Flag football handout

Position Descriptions

Quarterback . The captain of the offense . Calls the offensive plays and is the leader . Always stands behind the center and receives the football after the “snap” . Has the option to either handoff the football or pass it to a teammate

Center . Snaps the football to the QB. A snap is when the center tosses the ball between his legs to the QB . After the snap the center can become an eligible receiver

Wide Receiver . Responsible for catching passes and running with the ball

Defensive Backs . Responsible for stopping the players on offense and trying to intercept or gain possession of the football . Tries to pull the flag of the player with the football

Designated Rusher . Calls “steamboats” and once time has expired can rush the QB to pull their flag

TERMINOLOGY

Cadence – the command from the QB (set, hut)

Defense – the team without the ball

Down – the offense has 3 attempts (downs) to advance the ball 10 yards, then if successful they have another 3 downs for the next 10 yards, until the end zone.

End Zone – the area at both ends of the field. The defense protects this area.

Fumble – when the ball is dropped or touches the ground at any time

Handoff – a direct exchange of the football from one offensive player to another

Huddle – when offense or defense gather separately on the field to discuss strategy Interception – when a defensive player catches a pass intended for an offensive player

Line of Scrimmage – the imaginary line showing the offensive position on the field. Each play begins from the line of scrimmage

Offense – the team with the ball

Offside – when either team crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped

Pass – when the QB throws the football forward

Touchdown – a loss of possession of the football (when the offense fails to score, get a first down, or the football is intercepted)

RULES . The general objective of the game is to carry or pass the football over the opponents goal line for a score, while preventing the opposition from advancing the ball into your end zone . A coin toss determines first possession. Loser of the coin toss gets to choose ends. The loser of the coin toss gets the possession of the ball at the beginning of the second half starting on its own 5 yard line. . All possession changes start from where the interception/loss of downs occurred (or where they were “flagged” after the interception) . Teams change sides at half time . Touchdown = 6 points . Extra conversion point played from the 5 yard line = 1 point . Extra conversion point played from the 10 yard line = 2 point . Safety = 2 points . An interception return to the opponents end zone on any extra-point play by the defense will result in the defense scoring 2 points plus gaining possession for the next series at its own 5 yard line . The center cannot take a direct handoff from the QB!!!! . The QB cannot run the ball past the line of scrimmage until the steamboats have timed out . Designated rusher cannot rush the QB until 5 steamboats have been counted . An offense can use multiple handoffs behind the line of scrimmage . If you are within 5 yards of a touchdown it is “automatic rush” (steamboats do not need to be counted) . The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet were when the flag was pulled, not where the ball is. . All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage) . The play is dead if the ball is fumbled PENALTIES

Defensive

Offside – 5 yards and automatic first down

Illegal procedure – 5 yards

Pass Interference – 1st down where infraction occurred and 15 yard penalty - if infraction occurred in the end zone 1st down on 1 yard line

Intentional roughing, swearing, unsportsmanlike conduct – 25 yards

Illegal flag pull – automatic first down

Offensive

False start (over the line of scrimmage before ball is snapped) – 5 yards

Holding – 5 yards from point of foul and loss of that down

Player out of bounds (if a player goes out of bounds, they cannot return to that play) – 5 yards and loss of down

Offensive pass interference – 5 yards and loss of down

Flag guarding – 5 yards from the foul and loss of down

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 25 yards