FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
The regular game of football is played with 2 teams of (11) eleven
players on each team. In physical education class we will have 2
teams that are even in ability level. The game begins with a kickoff. Usually this is done off a kicking tee but in PE CLASS we will
use a punt (kicking the ball from your hands) and on the kick-off
all players on the kicking team must stay behind the ball until it
has be kicked. Then they can run down the field and try to deflag
the player who has the football. The objective is to advance the
ball across the opponent’s goal line by running or passing the
football.
DEFENSE – the team who does not have the football OFFENSE –
the team who has the football
FUMBLE – any time the offensive team drops the football on a
running play. IN PE CLASS the ball will be dead and that is the
new location of the line of scrimmage. If the defensive team gets
the football on the fumble they will now get possession of the
football for their set of downs.
DEFLAGGING – to stop an opponent who has the football, by
pulling the flag off the ball carrier’s belt. This takes the place of
tacking in regular football. The ball is dead after the ball carrier’s
flag as been pulled. The ball will then be placed where the flag was
pulled. The defensive player may NOT hold, tackle, knock, push,
trip the player with the football. Any unnecessary roughness will
result in a 15-yard penalty. Likewise the ball carrier may NOT stiff
arm or hit away the deflagger’s hand away.
THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE - is the yard line across the field
where the ball was placed at the end of the last down or after the
kick-off or 4th down punt or from “downs.” All plays from the line
of scrimmage must be started by a snap by the center, and all other
players must stay on sides before the ball is snapped. If anyone
crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped they are
off sides.
DOWN – is a unit of the game, which starts with a legal snap, and
ends when the player who has the ball has been deflagged. The
team in possession of the ball has 4 consecutive downs to advance
the ball 10 yards, and then receives 4 more downs to advance the
ball 10 more yards. IN PE CLASS – the offensive team will be
given 4 downs to score on each possession. The regular football
field is 100 yards in length, with another 10 yards in each end zone
and 50 yards wide.
KICKS – a punt is used to start the game and if a team feels they
cannot get a touchdown because they are to far away from the end
zone, they may punt the ball to the opposing team on 4th down. If
the ball goes out of bounds the receiving team will take it’s 1st
down in the center of the field opposite of where it went out of
play. Since there are no goal posts located on the field the team
who score a touchdown will not kick for the extra point but will try
for a 2-point conversion. The ball will be placed 2 yards from the
end zone and the team has 1 down to run or pass the ball back into
the end zone.
PASSING – The quarterback may pass the ball to anyone on
his/her offensive team EXCEPT for the center. The quarterback
must stay behind the line of scrimmage when passing the ball. If
the quarterback passes over the line of scrimmage and then passes
the ball the pass will not count and the ball is dead and a new down
will begin. If an offensive player catches the ball it is called a
completed pass. If the football is dropped it is called an incomplete
pass and the football goes back to the same spot on the line of
scrimmage. If the football is caught by the defensive team it is
called an interception and they may begin to run towards their end
zone.
LATERAL PASS OR PITCH – the player who has the ball may
throw the ball (underhand) backwards at anytime. If the backwards
pass is dropped (fumbled) the ball is dead and it belongs to the
team last in possession of it.
BLITZING THE QUARTERBACK - only 1 blitz per set of downs
will be allowed in PE CLASS. This is when the defense rushes the
quarterback as soon has the ball has been snapped to him/her. The
other defenders must count out loud 5 Mississippi’s then they may
rush the quarterback
SCORING – touchdown – 6 points, 2 point conversion – 2 points,
field goal - 3 points, safety – 2 points (a safety is when the defense
deflags the offensive player with the football in the end zone)
In physical education class every 2 plays a girls must be
quarterback. Every individual on the team will have the
opportunity to catch, throw and run the football.
Corner back CB
Corner back CB
Safety Safety SS
linebacker linebacker
LB LB LB LB
Defensive end nose tackle defensive end DE NT DE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Line of scrimmage
WR wide receiver
T G C G T TE Left left right right
tackle guard center guard tackle tight end
QB quarterback
RB FB running back full back
WR
wide receiver
There must always be 7 players on the line of scrimmage for the
offensive team. All other players must be 1 yard off the line of
scrimmage.
Offensive positions Defensive positions
Wide receivers – catches the ball strong/free safety – covers tight
end/wide receivers Tackles - blocks to protect pass/run linebacker
– covers quarterback, running/fullbacks Guards – blocks to protect
pass/run defensive back/corner – covers wide receivers Center –
hikes the ball and blocks tackles – make tackles
Tight end – catches the ball guards – make tackles Quarterback –
calls plays, passes/runs the ball
Running or full back – runs
ball/blocks/catches pass
Passing patterns –