Flag Football

1. FlagFootball Miami-dade county public schools Physical education department

2. FLAG FOOTBALL RULES OBJECT Flag football is played with two teams of 5-8 players who attempt to score points by moving the ball down the field across the goal line. The team with the most points at the end of regulation time is the winner. PLAYING AREA Typical flag football field dimensions are a rectangle around 60-80 yards long and 20-30 yards wide. There is a goal line at each end leading into a 10-yard end zone. The diagram above shows a standard football field, which can be modified as necessary. EQUIPMENT To play the game, you need a football and a flag belt for each player. Footballs come in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures so it's easy to find one that fits your group. Flags also come in a variety of colors and styles. Some belts have flags that attach with Velcro or plastic fasteners while others have the flags permanently attached so when a flag is pulled the entire belt falls off. STARTING PLAY A coin is tossed prior to the opening kick-off to determine which team will kick-off first and which goals teams will defend. Teams change ends at half-time. Play begins with a kick-off at the start of each half and after a score. There are no free kicks in flag football; all kicks are done by punting.

3. PLAYING THE BALL • Players can kick, carry, and throw the ball to move it up the field. • A defender may knock down a pass that's in the air. • If the player with the ball has his flag pulled or if he goes out of bounds, he is called "down”, and the ball is dead at that spot. • A down is the period of time that begins when the ball is snapped by the center until the ball becomes dead. • When a team has the ball, it has 4 downs to advance the ball 10 yards or score. Each time the ball moves 10 yards down the field, it's awarded a new set of 4 downs. If it fails to advance 10 yards, the ball is given to the other team at the point it became dead at the end of the 4th down. • The line of scrimmage for each team is an imaginary line passing through the end of the football nearest to them, extending from sideline to sideline. • The area between these lines, which is the length of the football, is the "neutral zone." No one is allowed to enter the neutral zone or move toward his opponent's goal line at a snap. • The offensive team must have at least 4 players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.  • The snap is a backward pass through the legs of the center, which puts the ball into play. It must be to a player behind the line of scrimmage, unless it touches the ground. • The snap must be one quick and continuous motion, and the snapper can't move his feet or lift a hand until after the ball is snapped. • Other players have to stay still until the ball is snapped.

4. FLAG BELT • Shirts must be tucked in, and they are not allowed to hang down over the flag belt. • If a player loses his flag belt legally or illegally during a down and gains possession of a live ball, that player is considered down if they are touched with one hand by a defender between the shoulders and the knees. • Players must have the ball before their flag can legally be pulled. • It's illegal for a defender to intentionally pull a flag from an offensive player who doesn't have the ball. The infraction is considered a personal foul with a 10-yard penalty. • Guarding the flag belt is not allowed. • Runners can't use any part of their body or the ball to keep an opponent from pulling their flag. PUNTING • On 4th down, the offensive team is asked if they want to punt from a protected scrimmage. • If they do, the defense isn't allowed to penetrate the line of scrimmage on the snap. • They can try to block the punt only by jumping straight up in the air on their side of the ball. • All members of the punting team, except the punter, must be on the line of scrimmage, and none of them can move until the ball is kicked. • If a punt crosses the scrimmage line and touches a player from either team and then hits the ground, the ball is dead, and possession goes to the receiving team.

5. BACKWARD PASSES AND FUMBLES • A runner can make a backward pass at any time. • A teammate may catch the pass or recover it if it hits the ground. • If the ball is caught or intercepted by any player inbounds before it hits the ground, it can be advanced up the field. • If a player loses the ball and it leaves his hands, play continues no matter which team recovers it and whether or not it touches the ground. FORWARD PASSES AND INTERCEPTIONS • The offensive team is allowed one forward pass during each play from the line of scrimmage, but the passer must be behind the line of scrimmage when releasing the ball. • Any other forward pass is illegal. • If a player is in the air while attempting to catch a ball, he must land with at least one foot in bounds when he has possession of the ball before going out of bounds, unless contact by the opposing team is what causes him to go out of bounds. • If players from opposing teams catch the ball at the same time, the ball is given to the team that snapped the ball.

