FLAG FOOTBALL STUDY GUIDE
HISTORY
American football as we know it today was developed in the late 19th century from 2 English sports; soccer and rugby. The first intercollegiate football game was played between Princeton and Rutgers University in 1869. Since that time football has experienced a steady growth not only in the United States but worldwide. The present style of flag football actually dates back to 1876. Flag football is an adaptive of tackle football.
In 1876, the Intercollegiate Football Association was formed, and this organization developed many uniform rules of the game including setting the line of scrimmage, the systems of downs and scoring. A regulation football field is 300 ft (100 yds) in length from goal line to goal line and the width is 160 ft (53 1/3 yds). The end zones are 30 ft. (10 yds.) wide making the field a total of 120 yards long. The football field used in Team Sports is shorter than a regulation football field. The Team Sports field’s dimensions are roughly 70 yards long which includes a 10 yard end zone and 40 yards wide. The field will be broken up into two 25-yard sections.
Footballat the turn of the 20th centurywas more akin to rugby. The ball was roughly the size of a watermelon. Forward passes were not allowed, leading to short lateral tosses, large scrums of players jockeying for the ball and vicious hits. President Teddy Roosevelt is often viewed as saving the game of football. In 1905, President Roosevelt - an avowed football fan - summoned coaches and athletic advisers from Harvard University, Yale University and Princeton University to the White House to discuss how to improve the game of football, "especially by reducing the element of brutality in play,"The Washington Post wrote in an Oct. 10, 1905 article. To view the article in its entirety go to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/05/29/teddy-roosevelt-helped-save-football-with-a-white-house-meeting-in-1905/
RULES AND TERMINOLOGY
11 players make an official team for all of the offensive, defensive, and special teams. The object of the game is to score at your opponent’s end zone by running and/or passing the ball across the goal line for a touchdown, or kicking the ball through the goal posts. The scoring is usually done mainly by the offensive team; however, the defensive team can score points by tackling the quarterback in the end zone for a safety, or returning a turnover (fumble/interception) for a touchdown.
A regulation game consists of 4 quarters and if a game is tied after the 4 quarters, there is an overtime period. The team with the most points after 4 quarters is declared the winner. In Team Sports class, games will last 10 – 15 minutes.
FLAGS
All players are supplied with flags, which must be worn outside of the gym shorts. The flags must not be covered by a shirt or jacket. Flags must be attached at the belt using the Velcro strips. Flags cannot be wrapped around the belt. If no flags are available, two hand touch rules will apply.
KICKOFF
Each game will start with a kickoff. The kicking team will either throw or kick the football from their own goal line. The receiving team must be at least ten yards away from the kicking team. A kickoff will also be used after every touchdown. The team that scored the touchdown will line up on their goal line while the team that gave up the touchdown will walk down to the other end of the field. If the kickoff is fumbled or dropped, the ball is downed where the ball hit the ground. If the ball goes through the end zone or is caught by the receiving team in the end zone, the receiving team will begin play at their goal line. If the receiving team fumbles the kickoff, they will begin play at the spot of the fumble.
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
Every play will start at the line of scrimmage (LOS). The LOS is determined by where the offensive player’s flag was ripped off or where the ball touched the ground. All members of the offensive and defensive teams must remain behind the LOS until the football is snapped. Each play begins by the center snapping or hiking the ball to the quarterback. The quarterback must then either run with the ball, hand it off to a teammate, or pass the ball to a teammate. Offsides (crossing the LOS before the ball is snapped) will result in a 5-yard penalty.
FIRST DOWN
In regular football each offensive team is allowed 4 downs (tries) to advance the ball 10 yards. If the offensive team fails to earn a first down within those 4 downs, it is turned over to the other team. If the offensive team progresses at least 10 yards in four downs, they will earn a first down and another set of four downs. This will continue until there is a score or change of possession due to a turnover or punt. In Team Sports class the offensive team will have four downs to advance the ball 20 yards. When the ball is advanced beyond the 20-yard marker, the offensive team will receive four new downs. Because of the length of the field, the offense will be able to get a maximum of two first downs. A team may punt on 4th down as long as it is announced.
