Westchester Youth Football League Flag Rules and Regulations

Updated 6/2010

2010 Towns

Ardsley Armonk Bronxville Dobbs Ferry Greenburg Hilcrest North Yonkers Ossining Pleasantville Rye Town Somers Tarrytown Tuckahoe Valhalla Westlake/Mt Pleasant White Plains Yonkers RULES

Chairperson’s Note: The league was formed to provide a football league to young players of our communities to learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and to learn the game of football while having fun. The league will be as strong as our, community directors, coaches, and parents abide by sportsmanship and fair play and encourage the fun aspect of the game. Good luck to every community, enjoy the season and welcome to the Westchester Youth Football Flag League Inaugural Season.

Article 1: Organization

The league was formed May 1, 2008 with representatives from Ardsley, Armonk, Dobbs Ferry, Greenburg, Ossining Pleasantville, Rye Town, Tarrytown and Yonkers.

Article 2: Divisions of Play

League cut-off date is July 31 of the current year and shall be for towns to enter each year.

There are no height or weight restrictions on players.

Division Name: Flag Ages: 5-6-7 ( Kindergarten, First and Second Grades)

Cheerleaders are allowed and no particular rules govern them except for rules decided upon by each community.

No player can play in a tackle league and then take part in a flag game, team will forfeit games that player played in.

Article 3: Community accountability

Each community is responsible for the honesty and integrity of the player’s ages, and eligibility. Community directors will be held accountable and teams may be expelled for flagrant rule violations, Commissioner has the authority to expel teams, players, and or communities.

Each community is responsible for insurance for their players, coaches, staff, and volunteers. Each community is also responsible for field insurance should an injury occur to a visiting team player, coach, and spectator.

Each community must have present at every game: 1. Cell phone to alert emergency personal 2. First aid kit 3. If possible, bathroom or portable facilities 4. Water or some type of beverage Article 4: General Team Rules

A game consists of two teams consisting of 8 players on the field.

Town rosters are unlimited and can have as many teams in league as possible as long as fields are available

Team minimum of 10 player, team maximum of 20 players.

All players must play a minimum of 10 plays per game.

Two coaches will be allowed on the field for each team at all times to help move the game along and teach the players. Coaches are not allowed to assist in the form of pushing, pulling, or yelling at the players. Coaches who do not abide will be ejected from the games.

Both the visitor and home teams will provide one (coach/parent/teen) referee each per game. Each will be provided with a whistle and some type of field marking device, either bean bag, hat, or yellow flag. It is the responsibility of each coaching staff to instruct the referee on the rules.

Game Rules

Coin flip determines choice for offense/defense in 1st half, opposing team has choice in 2nd half. Ball is place on 30 yard line.

All games consist of two 30-minute halves.

The home coach or a designated person, who both teams agree on, will keep game time.

Game time will be running time unless there is an injury or emergency situation. In that instance, the clock will be stopped and restarted when play resumes.

Half time will be 10 minutes long.

Playing Field

If possible a lined 80-yard field will be set up to accommodate all games.

The field measures 100 yards in length, divided into 4 zones of 20 yards each between two end zones of 10 yards each. Width of the field is 40 yards.

Cones will represent the yard markers for first downs. The cones will be placed at the 20, 40, and 20-yard lines. First downs occur when a player is at or past that yard marker/cone Player Rules

Each player must use a mouthpiece at all times on the field.

Players must all have flag belts, either with two flags, one on each side, or the break away belts that separate from the player. The flags must be 14 – 20 inches long and a minimum of 2 inches wide. The belt must be tight to prevent being turned around during a de- flagging. Teams must wear flags of a different color than their uniform color.

All players must wear the same color jersey and pants, and jerseys must be tucked in at all times.

Formations

Offensive team must have 5 players on the line and the line must be balanced. Three offensive players line up in the backfield.

Defensive team may choose any formation.

Downs

Each team will have four downs to advance the ball into the next zone or to score a touchdown.

Once a team enters a new zone, it is a first down and a new series begins.

A team failing to move the ball into the next zone will lose possession and the spot where the ball was declared dead.

The ball touching a line is the determining factor in measurement.

At the conclusion of each down, the referee will place the ball in the center of the field.

Flagging

There is no tackling of the ball carrier, passer, or receiver. Penalty is 15 yards. If the infraction occurs within the last zone, the ball will be placed on the 3rd yard line, first and goal. The player responsible must sit out one series as a penalty.

The player is considered stopped when one of the flags is removed form his/her belt or the belt is disengaged from the players body for the break away belts, and the defensive player holds it above his head if possible.

The defensive player cannot hold or push the ball carrier to remove his/her flag. An accidental touch of the body or shoulder while reaching for the flag shall not be considered a violation; however, touching of the head or face shall be a penalty, 10 yards. A defensive player may not run over, push, or pull a blocker away from him. He/she may push opponent sideways if he/she gets past him, but cannot push the blocker down. A defensive player must go for the passer’s flag, cannot touch the passer’s arm. 10 yard penalty.

An offensive player in possession of the ball cannot stiff arm or flag guard (push an opponent’s hand away from his/her flag). A ball carrier cannot lower his head to drive or run into a defensive player. 10 yard penalty.

A ball carrier can not spin/hurdle a defender. No penalty ball placed at spot of infraction.

Blocking

A blocker must be on his/her feet at all times, no flying blocks. All linemen, may get into a three-point stance, but must come up with open hands to block. No lining up in gaps, all defensive linemen must line up head on an offensive lineman. No defensive player is allowed to line up on the center. Linebackers must be 3 yards off the line of scrimmage.

Blocking must be open hands to body only. No blocking below the waist, face or neck, butt blocking, roll blocking, elbowing, tripping, blocking in the back, or punching. 10 yard penalty. Repeated offenses by same player will result in player and one coach sitting out one half of play.

Defensive players cannot push a defensive payer out of bounds. 10 yard penalty

Center must snap the ball between his legs. Shotgun is allowed.

Passing

All backfield players (3) are eligible passers and all players are eligible receivers. Passing is allowed only from behind the line of scrimmage.

An incomplete lateral pass is considered dead at the down spot.

2 or more offensive players may touch the ball in succession resulting in a completion.

If dual possession arises between an offensive and defensive player, result is ball is dead at the spot, offensive team retains possession, and it is a completed pass.

Receivers only need one foot down in bounds for a completed catch. Receivers are not allowed to go out of bounds and then come in bounds to catch a pass.

Dead Ball

Ball is dead at spot when it touches the ground on fumbled snaps from center, or runner or receiver fumbles. No fumble recoveries (safety).

Ball is dead when a ball carrier touches the ground with his body, other than hands or feet. Ball is dead at spot when a ball carrier has a missing flag. Scoring

Touchdown 6 points Safety 2 points

No extra point attempts on touchdowns

Tie games end in ties, and everyone goes home happy!!

Injured Players

If a player is injured he/she must sit out at least one play. Coaches are to use common sense on evaluating a player’s ability to play after an injury.

Other

Off-sides are not penalized unless the player causing the off sides directly involves the play. At that point, redo the down.

Diving for a flag is legal as long as the diver does not hurdle over a player and does not tackle the ball carrier.

All other penalties like holding, clipping, and interference should be called if they affect the play. If not, the player should be told why it is a penalty and allow play to continue. Repeated violations by the same player must be controlled. Referee can either penalize the infraction or have the coach sit player for series of downs.

Remember they are the smallest of all the football players. Treat them as such, have fun, fun, fun, at this level winning means nothing, Fair play, fun and friendship mean everything.

Good luck and have a great 2010 Flag Football Season in the Westchester Youth Football League.