6U & 8U FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

I. PLAYING TIME A. Players are guaranteed one quarter in the first half of the game including offense and defense. The second half is the coaches’ choice. It is up to the coach to distribute playing time. Parents are to make every effort to ensure players attend weekly practice.

II. Uniform & Equipment A. Uniform-SOA will provide a team jersey. The jersey must be tucked in at all times. Shorts/Pants cannot have belt loops or pockets. B. Flags-SOA will provided flags which must be worn. Flags must be worn on the hips one on each side of the waist. Flags cannot be tied, wrapped, or tucked around the flag belt. Flags must be clearly visible to the defending players. Players must tuck or wrap all excessive belt material. C. Shoes- Cleats are allowed as long as they do not have metal spikes. D. Football Size- 6U & 8U: Pee Wee (Size 6). Ball must be appropriate size, weight and pressure according to the referee at the begging of the game. NO OTHER SIZE BALL SIZE IS ALLOWED! E. Protective Equipment- Players may tape their forearms, hands and fingers. Gloves, elbow and knee pads are allowed. MOUTH GUARDS MUST BE WORN. F. Jewelry- Players must remove ALL jewelry such as watches, earrings, rings, necklaces and any other jewelry.

III. Field A. The field size will be determined according to the appropriate age level determined by the SOA Site Director.

IV. Player Substitutions/Participation A. Participation- Every player must play a quarter in the first half of the game including offense and defense. B. Substitutions- Free substitutions for the second half of the game on any dead ball.

IV. Game Time/Start A. Quarters (4) - 10 minutes with a running clock. 1. One minute break after the 1st and 3rd quarter. 3 minute half time. B. Time Outs- Three time out per a game. 1 minute time outs. C. Start of game 1. The game will start with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss will decide taking possession or defense to start the game. Teams are not allowed to defer to second half. 2. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5 yard line and has 4 plays to cross midfield for a 1st down.

V. OFFENSE A. The offensive team has 30 seconds to put the ball into play after the referee marks the ball ready for play. (5 yrd penalty) B. All offensive linemen will be in a two point stance. C. At least four players must line up on line of scrimmage. 5 yrd penalty D. The ball may be snapped by either: 1. The center may turn and hand the ball to QB. 2. Under center snap. 3. Shotgun. E. Blocking- 1. Offensive lineman can screen or shield block only. No intentional contact. Pushing, shoving, or tripping is not allowed. 2. After the ball has past the line of scrimmage all offensive players are not allowed to screen or shield block or in any way impede the defensive from ‘downing’ the ball. F. Running- 1. Quarterback and center sneaks are not allowed. 2. 8U-Quarterback can still run the ball if and only if he/she is being rushed. 6U-Quarterback can run the ball only if he/she runs outside the Guards. 3. If a runner gets possession of the ball with only one flag, no flags, or knocks his/her own flag off it’s a dead ball at the spot. 4. The ball is spotted where the runner’s feet and hips are not where the ball is. 5. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping, or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag guarding. 6. Spinning is allowed. G. Receiving- 1. All offensive players are eligible ball carriers and receivers. 2. Quarterback must have full possession of the ball before center becomes eligible receiver. 3. Quarterback must handoff ball or throw a lateral pass before he/she is eligible. 4. A player must have at least one foot in bounds when making a reception. 5. If a player catches the ball after their flag has fallen off, the ball is dead at the spot of the catch. 6. The ball is spotted where the receiver’s feet and hips are not where the ball is. H. Passing- Passes can include: 1. Forward Pass- Overhand pass that is thrown forward from the passer 2. Lateral Pass-Overhand pass that is either to the side or behind the passer. A lateral pass that are dropped will be marked at the spot the ball touches the ground. 3. Pitch Pass- Underhand toss to the side, front, or behind the QB. I. Motion -Only one player may be in motion when the ball is snapped. All other players must be set for one second prior to the snap of the ball. 5 yrd penalty J. Fumble - The ball will be marked dead and considered a down of play at the place where the ball touches the ground. Unless the ball falls forward giving the offensive team an advantage. Then ball is place at the spot of the fumble. K. Fourth Down: 1. Attempt to make first down. 2. If a first down is not made the ball will be turned over to the defense. L. Punting 1. There will be no punting. All balls will be placed at the 45 yard line going into the endzone.

VI. Defense A. Defensive line of scrimmage is one yard away in front of the ball. B. All defensive linemen will be in a two point stance. C. No defensive player may line up directly across from the center (no nose guard).