SCORING
A touchdown occurs when the offensive or receiving team runs or catches the ball beyond the end zone line but in front of the back end zone line. After each touchdown there will be a two-point conversion play that will begin on the five-yard line. The scoring team will have one play to score.
Scoring in Team Sports class:
· Touchdown scored by a male = 6 points
· Touchdown scored by a female = 7 points
· Two Point Conversion scored by a male = 2 points
· Two Point Conversion scored by a female = 3 points
POSITIONS
OFFENSE:
All players who are on the team who has possession of the ball are considered the offense. In Team Sports class, all offensive players are eligible to go out for a pass. The quarterback cannot run with the ball unless he is rushed by the defense. Plays on offense can run, pass, or both. The offense may huddle after every play; however, they will have 45 seconds to snap the ball after the last play.
Quarterback - the player who takes the snap from the Center and decides to hand off, passes, or run the ball.
Running back - the player who usually lines up behind the QB and mostly runs the ball, and sometimes catches and blocks.
Center - the player who snaps the ball back to the QB and blocks.
Guards/Tackle - the players who block during the running and passing plays.
Wide Receiver - the player who runs pass patterns, and catches the ball.
Tight End - the only player on the offensive line that blocks and can catch the ball.
DEFENSE:
All players who are on the team defending the team who has possession of the ball are considered the defense. Defensive players must line up behind the LOS. If a defensive player rushes the quarterback, he/she must count loudly to three while waiting at the line of scrimmage. Any number of defenders can rush the quarterback. There are no blitzes. If the offense executes a running play, the defense can immediately cross the LOS and go after the runner. To stop a runner from running, a defensive player must remove one of the runner’s flags. When the flag is removed the defender should stand at the spot where played stopped and hold the flag over their head. A defender cannot hold a runner in place and then attempt to remove their flag. If no flags are available, two hand touch rules apply. To stop a runner from running, a defensive player must touch the runner with two hands at the same time. One hand touch DOES NOT result in stopping the runner.
Nose Guard/Tackles/Defensive End: the players who rushes the QB and stops the run.
Linebackers - the player that helps stop the run and cover potential receivers.
Defensive backs (corners/safeties) - the players that mainly cover the receivers and assist on running plays.
SPECIALTY PLAYERS:
Punter: the player that punts the ball down field on 4th down.
Place Kicker: the player that begins the game, restarts the game after a score, and kicks field goals and extra points.
MORE TERMINOLOGY
Fumble: a ball that is dropped from your hands when running with it. When a player loses control of the ball and it lands on the ground, play stops, and the team who fumbled the ball will start their next play at the spot of the fumble. Either team cannot advance fumbles.
Dead Ball: An incomplete pass is a dead ball. The next play will begin at the LOS. Occurs when:
· The flag is pulled on the person with the ball.
· The ball is fumbled by an offensive player.
· A passed ball is not caught. This is called an Incomplete Pass.
Line of scrimmage: the imaginary line where the ball is place and both the offensive and defensive teams must stay behind until the ball is snapped.
False start: a violation where an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped.
Huddle: this is where both the offensive/defensive teams group amongst themselves and decides a play
Incomplete Pass: a dropped catch or uncatchable pass.
Interception: a pass caught by the defensive team. Unlike fumbles, interceptions can be advanced.
Types of Passes:
· Forward Pass: A pass that is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage to a teammate down field. Only one forward pass is allowed each play.
· Lateral Pass: A pass thrown sideways or backwards from the QB to the running back or wide receiver. You are allowed unlimited lateral passes during a play.
Offside: a violation where a defensive player moves across the scrimmage line before the ball is
snapped
Safety: 2 points is given to a defensive team when an offensive player is tackled inside the end zone
Various penalties:
Delay of game: 5 yds. Holding: 10 yds.
Encroachment/off sides: 5 yds. Clipping: 15 yds.
False start: 5 yds. Roughing the passer: 15 yds.
Illegal motion: 5 yds. Unsportsmanlike conduct:15 yds.