HOIC Junior Football Flag League
“Flag Football”
RULES
Rule
1: Players
Article
1-Ages:
There will be one (1) division of play:
1.
Grades K -2nd will be divided evenly
to make a team. A Player that is in 3rd
grade Will not allowed.
2.
All players that will be going into these grades
as of August First of the current year will determine each participant.
Article
2-Validation and Rosters
1.
Each team’s roster shall have a minimum of
twelve (12) players, and a maximum of sixteen (16) players. In the event an
area has more than sixteen (16) players but not enough for two (2) teams, the HOIC
Board Members will address this at that time in a special meeting.
2.
Only players appearing on the official team
roster are to be counted as players. This form (roster) is to be completed
before the first game of the season and verified by the Area Flag Director in a
process called “Validation.”
3.
Area Directors must insure that they have the
following properly completed documentation on each of their players:
a.
Completed registration form,
b.
Valid proof of age in one of the following
forms:
i.
Birth Certificate
Completed roster for each team with player’s names listed in
alphabetical order by their last name. All coaches must be listed in
alphabetical order on their team roster also.
Article
3-The Game:
1.
A game is played between two teams consisting of
eight (8) players each.
2.
The OFFENSIVE team must have five (5)
players on the line of scrimmage, of which the three (3) middle players must be
in a two (2) point stance and are ineligible receivers. The middle three (3) players must space
themselves by extending each arm out to the next player’s fingertips
(finger-tips to finger-tips).
3.
The two outside players (wide receiver(s) and/or
tight end(s) may split out and/or line up alongside the outside lineman
mentioned above. There must be three (3) players in the back field.
4.
The DEFENSIVE team must play a three (3)
man front, head-to-head, over the inside offensive linemen, on the line of
scrimmage at the time of the snap. In addition, there must be three (3) players
on the second line, three (3) yards off the line of scrimmage and two (2)
players on the third line, seven (7) yards off the line of scrimmage.
5.
The second line and third line players may
position themselves anywhere parallel to the line of scrimmage as long as they
stay within the three (3) yard and seven (7) yard increments.
6.
This type of Flag Defense is known as a 3-3-2.
7.
A team will have thirty (30) seconds to put the
ball in play after the ready signal.
8.
Every player must play a minimum of two (2) full
quarters.
No player can play the same position more than one (1) quarter of the game.
Thus, the player must switch (rotate) positions. (Promote awareness of
game)
Rule
2: Playing Field
1.
The field shall be rectangular with lines and
zones. The field will measure Forty (40) yards in length, divided into five (5)
zones, and thirty (30) yards in width.
One side of the field’s yard markers will be placed at the hash mark of a
IHSA regulation field.
2.
Goal posts are unnecessary as points after
touchdown (PAT) are only made by passing or running and there are no field
goals kicked.
1.
A 10 yard marker will be used to indicate the
distance to go for a first down.
3.
The first down marker will be defined as: The next
line on the playing field in the direction of, and parallel to, the
opponent’s goal line. The down box is stationed at the next first down line.
Rule
3: Equipment
1.
Game Ball: Tachikara SF2R, Junior Ball
measuring approximately 8 ¼” x 4 ½”.
2.
Flags:
A.
Three flags will be attached to a belt and
extend or hang from each side of the player’s body and from the rear of the
player’s body.
B.
Flags will be 14 to 20, or when fully extended,
no more than five (5) inches from the ground, and a minimum of 2 inches wide.
C.
Flags cannot be the same color as their
respective color of shorts, football pants or sweatpants.
D.
The belt must be tight. If need be, wrap
athletic tape on each side of the Velcro holder to keep flags in position. (So
they won’t bunch together)
E.
Jerseys (T-shirts) cannot be worn over the
flags.
F.
If the player’s flag is inadvertently lost, he
is ineligible to handle the ball.
G.
If the flag comes off the ball carrier for any
reason during play, the ball is blown dead.
3.
Game Uniforms:
A.
Each team must wear the same color jersey.
(T-shirt)
B.
Jerseys (T-shirts) will be tucked in at all
times.
C.
Any type of pants may be worn.
D.
Sneakers and/or soccer shoes are the preferred.
E.
Mouth guards are optional, parents’ discretion.
F.
