JCYA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
Email questions to Mike Pavlovits,JCYA Coaching Director: [email protected]
Markers:
Yellow Lines – End Zones
Blue Lines – No Rush Zones (Arrows Below)
Red Lines – First Down
Field Rules
1) Coaches, Players and JCYA Staff are the only ones allowed on the turf. Anyone else must be in the Stands.
2) During the Games the Head Coach is the only one allowed to speak to the ref’s or opposing coaches.
3) We are renting the facility from the High School. Please help us keep it clean so our kids can continue to use the Turf Field.
4) All players must be registered to play. If non-registered players are playing on field. Team will be disqualified and not allowed to play the remainder of session.
5) Game is 5 on 5; however, team may play with 4 players. Less will result in a Forfeit.
Game Rules
1) At the Start of the game the visiting will call the coin toss.
2) Winner of the coin toss has the choice of Offense or Defense, you will start the second half opposite you’re choice. The Loser of the coin toss has the choice of field direction.
3) The Offense takes possession of the ball at their Goal Line and will have 3 plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, they have three plays to score a touchdown.
4) If the Offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts the drive on its goal line.
5) If the Offense fails to cross midfield the possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts on their goal line.
6) All Possession changes, except interceptions, start on the goal line.
7) There is be no Safety’s, all downs within an opponent’s end zone will result in the next down starting at the goal line.
Equipment
1) The League provides each player with a flag at the field and an Aztec Shirt with number. Teams must use the flags provided by the league.
2) Players must wear shoes. Cleats are allowed, however cleats with exposed metal are not allowed and must be removed.
3) Players must wear a mouth piece. COVID: Wearing masks will not be enforced for players playing on the field. Players may wear them but not a mandate.
4) Players may tape their forearms, hand and fingers. Players may wear gloves, elbow pads and kneepads. Braces with exposed metals are not allowed, the player must wear a mouth guard.
5) Players must remove all watches, earrings and any other jewelry that the officials deem hazardous.
6) Player’s shirts must be tucked into the pants.
7) Pants or shorts with belt loops or pockets must be taped.
Field
1) No-Run Zones precede each line-to-gain by 5 yards.
2) No-Run Zones are in the place to prevent teams from conducting power run plays. While in the No-Run Zones, teams cannot run the ball in any fashion. All plays must be pass plays, even with a handoff.
3) Stopping on the boundary line is considered out of bounds. The safety zone in the middle of the field dividing the field is completely at the referee’s discretion.
4) Each Offensive squad approaches only two no-run zones in each drive.
Timing and Overtime (Regular Season Games do not have OT)
1. Games are played on a 40 minute continuous clock with two twenty minute halves. The clock stops only for timeouts. Each Team has 1 time out per half.
2. Halftime is 5 minutes long.
3. 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. See penalty chart at end of document.
4. Each team has one 60-second time out per half.
5. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
6. In the event of an injury the clock will stop and then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play.
7. If the score is tied at the end of 40 minutes, the game should be determined a tie. (However, some leagues may decide to institute an overtime period).
8. In tournament or playoff situations, an overtime (OT) Period will be used to determine a winner. OT format is as follows:
a. Each team gets one series of up to six plays (and possibly more pending penalty enforcement) starting from the team’s goal line.
i. First possession choice goes to the winner of regulation coin toss.
ii. There is no Sudden Death, each team gets a minimum of one possession.
b. All regulation period rules and penalties are in effect.
c. There are no time-outs.
d. Each team will be scored based on yardage gained or points scored:
i. Yardage gained – each team will be given one complete series to drive the field as far as they can. The yardage gained will be noted by the official. The team with the most yards gained wins. If both teams score touchdowns and complete the same amount of points in conversions, the process is repeated.
1. In the case of an interception, the ball will be marked at either the line of scrimmage or the point where the defender’s flags were pulled, whichever is the more advantageous spot to the defense.
2. If Team B intercepts the ball and returns it for a touchdown, Team B wins.
ii. Scoring – Same as regulation. The team with the most yards gained wins.
