2018 FREELAND FLAG FOOTBALL 7 v 7
2018 FREELAND FLAG FOOTBALL 7v7 MIDGET & MIGHTY RULES
Table of Contents SECTION 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................................. 1 SECTION 2 – FIELD REQUIREMENTS & EQUIPMENT ............................................................................... 1 SECTION 3 – MIDGET & MIGHTY GAME REGULATIONS.......................................................................... 1 SECTION 4 – MOVING THE BALL........................................................................................................... 2 SECTION 5 – ADDITIONAL RULES.......................................................................................................... 2 SECTION 6 – KICKS & PUNTS ................................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 7 – POINTS ........................................................................................................................... 3 SECTION 8 – MAN-IN-MOTION ............................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 9 – COACHES ........................................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 10 – OFFICIALS...................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 11 – YARDAGE & PENALTIES .................................................................................................. 4 SECTION 12 – OVERTIME RULES........................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 13 – PLAYOFFS & CHAMPIONSHIP .......................................................................................... 4 SECTION 14 – FIELD LAYOUT................................................................................................................ 5
2018 MIDGET & MIGHTY 7 on 7 FOOTBALL BY‐LAWS MOUTH GUARDS: ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR A PROTECTIVE MOUTH PIECE DURING GAME PLAY. SECTION 1 ‐ GENERAL INFORMATION
Age groups pertaining to these by‐laws are as follows: i. MIDGET: Ages 11‐13 ii. MIGHTY: Ages 14‐16 **NOTE** A child's age on April 1 is his/her age for the season. Cleats (soft rubber) are allowed, except metal spikes. Inspections must be made prior to game. Official team jerseys must be worn during play. All players must wear a protective mouth piece during game play. NO EXCEPTIONS. If a player does not have a mouthpiece and team jersey, they cannot play.
SECTION 2 ‐ FIELD REQUIREMENTS & EQUIPMENT
Field size will be 60 yards long (end zone to end zone) by 25 yards wide, including two 10‐yard end zones, one at each end of the playing field. The field will have the following lines/markers; side lines, goal lines, end lines, mid field line, 5‐yard line, and extra point dash at 10 yards from end zone, and 10‐yard end zones. Players will use the appropriate size footballs for each age division: o MIDGET: Under Armour junior or similar o MIGHTY: Under Armour youth or similar. High School standard sized footballs are also permitted.
SECTION 3 ‐ MIDGET & MIGHTY GAME REGULATIONS • •
• • •
Each team will have a minimum of 6 regular season games scheduled. Games will be played 7 on 7, ONE HAND TOUCH. a. In the event a team is short of 7 players; teams may play either: 1. 5 on 7 (with no center) 2. 6 on 7 (with no center) There are no kick‐offs or punts. Play will start with the ball spotted on the offenses’ first zone line, i.e. the 5‐yard line. Only passing plays are allowed at these levels. If a team starts the game with 7 players, a center must be designated to snap the ball each down. This position must rotate at least every series. 1
The center is not an eligible receiver. At the start of the game, choice of first possession and field ends are determined by the flip of a coin. The team listed first on the schedule is considered the away team and will call heads or tails. Each game will consist of two (2), 20‐minute halves. Clock will stop only on time‐outs, two‐minute warning, injuries, half time, or official time outs. Teams will be given 2 time outs per half, one minute in length. Time‐outs do not carry over. There will be two (2), two‐minute warnings at the two‐minute mark in each half. There will be 5 minutes at the half, during which time positive reinforcement and coaching is to be rendered. Refreshments are also recommended. After halftime, the teams will switch ends of the field. Substitutions, due to injuries, may be made at any time, during the next dead ball. All games will take place at Della Croce Field and be played on Sundays only. The 2018 season length is from Sunday April 15th – Sunday June 10th. (dates subject to change due to weather)
SECTION 4 ‐ MOVING THE BALL
The ball is always placed in the center of the field when at the first zone line. There are no kick‐offs or punts. Play will start with the ball spotted on the offenses’ first zone line, i.e. the 5‐yard line. Possession always begins at the 5‐yard line in the middle of the field. NO PASSER MAY RUN ACROSS THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE WITH THE BALL. ALL PASSES MUST BE FORWARD. ONLY THE PLAYER RECEIVING THE SNAP MAY PASS THE BALL. All passes must be completed over the line of scrimmage. The only laterals that will be allowed will be laterals that occur AFTER the completion of a forward pass. No running plays are allowed at these age groups. Plays stopped behind the goal line will be ruled a safety and the opposing team will be awarded 2 points.
