MGYFA FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
2nd Grade
Section 1 & 2: Organization and Philosophy
1.1 The Maple Grove Youth Football Association (MGYFA) is a youth football organization established in
2011.
1.2 The MGYFA has aligned with the Lake Minnetonka Athletic Association (LMAA) league for grades
four through eight. The second and third grade teams operate under MGYFA rules which have been
structured to emulate the LMAA rules used at grade levels four through eight.
1.3 The MGYFA sponsors a football program each fall to offer young people in second grade the opportunity
to begin learning the fundamentals of football and to have fun doing it. The program has been designed for
all players to enjoy the benefits of participation in youth football.
Games will be played 7 players on 7 players.
Section 3: Coaches
3.1 Coaches shall be selected based on their ability to work with young people and not solely on their
technical football knowledge. Coaches are required to abide by the coaches code of conduct found at
Attachment A, by the Spirit of the Rules, and by the overall philosophy of the MGYFA. Coaches must
remember the program is for players and not for the Coaches
3.2 Coaches must complete all the requirements below to be certified as a head or assistant coach by the
MGYFA Board of Directors
3.3 Multiple coaches may be present on the actual playing field to assist players in positioning themselves in
huddles, directions, etc…
3.4 Coaches may not interfere in any way with the actual play.
3.5 Coaches on the field are to remain silent until the play is over, and may not yell instructions during the
play.
Section 4: Equipment
4.1 Flags will be provided by MGYFA
4.2 Each player must wear the MGYFA team shirt.
4.3 Players are required to wear mouth pieces during all games and practices.
4.4 Players must have shirts tucked in pants and flags properly displayed.
4.5 Flags may not be wrapped around belt loops or the belt.
4.6 Every player must wear a flag belt.
4.7 Flags should be a different color than a player’s pants or shorts.
4.8 Each flag belt will need to have all flags on prior to the start of a play, both for the offensive and
defensive teams.
Section 5: Fields and Games
5.1 Field size will be 60 yards long by 40 yards wide with 15 yard first down zones.
5.2 Each team will play 6 games
5.3 Each game must start on time
5.4 There are no kick-offs in this division. Play will start with the ball spotted on the first 15 yard line nearest
to the end zone the offensive team will be defending.
5.5 At the start of the game, choice of field ends is determined by the flip of a coin or by odd/even.
5.6 There is to be no offensive movement after the players are set.
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5.7 Substitutions will be made every six plays. Extra point plays after a touchdown count towards the six
plays.
5.8 On 4th down if a team chooses to “punt”, the ball will be advanced 15 yards from the spot of the last
completed play and the opposing team will take over on downs. This “punt” will not count as a played down
pertaining to the 6 play player rotation
5.9 There will be a 45 second play clock. Coaches are encouraged to run as many plays as possible.
Section 6: Practices
6.1 Teams will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Total practice time should not exceed 3 hours per
week. Coaches are encouraged to keep a close watch on maintaining the interest level of their players. All
practices are to be held at the MGYFA practice fields.
6.2 A scrimmage against another team during practice time is allowed. This will be up to the individual
coaches to coordinate.
Section 7: Weight Restrictions
7.1 There are no backfield weight restrictions for second grade flag football.
Section 8: Offense
8.1 All Plays will run from a single standard formation. Team must have 3 players on the line of scrimmage
(Tackle, Center Tackle) and 4 in the back field (QB, 2 Half Backs in a split formation and one Wing Back).
For 2nd grade flag football the Wing back will always be positioned on the right and cannot be positioned
more than 3 feet outside of the right tackle. See modified playbook dated 9-13-11, for standard offensive and
defensive formations.
8.2 Offensive Line players must not be split more than 2 feet apart from each other. Recommended split is
having line players be able to touch each other’s hands when extended.
8.3 Players on the Offensive line must be set for at least one second prior to the center snap.
8.4 Players are to be given equal playing time in the backfield.
8.5 Alternating the quarterback after every six downs is required.
8.6 Players running the ball are not allowed to lower or butt their head, use a straight arm, use a stiff arm,
hurdle another player or run directly at an opposing player.
8.7 Ball carriers may not use their hands or the football in any way against defenders reaching for their flags.
8.8 All players should start in a two point stance with hands on their knees.
8.8 Blocking
8.8.1 Arms cannot be fully extended and no shoving or “delivering a blow” to other players.
8.8.2 Arms and hands must be somewhat near the body and the arms should remain in a flexed
position.
Section 9: Defense
9.1 Defense will operate out of a standard formation. Two Tackles lined up across from the offensive
lineman. Two ends (could be viewed as outside linebackers or corners) that should be lined up outside the
defensive tackles and at least 2 yards off the line of scrimmage, two inside linebackers at least 3 yards from
the line of scrimmage and a safety 5-7 yards from line of scrimmage
9.2 Defensive players should play from a two point stance with their hands on their knees.
9.3 Removing flags from anyone other than the ball carrier is illegal and will result in a penalty.
9.4 A ball carrier’s progress can only be stopped by de-flagging, dropping of the ball, dropped flag, penalty
or running out of bounds.
9.5 The ball will be marked at the point on the field where the flag was removed.
9.6 The defense may not intentionally impede the progress of the ball carrier by holding, tripping, tackling or
hitting. If, in the opinion of the referee, the impediment prevented a score, the ball will be placed on the 3
yard line with a first down.
