Fairport Packers Youth Football and Cheerleading: Flag Football

Game:  The game will start with a coin toss by the referee. The ref. will keep the time with 40 min. halves. ( no stopping the clock unless for injury or a 1 min. timeout  ) each team will have 2 timeouts per half. There will be a 10 min half time. Ref. will announce to teams when there is 3 minutes to go in the half. Opposite team will start second half.

Scoring:  There is no OFFICIAL scoring. ( coaches will probably keep their own though ).

Playing:  Only ( 1 ) one coach on the field, 8 kids per team on the field, a minimum of  4 must be on the line. Try to keep game moving with 30-40 sec. play calling.

1^st year teams have option to use coach as QB only. ( use it ! )

The Game:  will start at designated spot ( 4yd line ), you will have 4 downs to cross mid-field. If successful you will get 4 more downs to cross end line. If  NOT successful in either case, the opposing team will get the ball and start at there own designated spot ( 4yd line ). The only exception to this is in case of a fumble or interception. An interception can be run back until a flag is pulled. A fumble is a dead ball spot, no advancement, ball remains w/ offense.  Play is dead at spot where flag is pulled.  There can only be (1) designed QB running play per series.

• Keep game clock (approx. 1 ½  hrs total time, (10 min halftime ) give or take a couple depending on weather ). 40/10/40
• Let coaches know when approx. 3 min. left in half.
• Coin toss beginning of game (have coaches send 2 players out to mid field to represent each team, pick one player either team to call the toss.)
• Keep defense and offense approx. 1 pace off ball each side.
• Kids have mouth guards in.
• End game EARLY with both coaches agreement due to weather.

Movement before the snap   3 paces back from line of scrimmage, repeat down

Holding    3 paces back, repeat down

Illegal block (pushing down from behind)    3 paces back, repeat down.

Flag guarding (player with ball holding flag so it cannot be removed)   3 paces back, loss of down.

Defensive Penalties:

Off sides ( encroaching before ball snapped )  2 paces from line of scrimmage, repeat down

Holding   2 paces, repeat down

Tackling / pass interference 2 paces, repeat down

******** Coaches DO NOT have the option to decline penalty.********

 ******** ANY PLAYER CAUGHT FIGHTING, KICKING, PUNCHING, OR SPITTING AT ANOTHER PLAYER OR COACH WILL BE EJECTED. ********

 Go to handouts for a printable version of the Flag Football Rules