SECTION 5 ‐ ADDITIONAL RULES •
• •
The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. The Referee starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball. a. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play goes on. b. If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, he waits until the play is over (the play is not blown dead), then brings the ball back to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. No interceptions may occur if the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds. c. When the 4.0 second pass clock is exceeded, the referee will throw a flag to notify players the pass clock has expired. d. NO RUSH IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. Interceptions may be returned however; defensive players may not block anyone once a pass is intercepted. If an interception is returned beyond the goal line it will be ruled a touchdown. If an interception is not returned for a touchdown, the intercepting team will begin on offense at the spot at which the defender was touched down. 2
No blocking is allowed at any point. No blocking or screening when a ball has been intercepted. All defensive players must stop and allow the passing team's players unrestricted access to the player that intercepted the ball. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. There are no “live” fumbles, if the ball comes out of a runner’s/receiver’s hand during play; a. Forward fumble: the ball is dead where the runner’s feet were when possession was lost. b. Backward fumble: the ball is dead at the spot where the ball lands. A muffed snap is not a fumble. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
SECTION 6 ‐ KICKS AND PUNTS
There will be no kick‐offs or punts. On a turnover of downs, the ball is spotted on the opposing teams first zone line, 5‐yard line, to start the possession.
SECTION 7 ‐ POINTS
A touchdown is six (6) points. Extra Points: One (1) Point Conversion: the ball is placed on the 5‐yard line. Any pass completed in the end zone will be counted as 1 point. Two (2) Point Conversion: the ball is placed on the 10‐yard hash. Any pass completed in the end zone will be counted as 2 points. A safety is 2 points. The ball must break the plane of the goal line to be scored a touchdown.
SECTION 8 ‐ MAN‐IN‐MOTION
One player is permitted to move in motion each play. Only players lined up off the line of scrimmage are permitted to move in motion.
SECTION 9 ‐ COACHES
Coaches may be present on the actual playing field to assist players in positioning themselves in huddles, directions, etc... Coaches may not interfere in any way with the actual play. Coaches should refrain from directing players once the ball is snapped. However, cheering and encouragement are permitted and desirable. The final decision on a coach’s vocalization is made by the game officials. Each team is permitted 3 coaches. They will consist of one (1) Head Coach and two (2) assistants.
3
SECTION 10 ‐ OFFICIALS
Midget and Mighty Division games will be refereed by one (1) or two (2) officials. Each game will utilize a minimum of one game “official,” a referee. A volunteer parent may be utilized for the yard/down marker. This equipment and volunteer is mandatory. The ball should be returned to an official or coach at the end of the play.
SECTION 11 ‐ YARDAGE AND PENALTIES
Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be a 5‐yard penalty. Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Player will be ejected if ruled unsportsmanlike conduct. Offensive pass interference will result in a 5 yard penalty. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will result in a delay of game – a 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the ball. No taunting or trash talking – 5 yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant or repeated. Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul ‐ 1st down will be awarded at the spot of the foul. Illegal contact – it is the defenses responsibility to avoid contact with the offensive player. There will be NO chucking, or deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a "tack on" penalty at the end of the play ‐ 5 yard penalty.
SECTION 12 ‐ OVERTIME RULES
The team listed first on the schedule is considered the away team and will call heads or tails. Teams will alternate four (4) down series from the 20‐yard line. A winner is determined when one team outscores the other team during an overtime session. Both team must go for two points on the conversion attempts beginning in the second overtime period.
SECTION 13‐ PLAYOFFS AND CHAMPIONSHIP
All teams are automatically in the playoffs. Playoffs are a single elimination bracket, with teams being seeded by overall record at the conclusion of the regular season. All games for the playoffs, including the championship will be held on the last two (2) weeks of the season.
