Turner Recreation Commission Youth Flag Football League All rules and interpretations will be covered under the National Federation High School & Kansas High School Rules with the following emphasis and exceptions listed below. The Turner Recreation Commission sets the rules and reserves the right to interpret the rules in the best interest of the Turner Recreation Commission s Youth Flag Football League. Purpose of the TRC youth flag football league: To provide an opportunity for youth of any skill level, who wish to play flag football under proper supervision. The program stresses sportsmanship and character development. Football skills are to be developed while maintaining an appreciation for clean, friendly competition and a true spirit of cooperation between sponsors, managers, players, parents/spectators, and league officials. Our league is intended to provide a family-oriented environment for the enjoyment of children. All coaches, players, and spectators are expected to show good sportsmanship at all times. The League, at its sole discretion, reserves the right to eject, suspend, or dismiss anyone for any inappropriate behavior. STRESS SPORTSMANSHIP ABOVE ALL!!! TRC has developed the sportsmanship card. It is designed to be a preventative tool, not a punitive device. It is a warning to an individual coach, athlete, fan, group of fans or any team follower for unsportsmanlike behavior. It is possible that the first instance of an unacceptable unsportsmanlike act could be the catalyst for game termination without issuing a sportsmanship card. The sportsmanship card serves as an effective deterrent to abusive behaviors, and creates a set of constraints that should: eradicate unsportsmanlike behavior, strengthen sportsmanship, contribute to the retention of officials/umpires/coaches and honor the game. THE TRC CODE OF CONDUCT IS FOLLOWED BY ALL TEAMS! 1. Age Divisions: 2 nd /3 rd ; 4 th /5 th & 6 th /7 th 2. Game Schedules: Game schedules will be available no later than 1 week prior to start of the season. 3. The Game: Games will be played at the Riverview Complex located at 200 S. 74 th St. KCK 66111 unless otherwise informed. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at their 5-yard line and has 4 plays to cross mid-field. If successful, they will have 4 plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails either try; the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes the ball on their own 5-yard line with the same guidelines. All possession changes start on the offenses 5-yard line except interceptions. (There are no chains and there are no special teams in Flag) 4. Length of Game: Games will consist of two (2) twenty (20) minute halves. The clock will run continuously except for time-outs and injuries. Teams are granted 2 time-outs per half; timeouts will be 30 seconds in length. Half time will be 3-5 minutes. 5. The Field: For 2 nd -7 th, the field will be approximately 30 yards wide and 40 yards long.
6. Players: Teams will consist of 5 players on the field, at any one time. Teams may carry a maximum of 10 players on a roster. Teams must field a minimum of 5 players at all times and cannot field more than 5 players at one time. Substitutions may be made between plays. Each player must play 15 minutes each half or be in a certain rotation. 7. Play Clock: Offensive teams must run a play within 45 seconds after the completion of the prior play except on change of possessions where 1 minute is allowed. QBs have 10 seconds to pass the ball. 8. Scoring: A touchdown is worth 6 points. A safety is worth 2 points. Extra points are worth 2 points. During extra points, the offensive team will receive the ball on the 5-yard line. 9. Offensive Line: The offense must have 3 on the line of scrimmage to start a play. The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to any side, to start a play. Blocks must be made with arms straight out; below the neck and above the waist. 10. Running Plays: The quarterback CANNOT run the ball. Center Sneaks are not allowed. Hand-offs, pitches, reverses, laterals and passes are allowed. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Offensive or defensive players cannot dive, and players cannot leave their feet to avoid an opposing player, the play will be blown dead and the ball is marked at the spot of the infraction. The player who receives the snap (the quarterback) may not run the ball beyond the line of scrimmage until it has been given to another player. After the ball has been handed off to another player, then this restriction no longer applies; the quarterback becomes eligible to run, pass, or receive the ball. The offensive team may run the ball after performing a valid hand-off. It is the ball carrier s responsibility to avoid colliding with defenders that lie in his/her path. Unintentional contact shall not be penalized, provided the ball carrier makes an effort to avoid it. Failure to attempt to avoid contact with a defender (charging) may be penalized, even if it does not result in a collision. Intentional contact will not be tolerated, and may also result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and/or player ejection. Special Cases: Running Eligibility After Multiple Handoffs In order for a handoff to be considered legal, the player with original possession of the ball (Player A) must completely relinquish control of the ball to another player (Player B). By completely relinquishing control of the ball, it is meant that Player A would not have any contact with the ball whatsoever after handing the ball to Player B. Therefore, in order for Player A to gain the ability to run the football, he or she would have to hand the ball to Player B, clearly ceasing all contact with the ball, and then Player B could hand the ball back to Player A, giving Player A the ability to run. 11. Ball Position The location of the runner s feet (not the ball) at the end of the play determines where the ball is to be spotted. 12. Passing: Passes may be received behind or beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback has a ten second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within ten seconds, play is dead, and there will be a loss of down. Interceptions change the possession of the ball where they are downed. Shovel passes are allowed. 13. Receiving: All players are eligible to receive a pass. Possession and one-foot inbounds constitutes a catch.
