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2022 Flag Football Rules K-2nd & 3rd/4th Grade
● A coin toss determines first possession
● League standing will be kept and score shall be kept by 7
● Total length of field will be 40 yards with all possessions starting on the 40 yard line.
● The offensive team has 4 plays to gain 10 yards for a first down. If the team doesn't gain
10 yards the ball will change possession and the other team will take over on the 40 yard
line.
● If each team has all of its players the game will be played 9 on 9, 7 on 7, or match player
for player.
● Games are played in two, 20 minute halves with continuous clock and a 2:00 warning
per half.
● Each team will have one 30 second timeout per half.
● Two coach limit on the field at all times.
● Each time the ball is set the offense has 25 seconds to snap the ball.
● A whistle will be blown to start and stop every play.
● Mouthpieces are mandatory. A 5 yard penalty shall be issued for mouthpiece violation.
● Cleats are recommended ( No metal cleats)
● Substitutions are only allowed at dead balls.
Beginning of Play
● The ball must be snapped by a center and must go between the centers legs in either a
direct snap or a shotgun snap.
● The ball will be spotted where the ball carrier's flag is removed, ball is dropped, player
falls or where the ball carrier steps out of bounds.
● If the ball touches the ground during any snap the play is dead, it is a loss of down and
the ball will be spotted at the line of scrimmage.
● If the ball is fumbled during a pitch, handoff, anything behind the line of scrimmage, the
play will be blown dead and the ball spotted where it touches the ground.
● Only interceptions will result in an immediate change in possession. Interceptions can
not be advanced.
● No down may start from behind the 40 yard line.
Offense
● The quarterback can run the ball at any time.
● Offenses can use multiple handoffs, laterals, and pitches.
● When running with the ball the ball carrier can spin, twist, jump, etc, but are never
allowed to stiff arm or flagguard. Stiff arming and flagguarding will result in a 5 yard
penalty.
● Blocking is allowed by all players, but never with extended arms.
● Blockers are allowed to “screen” players from getting to the ball carrier, but are never
allowed to push or hold a defender.
● All players are eligible to receive a pass including the quarterback and center after the
ball has been handed off.
● Only one player can motion at a time.
Defense
● Defensive players may line up on the line of scrimmage, but only individuals who are
lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage may rush the passer.
Officials/Penalties
● There will be two referees designated per game. The main duties will be to keep time
and play moving, spot the ball, and the final say on all penalty calls. The referees and
coaches are there to help teach the game and not call a penalty on every play, however
with repeated infractions penalties will be called. ( stiff arming, holding, tackling, false
starts, etc)
● Minor penalties will be assessed 5 yards with major penalties being assessed 10 yards.
Penalties are the discretion of the referees.
● Any player that shoves someone to the ground will be assessed a 10 yard penalty and if
the same player repeats this maneuver the player will be removed from the game.
● Any attempt to manipulate the proper use of the flags will result in a 5 yard penalty.
Subsequent offenses could potentially result in the offender being removed from the
game.
● Regular season games may result in a tie.
● Playoff tie breaker will give each team 4 plays from the 10 yard line to score. No playoff
game shall end in a tie.
● 100% participation on either offense or defense
PLAYING RULES GRADES 5th through 8TH
LaSalle County Youth Football Conference
Goal: To give our youth the opportunity to play football in an atmosphere that provides sportsmanship, teamwork, and prepares them for high school football, but also prepares them on how to become good citizens in our community.
Rules:
A: All players shall start and play in the full 1st half of the game on either offense or defense. If it is not possible to start in the 1st half do to team size of more than 23 or more players, option 1 is to have the players who did not start in the 1st half shall start and play the full 2nd half on either offense or defense, or option 2 is to have the players switch in and out for each other for the entire game. This is the fundamental rule on which the conference was formed and the only playtime exception allowed is to discipline a player, ability of a player is not a reason to limit playing time. If a team is suspected of studding up in the first half, the game shall be continued under protest and finish as usual. If the protest is upheld, then the head coach shall serve at a minimum a one game suspension up to and including removal and the game may be a forfeiture based on the investigation of the joint rules committee.
To protest a game, during a game, the Head Coach shall ask the Head Official for a meeting with the opposing Head Coach. This should be done at the end of a Quarter, half, or at the end of the game before leaving the field. After the game if you become aware of a playing time violation you need to notify your President. All protests, an Attachment "B" needs to be filled out and given to your President before your next game.
B: Extra points:
Kicking = 2 points
Running or passing = 1 point
5th/6th grade only: during an extra point attempt the team will have one shot at executing the play. Once the place holder has control of the play the ref will yell go. If the holder does not have control of the ball example: if the ball is hiked over the holders head the play will be considered a dead play.
C: Quarter times:
5th/6th Grade: 8 minute Quarters.
7th/8th Grade: 9 minute Quarters.
D: Sportsmanship Rule:
If you are ahead by 24 or more points every time you receive the ball you are 1st and goal from the spot of the ball, starting in the 2nd half. If you go ahead by 30 or more points in the 2nd half the clock becomes a continuous clock for the rest of the game no matter the score. All offensive plays shall be between the tackles, if the team ahead is still running reverses, passes, counters, or other outside the tackle plays, then an un-sportsmanship foul shall be called against the Head Coach and a 15 yard penalty awarded (the head official or an Executive Board Member can make that call). Note if there is a foul on the play, the penalty shall be marched off and the down shall be replayed or if it is a foul that requires an automatic first down, then you are given a new set of downs, after the penalty is marched off.
E: Gate: The gate fee’s are as follows:
Adult - $3.00
Child - $1.00
Under 5 free
All Day Admission and if Stamped Valid at all Stadiums for the day.