4
SECTION 14 ‐ FIELD LAYOUT
20 YARDS 10 YARDS
10 YARDS
FREELAND ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 1 PT CONVERSION ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2 PT CONVERSION ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
1ST ZONE
FLAG FOOTBALL 15 YARDS 10 YARDS
@ 5 YARDS @ 10 YARDS
5 YARDS
MIDFIELD
60 YARDS
5
Table of Contents SECTION 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION.................................................................................................. 1 SECTION 2 – FIELD REQUIREMENTS & EQUIPMENT ............................................................................... 1 SECTION 3 – MIDGET & MIGHTY GAME REGULATIONS.......................................................................... 1 SECTION 4 – MOVING THE BALL........................................................................................................... 2 SECTION 5 – ADDITIONAL RULES.......................................................................................................... 2 SECTION 6 – KICKS & PUNTS ................................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 7 – POINTS ........................................................................................................................... 3 SECTION 8 – MAN-IN-MOTION ............................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 9 – COACHES ........................................................................................................................ 3 SECTION 10 – OFFICIALS...................................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 11 – YARDAGE & PENALTIES .................................................................................................. 4 SECTION 12 – OVERTIME RULES........................................................................................................... 4 SECTION 13 – PLAYOFFS & CHAMPIONSHIP .......................................................................................... 4 SECTION 14 – FIELD LAYOUT................................................................................................................ 5
2018 MIDGET & MIGHTY 7 on 7 FOOTBALL BY‐LAWS MOUTH GUARDS: ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR A PROTECTIVE MOUTH PIECE DURING GAME PLAY. SECTION 1 ‐ GENERAL INFORMATION
Age groups pertaining to these by‐laws are as follows: i. MIDGET: Ages 11‐13 ii. MIGHTY: Ages 14‐16 **NOTE** A child's age on April 1 is his/her age for the season. Cleats (soft rubber) are allowed, except metal spikes. Inspections must be made prior to game. Official team jerseys must be worn during play. All players must wear a protective mouth piece during game play. NO EXCEPTIONS. If a player does not have a mouthpiece and team jersey, they cannot play.
SECTION 2 ‐ FIELD REQUIREMENTS & EQUIPMENT
Field size will be 60 yards long (end zone to end zone) by 25 yards wide, including two 10‐yard end zones, one at each end of the playing field. The field will have the following lines/markers; side lines, goal lines, end lines, mid field line, 5‐yard line, and extra point dash at 10 yards from end zone, and 10‐yard end zones. Players will use the appropriate size footballs for each age division: o MIDGET: Under Armour junior or similar o MIGHTY: Under Armour youth or similar. High School standard sized footballs are also permitted.
SECTION 3 ‐ MIDGET & MIGHTY GAME REGULATIONS • •
• • •
Each team will have a minimum of 6 regular season games scheduled. Games will be played 7 on 7, ONE HAND TOUCH. a. In the event a team is short of 7 players; teams may play either: 1. 5 on 7 (with no center) 2. 6 on 7 (with no center) There are no kick‐offs or punts. Play will start with the ball spotted on the offenses’ first zone line, i.e. the 5‐yard line. Only passing plays are allowed at these levels. If a team starts the game with 7 players, a center must be designated to snap the ball each down. This position must rotate at least every series. 1
The center is not an eligible receiver. At the start of the game, choice of first possession and field ends are determined by the flip of a coin. The team listed first on the schedule is considered the away team and will call heads or tails. Each game will consist of two (2), 20‐minute halves. Clock will stop only on time‐outs, two‐minute warning, injuries, half time, or official time outs. Teams will be given 2 time outs per half, one minute in length. Time‐outs do not carry over. There will be two (2), two‐minute warnings at the two‐minute mark in each half. There will be 5 minutes at the half, during which time positive reinforcement and coaching is to be rendered. Refreshments are also recommended. After halftime, the teams will switch ends of the field. Substitutions, due to injuries, may be made at any time, during the next dead ball. All games will take place at Della Croce Field and be played on Sundays only. The 2018 season length is from Sunday April 15th – Sunday June 10th. (dates subject to change due to weather)
SECTION 4 ‐ MOVING THE BALL
The ball is always placed in the center of the field when at the first zone line. There are no kick‐offs or punts. Play will start with the ball spotted on the offenses’ first zone line, i.e. the 5‐yard line. Possession always begins at the 5‐yard line in the middle of the field. NO PASSER MAY RUN ACROSS THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE WITH THE BALL. ALL PASSES MUST BE FORWARD. ONLY THE PLAYER RECEIVING THE SNAP MAY PASS THE BALL. All passes must be completed over the line of scrimmage. The only laterals that will be allowed will be laterals that occur AFTER the completion of a forward pass. No running plays are allowed at these age groups. Plays stopped behind the goal line will be ruled a safety and the opposing team will be awarded 2 points.
