Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
Flag Football Coaches
Manual
Contents
I.
Purpose of YMCA Sports
3
II.
YMCA Mission / Pledge
3
III. Now You’re a Coach
4
IV. Coaching Philosophy and Objectives
5
V.
6
Parents Need to know
VI. Cancellation/Make-Up Policy
8
VII. Position Descriptions
8
VIII. Game Day Worksheet
9-12
IX. First Parent Meeting
13
X.
13
Disciplinary Actions
XI. Youth Flag Football Rules
14-15
XII. General Flag Football Rules
16-22
2
Purpose of YMCA Sports
The sports program is designed to be an aid and tool in the development and growth of
the participants. The YMCA is not a building, athletic fields or just sports. It is an
association of people, a fellowship of people united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ
for the purpose of developing Christian personalities and building a Christian society.
The YMCA is not just a sports association; however, the YMCA does use sports as one of
its programs to foster physical, mental, and spiritual growth. The attainments of
exceptional athletic skills and the winning of games, though important, are secondarythe molding of future men and women is the goal.
Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA Mission Statement
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy,
spirit, mind and body for all.
Purpose of YMCA Flag Football
The activities around flag football are merely a vehicle by which we as concerned adults
utilize Christian models to work with young people. The program purpose is:
1. Develop and build self-esteem;
2. Develop and teach physical skills, fitness, and health;
3. Develop social skills and relationships among participants;
4. Support and strengthen family life;
5. Develop responsibility, decision making, and leadership;
6. Create a unique and enjoyable leisure family activity.
YMCA Pledge and Procedures
Teams may warm up prior to the start of the game. Before each game, the referee will
blow the whistle signaling for the teams to line up at mid-field. Each team to line up
shoulder-to-shoulder and will face the opposing team. The referee will then ask the
teams to repeat the YMCA pledge after reciting one line at a time.
Win or lose, I pledge before God,
To play the game as well as I know how,
To obey the rules,
To be a good sport at all times,
And to improve myself
In spirit, mind and body.
The referee will then thank the teams, give them any pre-game instructions, and be able
to inform the coaches of any necessary information. When this is done, the teams may
move to their bench area and take their position on the field.
3
Now You’re a Coach
For your players, you, the coaches are the single most important adult leader. You will
help the players have fun, learn skills, develop sportsmanship, and discuss values in a
meaningful way.
You Will:
Contact parents and players
Conduct parent/players meeting
Look at yourself and explore your own motivations, values and goals
Listen to and share with other adult leaders
Recruit players through your children to complete your roster, if needed
Set practice days with start and finish times, plus location
Explain your discipline procedures for behavior problems, missed practices, etc.,
(nothing too severe, unless cleared with Sports Director)
Stress parental and player conduct while at the field
Inform parents about football equipment: Water, ball, good fitting shoes. Players
are responsible for their own equipment.
Require clean uniforms for every game
Stress the need for players to maintain good school grades
Get parents involved: at practice, linesperson, team mom, etc.
Verify your roster, making sure all player information is correct; pass on any
corrections to the YMCA Sports Department
Question and answer period
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Conduct Practice Sessions:
Get to know your players personally
Help them set goals and work towards them
Lead discussions by asking questions and introducing problems and situations for
players to deal with
Teach football skills and physical fitness
Build teamwork
Enjoy yourself and let your players know it.
Game Responsibilities:
See that your players are present and ready to play
Pre-game warm ups
Introduce yourself to the game official and the opposing teams coach
Control yourself, players and parent behavior during and after the game.
Coach and encourage your team during the game. DO NOT try and officiate the
game from the sideline!! If you would like to officiate, please call the Sports
Department.
4
YMCA Coaching Philosophy
As the coach, forget the professional and college coach models and the win at all cost
approach. Do not try to get your feeling of self-worth from your team’s win-lost record.
Coaching youth sports calls for teaching the fundamentals properly, developing the basic
team concepts, working on fair play values and encouraging all players to participate
and enjoy the sport. The most important element is the relationship between the coach
and the team. The coach is a leader, role model, teacher and friend. This relationship is
far more significant than runs scored or the games won. The quality of the coach-team
relationship is the ultimate measure of success for youth sports coaches.