1. Winning through yardage is equivalent to winning by 6 points for tie breaker purposes.
e. Change of Possession:
i. Change of possession takes place when Team A’s forward progress is halted on downs or scores a touchdown.
ii. Team B takes possession on the same goal line as Team A and advances in the same direction.
f. Multiple OT periods:
i. First OT period – shown above:
1. Scoring teams can go for 1 or 2 point PAT.
ii. Second OT Period:
1. First possession goes to loser of regulation coin toss.
2. Scoring teams must go for 2 point PAT.
Scoring
1. Touchdown: 6 points
2. PAT (Point After Touchdown) 1 point (5-yard line) or 2 points (12-yard line) Note: 1 point PAT is pass only, 2 point PAT can be run or pass.
a. A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1-pt. conversion (from the 5-yard line) or a 2-pt. conversion (from the 12-yard line). Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point, requires a charged time out. Decision cannot be changed after a penalty. Interceptions on conversions cannot be returned.
3. Mercy Rule: After one team is winning by twenty eight points or more, the losing team gets one offensive series to continue regulation play. If they do not score, the game goes into scrimmage mode playing up to the fifteen minute mark in the second half if time allows. After the fifteen minute mark, the game is over.
4. Scrimmage Mode: The losing team gets the ball for up to three possessions. Each possession lasts until the team scores or fails to achieve the Line-To-Gain. Points do not count in final score. After 3 possessions the game is over.
Live Ball/Dead Ball
1. The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead.
2. The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage. It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone. In regard to the neutral zone, the official may give both teams a “courtesy” neutral zone notification to allow their players to move back behind the line of scrimmage.
3. A player who gains possession in the air is considered in bounds as long as one foot comes down in the field of play.
4. The defense may not mimic the offensive team signals, by trying to confuse the offensive players, while the quarterback is calling out signals to start the play. This will result in an unsportsmanlike penalty. See penalty chart at end of document.
5. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
6. Any official can whistle the play dead.
7. Play is ruled “dead” when:
a. The ball hits the ground.
b. The ball carrier’s flag is pulled.
c. The ball carrier steps out of bounds.
d. A touchdown or PAT is scored.
e. The ball carrier’s knee or arm hits the ground.
f. The ball carrier’s flag falls out.
g. The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one or no flag(s).
h. The 7 second pass clock expires.
i. Inadvertent whistle.
NOTE: There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet were at the time of the fumble.
8. In the case of an inadvertent whistle, the offense has two options:
a. Take the ball where it was when the whistle blew and the down is consumed.
b. Replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.
9. A team is allowed to use a time out to question an official’s rule interpretation. If the official’s ruling is correct, the team will be charged a time out. If the rule is interpreted incorrectly, the time out will not be charged and the proper ruling will be enforced. Officials should all agree upon any controversial call in order to give each team the full benefit of each call.
Running
1. The ball is spotted where the runner’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball carrier has the ball.
2. The quarterback can directly run with the ball, after the refs 3 count and raise of left hand. The quarterback is the offensive player that receives the snap.
3. Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Handoffs may be in front, behind, or to the side of the offensive player, but must be behind the line of scrimmage. The offense may use multiple handoffs.
a. “Center Sneak” play – The ball must completely leave the center’s hands on the snap and he/she must step backwards off the line of scrimmage in order to receive a direct handoff from the QB before advancing the ball.
4. Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind beyond the line of scrimmage.
5. “No-Run Zones,” located 5 yards before each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage power-running situations. Teams are not allowed to run in these zones if the subsequent line is LIVE. (Reminder: Each offensive squad approaches only TWO No-Run Zones in each drive – one 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down, and one 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD).
6. The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
7. Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
8. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping, or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag guarding.
9. Spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a flag pull.
10. Runners may leave their feet if there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid collision with another player without a flag guarding penalty enforced.
11. No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time.
12. Offensive players must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball carrier.
13. Flag Obstruction – All jerseys MUST be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on the player’s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding.
