Piqua Youth Football Association
Flag Football Rules
Mission: The purpose shall be to provide, promote, conduct and govern football and to teach through the game fundamentals, sportsmanship and physical health.
Where: Pitenbarger Park Sports Complex, Piqua Youth Football Fields
Teams: Number of teams will be formed based on the number of children signed-up from Grades K -2nd. The numbers of player per team will also be determined though sign-ups.
Positions:
1- Center 1 or 2- Running Backs and 2 or 3 or 4 Wide Receivers or 1 Tight End
2- Guards 1- Quarterback
2- Tackles
11 total players will be on the field during game play for each team. Unless one team has less than
11 players, then the teams will adjust the numbers according to the team that has the least amount of players.
Rules:
A) Game length will be Four quarters and each quarter will last 8 minutes. Clock runs continuously except last 2 minutes of the first and second half. Halftime will be 8 minutes in length.
B) Ball can only be advanced by passing or handing off to the Running Back, Wide Receiver or Quarterback.
C) Must make 1st down within 4 Downs. 10 yards must be gained before a 1st down is awarded.
D) Touch Down is 6 points. Untimed down for (1) extra point, must be a pass or a kick (Kick must be announced and no rushing by defense). All extra points are worth 1 point. Extra point play will start from the 3 yd line. Safety is worth 2 points
E) All Players must play the equivalent of one quarter per game.
F) All players must start at least 2 games during the season.
G) Four (4) 45 sec. time outs per half to be called by coach or player.
H) Player is marked down once flag has been fully removed from belt.
I) Teams must have a minimum of 7 players on the line of scrimmage at all times.
J) Defense can have only 5 rushers which include 1 LB but can only total 5 players, 6 players must play defensive backfield.
K) Start of 1st and 2nd half will be by the being placed on 20 yard line. Play will start on the 20 yard line after all other scores.
L) Each team can run any offensive plays. Coaches are responsible for maintaining or developing there own playbooks.
M) Minimum 7 players needed or team will forfeit scheduled game.
N) Down field blocking will be allowed only by any player that has been on the field.
O) Legal blocking is the act of the blocker putting his/her hands on the chest of the defensive player and pushing them backwards, while remaining on their feet at all times.
P) The offensive team will have 40 seconds between plays before a delay of game penalty is assessed. The official 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.
Q) One coach from each team will be allowed on the field at all times. The coaches must move away from the players or play and remain out of the play action until the whistle is sounded.
R) Any coaches that interfere with a play or players will be penalized and an automatic first down 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 to be on the field for the remainder of the game.
S) The act of intentionally tackling of a player will result in a 1st down and a 10 yard penalty from the spot.
T) If a team ops to punt the ball on 4th down, then 25 yards marked off from the line of scrimmage. This will result in a change of possession at that time.
U) The act of flag guarding or stiff arming the defensive player will result in the ball being mark down at the spot of the foul. No penalty will be assessed. If the official determines that the act of flag guarding or stiff-arming is non-intenional, then the resulting yards gained will remain.
V) Advancement of a fumble is only allowed if it is picked up by an any offensive player behind the line of scrimmage. All other fumbles recovered by the defense or offense will be mark down at the spot of recovery.
X) All shirts must be tucked in and flags must be kept at the player’s side.
Y) The offensive player advancing the football can not leave their feet to advance the football (diving, jumping, etc.). Result of violation will be the player being mark down at the spot.
Z) If the offensive player who is advancing has their flag fall off inadvertently at any time the following applies;
- If behind the line of scrimmage then repeat same down from original line of scrimmage.
- If past line of scrimmage but less than 5 yards gained, then down at the spot and repeat of same down.
- If past line of scrimmage and greater than 5 yards gained, then down at the spot and down counts.
AA) “Playing field” will be a 70 yard playing field with two 10 yard endzones for total of 90 yards. The width of the field will be ¾ of the regular sized football field. (This is from one sideline to the far hash mark)
BB) PYFA reserves that right to change or modify or add any rule(s) that is deemed necessary. This will be completed by an Executive Board Meeting and any rule changes or new rule(s) will be given to all coaches.