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Keep it simple: Most sports are relatively simple to play and can be enjoyed by all
ages. Overcomplicated formations, plays and strategies tend to confuse and
frustrate youth. By keeping it simple, it will build self-esteem and confidence.
Work on basic skills: Younger teams especially should concentrate on
fundamentals. Teach skills and concentrate on the basic. Help players become
conscious of the importance of proper execution. Stop the action often to help
individual players improve, but don’t interfere excessively.
Work with every player on your team: The most highly skilled and least skilled
players on your team should be given equal attention. Every player should be
helped to improve in ability and to enjoy the game. It is important that every
player participates and has fun, rather than just a few good players dominating
the action.
Teach ‘Fair Play’: Playing fair is an essential part of youth sports. Respect for
oneself, teammates, the other team, the rules and the officials who uphold them.
Help players set and evaluate individual goals: Competing against oneself is
perhaps the best way to improve skills, help players measure their skills, set goals
for the future and work to reach those goals. What is important is not so much
how players measure up against each other, but how much each player learns and
reaches new levels of skills and enjoyment.
Keep winning in perspective: Winning games is only one of the many goals that
are important in sports. Help players and their parents become aware of other
important goals: learning skills, becoming better physically fit, being a good
leader and a good follower, dealing with the emotions of sports and having fun.
Coaching Objectives
Players learn through playing the game. In all practice or learning situations, every
player should be exposed to the demands made by the game. Every player should be
confronted by enjoyable challenges he/she is able to cope with. They should experience
success in coping with these challenges and only then should they be exposed to more
challenging and more stressful situations. Everyone can play, but not everyone is
talented enough to learn advanced techniques and skills. More naturally gifted players
need to be exposed to more challenging situations than the less gifted players.
5
Parents Need to be Good Sports!
Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA Spectator’s Code
1. Remember that children play organized sports for their own fun. They are not there
to entertain you, and they are not miniature pro athletes.
2. Be on your best behavior. Do not use profane language or harass players, coaches or
officials.
3. Applaud good plays by your own team and the opposing team.
4. Show respect for your team’s opponents, without them, there would be no game.
5. Never ridicule or scold a child for making a mistake during a competition.
6. Respect the official’s decision.
7. Condemn the use of violence in all forms.
8. Encourage players to always play according to the rules.
Professional athletes are not always good role models for our children. The good
sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles gained in our gymnasiums and playing fields can
make our children good role models for each other, for us and for future generations.
But first, adults have to let them play and send them the right messages.
Fair Play
Playing sports can be an exciting and enjoyable experience. But the feeling of
excitement and fun are closely tied to your attitude, what you think and feel about the
game, the other team and yourself. Quality athletics have a set of attitudes about these
things that they call “Fair Play.” But what exactly is fair play? Here are some of the key
points:
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Respect the other team – You need the other team. Without them, you cannot
play. So you need to show respect for the other players by treating them as
partners, not as enemies. When you play against a good, strong team that you
respect, you will usually play a better game.
Respect yourself – If you think of yourself as a good sports player, as an important
part of the team, you are likely to act like one. Fair play means that you believe in
yourself and see yourself as an important part of the game.
Cooperate with the officials – The rules of the game help you play the game better.
Fair play means that you obey the rules and cooperate with the officials. They are
there for one main purpose – to make sure the game is played fairly. If you are
honest with yourself and with the officials, it usually turns out that you get more out
of the game.
Help others play – To be a good team member, you need to get to know your team
members. We are all different in abilities and skills. Fair play is listening to each
other, learning from each other, sharing ideas and feelings and helping each other
increase playing abilities and knowledge of the sport.
Stick up for what you believe – If you believe in fair play, then stick up for it; you
will be a respected athlete. It means taking a stand in favor of the things listed
above. It means letting others know that you value your teammates, the other
team and yourself as well as the rules of the game. We all like to win, but not at
the cost of giving up what we believe.
