Walla Walla Parks & Recreation NFL Youth Flag Football Coaches Manual 6/29/2011 1
Walla Walla Parks & Recreation NFL Youth Flag Football Coaches Manual Table of Contents Topic Page Number Parents Code of Ethics. 3 Coaches Code of Ethics 4 Mission Statement.. 5 Program Philosophy.. 6 Objectives. 6 Definitions 6 Game/practice Information. 6 Equipment.. 6 League Rules... 7 General.... 7 Players...7 Timing. 7 Scoring... 7 Running. 8 Receiving. 8 Passing.. 8 Dead ball... 8 Rushing. 9 Sportsmanship 9 Penalties. 9 Equipment.. 10 Other.. 10 Field Dimensions... 10 2
Walla Walla Parks & Recreation NFL Youth Flag Football Parents' Code of Ethics I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care, and encouragement for my child participating in youth sports by following this Parents' Code of Ethics: I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice, or other youth sports event. I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my child ahead of a personal desire to win. I will insist that my child play in a safe and healthy environment. I will require that my child's coach be trained in the responsibilities of being a youth sports coach and that the coach upholds the Coaches' Code of Ethics. I will support coaches and officials working with my child, in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. I will demand a sports environment for my child that is free from drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and will refrain from their use at all youth sports events. I will remember that the game is for youth - not for adults. I will do my very best to make youth sports fun for my child. I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect regardless of race, sex, creed, or ability. Parent/Guardian Name (print) Parent/ Guardian Signature Date Parent/Guardian Name (print) Parent/ Guardian Signature Date 3
Walla Walla Parks & Recreation NFL Youth Flag Football Coaches' Code of Ethics I hereby pledge to live up to my certification as an NYSCA Coach by following the NYSCA Coaches Code of Ethics: I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of a personal desire to win. I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and physical development for the same age group. I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players. I will promise to review and practice the basic first aid principles needed to treat injuries of my players. I will do my best to organize practices that are fun and challenging for all my players. I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players. I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events. I will be knowledgeable in the rules of each sport that I coach, and will teach these rules to my players. I will use those coaching techniques appropriate for each of the skills that I teach. I will remember that I am a youth sports coach, and that the game is for children and not adults. Coach Signature Date Coach Name (print) 4
Recreation Division Mission Statement The Recreation Division is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Walla Walla. It is our intent to provide people of all ages with programs that are fun, revitalizing, and allow for social interaction and personal development. TO ALL NFL YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL COACHES Before beginning the season, we would like to make clear the goals of our youth sports programs. These should be foremost in your minds throughout the next five weeks as you work with your team. A clear understanding will hopefully lead to a positive experience for both players and coaches. Our sports programs are oriented toward providing a healthy recreational and social learning experience for children. They are not intended to be miniature professional leagues. Participation in sports can help children to learn to relate more effectively to other people, to learn to cope with realities they will face later in life, to develop lifelong patterns of healthful physical activity and to have fun. Out of fairness to all children and all teams, please allow only registered players to participate in practices and games. If a child wants to play but has not registered, please have the child contact the Parks and Recreation Department. We will do our best to place each child on a team. Please do not "recruit" players or tell a child who wants to register that he/she can play on your team because it creates expectations for the child that may discourage their participation if they are placed on another team. Furthermore, any coach who trades players will be asked to withdraw from our program. All late registrants will be placed on teams still needing players. It is extremely important that coaches contact their team and notify each member who their coach is and when the first practice is. This is to be done within one day after receiving your roster. If you neglect to do so, it is our experience that kids feel left out and frustrated. Their parents will call Parks and Recreation wondering why their child hasn't been placed on a team. The only response Parks and Recreation can give them is that coaches picked up the material and should be contacting them shortly. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated by all the parents and the staff at Parks and Recreation. If you have difficulty calling all of the players, set up a phone tree and continue to use is throughout the season. Select two or three reliable parents and give them each three or four names to call. STRESS: RESPECT FOR REFEREES, COACHES, SPECTATORS AND OTHER TEAMS 5