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9.7 Defensive players cannot cross the line of scrimmage to make a play “inside the box”. When a play has
progressed outside what would be the imaginary offensive tackle, the defensive player is allowed to pursue
the play and make a play on the ball carrier. Outside players cannot advance across the line of scrimmage in
an effort to “box in” the play. Any player deemed to be “Rushing or Blitzing” on a play will be given a
penalty. In the event it is determined the play is a pass, only the defensive tackles are allowed to rush the
passer. If it is deemed that a coach is attempting to stretch or push the limits of this rule and/or his players
continue to violate the rule without correction, it will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and result in a
penalty. The MGYFA board recognizes this area of the game is typically the most contested. The MGYFA
board expects that coaches work together in this regard, and address it in a respectful and appropriate
manner.
Section 10: Playing Time
10.1 Coaches must strive to provide equal time for all players present.
10.2 It is the requirement of the MGYFA that the players shall participate in at least half the plays in a game.
In order to accomplish this goal, after six (6) consecutive plays have been completed, all the team’s players
on the sideline shall enter the game and replace each of the players on the field unless there are fewer than
fourteen (14) players on a team. If any player remains in the game at the time of such a substitution because
there are fewer than fourteen (14) players on the team, then any player remaining on the field must move to
another “position” for the next four (6) consecutive plays. This procedure of replacing players after six (6)
consecutive plays shall be repeated throughout the game including the requirement that any player who
remains in the game shall rotate to another “position”. It is the home team’s responsibility to track play
count. The visiting team is required to comply with the home team’s count.
10.3 It is recommended that each player focus on one offensive position and one defensive position each
week, alternating positions weekly.
Section 11: Scoring and Timing
11.1 Each game will consist of four, 12 minute quarters running time. Clock will stop only during time-outs.
11.2 Teams will be given 1 time out per half, one minute in length. Time-outs do not carry over.
11.3 There will be 5 minutes at the half and 1 minute between quarters. Play will not change directions
between quarters.
11.4 Touchdowns are 6 points. Extra point by run is 1 point. Extra point by 2 is two points.
Section 12: Rules and Penalties
12.1 Should a player’s flag fall off during play in the back field, the ball is dead and spotted at the line of
scrimmage.
12.2 If a player’s flag falls off after the line of scrimmage the ball carrier is considered down at the point of
the fallen flag.
12.3 If a player’s flag falls off before a pass is caught, the player is considered down at the point of the catch.
12.4 If the ball hits the ground at any time in the game, including during a snap, it is a dead ball.
12.5 Any activity directed toward the face or eyes by a defensive player other than normal de-flagging will
be considered a penalty. A 5 yard penalty will be enforced on the defense, from the line of scrimmage.
12.6 Spotting the Ball. The ball will be spotted where: a. the flag was removed by the defense, b. where the
ball carrier goes out of bounds, c. where the ball carry goes to the ground, where the ball lands on the ground
(excluding passes).
12.7 Off sides, encroachment, illegal procedure, delay of game, flag guarding, holding (O & D), and illegal
formation: A 5 yard penalty will be enforced from the line of scrimmage.
12.8 Unsportsmanlike behavior, personal fouls, Clipping, tripping, head butting, de-flagging players without
the ball, straight arming, head butting, hurdling, pushing the ball carrier out of bounds, defensive pass
interference (unnecessary physical contact) : A 10 yard penalty will be enforced from the line of scrimmage
and automatic first down will also be given.
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12.9 A penalty may never score points. When you are in the last zone; use the lesser of penalty yardage or ½
the distance to the goal.
12.10 Should an offensive play be ran prior to all flags being on the offensive team’s flag belts, a 5 yard
penalty will be enforced on the offensive team and the down will be repeated from the original line of
scrimmage
ANY COACH THAT EXHIBITS BEHAVIOR THAT IS DEEMED NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT AND THE “SPIRIT OF THE RULES” IS PROHIBITED AND
SUBJECT TO ACTION FROM THE MGYFA BOARD.
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Attachment ‘A’
COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT
I hereby pledge to live up to my obligations as a Coach in the MGYFA football program by
pursuing the following standards for coaching ethics:
I will place the emotional and physical well-being of my players ahead of a personal
desire to win.
I will treat each player as an individual, remembering the large range of emotional and
physical development for the same age group.
I will do my best to provide a safe playing situation for my players.
I will lead by example in demonstrating fair play and sportsmanship to all my players.
I will provide a sports environment for my team that is free of drugs, tobacco, and
alcohol and I will refrain from their use at all youth sports events.
I will be knowledgeable and adhere to the rules of the organization in which my team will
participate and I will teach these rules to my players.
I will use appropriate coaching techniques for each of the skills I teach.
I will treat the officials and league staff in an appropriate and respectful manner.
I will treat all my players and parents with respect and appropriate behavior.
I will realize that sometimes things are not always accurate and correct and will accept
decisions made on the field by the current officials representing the on field authority
during game time situations.
I will remember that I am a youth sports coach and the game is for the children and not
the adults.
Spirit of the Rules – Coaches, Players, and Parents must remember the rules are
defined to create the most beneficial experience for the players. Coaches must
remember that the games are to be played for the players and not for the Coaches or
Parents creating the Spirit of the Rules.
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