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Objectives of YMCA Youth Sports
Grow
Personally
Improve
Family
Relationships
Appreciate
Diversity
Become a
Leader
Skill
Development
Have Fun
YMCA youth sports provide an excellent means to learning personal goal setting and to develop a healthy self-image and a
higher self-esteem.
Encouraging family participation in league events and providing
resources for at home activity enables YMCA programs to influence the entire family.
YMCA Youth Sports program bring together children from a variety
of economic levels, ethnic backgrounds, religions, neighborhoods,
ages, and skill levels in a team oriented environment.
YMCA Youth Sports Programs provide numerous leadership
opportunities for youth while encouraging teamwork.
Sport specific skills contribute to the overall development and
coordination of children. Improvement in decision-making,
communication, cooperation, goal setting, and leadership skills.
One of the most important aspects of YMCA Youth Sports is fun.
If games and practices are fun, children develop a positive attitude
towards physical activity and a healthy attitude toward competition.
Coaches are responsible for their team as a whole. Good coaches
will have players that exhibit the following qualities/behaviors:
Self confidence
Team players
Sense of belonging
Good sportsmanship
Through awareness of the objectives listed, a YMCA coach can
help build a foundation of Christian character, sportsmanship, and
the basic knowledge and fundamentals of sports.
7
Cancellation/Make-up Policy
The Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA will reschedule one bad weather day per team, after
the first make-up game, no other games will be rescheduled. In the event of bad
weather the night before, you may go to our website at www.ymca-arlington.org, click
youth sports, click “Game Updates” Saturday morning an hour prior to your game and
check to see if games have been cancelled.
Position Descriptions
1. Quarterback
 The captain of the offense
 Calls the offensive plays and is the leader
 Always stands behind the center and receives the football after the “snap”
 Has the option to either handoff the football or pass it to a teammate
2. Center
 Snaps the football to the QB. A snap is when the center tosses the ball between
his legs to the QB (Shotgun), or a direct hand off either between the legs or side
to side.
 After the snap the center can become an eligible receiver
3. Wide Receiver
 Responsible for catching passes and running with the ball
4. Defensive Backs
 Responsible for stopping the players on offense and trying to intercept or gain
possession of the football
 Tries to pull the flag of the player with the football
Game Day Worksheet
This sheet can be used as a preliminary game day line-up. It is a great way to make
sure that all the children play two quarters. List the players’ names, and then in each
quarter you list the position each child is to play. This also shows who the substitutes
are for each quarter. This will also help you keep a record of how much each child is
playing throughout the season.
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Game Day Worksheet
Date:
Name
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Second
Third
Fourth
Date:
Name
First
9
Date:
Name
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Second
Third
Fourth
Date:
Name
First
10
Date:
Name
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Second
Third
Fourth
Date:
Name
First
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Date:
Name
First
Parents Name
Second
Players Name
Third
Fourth
Game Date
Date:
Name
First
Second
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Third
Fourth
First Parent Meeting
A. Welcome
1. Introduction
2. Coaches/Assistants
3. Player Information
B. YMCA Philosophy
1. Manual pages 4 & 6
C. Practice Schedule
1. Parent involvement at practice
2. Time and location – work together as a team
3. Equipment – ball, water, football, etc.
D. Games
1. Location – please handout schedule with map, if necessary
2. Length of games
3. Rules
4. Referees
E. Game Day
1. Arrive early for warm-ups
2. Drinks – team mom
3. Rain Out Policy
4. Website (Sideline)
F. Picture Day
1. Have team ready at schedule time
2. Stay together as a team
3. Parents complete order forms
4. Don’t be late for your game!
G. Season Ending Party
1. Handled by each team individually, trophies are provided by the YMCA, make a
plan now whether to have a ‘party’ or hand out after last game. Plan Ahead!
Disciplinary Actions
The YMCA understands the necessity of a coach being permitted to discipline a player.
