www.atlantaallstars.com 2017 Player Handbook Always be respectful of parents, coaches, teachers & all other kids. Be the best teammate possible & always show sportsmanship towards your opponents. Profanity & unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated by players, coaches, or spectators. Congratulate, dance and celebrate but never taunt! Having fun is more important than winning or losing. League Divisions DEV- Kindergarten Developmental League PAC 12-1st and 2nd Graders ACC - 3rd and 4th Graders SEC - 5th and 6th Graders Big Ten- 7th and 8th Graders Player Equipment Cleats designed for any sport are allowed. No metal spikes. The league will provide all playing equipment. All players must wear an official game jersey with 3 Velcro flags. Jerseys are provided by the league for each game. Protective mouthpieces are not required but recommended. Football Size DEV and PAC 12 plays with leather Wilson K2 footballs (peewee size). ACC and SEC plays with leather Wilson K2 footballs (peewee size). 1
Big 10 plays with leather Wilson TDJ footballs (junior size). Game Basics A coin toss by team captains will determine which team has first possession each half. Each game has two 25-minute halves with running clock. Referee can stop the game at his discretion for injuries. Each team has 1 time-out per half. There is a 5-minute halftime break. There are no kick-offs, punts, field goals, or extra points. Teams have 60 seconds to run a play from the time the ball is spotted. There is no overtime period during regular season play. Field of Play Teams play on a 45-yard field with one end zone. All new possessions begin on the 45-yard line. Teams switch sides after each possession. Cones & pylons will mark sidelines, 1 st downs, & end zones. Players and Positions Each player should play every position every game. Games are typically played 6v6 unless coaches agree to something different due to attendance or lopsided score. Every play starts when Center snaps the ball to Quarterback. Every player is eligible to catch the ball or to receive a hand-off behind the line of scrimmage. There s neither offensive blocking nor defensive rushers. One defensive player can blitz once per set of downs. Blitzer must be at least 7 yards from the line of scrimmage at the start of the play. Coach must announce blitz to Referee prior to the play. Quarterback 2
can run on any defensive blitz play regardless of the status of their run opportunity situation (QB can only run 1 time per set of downs) No Diving! No player should leave his or her feet at anytime. Scoring and First Downs Each team has 4 downs to gain 15 yards for a first down. First down markers are designated at 45, 30, and 15 yd. line. Each touchdown is 7 points and possession changes. Interception returned to 45 yd. line is 7 points. Pick 7 Interception not returned for TD is a change of possession. There are no fumbles. Ball is marked dead and offense retains possession unless 4 th down. Offensive Play Quarterback can run the ball only once per set of downs. No running plays inside the 5-yard line. No Running Zone The Quarterback has 7 seconds to pass the ball before play is ruled over for play clock violation. 7-second clock ends when ball is handed off. Center sneaks are not allowed. Shovel passes behind the line of scrimmage are allowed. Reverse plays, laterals, and multiple hand-offs are allowed. Teams can only pass from behind the line of scrimmage. Only one player can be in motion at a time. The player who takes the hand-off can also throw the ball if they remain behind the line of scrimmage. The ball carrier is marked down when a flag has been pulled. Runners can spin to avoid tackles but cannot leave their feet. A receiver must have control of the ball and get one foot in bounds when making a catch. 3
Defensive Play Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the ball leaves the Quarterback s hands. This can be via pass, run, pitch or shovel pass. One blitz per set of downs is allowed but must be announced. If the Defense uses a blitz inside the 5-yard line, Quarterback is allowed to run the ball. Traditional blocking is not permitted. Offensive player may screen the defender but may not use hands to block. No diving for flags. A player is ruled down at the point of where the runner s flag is pulled. Ball is spotted at the feet, not where the ball touches. Penalties Offsides/False Start by either team. 5-yard penalty and replay down. Illegal Forward Pass - Player throwing the ball must remain behind the line of scrimmage. Loss of down. Illegal Blitz more than one player crossing prior to a pass. 5-yard penalty and replay down or decline. Defensive Pass Interference making contact or holding prior to the pass arriving. 5-yard penalty and replay down or decline. Offensive Pass Interference Loss of down. Illegal Motion More than one offensive player moving prior to snap. Loss of down. Illegal Block Using hands to make contact with another player or leaving your feet to trip or roll another player. 5-yard penalty and loss of down or decline. Flag Guarding offensive player cannot ward off oncoming defender. Loss of down and re-spot ball at original line of scrimmage. 4
Holding grabbing or pulling of jersey prior to a pass arriving. 5- yard penalty and replay down or decline. Unsportsmanlike Conduct 15-yard penalty and player warning. Delay of Game If coaches and players take more than 60 seconds to call and run a play, the coach will receive two warnings and then loss of down for each additional penalty. 2017 FALL FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE SCHEDULE Fall Flag Football Schedule Day Date Time Field Sunday 8/13/2017 4-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 8/20/2017 4-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 8/27/2017 3-7 pm Candler Park Sunday 9/3/2017 NO GAMES NO GAMES Sunday 9/10/2017 4-7 pm Candler Park Sunday 9/17/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 9/24/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 10/1/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 10/8/2017 NO GAMES NO GAMES Sunday 10/15/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 10/22/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 10/29/2017 3-7 pm O4W Field Sunday 11/5/2017 1-5 pm O4W Field 5
Field Locations: Old Fourth Ward Fields along the Beltline (Adjacent to Fourth Ward Skate Park) 830 Willoughby Way, NE Atlanta, GA 30312 Back Up Field Candler Park Field 1500 McLendon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 * Parking is limited so please walk, bike, or carpool when possible! * Field closure decisions will be made and communicated by email on Sunday afternoons at 2:30 League Contacts: Bret Almassy (404) 403-1850 almassyboys@gmail.com Emily Baker (678) 799-2248 emilybaker720@gmail.com www.atlantaallstars.com 6