To better differentiate between offensive and
defensive players, defensive linemen will be required to wear; one (1) white
wristband to identify himself or herself as a defensive lineman. Colored wrist
bands may be used to help identify and teach positions.
4.
Prohibited Equipment:
A.
Spiked (steel) or street shoes.
B.
Padding of any kind, including hard surface
padding such as shoulder pads, casts, hip pads and helmets.
C.
Hard metal or any other hard substance on a
player’s clothing or person.
D.
Any equipment, in the opinion of the referee,
which will endanger players.
E.
No Jewelry.
Rule
4: Referees
1.
There will be two officials (one coach from each
team or other teams shall act as referees) appointed prior to the game by the
site director.
2.
Each official will carry a yellow flag and drop
it when an infraction occurs.
Rule
5: The Rules of the Game
Article
1—General Notes:
1.
The free substitution rule is always in effect
and a player may enter the game any time the ball is dead.
2.
All players, except the three (3) blocking
offensive linemen, are eligible to run or receive the ball.
3.
An unlimited number of coaches for each team
will be permitted on the field. (Whatever it takes to accomplish the objective
of coaching)
4.
4.A game will consist of four- (4) fifteen- (15)
minute running quarters, stopping for injuries.
5.
Five (5) minutes between halves. One (1) minute
between quarters.
6.
One timeout per each half of play.
7.
Water Breaks: For unusual heat or humidity,
which may create a health risk to the players.
Article
2--Start of the Game:
8.
The referee will toss a coin to decide who will
start the game on offense. The other team will start the second half on
offense.
9.
The offensive team will start on its own ten-
(10) yard line. The same procedure will be followed after a safety.
Article
3--Punting:
10.
No punts will be allowed. See rule twelve (12)
below.
Article
4--Down and Zone to go:
11.
Each team will have four (4) downs to advance
the ball into the next zone or to score a touchdown.
12.
Once a team enters the next zone, it is first
down and a new series of downs begins.
13.
A team failing to move the ball into the next
zone will lose possession. The opposing team takes over and begins its series
of first down and zone to go from their own ten-(10) yard line.
14.
The forward part of the ball touching any line
will be the determining factor in measuring for a first down.
15.
When the offensive team is within the last zone
and has a first down, it will be first down and goal to go.
16.
At the conclusion of each down, the referee will
place the ball in the center of the field.
Article
5--De-Flagging:
1.
There shall be NO TACKLING!
2.
The player carrying or having possession of the
ball is down when the flag is removed from his waist (de-flagging). The
defensive player shall hold the flag above his head and stand still.
3.
The defensive player cannot hold or push the
ball carrier to remove his flag. A defensive player may not run over, push, or
pull a blocker away from him.
4.
A defensive player must go for the passer’s
flag. He cannot touch the passer’s arm.
Article
6--Blocking:
1.
A blocker must be on his feet at all times while
blocking. All linemen, except the center, must not assume the three-point
stance. They must simply stand at the line of scrimmage and await the snap. The
center, if he is to block, must first stand straight up.
2.
Cross blocking and roll blocking are not
allowed.
3.
A blocker cannot use his hands, or stiff arm.
4.
Shadow blocking defined as legally obstructing
an opponent without contacting him with any part of the body. (Arms not
extended and grabbing his shirt and maintaining this form of blocking until the
end of the play.) This is also known as brush blocking.
5.
A defensive player cannot block or push a ball
carrier out-of-bounds.
6.
Only one-on-one blocking will be allowed at all
times. There will be no
two-on-one blocking.
7.
Blocking a player from behind is not permitted.
8.
Once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, the
“one-two-three, GO”, count is waived.
Article
7--Ball Carrier:
1.
The ball carrier cannot use his hands or arms to
protect his flags. The defensive player must have the opportunity to remove the
ball carrier’s flags.
2.
The ball carrier cannot lower his head to drive
or run into a defensive player.
3.
The ball carrier cannot hurdle to prevent a
defensive player from removing his flags.
4.
The ball carrier may not run straight
ahead. Straight ahead is defined as inside the opposing team’s guard, nose
guard and second guard. (Runners may not run up the middle) once the
runner crosses the line of scrimmage, he may run in any direction until the
ball is declared dead.
