YMCA Flag Football Rules Grid 5-6yo (10115) The Game Ball Size: 5-6yo Field Dimensions Field of play line markings: Time Of Play Number of Players on Field/ Minimum to play (4) Number of downs to reach mid field first down or touchdown. Start of play and change of possession at the (5) yard line. No kick-offs Flag Football is a Non-Contact Sport. Intentional player contacts will result in a penalty. Pee-Wee (properly inflated) 90x210 where field space is adequate. (Field size may vary depending on location-restrictions) Sideline including back end zone lines and front end zone lines. Additional: 5 yard before each end zone. Mid field (First down marker). Additional: 5 yard before and after midfield line. These are NO RUN areas (2) 20 Minute Half (continuous clock). Clock stops at half-time, official and or coaches time-out, injuries. Referee whistle two minute warning before half, before end of game. NOTE: (1) minute before the half and end of game, referee calls Time Out-Clock Stops and blows whistle when a pass in incomplete, a dropped ball or runner out of bounds or interception. Time in at hike. 6 on 6. No makeup due to forfeiture. (4) downs Coin toss decides first half possession from the 5 yard line. Defense choose end zone defending. Reverse possession start of second half. Substitutions To assure all players get equal minutes of play on the field, divide the players into offensive and defensive squads. Where overlap of players is needed, rotate in new players at the change of possession.
Referee/Time Keeper No run zones Not enforced in 5-6yo league. Extra point exception to no Run Zone Change of possession Overtime Interceptions returned Interception in end zone Uniforms/Flags Mouth guards Points Rushing the QB inside the LOS or any ball carrier inside the LOS. (Not allowed for 5-6yo league) Play Clock: Offensive huddle Yes (All calls are final) Clarifications about calls are allowed but a TIME OUT will be charged. No disputes. This zone is marked before mid-field and each end zone. Any offensive play can be made. Following a touchdown, going for extra one point from the No Run Zone- Must be a pass that must be, forward the LOS. Going for two points, that play maybe any offensive play. Failure to get a first down or touchdown results in setting the ball at the opposite field (5 yard line) No, Ties will stand Yes. Player advances until flag is pulled. Ball is spotted at the spot where flag was pulled for the new offense. Ball can be returned the length of the field for same point(s) total as original attempt. Failure to fully return, results in spotting ball the far end (5) yard line. Y jerseys must be tucked in. Belted (2) Velcro flags only worn on opposite hips. Required- no mouth piece- no play Touchdown=(6) points. Extra points: Going for one. Ball is placed at the No RUN Zone and must be a Forward Pass only. Going for two. Ball is placed from the (10yd) and allows run or pass. Safety=(2) points. If a safety, ball is awarded to the defense that made the safety starting opposite end of field at own (5yd). Defense must remain behind the LOS at all times. No rush inside the LOS at all, even if handed off or lateralled. Ball is set, referee whistle, then 30 second clock to get the ball in play.
Executing the offensive play from hike Play stops: 5-6yo the offense has (9 ) from hike, to advance the ball beyond the LOS. Failure to make the play is loss of down. Offensive player flag is pulled.. Player knees, bottom touches ground. Injury. Time out. Player steps on boundary line. Flag or ball falls out during play. Ball is spotted where called. Formations: Offense (9 RULE)- Offense has 9 to get the ball beyond the LOS. Formations: Defense Advancing the ball Offensive Penalty (5yd) Defensive Penalty (5yd) Team Penalty (10 yards) plus awarded an automatic first down against the defense) or (10 yards) plus loss of down against the offense) Any formation is allowed on offense except: The QB must be directly behind the center or shot gun and receive the ball at hike from the center at the LOS. Center hike may side hike or under leg hike. No wild-cat. QB cannot run with the ball for positive yards after getting the hike. QB can roll-out and allow any number of laterals, passes, hand-offs behind the LOS. No QB or Center sneaks allowed for + yards. No hidden ball tricks. Beyond the LOS, No laterals, hand-offs. One offensive player in motion, parallel to LOS Any defensive alignment is allowed. Defense must be beyond the LOS. Defense cannot rush the QB or penetrate inside the LOS even if the offense hands off or laterals or passes- inside the LOS. Defense must wait until ball carrier is forward or beyond the LOS for positive yards, to grab a flag.. Ball is spotted where the runners feet are when flag is pulled. Runner cannot: Extended arm with ball or dive. Ball carrier may twist, pivot, spin. No vertical stop and jumps. Cannot dive, wave away or make contact, to avoid flag pull. False Start. Pushing. Screening. Blocking. Delay of Game. Flag Guarding. Charging at the defense player (power runs). Half distance to goal within 5yd line. Off Side. Pass Interference. Contact with ball carrier. Holding- Blocking. Illegal flag pull (pulling the belt, jersey, shorts to slow the ball carrier down. Un sportsmanship Conduct- Player or Coach. Taunting. Aggressive behavior (can also be removed from the game) Stripping the ball.
