PUYALLUP PARKS & RECREATION ELEMENTARY FLAG FOOTBALL RULES Goals of the program The Elementary Flag Football Program is an instructional league designed to teach the proper fundamentals of football in a fun-filled atmosphere. Teamwork, dedication and good-sportsmanship will be strongly reinforced. Game Conduct and Disciplinary Action 1. Any coach, player or spectator found guilty of drinking, use of tobacco or drugs, or swearing while on the playing field or in the presence of the players will be subject to immediate suspension by the referee or assigned recreation personnel. 2. Any team, coach, player or spectator who is abusive toward other coaches, participants, referees, or assigned recreation personnel shall be subject to immediate suspension. 3. A player, coach or spectator ejected from a game will be subject to review by the sports committee who may impose additional restrictions if warranted. Any player, coach, or spectator ejected from a game for conduct violations will be restricted from participating in or attending their next scheduled game. 4. Any player or coach participating in a game from which he/she has been suspended will result in a forfeit of that game, and possible additional disciplinary action. 5. Any coach who removes his team from the playing field prior to the completion of a game, or who causes a game to be forfeited because of his conduct toward the referee shall be subject to immediate suspension. 6. If for some reason it becomes necessary to consider the dismissal of a player for disciplinary reasons the coach must submit in writing a letter detailing the reasons to the league office for their review. The coaches, parents and player will be notified of the results. 7. A player may be disciplined and kept out of a game. The coach must first notify the league office of the disciplinary action as well as the referee and opposing coach. The parents and player should also be informed in advance of game time of the disciplinary action and the reasons for the action. 8. A player may be removed from a game for misconduct. The coach must notify the referee and the opposing team immediately at the time of the removal. The player's name and the reason for the disciplinary action should be recorded. 9. A coach, player, spectator or referee is subject to review at any time for violations and/or abuse of league rules. Field Dimensions The official length of the field will be eighty (80) yards, which includes two (2) ten (10) yard end zones. The width of the field will be forty (40) yards. Duration of the Game The game will consist of two (2) twenty-five (25) minute halves. Time will be a running clock. The clock will stop the last one (1) minute of the 2 nd half on incompletions, out of bounds, penalties, change of possession and touchdowns. Half-time will be five (5) minutes. After the half, teams will change directions. Games that end in a tie will remain a tie
The Game 1. A coin toss will determine who gets first possession. The team that wins the coin toss has the choice to take the ball first, or defer to the second half. The team that loses the toss will choose which end zone to defend for the first half. 2 2. A ten (10) minute grace period will be allowed for the first game of the day only. 3. Coaches must remain on the sideline during a play. For the NCAA league only, one (1) coach is allowed on the field to set up their offense or defense and then they must return to the sideline. Coaches must never interfere with any play being made. 4. Each play will start and stop with the referee blowing the whistle. 5. Teams will have four (4) downs to gain ten (10) yards for a first down. If possession is turned over on downs, the ball remains at the same spot. 6. A thirty (30) second play clock is in effect. The thirty (30) second clock will begin once the ball is spotted and the referee has blown his whistle. The referee will make an attempt to issue a ten (10) second warning (if teams are in danger of violating this rule). 7. If a pass is intercepted, play is live and the interception can be advanced. Players and Equipment 1. A junior size football will be used for the NCAA division. An intermediate size football will be used for the NFL division. Each player is required to wear a mouth guard. 2. Teams must field a maximum of eight (8) players and a minimum of seven (7) players at all times. A team can start with seven (7) players. 3. Every member of a team must wear flag belts provided by the Puyallup Parks & Recreation Department. Belts and flags must be exposed and worn around player s waist with individual flags on the back and sides. Failure to do so is subject to a five (5) yard penalty (referee s discretion). 4. Tennis shoes or rubber cleats are permitted. No metal cleats are allowed. 5. Every player must play at least half the game and play equally on offense and defense. (It is appropriate to give players who show up to practice more playing time than those who do not). 6. Shirts must be tucked in. If the shirt is hanging over the flag belt, it will be called a flag guarding penalty (referee s discretion). 7. The home team will be responsible to provide two (2) parents to run the chains and the visiting team will be responsible to provide one (1) parent to run the down marker. Substitutions & Time-outs 1. Each team will be allowed three (3) time-outs per game. There will be thirty (30) seconds per time-out. 2. Substitutions can be made on any dead ball including between plays. Scoring 1. Six (6) points shall be awarded for a touchdown and one (1) for the extra-point conversion from the three (3) yard line and two (2) points for an extra-point conversion from the ten (10) yard line. 2. After a touchdown is made, the team will be allowed one (1) down for an extra point.
