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NFL FLAG Football is a
popular five-on-five game filled with fun and action. In this
game, the offensive team plays for a first down at midfield and
a touchdown in the end zone. Running and passing plays are
allowed, although there are “no-running zones” at midfield and
near each goal line. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes
the passer and grabs flags to make “tackles.”
Read more about Club Sport Kids and NFL FLAG rules below.
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The Basics |
- Referees are not used for
the 3-5 age group - coaches/assistants/parents are needed to
help guide players. Referees are used for the 6-8 and 9-12
age groups.
- The rules below are
usually used just as a general guide and may not be followed
by the letter for 3-5 year olds. A smooth, run game is the
goal for these young football players.
- A coin toss determines first possession.
- The offensive team takes possession of
the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross
midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three 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.
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There are no kickoffs, and no blocking is
allowed.
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Attire & Equipment |
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Official NFL FLAG jerseys must be worn during play.
Shorts or pants WITHOUT pockets are mandatory to
prevent injury.
Cleats are allowed and highly recommended.
Metal cleats are not allowed and inspections can be made.
All players in the 6-8 and 9-12 year old
divisions must wear a protective
mouthpiece; there are no exceptions. They are also highly
recommended for the 3-5 year olds.
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Players/Game Schedules |
| Play is 6v6 but can be altered
by the coaches if teams are short handed or to
accommodate special conciliations. It is highly encouraged that
the coaches play all players equal time. When possible, teams
will have no more than 10 on a roster.
Practices are not mandatory. The fields will be set up and ready
for practice an hour before games on Saturdays.
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Coaching |
It is up to the coach and/or
assistants to ensure fair play and that all players get equal
playing time. All coaches are volunteers - any abuse of them by
parents will not be tolerated. To help with direction, rules,
and smooth game play, coaches are allowed on the field during
play but must try to remain out of the play unless needed to
guide players. This is especially true in the older age groups.
In the 3-5 age group parents and/or coaches may be required to
"guide" players and teach the rules and basics of the game.
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Timing/Overtime |
| 3-5 year old age group: two
(2) 20-minute quarters are played. 6-8
and 9-12 age group: two (2) 25-minute halves are 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.
Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half.
Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
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Scoring |
| Club Sport Kids is about fun!
An official score is not kept for games. Should kids and/or
parents want to keep track on their own, the following point
system can be used: Touchdown:
6 points
Extra point: 1 point or 2 points, depending on distance choosen
Safety:
2 points
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Running |
The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
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. |
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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. |
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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.
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Dead Balls |
The ball must be snapped between the legs,
not off to one side, to start play. (this rule is lax for the
3-5 age group until they get the hang of it).
Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
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.
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Rushing the Quarterback |
| All defensive players must be
5 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap. Rushers
must be 7 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap. Any number
of players can rush the quarterback. A
special marker, or the referee, will designate five yards from
the line of scrimmage. Remember, no blocking or tackling is
allowed. |
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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. |
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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
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.
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Field Diagram (This is for the 6-8 and 9-12 age
groups. The 3-5 year olds play on a slightly smaller field.) |
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