F: Weight Rule:
Mandatory weigh in - all players who pick up equipment on equipment pick up day must weigh in that day. Furthermore, a player that signs up the week of the Jamboree or Camp/Combine must weigh in that week. A player that still hasn’t weighed in after those two chances must weigh in with a representative of the other board present prior to the first game. The dates for mandatory weigh in(s) must be sent to the other leagues executive board for scheduling a representative. If a league does not send a representative to the weigh in(s) then they forfeit their right to question any player’s weight. Once a player’s weight has been accepted, the player shall not be weighed in again or change status.
5th/6th Grade – 120lbs or less
Note: players over the weight limit are considered “strippers” and must have a strip on their helmet
7th/8th Grade – No weight limit
G: Playing Rules: 5th/6th Grade
a.No Blitzing from the line of scrimmage, Line backers shall be 3-5 yards off the ball and can cross the line of scrimmage after the snap. Safety’s 7 yards off the ball at minimum. Corners can come up for bump and run on wide outs. If there is no wide out on your side of the field the corner shall be the same distance as the linebackers. Six man defensive front’s maximum. Illegal formation penalty and can be deferred.
b.6-man defensive front on extra points and fields goals (head up on guard, head up on tackle, and head up on end or wider). Extra points and field goals the defense can rush when the referee says go (holder has control of the ball), except for linebackers and safety’s.
c.The Offensive team shall declare that they are punting, the ball will be snapped and when the punter gains control of the snap the umpire will yell go, at that point both teams may begin the down. No fake punts.
d.If the punt is blocked and the ball doesn’t cross the line of scrimmage, the play will be whistled dead and the ball spotted at the original line of scrimmage and it shall be first and ten going the other way.
e.If the punt is blocked and does cross the line scrimmage, we will follow IHSA Rules.
f.Stripers cannot be in a planned position to advance the ball, but can advance from a defensive position on a fumble or interception. A Striper can advance an onside kick from the front line.
g.You can have a nose tackle except on punts, extra points, and field goals.
h.Your punter can be a striper, but he cannot advance the ball past the line of scrimmage. Penalty 5 yards and can be deferred.
i.No coaches on the field.
j.3 time outs per half, on hot days the referee’s shall stop the game for water breaks as needed.
k.You must have 7 men on the line of scrimmage on offense please no wild formations.
l.You may have one player in motion.
m.If a striper advances the ball by a planned play it shall be whistled stopped and a 5 yard penalty.
n.Striper cannot line up in a position where he could receive the ball: punt receiver or kick receiver.
o.Stripers on the kick receive team have to be on the first line only.
p.We will follow high school rules except as noted above.
H.Playing Rules: 7th/8th Grade
a.Will follow IHSA Rules.
I.If a player gets ejected from a game for unsportsman like conduct, that player is also ejected for the next game as well. This rule can not be overturned by either board i.e. the referee’s decision is final and binding.
J.IHSA rules will be followed in regards to the amount of coaches allowed on the sidelines during games.
K.Overtime rules: The first OT shall be from the 10 yard line, the 2nd OT shall be from the 5 yard line, the 3rd through end of game shall be from the 3 yard line, 2nd half playing rules.
L.Each league shall schedule 4 referees per game; you may play a game with 3 referees but shall not play a game with only 2 referees. They shall receive $60.00 per game for 5th/6th grade and 7th/8th grade.
M.Head Coaches will meet prior to the game to provide the total number of kids that will be playing for the team that day and the number of kid(s) sitting out for disciplinary and injury reasons. That lineup may be requested by league officials if a protest ensues.
N.If an assistant coach gets ejected from a game he shall be suspended for the next game as well. If he is ejected for a 2nd game in the same season he shall be put on suspension until a board review has been conducted.
O.If a head coach gets ejected from a game he shall be suspended for the next game as well. If he is ejected for a 2nd game in the same season he shall be put on suspension until a board review has been conducted.
- Playoff’s will be begin on week 8 with 1 vs 4 and 2 vs 3 winners to move on, additional games for week 8 only shall be 5 vs 6, 7 vs 8 and so on, if there is an odd number of teams the last place team will not receive an additional game. The higher seeded team shall host the game. First team practice can be on August 7th, 2017 and the first conference games will be on August 26, 2017.
Q.Anyone caught video taping or attending another teams practice uninvited will be immediately banned from the league.
R. At no time shall a board member, Head Coach, or an Assistant Coach try to recruit a player from within the opposing league's high school boundary, (SHS, OHS, LPHS, FWC, and SHS). If a player signs up where he or she does not reside, the President's shall be notified. Violation for recruiting the coach will be banned from coaching and a board member removed from his duties for one season for the first offence and on the second offense he/she will be banned from the conference.
S. If your game is stopped for rain we will pick up the game were it was left off unless it was in the 4th quarter, then the Presidents have to agree to finish the game.
T. 7/8 Grade shall use a Youth TDY size football or equivalent and 5/6 Grade shall use Junior TDJ size football or equivalent.
U. Ottawa will purchase the 1st and 2nd place Trophies for 7/8 and 5/6 grades and all Leagues shall split the cost.
V. All heads coaches shall read and sign Attachment A, a PDF copy of the signatures will be place on their Leagues respective Web-Site.
W. Only players, coaches, chain gang, officials and other authorized personnel shall be allowed on the field or sidelines during games. No unauthorized coaches are allowed. This will be enforced by the Commissioner/President of the league. At Saint Bede all fans shall be in the stands only, no one is allowed to be on the practice/game fields except as listed above.