3 3. If the defense intercepts the pass on an extra point conversion and runs it back for a touchdown. The defense will be awarded two (2) points. 4. Two (2) points are scored on a safety. A safety is scored when the team defending the goal causes a live ball to go back over the goal line or when an offensive player flag is pulled inside their own end zone. After a safety, the team will punt from their ten (10) yard line. 5. Forward motion of the ball carrier into the end zone after the flag has been pulled will not count as a touchdown. The ball is down at the point where the flag was pulled free. Kick-offs & Punts 1. Kickoffs will be taken from the twenty (20) yard line. When kicking off, there must be a minimum of a six (6) players which includes the kicker on the line. The receiving team must have a minimum of five (5) players on the line. 2. Kickoffs must be kicked off a tee. 3. If the kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team takes possession of the ball at the spot the ball goes out of bounds or the twenty (20) yard line, whichever is greater. 4. There is no rushing a punt. 5. If a punt or kickoff in the air is dropped, the ball is still live. On a punt, if the ball hits the ground on the the snap, the punter may pick up the ball but will have two (2) steps to kick the ball. 6. On kickoffs, the ball is dead if the kicking team is the first to touch the ball. The ball will be placed where it was first touched. Blocking 1. Hand blocking should be employed. Players may use hands to the chest and shoulder area in a blocking motion only. No hands to the head. No stiff arming by the ball carrier or any other player is allowed. Emphasis should be on player safety. Any use of the elbows, hands to the head, tripping or grabbing will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Running and Receiving 1. Spinning is allowed but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving). The first infraction will result in a warning. After that any infractions will result in a ten (10) yard penalty and loss of down. 2. All players are eligible to receive passes. 3. The player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch. 4. If a player catches the ball or is in possession of the ball and loses his flags inadvertently, play will continue and one hand touch will come in effect. 5. If the ball carrier s knee hits the ground, the play will be blown dead and the ball will be marked at the spot the player s knee hits the ground. 6. The player who takes the hand-off or pitch can throw the ball, as long as, he/she does not cross the line of scrimmage. 7. No fanning or guarding flags when carrying the ball.
Dead Balls 1. The quarterback, running backs, tight end, or receivers must take a direct or shotgun snap from between the center s legs to commence play (the ball is dead if the snap is dropped). 2. Play is ruled dead when: A. Offensive player flag is pulled B. Ball carrier steps out of bounds C. A touchdown is scored D. The referee blows his/her whistle E. The player with the ball knee hits the ground 3. There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground. 4 Rushing the QB 1. Red dogging and blitzing is allowed. 2. When blitzing and the quarterback is passing the ball, the defense may raise their hands to block the pass. No swatting at the ball while the ball is still in the quarterback s hand. 3. Absolutely no tackling or blocking from behind. Incidental contact will happen (referee s discretion). Formations 1. The offense must consist of a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of seven (7) man line. A guard must line up on both sides of the center (there cannot be more than a two (2) foot gap between the guard and center). Linebackers and safeties must be at least five (5) yards behind the line of scrimmage if there is no one to match up to. Once the offensive interior linemen have become set, only one offensive player can be in motion at a time. Any player lined up outside of the three (3) interior lineman or not in the backfield will be considered on the line of scrimmage. If a defensive player is lined up with an offensive player, they can either be on or off the line of scrimmage. The maximum number of players that you can have outside of the guards on a particular side is three (3), that includes players that go in motion. 2. If an offensive player goes in motion the defensive player must follow the offensive player or drop back 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. The only exception is if the offensive player starts in the backfield. 3. There must be at least two (2) yards between the heads of the interior linemen. 4. The defensive line must line up man-to-man to the offense. A defensive player over the center is prohibited. 5. The defense can drop back into a zone, once the ball has been snapped. 6. There is no lining up in the gap. At least half of the defensive players body must be in front of the offensive player. 7. Only the two (2) offensive guards must be in a two (2) or three (3) point stance. 8. Reverses, screen passes, counters, and other offensive plays are allowed. 9. Quarterback sneaks are not allowed.
5 Penalties 1. All penalties will be called by the Referees. 2. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage except for unsportsmanlike conduct penalities which will be assessed from the point of infraction. 3. Referees will determine incidental contact which may result from normal run of a play. 4. Only team captains may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players can t question judgment calls. 5. Games cannot end on a defensive penalty. 6. Fighting and contact too severe will result in player ejection (referee s discretion). 7. Defensive: A. Offsides = 5 yards & repeat the down B. Pass Interference = 10 yards & an automatic 1 st down C. Illegal Contact (holding & blocking, etc.) = 5 yards & repeat the down D. Illegal Flag Pulling (before receiver has the ball) = 5 yards & repeat the down E. Illegal Motion = 5 yards & repeat the down F. All personal fouls or unsportsmanslike conduct penalities = 10 yards & an automatic 1 st down Offensive: A. False Start = 5 yards & repeat the down B. Illegal Forward Pass (pass thrown beyond line of scrimmage) = 5 yards and loss of down C. Pass Interference = 10 yards and loss of down D. Illegal Contact (holding, clipping, illegal blocking, etc.) = 5 yards & repeat the down E. Flag Guarding = 5 yards & repeat the down **All penalties will be marked off from the original spot of the ball