Flag Football

Objective: Carry or pass the football across the opponent’s end line.

Scorekeeping

Points- Touchdown = 6 points

Conversion run = 1 point

Conversion pass = 2 points

Safety = 2 points

Teams: Flag football is played with two teams of an odd number of players when possible.

The offensive team must consist of a center and two to four other line players balanced evenly spaced from the center. If there are enough players on the team, the football must be passed from the ground to the quarterback between the centers legs (center snaps the ball). The quarterback is lined up 4-6 yards behind the center. All other backfield members must remain motionless until the snap except for one who may go in motion before prior to the snap of the ball. Motion cannot be towards the line until the snap of the ball. All offensive players are eligible receivers.

The defensive team must be 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. A “3-Mississippi” rush is allowed by defenders after the snap of the ball.

Basic Rules

  • Kickoff- An offensive player puts the ball in play with a punt. All offensive players must be behind the 1/3 zone. All defensive players must be behind their 1/3 zone. If the football is punted out of bounds, the receiving team may take the ball where it went out of bounds or choose to have a re-kick.

A kickoff is taken:

  1. To begin the game. A coin flip determines the receiving team and the other team chooses the end zone that they will defend.
  2. After a touchdown by the scoring team.
  3. After a safety by the offensive team that got downed in the end zone.
  • Downs- A team shall have four downs to advance the ball to the next 1/3 zone. When a team advances to the next 1/3 zone a new series of downs is awarded (1st down).
  • Punt- A team may punt on fourth down if they have announced it to the defense. At least three players from both teams must remain on the line of scrimmage until after the kick.
  • Touchback- If a kickoff/ punt lands in the end zone, the receiving team begins its downs on its 1/3 zone.
  • Safety-Two points are awarded to the defense and they receive the kickoff if they down the offense in its own end zone.
  • Conversion- One scrimmage play is made from the 3 yard line after a touchdown; run= 1 point, pass= 2 points. The defense can score 1 point on a turnover return.
  • Interception- When a defensive player catches a ball thrown by the offensive quarterback (a turnover).
  • Fumble- When a player that has control of the football drops it to the ground. In flag football a fumble does not result in a turnover, the football is marked at the spot of the drop.

Penalties (Fouls)

5 yard penalties:

  1. Illegal motion
  2. Offside
  3. Handing the football forward
  4. Failure to announce punt
  5. Less than 3 players on the line of scrimmage during a punt’
  6. Passing the ball forward except the quarterback, behind the line of scrimmage, to the receiver
  7. Wearing the flag illegally (2 flags, unobstructed)

15 yard penalties:

  1. Pushing, holding, or hitting the ball carrier
  2. Personal contact with elbows and forearms
  3. Clipping in the back
  4. Use of abusive language
  5. Shielding the flag
  6. Unnecessary roughness

FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD

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FLAG FOOTBALL PASS PATTERNS

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