Flag Football Rules

                    General Rules:

• High School Federation Rules apply with the following exceptions.

• Two 20 minute halves with running clock,  3 min halftime.

• No kickoffs or punts. The ball is placed on the  40 yard line to start each half, after a score, and after a loss of down.  

• On an interception, the team starts where the intercepting teams flag was pulled

• Flag field is 50 Yards

• Interceptions are live ball plays and may be returned for a defensive touchdown.

• Fumbles are dead balls and spotted where the ball hit the ground

• All players must play 50% of each game. If a player does not start on an offensive series, he/she   must start on the defensive series to follow or vice versa. Penalty; This will be referred to the YYFL Board for review.

• Each team can have 2 coaches on the field at a time

• There is NO weight limit rule for ball carriers

The Offense:

• Flags must be worn on sides and shirt must be tucked in at all times.

• If flag falls off, the play should stop and ball placed where flag lies

• If the ball carrier’s knee hits the ground, he is down at that spot

• All offenses plays must be run from the YYFL supplied play book.

• Absolutely NO Quarterback sneaks.  Any Quarterback runs must have a run fake and run opposite of running backs.

• The ball will start on the 40.  The offensive team gets 4 plays or less to get to 30, 20,10, and Endzone.  If a play starts at the 18 and gets to the 6, the offensive team still gets 4 plays to get to the endzone from the 6.  Not getting to the next line of gain in 4 or less plays will equal a turnover on downs.

The Defense:

• Each team must use a heads up defense with the defensive players head up the offensive players. No blitzing at any time. The linebackers must read the play and then start pursuit. It is important for the players to see the play develop and read/pursuit. 

• No tackling. Several times during a game the running back and defender will go down by player contact. Many of these will be on inside runs or a running back that cuts back in the other direction and runs into a defender, knocking both boys down. The runner is down by mutual contact. The official or board member present will decide if a runner is down by mutual contact or if a defender was trying to tackle the runner.

3rd/4th Grade Tackle Rules

General rules

• 1. Each Quarter will consist of a 12 minute running clock.

  2. The last two minutes of each HALF will stop according to IHSAA Rules.

  3. Game clock will stop after any touchdown.  Clock will start on the following Kick-off

  4. PAT are dead ball.  Kicks are worth 2. Plays are worth 1.

  5. NO PUNT- If a team declares a punt the ball will be marked off 20 yards and given to the opposing team

  6. NO Kick-offs-The ball will be placed on the teams 35, 1st and 10

  7. Players must be 100lbs or less to carry the ball

  8. If playing with a Nose Guard, he must be 1 yard off the ball stacked on the center.  NO Defensive lineman can start in the A gap.

  9. NO Blitzing

  10. 1 coach is allowed on the field but cannot be in the huddle.

The Offense:

•  High School Federation Rules apply with the following additions/exceptions.

• Quarterback cadence will be "Down, Set, Go". You may go on multiple counts as long as it is consistent with “Down, Set, Go”

• All offenses plays must be run from the YYFL supplied play book. A coach’s challenge can be heard by a board member in attendance.  If the play is deemed illegal, it will result in a replay of the down. Coaches who continue to run illegal plays will be subject to a board review.

• Maximum splits (distance between linemen) may not exceed fingertip to fingertip..

• Field goals and extra points are untimed downs.

• If you run or pass for the extra point you score 1 point. If you kick the extra point you score 2 points.

• No player with a stripe on their helmet may catch or run the ball.

• Lineman may be in a 2 or 3 point stance but must be set before a snap accords.

The Defense:

•  High School Federation Rules apply with the following additions/exceptions.

• Each team must use a 4-3 or 4-4 heads up defense with the down lineman head up the offensive players as displayed in the YYFL playbook, this means the defensive end must be nose to nose with the offensive player either tackle or tight end.

• Blitzes and stunts are allowed but linebacker must start yards off the LOS at the snap.

• Players with a stripe must be in a 3 or 4 point stance and must play a defensive lineman position.

• All other high school defensive rules apply.

5th/6th Grade Tackle Rules

General rules:

• 1. Each Quarter will consist of a 12 minute running clock.

  2. The last two minutes of each HALF will stop according to IHSAA Rules.

  3. Game clock will stop after any touchdown.  Clock will start on the following Kick-off

  4. PAT are dead ball.  Kicks are worth 2. Plays are worth 1.

  5. Teams declare a punt must actually punt.  No fakes. No rush. No one but the punter moves until the ball is kicked.

  6. Players weight must be at 120 or less to carry the ball.

  
  

The Offense:

•  High School Federation Rules apply with the following additions/exceptions.

• Quarterback cadence will be "Down, Set, Go". You may go on multiple counts as long as it is consistent with “Down, Set, Go”

• All offenses plays must be run from the YYFL supplied play book. A coach’s challenge can be heard by a board member in attendance.  If the play is deemed illegal, it will result in a replay of the down. Coaches who continue to run illegal plays will be subject to a board review.

• Maximum splits (distance between linemen) may not exceed fingertip to fingertip..

• Field goals and extra points are untimed downs.

• If you run or pass for the extra point you score 1 point. If you kick the extra point you score 2 points.

• No player with a strip on their helmet may catch or run the ball.

• Lineman may be in a 2 or 3 point stance but must be set before a snap accords.

The Defense:

•  High School Federation Rules apply with the following additions/exceptions.

• Each team must use a 4-3 or 4-4 heads up defense with the down lineman head up the offensive players as displayed in the YYFL playbook, this means the defensive end must be nose to nose with the offensive player either tackle or tight end.

• Blitzes and stunts are allowed but linebacker must start yards off the LOS at the snap.

• Players with a stripe must be in a 3 or 4 point stance and must play a defensive lineman position.