Article
8--Ball Carrier, Quarterback:
1.
Only the three (3) down lineman, on defense, may
rush the quarterback after waiting for the “one-two-three, GO” count, after the
snap of the ball. This count will come
from the coaches on the field.
Article
9--Center:
1.
The center may snap the ball between his legs or
stand to either side of the ball and “flip” the ball. This is known as the
“back-yard” snap. He may also snap the ball directly to the quarterback when
the quarterback is directly behind the center.
2.
No touching the center until he takes a step or
assumes a blocking position.
Article
10--Passing:
1.
All backfield men are eligible passers.
2.
Passing will be attempted from behind the line
of scrimmage only.
3.
INTERCEPTIONS: The Defense may intercept
a pass. Once intercepted, the ball is immediately “dead”, (The defense cannot
advance the ball) and placed at the “start line.”
Article
11--Receiving:
1.
All players, except the three (3) blocking
offensive linemen, are eligible to receive forward passes.
2.
A receiver must catch the ball with at least
one-foot in-bounds.
3.
Two or more receivers may touch a ball in
succession resulting in a completed pass.
4.
If an offensive and defensive player catches a
pass simultaneously, the ball is declared dead at the spot of the catch and the
passing team is awarded possession.
5.
An offensive player cannot go out-of-bounds and
return in bounds, to catch a pass.
Article
12--Dead Ball:
1.
All balls touching the ground are immediately
dead. Examples:
a.
When the ball carrier touches the ground with
his body, other than hands or feet.
b.
When the ball carrier’s flag has been pulled.
c.
When the ball goes out-of-bounds for any reason.
d.
If the center snap hits the ground before
reaching a backfield person.
e.
When the ball hits the ground as a result of a
fumble or “muffed” ball.
2.
There are NO Fumble Recoveries in J.F.L. Flag
Football!
a.
If a lateral pass touches the ground. The ball
is declared dead at that point.
Article
13--Tie Game:
1.
Tie games will not be played off.
Article
14--Completion of the Game:
1.
No score will be kept. Each team will be
considered a winner! Each team will congratulate the other team upon completion
of the game with a cheer and hand shake.
Article
15--Injured Players:
1.
Once removed from a game because of injury, a
player must sit out at least two plays.
Articles
16--Practices:
2.
A team may elect to start practice on Monday, August
12, 2013. (Four weeks prior to the first schedule league game) A maximum of
twelve (12) practices may he conducted prior to the first scheduled league
game.
3.
Practice is defined as a gathering of players,
without a minimum number, requiring the presence of at least one (1) coach.
4.
A week is defined as being seven (7) consecutive
calendar days.
5.
After the season starts, practices will be two
(2) days per week, not to exceed ninety (90) Minutes per practice.
Article
17--Schedules:
1.
Each team will play ONE game on Saturdays for
six (6) weeks. (Depending on the number of teams)
2.
All Flag Football games will be grouped at one
(1) or more sites, depending on the number of teams participating.
3.
All participants must practice a minimum of one
practice per week in order to play in a regular season scheduled game on
Saturday. Area disciplinary reasons will override this rule. (See Article two
(2) Rule six (6)
Article
18-Weather Policy
1.
Teams need to show up at game sites and prepare
to play. (Areas are so spread out; it may be raining in one location, but not
at another site.) If "poor" weather exists at a game site, one coach
from each team and the site director will discuss the situation
and make a determination if the game shall be played and/or continued. The Site
Director has final say.
2.
Lightning / Thunder Rule: When THUNDER is heard,
or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the Thunderstorm is close enough
to strike your location with lightning. Suspend Play and take shelter
immediately.
3O Minute Rule:
1.
Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30
minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightening is witnessed
prior to resuming play.
2.
Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the
beginning of the 30 minute count reset the clock for another 30 minute count.
3.
Don't be fooled by sunshine or blue sky!
Rule 6:
Penalties
Since a smaller football field size is being used, penalties
are adjusted accordingly.
The offended team will always have the choice of accepting
or declining a penalty. When the penalty is greater than the distance to the
goal line, the penalty shall be half the distance to the goal line.
