2016YMCAYOUTHFLAGFOOTBALLRULES
Hand-OffDivision
(Grades1-2)
PreGame:
• Teamswillhavecaptainsmeetatmidfieldforcoinflip
• Winnerofthecoinflipwillchoosewhethertoplaydefenseorstartwiththeball
• Gamewillstartimmediatelyaftercoinflip
Durationofthegame:
• 410minutequarters
• Theclockwillstopontimeoutsonly
• Halftimewillconsistof3minutesunlessthegameisrunningbehind
OffensiveLine:
• Offensivelinewillhaveaminimumof3players,acenterand2guards
• Theballmustbesnappedbetweenthecenterslegs
• Offensivelineshouldusetheirhandstothedefensivelineman’sshoulders
• Pushingaplayertothegroundisnotblocking
• Linemenmuststartwina3-pointstance
DefensiveLine:
• Defensiveplayersmustlineup1yardoffthelineofscrimmage
• Defensiveplayersmuststartina3or4pointstancebeforetheballissnapped
• Playersmustlineupfoottofootwiththeoffensivelinemen
• Onlythe3defensivelinemencancrossthelineofscrimmage
• Notallthedefensivelinemenhavetocrossthelineofscrimmage
• Oncetheballissnapped,therefereewillcount3apples.Thedefensivelinemaycrosstheline
• ofscrimmageonthe3rdapple,orwhentheballishandedoff.
Punting:
• Onfourthdownteamshavetheoptiontogoforafirstdown,ortake25yardsforapunt
• Onapunt,iftheballendsuponapuntendupinsidethe10yardline,theoffensiveteamwilltake
possessiononthe10yardline.
Penalties:
• Intheeventofadefensivepenalty,theoffensiveteammayacceptthepenalty,ordeclinethepenaltyand
lettheplaystand
5YardPenalties
§ Holding
§ Offsides
§ Stiff-Arming
§
§
§
§
Encoachment
OffensiveorDefensivehandstotheface
Passinterference–SpotPenalty,RepeattheDown
Falsestart
10YardPenalties
§ Unnecessaryroughness–automaticfirstdown,spotpenalty
OtherRules:
1.Allplayersareeligibleforapass
2.Aplayeristackledwhenaflagispulledbyadefensiveplayer
3.Ifaplayerloosesaflagwhilerunning,adefensiveplayerhastotagtheoffensiveplayerto
completeatackle
4.Teamswillhave2timeoutsperhalf.Timeoutsdonotcarryovertothenexthalf
6.Allplayersmustwearamouthguardortheywillnotbeabletoplay
7.Astiffarm/flagguardingwillresultasadeadball–thiswouldbetheequivalentofatackle
8.Teamsmustpassaminimumof5timespergame
9.Coachesmustplayallplayersatallpositionsthroughouttheseason
10.Afirstdownismadewhentheoffensiveteammovestheball10yards
11.Coachesareallowedonthefieldfortheseason
12.Teamswillbegintheiroffenseafteratouchdownonthe20yardline
rd
13.Playerscanhavenomorethan2offensivetouchdownspergame.Ifaplayerscoresa3
offensivetouchdown,theteamwilllosethedown,andhavea5yardpenalty
14.Allpassesmustbeforwardandoverhand
15.Defensivebacksmaycrossthelineofscrimmageoncetheballishandedoff,orthe
quarterbackbeginstoruntheball
16.Includeallplayerswithintheoffense
17.Adefensiveplayermayguideanoffensiveplayeroutofbounds.Ifitappearsas
unnecessaryroughness,therefereewillthrowapenaltyflag
18.Atackleismadewheretheflagispulled,notwheretheballiswhenthetackleismade
19.Aftertheballisspottedbythereferee,theoffensiveteamhas25secondstostarttheir
play
20.Anytimetheballtouchestheground,itisadeadball–Nofumbles
21.Offensiveteamsareallowedonebadsnapevery4downs.Asecondbadsnapwithinthe4
downswillresultinalossofdown.Theballwillbeplacedbacktothelineofscrimmage
22.Onceanoffensiveplayerskneetouchestheground,theplayerwillbedown
23.Iftheoffensiveplayerhastheballstrippedbythedefensiveplayer,theballwillbedown
wheretheballwasstripped.Theoffensiveteamwillmaintainpossessionoftheball
24. If a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage, causing the offensive player to move, there
will be a defensive penalty (5 yards)
25. Teams cannot use a game football smaller than Pee Wee size. Nerf footballs can also be used
during games.
26. The offensive line may block once the defensive lineman crosses the line of scrimmage.
27. No bull rushing on the defensive line.
28. When the QB makes a motion to run, the defensive line may cross the line of scrimmage.
29. If the offensive line makes an attempt to block the defensive line, the defensive line may cross
the line of scrimmage.
30. The quarterback cannot be touched at any time while in the pocket. If the QB is touched or knocked
to the ground, there will be a 5 yard penalty and a repeat of the down.