6. SCORING • Points can be scored in the following manner: • Touchdown = 6 points • When a player carries the ball into the opponent's end zone or catches a pass while in the end zone. • Extra Points • After a team scores a touchdown, they get the opportunity to earn extra points by placing the ball on either the 3, 10, or 20-yard line, lining up for scrimmage, and getting it into the end zone again either by a run or pass. • Extra point = 1 point (if successful from the 3-yard line) • Extra point = 2 points (if successful from the 10-yard line) • Extra point = 3 points (if successful from the 20-yard line) • Safety = 2 points • A safety is called when an offensive player is tackled with the ball in his own end zone. • When this happens, the defensive team is awarded 2 points, and the team that was scored on has to kick off from their 14-yard line. • Defensive Conversion on Extra Point Attempt = 3 points • If the defensive team gains possession of the ball during an extra point attempt and carries or passes the ball across their goal line, they receive 3 points.

7. DURATION • The game lasts 44 minutes and is split into two 22-minute halves. • The clock runs continuously during the entire first half and during the first 20 minutes of the second half. • During the last 2 minutes of the game, the clock is stopped when the ball is dead. OVERTIME • If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period is played. • There is another coin toss called by the home team to determine who will get the ball and which way each team will go. • Each team will have a chance to score from the 10-yard line with a series of 4 downs. • If the score is still tied after each team has had an attempt to score, the process is repeated until there is a winner.

8. FOULS & PENALTIES Pass Interference • A player may not contact a pass receiver in an attempt to keep him from catching the ball. Also, a pass receiver can't be touched or have his flag pulled before he catches the pass. • It isn't pass interference if 2 players make a simultaneous and genuine attempt to catch or knock down a pass. If the pass interference by the defense is intentional, the defense is penalized 10 yards. Personal Fouls • Players are not allowed to: • punch, strip, or steal the ball from the player who has it • trip an opponent • make contact with a player who is on the ground • tackle the runner • hurdle over a player • make contact with an opponent either before or after the ball is dead • deliberately run into a defensive player • clip an opponent by hitting them behind and below the waist Screen Blocking • It is legal to obstruct an opponent without using any part of the body to make contact. The blocker must have their hands and arms at their sides or behind their back. • Screen blockers cannot use their arms, hands, elbows, legs or body to initiate contact. If they do, they are called for a personal foul. • Screen blockers may not: • set a block closer than 1 step behind an opponent who is stationary • make contact with the opponent when setting a block in front or to the side of a stationary opponent • set a block so close to the opponent that contact can't be avoided by stopping or changing direction

9. Stiff Arming Stiff arming (extending your arm rigidly in order to fend off an opponent) is not allowed and is considered a personal foul. Obstructing the Runner A defensive player is not allowed to hold, grab, or obstruct the forward movement of a runner with the ball when attempting to pull the runner's flag. Dead Ball A dead ball marks the end of a down. The ball becomes dead when: • the ball carrier is downed. • a pass is incomplete. • the ball or ball carrier goes out of bounds. • a team scores. OUT OF PLAY When a ball is kicked out of bounds, it is placed at the point where it crossed the sideline. If a player with the ball runs out of bounds, the ball is placed in the center of the field at the point where he went out of bounds.

10. Football Terminology • Blocking: What the offensive team does to prevent a defensive player from tackling the player with the football. • End Zone: The area at the end of the football field where the offensive team must have possession of the football to score a touchdown. • Extra Point: After a football team has scored a touchdown, they have the opportunity to score additional points. They can kick an extra-point for 1 point or try a 2-point conversion for 2 points. • Fair Catch: By signaling with a wave, the football player making a kick return can choose to catch the football and take possession of the ball where he made the catch. He will not get tackled but he also will not be allowed to run with the football. • Field Goal: A three-point score, when the kicker kicks the football above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost. • Fumble: When a football player drops the football, the ball is available for any other player to gain possession for his team. • Holding: A penalty where a football player grabs an opponent. • Interception: A football player on the defense catches a pass. • Line of Scrimmage: The location on the field where the football is spotted and the next play begins.