Line of Scrimmage
Ø
Offside: Defensive or Offensive 3
Yards
Ø
Failure to observe of Offensive 3 Yards
Ø
Illegal Motion-more than one man in motion 3
Yards
Passing
Ø Illegal Forward Pass 3 Yards
Ø Passer crosses scrimmage line 3 Yards
Ø Intentional Grounding 5
Yards
Ø Offensive Pass Interference 10 Yards
from line of scrimmage and Loss of Down
Ø Defensive Pass Interference First Down
at point of infraction
Flag Wearing and De-Flagging
Ø Any tackling 10
Yards
Ø Wearing flags illegally 5 Yards
Ø Ball carrier using hands to prevent
de-flagging 10 Yards
Ø Holding, Pushing or hitting Ball Carrier
while de-flagging 10
Yards
Ø Intentionally wearing one or two flags 5 Yards
Illegal Hand-off
Ø If ball is handed forward beyond the
Scrimmage Line 5 Yards
Ø Handing or snapping ball to lineman 5 Yards
Blocking
Ø Leaving feet to block 10
Yards
Ø Cross body blocking 10
Yards
Illegal
use of hands to block
10
Yards
Holding
the defensive player 10
Yards
Defensive
player blocking or pushing
ball carrier out-of-bounds 10
Yards
Ø Butting, Elbowing knee blocking 10
Yards
Ø Defensive player, illegal use of the hands
5 Yards
Ø More than two blockers 10
Yards
Ø Clipping 10
Yards
Ball Carrier
Ø Stiff Arming 10
Yards
Ø Lowering the head to drive
or run into defensive
player 10 Yards
Ø Use the head 10
Yards
Ø Use hands or arms to protect flags 10 Yards
Ø Hurdling 5 Yards
Unnecessary
Roughness
Ø Offensive and Defensive 10 Yards
Ø Second repeated offense by
same player 10 Yards and Player
Disqualification
Unsportsmanlike
Conduct
Ø Fighting 15
Yards and Player Disqualification
Ø Defensive player pulling
offensive
players flag to make him ineligible for play 10
Yards
Ø Insulting, abusive language
and spitting 10
Yards and Disqualification
Ø Illegal Play 10
Yards
Ø Interference with progress
of game by
Coaches or other team personnel or Parents 10
Yards and Disqualification for the rest of season
Ø Any questioning of any
officials’ call 10 Yards
Offensive
Positions in Flag Football
Quarterback
Ø
The quarterback can lines up as much as 5 to
10 yards behind the center in the offensive backfield, in what is sometimes
called the shotgun formation. He should have the same attributes as a
quarterback in tackle football.
Center
Ø
The center lines up on the line of scrimmage.
He must be able to snap the ball back to the quarterback in a shotgun formation
with speed and accuracy.
Blocking Backs
Ø
The blocking backs are eligible pass
receivers, lined up in the offensive backfield about 3 to 5 yards from the line
of scrimmage. Their job is to protect the quarterback and receive passes. They
also may line up on the line of scrimmage (see spread formation) or be spread
out (see triple wing formation).
Slot Receivers
Ø
The slot receivers take positions halfway
between the center and wide receivers. They must be fast and agile with good
receiving abilities.
Wide Receivers
Ø
The wide receivers take position on the
outside ends of the line of scrimmage. They are usually the team’s fastest
players who can also run good patterns and have good hands.
Defensive
Positions in Flag Football
Defensive End
Ø
The defensive ends are strong and quick
players who rush the quarterback.
Nose Tackle
Ø
The nose tackle is strong, quick player who
rushes the quarterback and stops the run.
Linebacker
Ø
They must be strong and quick with a keen
sense of timing because they are in the middle of almost every play on defense.
Strong Safety
Ø
The strong safety is a defensive back that
can double as a linebacker in certain defenses. He must be quick, agile, and
strong enough to be able to cover and react to the ball.
Free Safety
Ø
The free safety is positioned at the deepest
point of the defense. He is the last man between the defense and goal line. He
must be a very smart player because his primary responsibility is to read and
go to the ball. He must also be fast.
Cornerback
Ø
The cornerbacks must be the fastest players
on defense because it is their responsibility to cover the fastest players on
offense, the wide receivers. They must be able to read and react, but they must
also be able to come up in certain situations if the offense is trying a trick
play.
Updated June 2013
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