PIQUA YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FLAG FOOTBALL RULES Mission: The purpose shall be to provide, promote, conduct and govern the game of football by teaching the fundamentals, sportsmanship, and physical health. Where: Pitsenbarger Park Sports Complex, Piqua Youth Football Fields Teams: The number of teams will be determined in accordance with the number of participants. Children K-2nd grade are able to participate. The number of players per team will also be determined by the number of participants. Positions: Center: 1 Guards: 2 Quarterback: 1 (Coach) Running Backs: 1 or 2 Wide Receivers: 1 or 2 7 total defensive players and 6 offensive players plus the coach as quarterback will be allowed on the field during game play for each team; UNLESS one team has less than 7 players, then the teams will adjust their numbers according to the team that has the least amount of players. RULES: 1. The playing field will be a 70-yard playing field with 2, 10-yard end zones for a total of 90 yards. The width of the field will be 1⁄4 of a regular sized football field. 2. Game length will be four quarters and each quarter will last 8 minutes. The clock will run continuously except after scores and time outs. Halftime will be 8 minutes in length. 3. The ball being placed on the 20-yard line at the beginning of each half. Game play will start on the 20-yard line after each score. 4. A touchdown is worth 6 points. Following a touchdown, there will be an untimed down for a 2-point conversion. The 2-point conversion will start from the 3-yard line. 5. All players must play the equivalent of one half per game. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to forfeiture of that particular game. 6. All players must start at least 2 games during the season. 7. All shirts must be tucked in and flags must be kept at the player’s sides. Players must wear mouth pieces. 8. The ball can only be advanced by passing or a handoff to the running back or wide receiver. The center and guards are permitted to go out for a pass. PYFA reserves the right to change and/or modify and/or add any rule(s) that is deemed necessary. This will be completed by an Executive Board Meeting and any rule changes will be given to all coaches. 9. Offenses have four (4) downs to make a first down. Ten (10) yards from the original line of scrimmage must be gained before a 1st down is awarded. 10. Each team is allotted three (3) time outs per half. The duration of each time out is 45 seconds. The coach or assistant coach are the only people permitted to call time out. 11. A player is marked down once a flag has been fully removed from the belt. 12. Teams must have a minimum of 4 players on the line of scrimmage at all times. 13. Each team can run any offensive plays. Coaches are responsible for maintain or developing their own playbooks. No huddle offenses are permitted. Halfback passes are not permitted. 14. A minimum of 6 players are needed or a team will be forced to forfeit a scheduled game. 15. Legal blocking is the act of the blocker putting his/her hands on the chest of the defensive player and moving them backwards, while remaining on their feet at all times. NO deliberate shoving or forcible pushing is permitted. 16. The offensive team will have 35 seconds between plays before a delay of game penalty is assessed. The officials will warn the offensive team when 10 seconds has been reached and if they break huddle and snap the ball promptly then no penalty will be assessed. The play clock will begin once the ball is placed into position. The act of placing the ball into position will be after the flag is returned to the tackled player. 17. One coach from each team will be allowed on the field at all times. The coaches must move away from the players and remain out of game play action until the whistle is sounded. 18. Any coaches that interfere with a play or players will be penalized and an automatic 1st down will be given to the other team. The 1st and 10 will be at the spot of the penalty. If 2 or more infractions as stated happen, then the coach will be removed from the field and will not be allowed on the field for the remainder of the game. 19. The act of intentionally tackling of a player will result in a 1st down and a 10-yard penalty from the spot. If a player intentionally tackles, they will be given a warning on the first occurrence. If the same player intentionally tackles a second time during the same game, they will be ejected. If a team intentionally tackles 3 times, in 1 game, they forfeit them game. 20. If a team decides to punt the ball on 4th down, then 25 yards will be marked off from the line of scrimmage. This will result in a change of possession at that time. PYFA reserves the right to change and/or modify and/or add any rule(s) that is deemed necessary. This will be completed by an Executive Board Meeting and any rule changes will be given to all coaches. 21. The act of “flag guarding” or “stiff arming” the defensive players will result in the ball being marked down at the spot of the penalty. No penalty will be assessed. If the official determines that the act of “flag guarding” or “stiff arming” is non-intentional, then the yards gained will remain. 22. Advancement of a fumble is only allowed if it is picked up by any offensive player behind the line of scrimmage. Fumbles by the offense beyond the line of scrimmage will be marked down at the spot of the fumble, the offense will retain possession of the ball regardless of which team recovers it. 23. Interceptions by the defense is a change of possession and can be advanced. 24. The defense is NOT permitted to cross the line of scrimmage until the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. 25. Once the coach (quarterback) has released the ball, they are no longer permitted to come into contact with the ball during the same play. (i.e. flea flicker, etc.) 26. Home teams are those that are referenced first on the weekly game schedule. The home team is only permitted on the sideline nearest the concession stand. The away team is only permitted opposite of the concession stand sideline (i.e. nearest the tennis courts or housing development). 27. Spectators are to sit on the same sideline that their child’s or loved one’s team is on. 28. Spectators and/or coaches are NOT to talk to or hassle the officiating crew during or after the game. The officiating crew are minors from high school. A warning will be issued for the first occurrence. The second occurrence will result in a fifteen (15) yard penalty for that team that their child or loved one is participating on. Repeat offenses or severe offenses by a spectator or coach will result in removal from the premises for that game and/or permeant removal from Ptisenbarger Park by the City of Piqua. 29. Spectators and/or coaches who use foul language directed at anyone, especially around young children, will be removed from the premises and may be subjected to permeant removal from Pitsenbarger Park by the City of Piqua. PYFA reserves the right to change and/or modify and/or add any rule(s) that is deemed necessary. This will be completed by an Executive Board Meeting and any rule changes will be given to all coaches. .