FLAG FOOTBALL TERMINOLOGY
Offensive Play
The ball carrier may run in any direction until the ball is declared dead. The ball
carrier is considered down if they fall to the ground. The carrier of the ball may
use a lateral pass or hand-off anywhere on the field. A forward pass may be
thrown only from behind the line of scrimmage to any player on the offensive
team.
If the pass goes out of bounds or is not caught it is incomplete and the next
down is taken from the last line of scrimmage. If this occurs on the fourth down
play, the opposing team starts its series of downs from the same spot. It two
opponents catch a pass simultaneously; the ball is dead and belongs to the
team which put the ball in play. The next down begins at the spot where the
simultaneous catch occurred.
Defensive Play
A defensive player must have one or both feet on the ground when detaching
the flag/touching the back. After the flag is pulled/tag is made the ball is dead
and the next down starts from that spot. The flag/tag must be made without
pushing, holding or hitting the ball carrier.
Five people must be on the line of when the ball is snapped. After the snap, they
can move to where they wish.
Fouls and Penalties
A foul is any infringement of the rules which results in a loss of yardage. The
captain of the offended team has the option of accepting or declining any
penalty, whichever is to their team’s best interest. If the penalty is declined the
number of the next down is the same as if the foul had not occurred. Whenever
the penalty is greater than the distance to the goal line, the penalty shall be half
that remaining distance. Fouls that will be penalized 5 yards are: offside, delay
of game, stiff arming ball carrier, not avoiding a defensive player, passing from
spot not behind line of scrimmage, failure to announce intention to punt,
shortening the flag on belt, playing without flags in position, unsportsmanlike
conduct, personal contact, illegal forward pass, illegal handoff, illegal blocking,
illegal holding and tackling.
OFFENSIVE POSTIONS
Center – the position in the middle of the line of scrimmage. This person also
snaps the ball to the quarterback to begin play.
Fullbacks or Half back – are also called running backs. Line up behind the
front line and the quarterback.
Quarterback – the offensive player which is the “signal caller” and controls the
game on the field.
Tackle – a tackle is also called a lineman – they stand next to the guard.
Guard – the player who protects the quarterback – they play on either side of
the center.
End – the players who are on either end of the line – can be lineman or
receivers.
DEFENSIVE POSTIONS
Linemen – the front players on defense (defense tackles and ends).
Linebackers – stand back from the main line of scrimmage, which gives them
an advantage of sorts – they get to see what the offense is up to once the ball is
in motion.
Defensive Backs – the players on the defensive team who take positions
somewhat back from the line of scrimmage. Generally defensive backs are
classified into several different specialized positions: cornerbacks or safety.
Term/Definitions
Blocking- Blocking is done with the arms close to the chest. Blocking must be
done from the front or side, and blockers must stay on their feet.
Carrying Position- Carrying arm bent at the elbow against the body with the
ball in the notch formed by the arm and the other arm on ball for protection.
Centering- The center initiates plays by hiking the ball to the quarterback.
Down and Yardage- The field is divided into three zones. A team has four (4)
downs to move the ball into the next zone. If a team is unsuccessful, they will
lose the ball. A new series of downs are awarded when a team moves the ball
into the next zone, or if penalties against the opponent move the ball into the
next zone. If on 4th down the team knows they can’t get to the next zone, they
may kick the ball down field. This punt MUST be announced.
Downed Player- A player is downed if he/she slips and their knee or any part of
their body, (hands included) hits the ground.
End Zone- A pass caught in an end zone scores a touchdown. The player must
have control of the ball in the end zone. A ball caught beyond the end zone is
out-of-bounds and is considered an incomplete pass.
Forward Pass- All forward passes much be thrown from behind the line of
scrimmage. All players on the field are eligible to receive and intercept passes.
Fumbles- All fumbles are dead at the spot of the fumble. The team having
fumbled the ball is still in possession of the ball but loses the down. If it is the 4th
down, then the ball goes to the other team.
Handoff - Exchanging the ball with a teammate.
Huddle- The team with the ball usually circle ups (huddle) to make up the play.
A team has 30 seconds to put the ball into play.
Lateral Passing- Lateral passing is pitching the ball underhanded to a
teammate. The ball must be tossed behind you only. It can be tossed anywhere
on the field. You don’t need to be behind the line of scrimmage.
Line of Scrimmage- this is an imaginary line that passes through the ball an is
parallel to the goal line. No one may go over it until the ball is kicked, or
centered. Forward passes must be behind this “line”.
Off-Sides- Crossing the line of scrimmage pre-maturely (prior to the snap).
Passing- When passing the ball forward, the grip should be slightly behind
middle of the ball with fingers on or across the laces, same foot as the throwing
arm should be planted, body sideways to target. Step toward target with
opposite foot from throwing arm. Snap wrist downward upon releasing ball to
impart spin. Follow through and end up the weight on forward foot.
Punting- All punts must be announced. Neither team can cross the line of
scrimmage until the ball is kicked. Kick receivers’ may run or use a lateral pass.
They cannot make a forward pass after receiving a kick. When punting the ball,
the ball should be kicked with the top of the foot, with toes pointed. The ball will
be kicked on the long axis with laces up. When the ball is kicked right, it should
spiral through the air.
Receiving Passes- Get in front of the ball. Lock ball into hands and give with
the ball. Tuck ball away in carrying position.
Rushing- The players must start back 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. Players
must also count out loud, “1 – 1000, 2 – 1000, 3 – 1000, BLITZ.” Then they may
rush the quarterback.
Safety- A safety occurs when the team defending a goal line causes the ball to
go back over the goal line by fumbling, running, or being caught during a
scrimmage play behind their own goal line. The person’s flag/tag is pulled by the
opponent and the opposing team receives a safety point. 2 points is awarded to
the defensive team.
Scoring- Touchdown = 6 points. If the receiver is beyond the end zone or out-of
bounds, the pass is incomplete. Conversion = 1 point. This is the point after the
touchdown.
Tackling- A player is down if one of their flags has been pulled or they’ve been
tagged. The ball carrier must make an attempt to avoid the defensive player and
is not permitted to run over or through the defensive player. The tackler must
play the flags/tag NOT the ball carrier.
Touchbacks- A touchback is when a receiving player downs the ball in his/her
own goal area. She/he doesn’t run, and just puts their knee down. Any ball
kicked over the goal line is ruled a touchback and is brought out 20 yards to be
put in play by the receiving team. A pass intercepted behind the goal line can be
a touchback if the player does not run it out. It is a touchback even if the player
has their flag pulled behind her/his goal line. A touchback is only if effect during
kickoff.