flag inadvertently falls off during the play will be whistled dead. The ball will be spotted at the location of the flags. 5. A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off of a player who is not in possession of the ball. 6. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender s access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping of head, hand, arm or shoulder, or intentionally covering flags with the football or jersey. 7. A FLAG pull behind the 40 will result in ball being placed on that location of pull. A flag pull behind the 45 will be considered a 2 point safety and change of possession. ( This is the safety buffer rule new in 2017) Formations 1. An offensive team must have a minimum of one player on the line of scrimmage and can have up to four players on the line of scrimmage. a. One player at a time may go in motion 1-yard beyond and parallel to the line of scrimmage. b. No motion is allowed towards the line of scrimmage. 2. 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. 3. 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. 1. The referee will call all penalties. Penalties 2. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. 3. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, except as noted (spot fouls).

10 4. Only the head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls. 5. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it. 6. Penalties are assessed Live Ball then Dead Ball. Live Ball penalties must be assessed before play is considered completed. 7. Penalties will be assessed half the distance to the goal yardage when the penalty yardage is more than half the distance to the goal. Unsportsmanlike Penalties 1. If referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. The decision is made at the referee s discretion. No appeals! FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. 2. Offensive or confrontational language is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the referee will give one warning to the player and the head coach. If it continues, the player or players and coach will be ejected from the game. The player(s) and head coach will be suspended for the following week. 3. Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent or official. 4. Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position. 5. Defenders are not allowed to run through the ball carrier when pulling flags. 6. Fans must also adhere to good sportsmanship: a. Yell to cheer on your players, not to harass officials or other teams. b. Keep comments clean and profanity free. c. Compliment ALL players, not just one child or team. 7. Fans are required to keep fields safe and kids friendly: a. Keep younger kids and equipment such as coolers, chairs and tents away from the sidelines. 10 Yard Penalties Ø Defense Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) Ø Screening, Blocking or Running with the ball carrier Ø Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/ away defender) Ø Roughing the passer Ø Taunting

11 Ø Unsportsmanlike conduct. Ø After scoring and touchdown is good, offense receives a 10 yard penalty from the yard line of PAT attempt after touchdown(one warning to the player and team before ejection) Ø Pass Interference 5 Yard Penalties Ø Illegal Equipment Ø Offside Ø Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) Ø Delay of game Ø Illegal forward pass (pass received behind line of scrimmage or throwing a pass beyond the line of scrimmage) Ø Defense Illegal flag pull (before receiver has ball) Ø Defense Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) Spot Fouls Ø Flag Guarding Ø Charging Ø Stripping Ø Offensive Unnecessary Roughness Ø Screening, Blocking Ø Defensive Unnecessary Roughness Ten Yards from spot of foul and Loss of Down Ten Yards from spot of foul and Loss of down Spot of Foul and First Down Ten Yard loss from LOS and Loss of down Ten Yard loss from LOS and Loss of down Ten yards from LOS and first down Defense Ø Offside Ø Illegal contact Ø Illegal flag pull Ø Illegal rushing Ø Roughing the passer. Ø Taunting Ø Unnecessary Roughness Ø Stripping Ø Defensive Pass Interference Five yards from the LOS and replay down Ten yards from the LOS and first down Five yards from the LOS and first down Five yards from the LOS and Replay down Ten yards from the LOS and first down Ten yards from the LOS and first down Spot foul, ten yards and first down Spot foul, ten yards and first down Ten yards from LOS and first down

12 Offense Ø Illegal motion Ø Illegal forward pass Ø Offensive pass interference Ø Flag guarding. Ø Screening, Blocking Ø Charging Ø Delay of game Ø Offensive Unnecessary Roughness Ø Offside Five yards from the LOS and replay down Five yards from the LOS and replay down Five yards from the LOS and loss of down Spot foul, Ten yards and loss of down Spot foul, Ten yards and loss of down Spot foul, Ten yards and loss of down Five yards from the LOS and loss of down ten yards from LOS and loss of down Five yards from the LOS and replay down Vocabulary v Boundary lines the outer perimeter lines around the field. They include the sidelines, and the rear end zone lines. v Line Of Scrimmage (LOS) an imaginary line running through the point of the football and across the width of the field. v Line-To-Gain the line the offense must pass to get a first down or score (the 20 yard line or goal line). v Rush Line an imaginary line running across the width of the field 7 yards (into the defensive side) from the Line of Scrimmage. v Offense the steam with possession of the ball. v Defense the squad opposing the offense to prevent them from advancing the ball. v Passer the offensive player that throws the ball and may or may not be the QB. v Rusher the defensive player assigned to rush the Quarterback to prevent him/her from passing by pulling his/her flags or blocking the pass. v Downs ( ) the offensive squad has four attempts or Downs to advance the ball. They must cross the Line to Gain to get another set of four downs to score. v 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. v Dead Ball the period of time immediately before or after a play. v Inadvertent whistle an official s whistle that is performed in error.

13 v 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. v Flag Guarding 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. v 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. v Lateral a backwards or sideways toss of the ball by the ball carrier. v Unsportsmanlike Conduct rude, confrontational or offensive behavior or language.