The YMCA will allow this in regards to disruptive behavior at practice or games and
practice absences. If the coach elects to utilize this disciplinary option as a teaching
method, he/she must abide by the following procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Clearance with the Sports Director at the YMCA.
Discuss the situation with the parents.
Notify the opposing coach prior to the start of the game.
Clearance is for one game only; each offense must be processed.
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NOTE: This action is to deter a habitual action, not a single unavoidable circumstance.
Any player arriving late for the game may lose their right to play two quarters. This is
the coach’s decision.
Ejected
If a player, coach, or fan is ejected from a game, the head coach must notify the Sports
Director within 48 hours. Failure to report an ejection may result in further action taken
against the head coach. The player, coach, or fan will be placed on probation for the
remainder of the season and will receive a one game suspension to be served at the
next game. If the same player, coach, or fan endures a second ejection during the
season he/she could face the possibility of being suspended for the remainder of the
season depending on the nature of the offense. The Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA will
not issue refunds to any player, coach, or fan ejected from a game or any one involved
in a suspended game or season.
Arlington-Mansfield Area YMCA
Youth Flag Football Rules
5/6 Year Olds
Ball size: Pee-wee size (Any brand)
Length of game: Four (4) quarters of ten (10) minutes each (Running clock).
Number of players per team: 7 on 7
Field size: Forty (40) yards wide and sixty (60) yards long, not including end zones.
There may be a small adjustment in field size due to available field space.
 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Spiking the football and aggressively throwing the flag
after removal will constitute an unsportsmanlike foul.
Spinning, spiking, or throwing the ball, and other gestures to taunt opponents or to
draw attention to one self will be an unsportsmanlike foul.
 Play Clock: 35seconds between plays
 Substitutions: Only on a dead ball and timeouts
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7/8 Year Olds
Ball size: Pee-wee size (Any brand).
Length of game: Four (4) quarters of twelve (12) minutes each. (Running clock).
Number of players per team: 7 on 7
Field size: Forty (40) yards wide and sixty (60) yards long, not including end zones.
There may be a small adjustment in field size due to available field space.
 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Spiking the football and aggressively throwing the flag
after removal will constitute an unsportsmanlike foul.
Spinning, spiking, or throwing the ball, and other gestures to taunt opponents or to
draw attention to one self will be an unsportsmanlike foul.
 Play Clock: 30 seconds between plays
 Substitutions: Only on a dead ball and timeouts
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9/10 Year Olds
Ball size: Junior size (Any brand).
Length of game: Four (4) quarters of twelve (12) minutes each. (Running clock).
Number of players per team: 7 on 7
Field size: Forty (40) yards wide and eighty (80) yards long, not including end zones.
There may be a small adjustment in field size due to available field space.
 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Spiking the football and aggressively throwing the flag
after removal will constitute an unsportsmanlike foul.
Spinning, spiking, or throwing the ball, and other gestures to taunt opponents or to
draw attention to one self will be an unsportsmanlike foul.
 Play Clock: 25seconds between plays
 Substitutions: Only on a dead ball and timeouts
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11/12 Year Olds & 13/14 Year Olds
Ball size: Junior size (Any brand).
Length of game: Four (4) quarters of twelve (12) minutes each. (Running clock).
Number of players per team: 7 on 7
Field size: Forty (40) yards wide and eighty (80) yards long, not including end zones.
There may be a small adjustment in field size due to available field space.
 Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Spiking the football and aggressively throwing the flag
after removal will constitute an unsportsmanlike foul.
Spinning, spiking, or throwing the ball, and other gestures to taunt opponents or to
draw attention to one self will be an unsportsmanlike foul.
 Play Clock: 25seconds between plays
 Substitutions: Only on a dead plays and timeouts
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GENERAL FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
A. The Game and Players
1. Flag football is a non-contact sport with contact. Incidental contact will occur
often, but intentional contact is never permitted—this includes
pushing the ball carrier out of bounds.
2. The game shall be played between two teams of seven (7) players each.
3. The visiting team will call the coin toss. The winner of the coin toss and can
choose to take the ball or play defense (Deferring to the second half is not an
option).
