.

.

.

.

.

.

KENOWA HILLS YOUTH FOOTBALL

FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM

Guidelines and Rules

The Kenowa Hills Youth Flag Football program provides an introduction to organized football for children ages 5-7 years old.  The focus of this program is to learn the basics of the game and most of all to have FUN.  This will provide an opportunity for the kids to participate on a team and work together.  These teams will play other teams in the KHYF program.

 

About Flag Football:

Flag football teams will consist of an equal amount of players on the field at any given time and a Coach who shall serve as the Quarterback when the team is on offense. The coach shall not participate when the team is on defense but will serve as the official. If there are an odd number of players on one team, then that team must use the extra players as substitutes. Every Player must start on offense or defense and must play EQUAL time.

The Kenowa Hills Flag Football season will consist of a one week pre-season and a three week season. During the pre-season all teams will be allowed a maximum of three practices. The season will consist of six games, two per week. The Flag Football Season normally starts the Tuesday after Labor Day with the Pre-season the last week of August.

In order for flag football to be safe and a fun activity for children and for it to serve as an introduction to Rocket Football, maximum effort will be needed by all involved. Coaches need to be especially attuned to the age difference, less contact, less competitive nature of the program.

KHYF encourage all players to play numerous positions on both offense and defense. This will make the game more interesting and fun. This also will encourage future participation in rocket football.

Parents are encouraged to attend practices and games and be supportive and good sports. 

 

    Rules of Play:

  • There are two 20 minute halves.
  • The clock shall run continuously and be stopped only scores.
  • There will be a five minute break for halftime.

 

The ball will be placed on the 40 yard line, and the offensive team will be given six downs to score. There will be a time limit of 30 seconds in between plays that the ball must be again put in play. The Coach whose team is on defense will serve as the official and will be the time keeper for the 30 second limit. Upon either a score or turnover on downs, the ball will be placed on the 40 yard line with the teams switching possession of the ball.

    There are no fumbles in flag football.  During a play the ball is ruled dead at the spot it hits the ground.

    There are no kickoffs or punts. The ball is put in play through the hands of the adult Coach/QB.

    Flag Football will use the “midget” size football, which is one size smaller than the Voit # 6 used by the 8/9 year old Rocket division.  

      BLOCKING:

      • Only open hand, straight arm blocking between two players is allowed.
      • There are NO double team blocks.
      • NO contact is allowed above the shoulders or below the waist.
      • Players may not leave their feet to block.
      • NO rolling blocks.
      • NO grabbing the jersey of an opponent while attempting to block (holding).
      • NO interlocking of hands, or swinging, throwing or flipping the elbow or forearm.

      In order to keep blocking under control, COACHES must instruct and enforce keeping the blocking within the framework of the blocker's body (straight arm/open handed).  This is to avoid unnecessary rough play and encourage sportsmanship. 

       

      DE-FLAGGING (tackling):

      De-flagging is the legal removal of a flag from an opponent in possession of the ball.  Pushing, striking, holding, slapping, or tripping when attempting to remove a flag during the course of a play is not permitted.  Defensive players may not leave their feet to remove the flag from a ball carrier.

      Offensive players are not permitted to protect or guard their flags.  When a flag is clearly removed from the ball carrier, play is stopped, the ball is dead and the down is over.  A player removing a flag from the runner should immediately hold the flag above his/her head to indicate to the official that the de-flagging (tackle) has taken place.  This also assists the official in spotting the ball.  If in the event a flag inadvertently falls to the ground, a two-hand tag between the shoulders and knees substitutes for de-flagging.   

       

      DEFENSE:

      Use of hands/arms by players on defense follows strict guidelines enforced by the officials/coaches to minimize contact and unnecessary roughness.  Defensive players MAY NOT use arms/hands as a wedge to contact an opponent (blocker), they MUST go around the offensive player’s screen block.  A player may use his/her arms to break a fall or to maintain balance.

       

      PENALTIES:

      Any offensive penalty called by an official or coach will be a loss of down, with the ball spotted at the last original line of scrimmage.  On a defensive penalty the coach will have the choice of taking the result of the play or repeat the down from  the line of scrimmage.

      The following actions are illegal and avoiding such behavior should be part of the coaching activities of all coaches.

      • Illegally securing the flag belt.
      • Spiking, kicking, throwing or not returning the ball to the referee.
      • Hurdling of another player.
      • Running or Driving into another player.
      • Two-on-one blocking
      • Tackling.
      • Illegal contact, including roughing the passer.
      • Contact with anything other than open hands and extended arms.
      • Tripping.
      • Clipping (hitting from behind.)
      • Taunting, swearing or fighting. 
    .