14. Defensive Line: Defense must have 4 on the line of scrimmage to start a play. 15. Defensive Rushing: Defense may only cross the line of scrimmage and rush the QB when the ball is handed-off, thrown, or after a fake handoff is ruled by an official as an offensive player touch behind the line of scrimmage. 16. Dead Balls: The play is ruled dead when the ball carriers: flag is pulled while in possession of the ball; flags fall off; steps out of bounds, knee(s) hit the ground, fumbles the ball, scores a touchdown or extra points, or when the center/quarterback transfer is fumbled. Fumbles are immediately ruled dead with same possession where the ball hit the ground. 17. Equipment: Soccer or football type cleats are recommended. No metal tip spikes. The Recreation Commission will provide jerseys, flags, and footballs. All players on the field for each team must wear an approved and provided pair of flags (2) during the game at all times. Jerseys must be tucked in at all times during the game. Undershirts, sweatshirts and any other article of clothing that could impede the defender s access to the flags must also be tucked in. 18. Prohibited Equipment Shorts or pants with pockets, belt loops, belts, or exposed draw strings Padding of any kind, including hard surface padding such as shoulder pads, hip pads, or helmets Hard casts, even if covered by soft material Sticky substances such as grease or glue on a player s clothing or person Jewelry of any kind, except for medical alert bracelets Barrettes or other hard objects worn on the head Eye glasses, unless of athletically approved construction and containing shatterproof lenses Anything that the official feels could endanger or confuse players 19. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, or spectators will not be tolerated. This is a non-contact league. Tackling, cheap shots, clipping, tripping, shoving, foul language, taunting, or trash talking by players will not be tolerated. A 15-yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the foul (live ball) or line of scrimmage (dead ball) with an automatic 1 st down. Any manager, coach or spectator displaying unsportsmanlike conduct can be ejected from the game. As a result, that manager, coach or spectator will also be suspended from the next (2) scheduled games. A team or individual warning should, but does not have to be issued. 20. Penalties: the referee will call all penalties. 21. Coaches: All coaches will be required to attain a photo id badge, which must be worn outside of shirt during practices and games. Only 4 coaches will be allowed on the sideline during the game. 22. Medical Absence and Reinstatement: Any player who, due to injury or illness requiring medical attention, wishes to resume practice and participation in games must submit a written release form from the treating physician prior to engaging in the chosen activity to the TRC office. The head coach is responsible for submitting a copy of the physicians release form to the head official prior to any game and notifying the Sports Coordinator.
23. DE- FLAGGING VS. TACKLING: Players are downed when at least one flag has been legally stripped (DE-FLAGGED) from the belt during the course of the play. TACKLING, is defined as a physical attempt to stop the progress of a ball carrier without trying to detach a flag AND IS PROHIBITED. A player who repeatedly ignores the no-tackling rule is subject to expulsion from the game. Any coach who encourages tackling is subject to expulsion from the league. 24. DE- FLAGGING VS. TACKLING: If the official, by his good judgment, determines that a player intentionally obstructed the progress of the ball carrier without making an effort to de-flag the ball carrier, he can award an additional ten yards to the run from the spot of the obstruction. 25. PROPER FLAGS/ RESTRICTIONS: Players must wear the flags as intended by the manufacturer, with no wrapping, taping, sewing or additional affixing in any manner. The flags are to be worn with one on each hip, not front and back, or any other variation. Should a flag (one) detach during the course of play without being pulled by an opponent, the official can allow the ball carrier to continue the play from the spot where the flag came off. If the belt holding the flags or both flags falls off without being pulled by the opponent, the player is down at that point. Shorts are not permitted to prevent direct access to the flags. Improper wearing of or intentional obstruction of a player s flag is a penalty of loss of down and dead ball at the spot of obstruction. This includes the attempt of the ball carrier to slap away an opponent s hand during the course of play. Stiff arming is also not allowed. Ball carriers are prohibited from using hands, arms, or the ball to impede access to the flag belt. If the ball carrier impedes access to the flag belt, even if it is in his/her natural running motion, a flag guarding penalty shall be assessed. The ball carrier shall not lower his/her head to charge or run into a defensive player. No intentional contact of any kind is allowed. This includes charging or running directly into a defensive player or stiff-arming. The ball carrier is not allowed to dive. If he/she dives into the end zone, it is not a score; a diving penalty shall be imposed from the goal line. 26. BLOCKING: Blocking is allowed, but the blocker must not engage with, or lead with his head into the defender. Blocking should more resemble a screen used in basketball, with the exception of moving your feet and maintaining contact with the hands, while screening the opposing player. Do not encourage physically aggressive blocking to the ground. Do encourage good technique, hand position, and use of your feet. 27. SPECIAL TEAMS: There are no special teams plays in flag football.
