FLAG FOOTBALL

The history of American football, the most popular spectator sport in the United States, can be traced to early versions of rugby football. Both games have their origin in varieties of football played in the United Kingdom in the mid-nineteenth century, in which a ball is kicked at a goal or carried over a line. American football resulted from several major divergences from rugby, most notably the rule changes instituted by Walter Camp, considered the "Father of American Football". Among these important changes was the introduction of the line of scrimmage and of down-and-distance rules.

Flag football is a version of American football that is popular across the United States. The basic rules of the game are similar to those of the professional game, but instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier ("deflagging") to end a down. Flag Football’s original name use to be called “Touch and Tail Football” in the 1930’s. Flag Football was developed on a military base in the 1940’s as a recreational sport. Recreational leagues developed the sport in the late 40’s and early 50’s.

- The official Game calls for 7 players on a team (2 receivers, 2 guards, 1center, quarterback, and a running back)

- A game consists of two halves of 22 minutes.

- Kick Off: The ball is put into play at the beginning of each half and after a touchdown or safety by either a placekick or a punt. The kick is taken either on or behind the quarter-line or 20 steps from your goal line. The receiving team lines up on their quarter-line. The ball may be caught on the fly or picked up off the ground on the kick-off and advanced forward. Note: if the ball is kicked out of bounds the team has the option to take the ball where it went out of bounds or re-kick five yards back.

- Conversion: Conversions are attempted from the three yard line after each touchdown.

- Scoring: Touchdown6pts

Conversion Running1 pt (3 yards from the goal line)

Conversion Passing2 pts (5yards from the goal line)

Safety2 pts

(A safety is catching a team in their own end zone)

- Downs: Teams are allowed four downs to either score a touchdown or cross the next quarter-line. Once a team crosses a quarter-line they are awarded another four downs. In PE is when the offensive team passes the cones, or two catches pass the line of scrimmage, when the cones are not being used.

- Line of Scrimmage: is an imaginary line that all offensive players must be behind before the ball is snapped by the center. The offensive team must have a minimum of 4 players on the line before the snap. Players in motion do not count as players on the line of scrimmage. Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped or enter the neutral zone.

- Centering the Ball: The ball must be centered (hiked) from the ground in one continuous motion within 25 seconds after the ball has been placed on the ground. The huddle must be finished within that time or it is a 5 yard penalty.

- Offensive Play: A ball carrier may run in any direction, lateral or hand-off anywhere on the field. A forward pass may be thrown only from behind the line of scrimmage. Any player may receive the pass. Only one forward pass per play.

- Defensive Play: To stop the ball carrier one flag must be detached from the belt. Also a pass interception is allowed. Note: if your flags fall off before they are pulled, then it is one hand touch between the shoulder blades.

- Dead Ball: The ball is dead when a ball carrier falls down; the ball carrier’s flag is pulled (or falls to the ground while running); a fumble occurs; there is an incomplete pass; the punt hits the ground; or the ball carrier goes out of bounds.Note: players are allowed one muff (fumble) on a kick off or punt.

- Punting: Kicking a punt must be announced. The defensive team may not try to block the punt. The ball is dead if it touches the ground. The two outside offensive guys may release downfield before the punt.

- Penalties: Penalties result when a player breaks a rule which results in a loss of yardage. The offended team can accept or decline the penalty, depending upon what is in the best interest for their team. If the penalty is declined, the number of the next down is the same as if the foul had not occurred. If the penalty is accepted the penalty yardage is assessed and the down is replayed from that point.

Offsides: when a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is hiked. (5 yd penalty)

Delay of Game: 5 yd penalty

Excessive Contact: 15 yd penalty

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: 15 yd penalty

DefensivePass Interference: interfering with the defensive player to catch the football. 15 yd penalty.

OffensivePass Interference: interfering with the offensive player to catch the football. 15yd penalty.

Penalties of 5yds – jumping, spinning in the air.

Penalties of 15 yards – roughing the quarterback.

- Blocking: is done with the arms close to the body and not extended. Players may not grab or hold.

- Flag Guarding: Players may not use arms, hands, clothing, or spinning to prevent a player from pulling their flag. 10 yd penalty

The Playing Field

FOOTBALL CUES

Pass

  • Point Shoulder to target
  • Ball by ear
  • Step to target

Catch

  • Below waist = thumbs up
  • Above waist = thumbs down
  • Eye on ball

Punt

  • Drop ball waist or lower, (threads upward)
  • Contact on shoe laces
  • 3 steps (L-R-L for right footers)
  • Follow through

Kick

● Angle approach● Threads outward

● Soccer style kick● Follow through

ROUTES

X X X X

Post Corner (8)Deep Corner (7)IN/OUT CURL (3)

15 + Yards15 + Yards5-10 Yards 7 Yards

Pass Patterns:

  1. Slant – 5yds and in.
  2. Out – 5 yards and out.
  3. Curl – 7 yards and curl in.
  4. Fade – step to the outside and run up field.
  5. Deep Slant – 10 yards and in.
  6. Deep Out – 10 yards and out.
  7. Deep Corner – 15 yards and in towards the center.
  8. Post Corner – 15 yards and break toward the corner.
  9. Post – run straight up field.

0Ram – 15 yards straight, then 3 yards out and then 3 yards in.

Offensive Positions

  1. Quarterback – person throwing the football and calling out the plays.
  2. Guards – (two of them) – persons blocking for the quarterback.
  3. Center – person hiking the ball.
  4. Receivers – (two of them) – persons on the farthest outside on the line of scrimmage going out on pass patterns.
  5. Running Back – person standing next or behind the quarterback.

12345

OOOOO

▲6

O 7

1/5 – Receivers

2/4 – Guards

3 – Center

6 – Quarterback

7 – Running Back

Defensive Positions

  1. Defensive Tackles – (two of them) – this persons rush the quarterback.
  2. Corner Back (two of them) – this person cover the receivers.
  3. Outside Linebackers (two of them) – this person covers the guards if they go out on pass patterns.
  4. Middle Linebacker – this person covers the center if he goes out on a pass pattern.
  5. Free Safety – this person covers the whole deep field if the ball is thrown long.

Defensive Positions for Flag Football

Note: O = offense, X = defense.

O

▼

OOOOO

XX

12

XX

3XX6

45

X

7

1 and 2 – Defensive Tackles

3 and 6 – Cornerbacks

4 and 5 – Outside Linebackers

7 – Free Safety