D. 8U Rushing- 1. Defense may only rush 2 players while the QB is in the passer pocket. 2. Rushers must be a minimum of 7 yards away from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Players not rushing the QB may defend the line of scrimmage. 3. A special rush marker will designate a rush line marker 7 yards away from the line of scrimmage. 4. Once the ball is handed off, the 7 yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage. 5. Legal Rush- -Any rush from a point 7 yards from the offensive line of scrimmage. Only two players can rush while QB is in the passer pocket. -A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed off by the QB. All players are allowed to rush once ball has been handed off by QB. 6. Illegal Rush- -the rusher leaves the rush line before the snap crosses the line of scrimmage before a handoff or pass. -Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped offsides. -Any defensive player not lined up at the rush marker crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is passed or handed off. 6U Rushing- 1. No Rushing/Blitzing is allowed. No Defensive players may cross the line of scrimmage until ball is handed off or the quarterback breaks the pocket (moves outside the guards).

E. Avoid Contact- 1. It is the defensive rusher’s responsibility to avoid contact with the offensive linemen shielding or screening. 2. The ball carrier may not be pushed or shoved out of bounds. 3. Tripping or using the leg to stop an offensive player is not allowed. F. Flag/Ball Stripping- 1. Defenders may not intentionally pull an offensive players flag, other than the ball carrier. 2. Defenders may not intentionally strip or pull the ball from the ball carriers arm. 3. Defenders who remove the flag should immediately hold the flag above his/her head to assist the official in locating the dead ball spot. Then immediately give the flag back to the player it belongs to.

VII. SCORING A. Touchdown= 6 Points B. Point after Touchdown- Ball placed at the 5 yard line 1. One point- offensive team runs the ball in. 2. Two point- Offensive team throws the ball across the goal line. C. Hips and feet with both flags must cross the goal line D. Defensive interception results in a dead ball. Turnover on down. E. Safety = Turnover on Downs.

VIII. PENALTIES

All penalties are accessed from the line of scrimmage.

Defense 1. Off-sides a. 5 yards and repeat down on offense’s team choice 2. Illegal Rushing (start rushing from inside 7 yard rush marker) a. 5 yards and repeat down on offense’s team choice 3. Illegal Flag Pull (before player has ball) a. 5 yards and repeat the down 4. Illegal Contact a. holding, pushing, stiff arming, tackling, improper blocking, & clipping b. 10 yards and automatic first down 5. Interference a. 10 yards and automatic first down b. No stripping the ball Offense 6. Illegal Motion a. 5 yards and replay down b. more than one person moving at the time of snap 7. Illegal Forward Pass a. 5 yards and replay down b. forward pass in front of line of scrimmage 8. Intentionally grounded pass a. 5 yards loss and a loss of down 9. Flag Guarding a. 10 yards from where they started flag guarding and loss of down 10. Delay of Game a. 5 yards and remain same down b. Offense has 35 Seconds to run a play 11. Offensive Pass Interference a. 10 yards and replay down b. Illegal pick play, pushing off/away defender 12. Unsportsmanlike Conduct a. 10 yards enforced from the line of scrimmage. b. From trash talking, taunting, tripping etc.

CONDUCT:

COACH Two coaches are allowed on the sideline per team. Coaches are only authorized on the field if they have to tend to an injured player and only when a referee signals the coach that it is permitted. One coach will be permitted to be on the field in the 6U and 8U division for guidance.

PLAYERS Only registered players are allowed to play. No guest players permitted at any time – whether during practice or in a game.

SPECTATORS During the match, all spectators must be located across from the teams. Absolutely no spectators are allowed with the teams or behind the goals. No sideline coaching is allowed from the spectators.

Spectators, players, and coaches are not permitted behind the goal lines. All players, coaches, and spectators must remain a minimum of 5 feet away from the sideline to allow the players and referees room to see and maneuver.

REFEREE ABUSE Physical or verbal abuse of our referees will not be tolerated. Referees should ONLY be respectfully addressed by the HEAD coach.

SPORTSMANSHIP All players, coaches and spectators are expected to display good sportsmanship at all times. Coaches and players immediately line up to shake hands after each game.

MISCONDUCT Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their team and supporters. Coaches, players or spectators, who are involved in fighting, physical or verbal abuse of a referee, other coach, player, or spectator, or displaying any form of inappropriate or unacceptable behavior, will be immediately removed from the fields and will be subject to disciplinary actions, to include being banned from our league. We have a ZERO-TOLERANCE policy, and will not tolerate these behaviors in our league.

LITTER Coaches and team parents are responsible for cleaning their areas after each game or practice.