14. Centers are not eligible to run the ball after hiking and must go out for a pass.
Passing
1. All passes must be from behind the line of scrimmage, thrown forward and received beyond the line scrimmage.
2. Shovel passes are allowed, but must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
3. The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, the down is consumed and the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is handed off, the 7-second rule no longer is in effect.
a. If the QB is standing in the end zone at the end of the 7-second clock, the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage (LOS).
Receiving
1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback, if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
2. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage and no motion is permitted towards the line of scrimmage.
3. A player must have a least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
4. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense.
5. Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of interception. Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not start on the Goal Line.
6. Interceptions are returnable but not on conversions after touchdowns.
Rushing the Passer
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. A special marker, or the referee, will designate a Rush Line seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Defensive players should verify they are in the correct position with the official on every play.
a. A legal rush is:
i. Any rush from a point 7 yards from the defensive line of scrimmage.
ii. A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed off by the quarterback.
iii. If a rusher leaves the rush line early (breaks the 7 yard area), they may return to the rush line, reset and then legally rush the quarterback.
iv. If a rusher leaves the rush line early and the ball is handed off before they cross the line of scrimmage, they may legally rush the quarterback.
b. A penalty may be called if:
i. The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff or pass – Illegal Rush (5 yards LOSS and first down).
ii. Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped – Offside (5 yards LOSS and first down).
iii. Any defensive player, not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is passed or handed off – Illegal Rush (5 yards LOSS and first down).
c. Special circumstances:
i. Teams are not required to rush the quarterback, seven second clock in effect.
ii. Teams are not required to identify their rusher before the play, however if they do send a rusher, the rusher must check in with the official.
iii. If rusher leaves the 7-yard line before the snap, he/she may immediately drop back to act as defender with no offside penalty enforced.
4. Players rushing the quarterback may attempt to block a pass; however, NO contact can be made with the quarterback in any way. Blocking the pass or attempting to block the pass and then making contact with the passer will result in a roughing the passer penalty.
5. The offense cannot impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the quarterback, regardless of where they line up prior to the snap. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an impeding the rusher penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher’s responsibility to go around the offensive player and to avoid contact.
6. A sack occurs if the quarterback’s flags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball is placed where the quarterback’s feet are when flag is pulled.
Flag Pulling
1. A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball.
2. Defenders can dive to pull flags, but cannot tackle, hold or run through the ball carrier when pulling flags.
3. It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier’s possession at any time.
4. If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during the play, the player is down immediately upon possession of the ball and the play ends.
5. A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off of a player who is not in possession of the ball.
6. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, arm or shoulder, or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey.
Formations: 5 on 5
1. Offense must have a minimum of one player on the line of scrimmage (the center) and up to four players on the line of scrimmage. The quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage.
a. One player at a time may go in motion 1-yard behind and parallel to the line of scrimmage.
b. No motion is allowed towards the line of scrimmage.
2. Offensive players must come to a complete stop for one second before the ball is snapped unless he/she is the only player in motion.
3. Movement by a player who is set or a player who runs toward the line of scrimmage while in motion is considered a false start.
4. The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion between the legs.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
1. If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. The decision is made at the referee’s discretion. No appeals will be considered. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
2. Offensive or confrontational language is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.
3. Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent, coach or official.
4. Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position.
5. Defenders are not allowed to run through the ball carrier when pulling flags.
6. Fans must also adhere to good sportsmanship, as well:
a. Yell to cheer on your players, not to harass officials or other teams.
b. Keep comments clean and profanity free.
c. Compliment ALL players, not just one child or team.
7. Fans are required to keep fields safe and kids friendly:
a. Keep younger kids and equipment such as coolers, chairs and tents in the stands and not on the field.
b. COVID: Spectators are encouraged to wear masks when moving about the field.
8. Report any concerns to Mike Pavs or [email protected]
9. Referees are not paid adult refs. They are high schoolers who love the game. If issues, connect with Coaching Director or President.
