Lakewood Recreation Youth Flag Football 2017 Rule Book Pee Wee League (Grades 1 & 2) Rookie League (Grades 3 & 4)
Ground Rules: A coin toss determines first possession. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross the 20-yard marker. Once a team crosses any 20- yard line it receives a 1 st down. There are two 20-yard zones. After it crosses the last 20-yard zone the team then has three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense 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 20 minutes. Possession changes to loser of coin toss and the clock does not stop. Player/Game Schedules Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times and to start the games. Teams consist of participants on the official rosters located at the Recreation Department. Games are played with 6 players on the field at one time. Timing/Overtime Games are played to 40 minutes running time. The head referee keeps official time. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, teams move directly into overtime. The first team to score wins. A coin toss will designate who gets the ball first. 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. Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. Scoring Touchdown: o 6 points Extra point:
o 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or o 2 points (played from 8-yard line) Safety o 2 points After a touchdown has been scored, the referee will come over to the participant and pull on their flags. If the flag does not come off because of tampering, the touchdown will be called off and from the original line of scrimmage they will be assessed a 10-yard penalty and loss of down. Standings Standings will not be kept for any flag football division Snapping the Ball Pee Wee League will be allowed to snap the ball from the side Rookie League have to snap the ball from between the legs Running Handoffs must occur behind the line of scrimmage. Offense may use multiple handoffs The player who takes the handoffs can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Players are eligible to rush on the snap. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving). The ball is spotted where the ball carrier s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. Absolutely NO laterals. Pitches are permitted. Flag Guarding and Flag Tampering Anytime an offensive player lowers their arm, hand swipes or grabs a defensive players arm to avoid getting their flag pulled results in replay of down and 10-yard penalty from scrimmage.
While a player is spinning their arms must be above waist level to avoid flag guarding If at any time an official goes to pull a players flags and they do not come off because of flag wrapping, belt tying, etc. a 10-yard penalty will be assessed and loss of down. Receiving o If this continues through the course of the game, the game will be called and the offending team will forfeit. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). As in the NFL, only one player is allowed in motion at a time. A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception. Passing Shovel passes are allowed Dead Balls The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play in the 7-8 year old division. The ball may be snapped off to the side for the 5-6 year old division. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball. Play is ruled dead when: o Ball carrier s flag is pulled o Ball carrier steps out of bounds o Touchdown or safety is scored o At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed) o Ball carrier s knee hits the ground o Ball carrier s flag falls out o Ball hits the ground Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.
Rushing the Quarterback At the snap of the ball, defenders are able to rush Rushers in all divisions start 5 yards back from the line of scrimmage. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage. No one is to be lined over center. There is NO tackling allowed. Controlled blocking is acceptable just as long as the linemen keep their arms bent, don t push out or grab jerseys. Punting After a ball has been punted if the receiving team makes a clean catch they will be awarded 5-yards. If the ball is muffed by the receiving team they will begin their offensive series from the spot that ball was dropped. NO ONE from the punting side is to rush the field towards the receiving team. Sportsmanship/Roughing If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. FOUL PLAY IS NOT TOLERATED. The ejected player will then miss the next two (2) games. Trash talking is illegal and officials reserve the right to determine offensive language. If trash talking does occur, the referee will give one warning to both teams. If it ensues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. Coaches, abusive language or harassing remarks will not be tolerated towards either the referees or the participants. If you are ejected from a game, not only will there be the two (2) game suspension but an appearance before the Athletics Manager/Coordinator will be warranted to signify reinstatement. Penalties The referee will call all penalties.
Defense: Off-sides = -5 yards, automatic first down Interference = -10 yards, automatic first down Illegal Contact - holding, blocking, etc. = -10 yards, automatic first down Illegal FLAG Pull - before receiver has ball = -10 yards, automatic first down Illegal Rushing - rush quarterback too soon = 10-yards, automatic first down Trash Talking/Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yards, automatic first down Offense: Illegal Motion - more than 1 person moving, false start = -5 yards, loss of down Illegal Forward Pass - ball thrown beyond line of scrimmage = -5 yards, loss of down Offensive pass interference - illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender = -10 yards, loss of down Block in the Back = -5 yards, loss of down Flag Guarding = -10 yards from line of scrimmage, loss of down Delay of game = clock stops, -10 yards, loss of down Trash Talking/Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yards, loss of down Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage. Only the team captain 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. Attire Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections must be made. All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions. Official Lakewood Recreation jerseys must be worn during play. Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed.
Playing Field The field is a 30-yard x 60-yard field dividing into three 20-yard zones. The end zones are 10-yards in depth. Officials Games are officiated by game officials employed by the Lakewood Recreation Department.