28. OTHER REGUALITONS: Muffed snaps are dead balls. The official will re-set the ball for play with no huddling of the teams. It is the official s discretion as to whether a fumble has occurred or a muffed snap has occurred. On defense, there is no blitzing, as defined: progression toward and through the line of scrimmage as to time the arrival with the snap of the ball. You know what blitzing is: DON T BLITZ. Linebackers that are within in the box of the offensive line must be 3 yards off the ball, not covering the center. The center must be uncovered, which means the closest alignment to the center is head up on the guards, when the offensive line is in their regular splits (w/arms extended, players fingertips touch shoulder pads of player next to them). If the offensive guards use a 4 yard split, the defensive tackles DO NOT have to line up on the guards. They must be outside of the shoulders of the center. Submarine of the center is not permitted. And only one defensive tackle can shoot the A gap. Interceptions may be returned for a six point touchdown if the player can make it there without being legally tackled. Fumbles are considered dead ball 29. PLAYING FIELD: Each field is 40 yards long and 30 yards wide. The winner of the coin toss must choose offense or defense to begin the game. The ball is placed at the 5 yard line and play commences. One coach is allowed on the field at all times for each team to aid with alignment and play calling in 2 nd -4 th grade divisions only. The coaches, once the formation is set, must be ten yards behind the deepest player in the alignment when the ball is snapped to begin the play. No verbal coaching from any coaches on the field is allowed once the formation is set, until the play is blown dead. One referees warning will be given per team for coaching infractions, then the coach is removed from the field and possibly the facility if warranted. 30. DEFENSIVE PENALTIES With live ball penalties, the offense will always have the option of taking the result of the play or accepting the penalty with replaying the down. Illegal Procedure: (less than 4 men on the line of scrimmage) 5-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage. Encroachment/Offside: 5-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage. Replay the down Pass Interference: 10-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage. Replay the down Illegal Contact: (Holding, Tripping, Use of the Hands, etc.) 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul or original line of scrimmage, whichever hurts them the worst. Replay the down. Player must leave the field for one play. Illegal Flag Pull: (Before the player has the ball) 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul or original line of scrimmage, whichever hurts them the worst. Replay the down. Illegal Rush: (Rushing before the ball is handed off or passed) 10-yard penalty from the line of scrimmage. Replay the down. Forward Lateral: Dead-ball at spot of infraction.
31. OFFENSIVE PENALTIES With live ball penalties, the defense will always have the option of taking the result of the play or accepting the penalty with replaying the down. Illegal Procedure: (less than 3 men on the line of scrimmage) 5-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage False Start: 5-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage. Illegal Contact: (Holding, Tripping, Use of the Hands, etc.) 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul or original line of scrimmage, whichever hurts them the worst. Replay the down. Pass Interference: 10-yard penalty from original line of scrimmage. Loss of down. Illegal Contact: (Holding, Tripping, Use of the Hands, etc.) 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul or original line of scrimmage, whichever hurts them the worst. Replay the down. Illegal Forward Pass: (Pass made from beyond the line of scrimmage) 5-yard penalty from spot of the foul and loss of down. Flag Guarding: 10-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. Replay the down. Delay of Game: 5-yard penalty from line of scrimmage and clock stopping (pass play). 32. AWARDS A. Standings are not kept in the 2 nd -3 rd grade division. B. Only the 1 st & 2 nd place teams in 4 th -7 th grade receive medals. C. All teams in 2 nd -3d grade will receive medals. 33. LEAGUE STANDINGS: Tie breaker procedures takes into account only the games that counts toward league standings. The procedure for teams who are tied in league play will be as follows: A. Win/loss/tie record B. Head-to-head play C. Least total points scored against (head-to-head only games) D. Points scored for (head-to-head only games) E. Flip a coin