Flag Football Rules Grades 5-6 PRE GAME Teams will have captains meet at midfield for a coin flip o Winner will decide whether they want the ball or defense for the first half o Other team will chose which direction they want to go when they have the ball during the first half of play Game will begin immediately after the coin flip EQUIPMENT Teams must use the flags provided by the YMCA Balls must be no smaller than a JR size football Flags must be worn on the side of the players hips League will provide a jersey that must be worn at each game Each player must wear a mouth piece in order to participate No pads will be worn No jewelry will be worn DEFENSIVE PENALTIES Offsides 5 yards from the original line of scrimmage Pass Interference Ball placed at the spot of the foul. Ball will be placed on the 1 yard line if interference is in the end zone. Holding / Illegal Contact 10 yards from the line of scrimmage Holding 10 yards from the spot of the foul Cannot touch the QB 10 yards from the end of the play, automatic First Down Defensive player may guide an offensive player out of bounds. A penalty will be enforced if a referee determines an unnecessary push out of bounds Offensive player is stripped of the ball, penalty of 10 yards at the end of the play, automatic first down
OFFENSIVE PENALTIES Pushing players to the ground 5 yards False start 5 yards Holding 5 yards Offensive player running over a defensive player 10 yards TEAMS All players must be registered with the league to participate All players must have a signed Emergency Form to participate Teams with unregistered players will forfeit their game, potentially the next game, and coach will be suspended for one game REGULATION PLAY Game will consist of 4 10 minute quarters Teams will change ends to begin the second half Halftime will be 3 minutes Offensive team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it have been spotted No overtime will be played Teams will begin with the ball on the 25 yard line. All first downs will be when the offensive team moves the ball 10 yards A defensive team will take possession of the ball where they are tackled after an interception Teams will have 2 time outs per half Game clock will stop for injuries and time outs only COACHES Coaches are volunteers whose role it is to help young athletes learn and enjoy the game of football. Parents are encouraged to support in a positive manner at all times Coaches are allowed on the field for every game Include all players within the offense Must play all players at all positions throughout the season
CONDUCT Players are expected to participate and behave in a civil manner. Any behaviors that do not abide by the YMCA Core Values of Honesty, Caring, Respect or Responsibility will result in a warning. If it continues, the player will be asked not to play for the reminder of the game, as well as a meeting with the players family to discuss if the player should be welcome back into the league Taunting, profanity, disruptive behavior or offensive language by players, coaches or fans will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the player, coach or fan will be removed from the playing area DEAD BALL Substitutions may be made on any dead ball Play is ruled dead when: o The ball touches the ground o Ball carrier s flag is pulled o Ball carrier steps out of bounds o Ball carriers knee touches the ground o Incomplete pass o Ball carriers flags fall off (spotted where the flag is on the ground) o Player who starts a play without flags is down where they touch the ball o Stiff arm o Flag guard Defensive player intercepts the ball with one or no flags A team with a lead of more than 3 touchdowns may not advance an interception Tackle is made where the flag is grabbed When the ball makes contact with the ground o Fumble o Bad snap OFFENSIVE LINE The ball must be snapped between the centers legs to start a play The ball can be snapped to any offensive player The ball must be snapped where the referee spots the ball Must have at least a center and 2 guards Must use hands to shoulders to block Must start in a 3 point stance Blocking without using your hands will result in player suspension or termination of the league
RUNNING Any player receiving a hand off behind the line of scrimmage is eligible to run the ball Once the ball has been handed off, any defensive player can cross the line of scrimmage o Blocking without using your hands will result in player suspension or termination of the league Teams are allowed 1 rush per every first down PASSING Forward passes must be forward o Lateral passes are not permitted o Passes cannot be thrown backwards Intentional grounding is permitted RECEIVING All players are eligible to receive a pass Only one player is allowed in motion at a time If 2 players catch the ball, and a tackle is made, the offensive team will remain on offense RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK Only the 3 defensive linemen may rush the quarterback when the ball is snapped Rushers may not make contact with the quarterback If the ball is handed off or pitched, any defender may cross the line of scrimmage Defensive linemen must line up foot to foot with the offensive linemen Must start in a 3 or 4 point stance Only the 3 defensive linemen can cross the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped o Blitzing One defensive back may blitz on any play Blitzer can be in the linebacker area, or as a defensive back 5 yards off the line of scrimmage One D-Lineman has to drop into coverage (only 3 defenders can cross the line of scrimmage) Blitzer can only blitz outside the line of scrimmage, not between the tackles Not all defensive linemen have to cross the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped
PUNTING On 4 th down, teams have the option to go for a first down, or take a 35 yards for a punt o The ball cannot be placed inside the 10 yard line on a punt Teams can take 35 yards instead of punting one time per game During a punt o Ball must be snapped between the centers legs o Players cannot move until the ball is punted o Offensive and Defensive team can place players anywhere on their side of the ball OTHER RULES All penalties will be assessed at the end of the play Spin moves are allowed Players may not leave their feet to avoid a defensive player Diving or leaping to advance the ball will result in a personal foul Referees will determine incidental contact that results from normal play Players may not question calls made by the referees Games will not end on a defensive penalty Inadvertent Whistle o Take the ball at the spot where the whistle blew o Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage A player can have no more than 2 touchdowns per game. A player cannot run the ball the remainder of the game. If a player does run after 2 touchdowns, the player cannot play offense for the reminder of the game, as well as the next game