Program Philosophy The Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Department youth sports programs are oriented to wards providing a healthy recreational and social learning experience for children. Fun and sportsmanship are emphasized rather than competitive attitudes. Objectives To provide an enjoyable learning experience for youth through sports, with the utmost importance placed on the well being of the participant. To provide a program designed with rules and guidelines, which allow each participant fair treatment throughout the season. To stimulate a higher level of self-esteem for participants. To teach fundamentals and skills. To teach the team sport concept. Definitions Coach o A youth sports coach is a Parks and Recreation Department volunteer, of at least 16 years of age, responsible for a specific youth sports team. If younger than 16, an adult, 18 years or older, must be present for all games and practices. The coach serves as the main contact between Parks and Recreation and the players/parents, relaying information and dealing with concerns or incidents. The safety and wellbeing of the players at all games and practices is the coach's responsibility, which includes staying at a game/practice facility until all team members rides have arrived. In addition to the administrative and skill development duties, the coach sets an example for the players, exhibiting leadership qualities consistent with Parks and Recreation philosophy. o If the coach is not present at the start of a game, a parent must take over as the substitute coach until the coach arrives. If no one is willing to "fill-in", the team without a coach will forfeit the game. Game Official o Trained game officials will be provided for all games. However, for many this will be their first officiating experience. Coaches are expected to help encourage these young officials. Abuse of officials will not be tolerated. Game/ Practice Information Schedules o Game Schedules will be published and available to coaches one week prior to the first league games. Coaches must distribute a Parks and Recreation published game schedule to each participant. Schedules will also be available on the city s web site at www.ci.walla-walla.wa.us. o Practice Schedules will be assigned by Walla Walla Parks & Recreation. The 2 nd grade division & 3 rd /4 th grade divisions may only meeting, including games and practices, twice a week. 5 th /6 th grade divisions may meet, including games and practices, 3 times per week. Equipment All game and practice equipment will be provided by Walla Walla Parks and Recreation. 6
League Rules I. General A coin toss determines first possession. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four 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. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line. All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense s 5-yard line. Interceptions may be returned. Teams change sides after the first 20 minutes. Possession changes to loser of coin toss unless deferred and the clock does not stop. II. Players Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times. Teams consist of up to 10 players five on the field, with five substitutes. III. Timing/Overtime Games are played to 40 minutes running time. No overtime will be played. 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. o Exception: 2 nd Grade Division no play clock will be enforced. Coaches should help assure plays begin in a timely fashion. Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion. IV. Scoring Touchdown: 6 points Extra point: 1 point (played from 5-yard line) or 2 points (played from 12-yard line) Safety: 2 points No official score or standings will be kept. 7
V. Running The quarterback cannot run with the ball. Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Offense may use multiple handoffs. No-running zones located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running situations. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush. 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 or pitches of any kind are allowed. VI. Receiving 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. VII. Passing Shovel passes are allowed. The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock. If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect. Interceptions may be returned. VIII. Dead Balls The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play. o Substitutions may be made on any dead ball. o Play is ruled dead when: Ball carrier s flag is pulled Ball carrier steps out of bounds Touchdown or safety is scored Ball carrier s knee hits the ground Ball carrier s flag falls out Note: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground. Exception: If the snap is muffed, the quarterback (only) will be allowed to pick it up and continue play. If defensive player touches ball first, the play will be dead. 8
IX. Rushing the Quarterback 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. 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. A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed. X. 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 WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. XI. Penalties All penalties will be called by the referee. Defense Offsides - Five yards and automatic first down Interference - 10 yards and automatic first down Illegal contact (holding, blocking, etc.) - 10 yards and automatic first down Illegal FLAG pull (before receiver has ball) - 10 yards and automatic first down Illegal rushing (starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) - 10 yards and automatic first down Intentionally leaving your feet in order to attempt to pull flags Offense Illegal motion (more than one person moving, false start, etc.) - Five yards and loss of down Illegal forward pass (pass thrown beyond line of scrimmage) - Five yards and loss of down Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender) - 10 yards and loss of down FLAG guarding - 10 yards (from line of scrimmage) and loss of down Delay of game - Clock stops, 10 yards and 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. 9
XII. Equipment/Attire Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. All players must wear a protective mouthpiece; there are no exceptions. Footballs: o Grades 2 & 3-4 will use a junior size football o Grades 5 & 6 will use a intermediate size football Official NFL FLAG jerseys must be worn during play. XIII. Other Playing time: all players must play at least half of the available playing time each game they are present. Coaches are encourage to rotate players in positions (i.e. do not have one quarterback the entire season) Coaches on the field: o 2 nd and 3/4 grade divisions: one coach will be allowed on the field during play for each team for the duration of the season. o 5/6 division: one coach will be allowed on the field during play for each team until the mid-point of the season. Note: There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is allowed. XIV. Field Dimensions 10