FLAG FOOTBALL DEFINITIONS:

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1 FLAG FOOTBALL Ideally, the game is played between two teams of 7, 8 or 9 players. The length of the field depends on what the facilities will allow. The end zones are 10 yards deep at each end. A regulation field is 53 ½ yards wide and 120 yards long. The end lines are boundaries at each end of the field. The sidelines are boundaries at each side of the field. The end zone is the area between the goal line and the end line. There is also an abbreviated field 80 yards long and 40 yards wide with 10 yard end zones. There are lines marked 5 yards from the goal line and a line dividing the field in half from goal line to goal line. DEFINITIONS: 1. BLOCK a screen set by an offensive player to protect the ball carrier 2. CONVERSION a unit of extra scoring after a touchdown 3. DEFENSE the team that does not have the ball 4. DOWN unit of the game which starts with the centering of the ball and ends when the ball is dead 5. END ZONE the area between the goal line and the end line (10 yards) 6. FLAG GUARDING any player using their hands, arms or spinning to prevent another from pulling a flag (illegal) 7. FORWARD PASS a pass thrown by any player from behind the line of scrimmage toward the goal line 8. FUMBLE failure of a player to retain possession of the ball, it is a dead ball when it hits the ground 9. GOAL LINE the end of the playing field prior to the end zone 10. INCOMPLETE PASS a pass thrown by the quarterback and not caught 11. KICK-OFF a place kick from own 20 yard marker at the beginning of each half and after each touchdown 12. INTERCEPTON a pass caught by the defensive team 13. LATERAL PASS a pass that is thrown backwards or to the side of the passer s own goal 14. LINE OF SCRIMMAGE offensive: an imaginary line from the side line to side line where the ball is placed; defensive: a line 3 yards parallel to the offensive line of scrimmage 15. NEUTRAL ZONE a 3 yard area separating the defensive team from the line of scrimmage until the ball is centered 16. OFFSIDE a player entering the neutral zone before the ball is put into play 17. OFFENSE the team with the ball 18. RECEIVER any player who can catch the ball (on offense) 19. REFEREE a person on the field who enforces the rules of the game

2 20. PASS INTERFERENCE an act in which a player pushes, blocks, removes a flag or holds an opponent to prevent them from catching the ball 21. PENALTY a loss of yards due to a violation of the rules 22. PUNT kicking the ball by dropping the ball on the top of one s foot 23. SACK when the quarterback is deflagged behind the line of scrimmage 24. SAFETY a unit of scoring worth 2 points; it is scored when a player with the ball is brought down behind his/her own goal line by the defensive team 25. TACKLE used by the defensive team to stop the offense; the flag must be dropped where it was pulled 26. TOUCH BACK a kick-off or punt that is caught, fumbled or lands in the end zone; a player must catch a kicked ball in his/her end zone and ground the ball thus not attempting to run it out; the ball is then brought out to the 10 yard line 27. TOUCHDOWN is accomplished when the offensive team crosses the goal line with the ball 28. FOUL any infringement of the rules which results in the loss of yardage; the offensive team has the option of accepting or declining any penalty, whichever is in the best interest of the team GENERAL RULES All defensive players who rush the passer must be a minimum of 3 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Defensive players must count to 5 out loud prior to crossing the line of scrimmage in order to rush the quarterback; once the ball is handed off or the quarterback begins to run, the three yard rule and 5 second count is no longer in effect and all defenders may rush. Players not rushing the quarterback may defend the line of scrimmage. Each team must have at least four players on the scrimmage line. All players are eligible to receive a pass or run with the ball. Blocking with an open hand or straight arm block is permitted. Blockers must stay on their feet and contact with the opponent must only be between the shoulders and waist. Downfield blocking is permitted after a pass, reception or during a running play but not when the ball is in the air. Diving (feet off the ground) to remove a flag is illegal. Diving to block or advance the ball is illegal. A defensive player can only bump into the offensive center or pass receivers one time within five yards of the scrimmage line. Defensive players cannot hold or stop the forward progress of a ball carrier in attempting to pull a flag. A pass receiver must have one foot in-bounds for a legal reception. On a kick off, the ball is kicked off from the 5 yard line. It must be kicked off the ground.

3 If a kick goes out-of-bounds, the ball is placed where the ball went out-ofbounds, or on the 5 yard line on the receiving team side of the field, whichever is more advantageous to the receiving team. All players on the kicking team must be behind the ball placed on their 5 yard line when the ball is kicked. A first down is achieved by crossing the center line. A team can make a first down only one time and must be made in four or less downs. On the second set of downs the offensive team must cross the goal line. If a team decides to punt, they must inform the defense. The defense is not allowed to rush the punter. If the punt goes out-of-bounds, the ball is placed where the ball went out. A lateral is legal only behind the line of scrimmage. Tackling is not permitted at any time. The quarterback can run even if he/she is not rushed by the defense. A player is out-of-bounds when he/she steps on the side line. Only one forward pass is allowed in each down. On a simultaneous catch, the offense gets the ball. The ball is down and play ends when a ball carrier s knee touches the ground or when the ball carrier touches the ball to the ground. If the ball bounces on the ground on center snap and right into the quarterbacks hands, play it. If the ball is fielded clean on the kick off play it. The position of the ball when the flag is pulled determines the spot for the next down. A quarterback can pass the ball anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. The ball is put into play at the line of scrimmage by a snap from the center. PENALTIES 3 step penalties: (@ 3 YDS.) 2 step penalties: (@ 2 YDS.) 1. blocking flags 1. off sides, rushing before the 2. tucking flags 5 sec. count 3. leaving feet during a block 2. offensive pass interference 4. unnecessary roughness 3. illegal motion 5. holding 4. failure to count 6. defensive pass interference 5. no flag 7. ball carrying head down 8. guarding flags SCORING: Touchdown six points Extra point from 5 yard line two points (pass only) Extra point from 5 yard line one point (run only) Safety two points

4 STRATEGIES: It is important in flag football that all players play their assigned positions. If the play calls for a run, it is important the lineman stay in and block and the receivers run the required pass patterns and then help the quarterback by blocking if the quarterback decides to run. Receivers need to continue to move until the quarterback finds an open receiver and throws the ball. The defensive backs can either play man-to-man defense or zone defense. Man-to-man defense is where each defensive player is assigned to one offensive player and the defensive player s job is to stay with that player at all times. Zone defense is concept that each defensive player has a certain zone (area) on the field to protect. The defensive line should have one or two players that rush the quarterback at all times. The more time the quarterback has to pass or run the ball, the more successful he/she will have. HEALTH RELATED FITNESS: Cardiovascular fitness: Flag football is an anaerobic activity; it is a fast and explosive game. Strength: Core body strength along with leg power is important in the running, jumping and cutting on the field. Muscular Endurance: The ability to play a long time. Throughout the flag football game a player is expected to jog and sprint many times. Good muscular endurance will help with this constant action. Major muscles used in playing flag football. 1. Quadriceps femoris group 2. Rectus abdominis 3. Deltoids 4. Pectoralis manor and minor 5. Triceps 6. Latissimus dorsi 7. Hamstring muscle group What are other muscles used when punting a football? What other sport would you use the above muscles?

5 SK ILL RELATED FITNESS: 1. Coordination Flag football uses eye-hand coordination to catch the ball. 2. Speed Speed is used in order to move quickly running with the ball or defending a pass or an offensive runner. 3. Agility Football players need to have the ability to move in any direction on the run. 2010