SECTION 5 ‐ ADDITIONAL RULES •
• •
The QB is allowed 4.0 seconds to throw the ball. The Referee starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball. a. If release is under 4.0 seconds, the play goes on. b. If the referee sees that the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds, he waits until the play is over (the play is not blown dead), then brings the ball back to the original line of scrimmage with loss of down. No interceptions may occur if the clock has exceeded 4.0 seconds. c. When the 4.0 second pass clock is exceeded, the referee will throw a flag to notify players the pass clock has expired. d. NO RUSH IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. Interceptions may be returned however; defensive players may not block anyone once a pass is intercepted. If an interception is returned beyond the goal line it will be ruled a touchdown. If an interception is not returned for a touchdown, the intercepting team will begin on offense at the spot at which the defender was touched down. 2
No blocking is allowed at any point. No blocking or screening when a ball has been intercepted. All defensive players must stop and allow the passing team's players unrestricted access to the player that intercepted the ball. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when touched below the neck with one or both hands. There are no “live” fumbles, if the ball comes out of a runner’s/receiver’s hand during play; a. Forward fumble: the ball is dead where the runner’s feet were when possession was lost. b. Backward fumble: the ball is dead at the spot where the ball lands. A muffed snap is not a fumble. The 4.0 second count remains in effect on snaps.
SECTION 6 ‐ KICKS AND PUNTS
There will be no kick‐offs or punts. On a turnover of downs, the ball is spotted on the opposing teams first zone line, 5‐yard line, to start the possession.
SECTION 7 ‐ POINTS
A touchdown is six (6) points. Extra Points: One (1) Point Conversion: the ball is placed on the 5‐yard line. Any pass completed in the end zone will be counted as 1 point. Two (2) Point Conversion: the ball is placed on the 10‐yard hash. Any pass completed in the end zone will be counted as 2 points. A safety is 2 points. The ball must break the plane of the goal line to be scored a touchdown.
SECTION 8 ‐ MAN‐IN‐MOTION
One player is permitted to move in motion each play. Only players lined up off the line of scrimmage are permitted to move in motion.
SECTION 9 ‐ COACHES
Coaches may be present on the actual playing field to assist players in positioning themselves in huddles, directions, etc... Coaches may not interfere in any way with the actual play. Coaches should refrain from directing players once the ball is snapped. However, cheering and encouragement are permitted and desirable. The final decision on a coach’s vocalization is made by the game officials. Each team is permitted 3 coaches. They will consist of one (1) Head Coach and two (2) assistants.
3
SECTION 10 ‐ OFFICIALS
Midget and Mighty Division games will be refereed by one (1) or two (2) officials. Each game will utilize a minimum of one game “official,” a referee. A volunteer parent may be utilized for the yard/down marker. This equipment and volunteer is mandatory. The ball should be returned to an official or coach at the end of the play.
SECTION 11 ‐ YARDAGE AND PENALTIES
Each team will have 25 seconds to snap the ball once it has been marked ready for play; delay of game penalty will be a 5‐yard penalty. Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Player will be ejected if ruled unsportsmanlike conduct. Offensive pass interference will result in a 5 yard penalty. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous spot or the new scrimmage spot. Clock does not stop and any delay by offense in retrieving and returning the ball to the official will result in a delay of game – a 5 yard penalty will be assessed from the spot of the ball. No taunting or trash talking – 5 yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant or repeated. Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul ‐ 1st down will be awarded at the spot of the foul. Illegal contact – it is the defenses responsibility to avoid contact with the offensive player. There will be NO chucking, or deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a "tack on" penalty at the end of the play ‐ 5 yard penalty.
SECTION 12 ‐ OVERTIME RULES
The team listed first on the schedule is considered the away team and will call heads or tails. Teams will alternate four (4) down series from the 20‐yard line. A winner is determined when one team outscores the other team during an overtime session. Both team must go for two points on the conversion attempts beginning in the second overtime period.
SECTION 13‐ PLAYOFFS AND CHAMPIONSHIP
All teams are automatically in the playoffs. Playoffs are a single elimination bracket, with teams being seeded by overall record at the conclusion of the regular season. All games for the playoffs, including the championship will be held on the last two (2) weeks of the season.
4
SECTION 14 ‐ FIELD LAYOUT
20 YARDS 10 YARDS
10 YARDS
FREELAND ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 1 PT CONVERSION ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ 2 PT CONVERSION ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
1ST ZONE
FLAG FOOTBALL 15 YARDS 10 YARDS
@ 5 YARDS @ 10 YARDS
5 YARDS
MIDFIELD
60 YARDS
5