11. Football Terminology • Offside: A penalty that occurs when any part of a football player’s body is beyond his line of scrimmage as the football snaps. • Punt: A football kick to the other team to give them the ball downfield rather than lose the football on downs. • Quarterback: The football player that starts each play and he takes the snap from the center and either run with it, hands off the football, or passes it. • Receivers: The football players who catch the football. • Sack: A quarterback tackled behind the line of scrimmage. • Snap: Also called the hike, the snap starts the football play. The center hands or passes the football between his legs to the player standing behind him (usually the quarterback). • Tackle: When a football player causes the player carrying the ball to touch the ground such that they are considered down. • Touchdown: When a player has control of the football within the end zone, it equals six-points.

12. Throwing/Passing How to Grip the BallFirst your hand should be on one end of the football, not in the middle. • Your thumb and index finger will form a "C" around the end, in front of the laces. • The tips of your next two fingers should be on the first two laces. • Finally, your pinky finger should be somewhere just below the laces a bit spread out from your ring finger. • The ball should be gripped with your fingers, never the palm of your hand. When gripping the ball there should be space between your palm and the ball. Stance • When you throw the ball, you need to have good balance.   • Throwing off of one foot or off balance can lead to inaccuracy and interceptions.   • So first, get your balance with your feet spread out a little more than the width of your shoulders and your weight on the balls of your feet.   • One foot should be in front of the other (the left foot is in front for right handed throwers).   • The same shoulder (the left for right handed thrower) should be pointed toward your target.   • As you start your throw your weight should be on your back foot. During your throw your weight will transfer to your front foot.   • This will give you power and accuracy.

13. Throwing/Passing Holding the Ball • Before you throw the ball, you should have it in both hands. • This way you will be able to hold onto it if you get hit. The ball should also be held high, about shoulder level. • This way the ball is ready to throw as soon as the receiver is open. • Always practice throwing this way so it becomes a habit. Throwing Motion • When you throw the ball step forward and transfer your weight from your back foot to the front as you throw. This is called "stepping into the throw". • Your elbow should be cocked with your elbow pointing at your target. Throw the ball using a half circle motion. • Be sure to go "over the top" and not side arm. This will give you power and accuracy. • Rotate your back shoulder towards the target as you throw the ball. Release the ball when your elbow is fully extended. Spin • As you get the hang of throwing a football, it should start to spin or spiral. This is important to get the ball to fly true and accurate. It also makes the ball easier to catch.

14. Throwing Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDw-Mo-AOEs

15. Catching Watch the Ball • The number one thing you must do when catching the ball is concentrate and watch the ball all the way into your hands. • Don't try to run or worry about the defense until you have the ball in your hands and tucked away. Catch with Your Hands • One mistake a lot of receivers make is to try and catch the ball too close to their body. • Catch the ball with your hands. • Snatch it out of the air. If you use your body, the ball is likely to bounce off your pads or body and you will drop it. • Be sure to always catch the ball with your hands in practice, so it becomes a habit. Use Both Hands • Although one handed catches look cool, they are difficult, and you should always get two hands on the ball. • Not only does this help you to catch the ball, but if a defender tries to knock the ball free, you are much more likely to hold on to it with two hands than with one.

16. Catching

17. Catching Video • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxi9p6TajTw

18. punting • Hold the ball out in front of you, with the laces pointing up • Take two steps forward • Kick the ball right after you drop it. • Follow through

19. Punting VIDEO • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qz5EkVW45lQ