Safety: (2 points to the defense and new possession own 5yd) In end-zone Ball carrier flag falls off or play clock expires or Knee touches the ground or ball carrier Steps out of bounds. Records/Rankings/Playoffs/ Time Outs/Coaches on Field/ Coaches on the field Y does not keep W/L. Seasonal playoffs maybe scheduled and TBD. One (one) minute time out each half. Coaches: One Offense- One Defense- Away from the play. Coach that impeded a play will be assessed a (5) yard penalty. Flag Football Rules 5-6yo Overview Only players registered with the YMCA will be allowed to play and wear an approved YMCA jersey and conform to age limitations birthdate as of: August 1. No stacked teams allowed. Every player will play at least one half of every game, unless injury or child wishes not to. Teams with 12 players are to play equal squads: A/B alternating downs or possessions. Any violation of the participation requirement will result in a forfeiture. Each player must have the proper equipment: Mouth piece, athletic shoes or cleats, suitable shorts or pants official YMCA team jersey. Approved flag belts. Jerseys must be tucked in. Belts must be tightened around waist and loose straps tucked inside the shorts. No jewelry or head gear is allowed Coaches: All coaches required to complete Request to Coach Form, prior to assuming this responsibility. Coaches must be away from the unfolding play or get a penalty One coach from each team will be allowed on the field. One offense coach, one defensive coach. Additional coaches are to remain on the sidelines. Coaches cannot question, comment, or exhibit disruptive language or behavior anytime to any YMCA staff, participant or spectator. Parents: Must exhibit the same behavior controls and follow the YMCA Code of Conduct document, as the team and coaches and players are mandated. Special Rules 1. Parents are to provide supervision for all their children at all times. 2. All scheduled games are final. Rain-out games will be rescheduled by the YMCA staff. 3. Forfeits will result in a scrimmage game among team s players present. Teams may combine. 4. All players must sign and return the Concussion Awareness Form to the coach. 5. Offensive or defensive coach may elect to decline a offensive or defensive penalty Pass terminology: A forward pass can be, toss, pitch, shovel that travels beyond the LOS in positive yard area, ALSO as in No RUN Zone or Point After attempts and is allowed. A lateral pass, toss, shovel, pitch behind the LOS that travels in the (offense backfield), is not a legal forward pass. In the no run zone, a lateral pass is considered a backfield play and another Forward pass, beyond the LOS, must be executed.
Guidelines for YMCA Flag Football Officials You are part of a valued team whose responsibility includes representing the Greater Birmingham YMCA Youth Sports programs to our members and the public at large. As such, collectively we strive to offer the best managed and best officiated games in the city. Your talents and enthusiasm is the reason why you were hired to represent our branches and we appreciate in advance your dedication and excellence to succeed in our shared goals. To help run a consistent and predicable program, we offer the following guidelines as best-practices to follow. Study the rules and have them on your person. Arrive: 20 minutes prior to kick off- where possible. What to wear: Approved YMCA logo shirt or zebra stripe official s jersey, sneakers. What to bring: Refreshments, whistle, wrist watch with second hand, white towel for ball placement, both sets of rules (5-6yo and 7yo Up), gameday schedules to assure correct team match ups, approved and properly inflated balls, hand pump, extra flag belts, first aid kit (under the direction of your branch administration). Pre-Game Check-List *Meet both coaches (only) and go over yellow changes to the rules. Discuss in length these changes; caution them no interruptions during game, no side line yelling, stay away from the play, both on offense and defense. Stress cooperation. *Gather both teams mid-field. Go over very basic rules, emphasize no body physical play, mouth pieces, shirts tucked in, tight belts etc. Stress the fun-factor! *Ask for team prayers *Flip coin for possession *Final belt and mouth piece check each player What happens if things go bad? Ask a player, parent, and coach that problematic conduct is outside our rules, can lead to ejection and sets a bad example for sportsmanship. Attempt to mollify and reduce the tension. Do the play over if that works. Never confront, touch or argue. Walk away from a situation that s heated. Call time out and call your supervisor and wait his/her instructions. (make a mental note what happened and get names).
Rules Clarification Defense off-side: Off-side 5-6yo league only. When a 5-6yo defensive player penetrates beyond the LOS (known as offensive backfield), That is a 'OFF SIDE' penalty against the defense. The referee makes note and throws a marker (but does not blow the whistle) allowing the play to continue. At the conclusion of the play, the officials call time out and councils with the offense coach and offers to either accept the yardage gained, (decline the off side penalty) OR accept the 5yard 'off side' penalty against the defense, move the ball forward 5 yds from the original LOS and replay the down. ONE Minute Ruling (all leagues) In addition to other clock stoppages when a team is Inside the one minute clock to the half or end of game, the following clarification is: Following a touchdown, when going for one or two point conversion, the clock remains stopped throughout the point after attempt. No time is added during the attempt. The clock resumes with the call of 'hike' with the new offensive begins their first play from the 10 yard line. Time Clock Management:: The only referee allowed to keep clock are the referees actually on the playing field. This applies to (30') huddles and release of ball (7' for 7yo Up) and (9' for 5-6yo) leagues and Time Called when teams are at or under One Minute to the half and end of game. Other Y staff, other coaches, nor parents cannot interfere or influence any clock management executed by the on-field referees. Exception: When an on-field referee designates a Y staff, not on the playing field but adjacent and nearby the field, may govern the clock whose decisions are final. Flags dislodged: Dead Ball If an offensive player who in the act of running a play,(after hike) loses either flag or flags shift and during his route then gets possession of the ball either running or catching, the referee makes note of the spot and whistles the play dead. The ball, in possession of the player, is then spotted at the spot of referee notice. Next down. In addition, if a offensive player lines up with a missing or mis aligned flags before hike and subsequently then becomes the ball carrier, the referee whistles the play dead= No play and the down is replayed at the original LOS. The defense cannot elect to accept or decline the call- It's not a penalty.