4. Each participant must play at least one (1) half of each game.
B. The Field, Uniforms’, and Equipment
1. The ball will be spotted at the 15 yard line to start the game, a new half, and
following a touchdown or safety. There are no kickoffs (5-6yr olds).
2. In the 7-8, 9-10, & 11-12yr old division, kickoffs will start the game, beginning
half, and following a touchdown or safety.
3. Two ball spotters will be used. The orange ball spotter will mark the forward
most point of the football. The yellow ball spotter will mark the defensive
scrimmage line. The ball spotters will always be one yard apart.
4. Flag belts must be completely visible at all times (the entire belt &
flags).
5. The pants must be a different color than the flags.
6. One coach is allowed on the field per team. Coaches on the field may not
touch players once the ball is snapped and until the play is over. EXCEPTION:
a second coach may be on the field for the 5-6 and 7-8 age division but
must not enter the field past the numbers.
7. Game ball (See Below)
 Ages 8 & under are required to use pee-wee size football (any brand).
 Ages 9 & up are required to use a junior size football (any brand).
7. Metal cleats are prohibited. Anyone wearing metal cleats will be
asked to leave the playing
field and change shoes. No exceptions.
8. Baseball caps or and hats with a hard, rigid brim are not permitted.
C. Timing Rules
1. Each team will have two (2) timeouts per game lasting sixty (60) seconds
each.
2. The clock will start when the ball is legally snapped. It will run continuously
throughout each quarter.
3. The clock will stop only for the following reasons:
 Team timeout
 Official timeout (injury timeout)
 If the clock is stopped for an injured player, said player must exit
the game for at least one play.
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D. Series of Downs
1. The team on offense is responsible for getting the ball at the end of every
down. Center will bring the ball from the huddle to the scrimmage line.
2. Zone-line-to-gain: getting the ball to or into the next zone makes a first down.
 Exception - first down because of penalty that results in automatic first
down.
 It could be first and near twenty or first and less than one depending
on where the next zone-line-to-gain is.
 Loss on the play or due to a penalty, a team may need more than
twenty yards for a first down.
E. Scoring
1. Touchdowns are worth six (6) points.
2. Teams have two options for extra point attempts.
 1 point try from the 3-yard line.
 2 point try from the 10-yard line.
3. If there is a turnover on an extra-point try, the ball will be ruled dead immediately.
4. A safety is worth two (2) points.
F. Receiving
1. All players are eligible to receive a pass.
2. A player may not receive his or her own pass without it first being touched by
another player.
3. One foot in bounds is considered a catch.
G. Rushing
1. The same player may not advance the ball on a running play twice in a
row, including the Quarterback (if the Quarterback is forced out of the
backfield and advanced the ball on the previous play, the play will be blown
dead when that player crosses the line of scrimmage).
2. Spinning is allowed, however, diving is not permitted.
3. If a player dives into the end zone and does not contact another
player, the penalty will be enforced on the extra point attempt.
H. Runner cannot...
1. Stiff arm
2. Flag guard in any way.
3. Run over a potential deflagger.
4. Push a defensive player into a potential deflagger.
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I. Defensive player cannot...
1. Intentionally deflag a player without the ball (personal foul).
2. Hold, push, or knock the runner down in an attempt to deflag.
3. Run through or push through a defensive screen blocker in an attempt to deflag.
J. Snap – MUST BE:
1. One continuous motion between the legs or to the side (the ball must start
on the ground before the snap). The Snap may be a center to quarterback exchange. Teams may use Shotgun, direct snap between the legs or side to side
exchange.
1. Illegal snap is a dead ball foul. There must be an exchange between the center and QB.
2. A minimum of four (4) offensive players are required to be set and
within one (1) yard of the offensive line of scrimmage at the time of
the snap (a dead ball, delay of game penalty will be called when teams are in
violation of this rule).
3. Only one player may be in motion when the ball is snapped. A player in motion
cannot be moving toward the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap.
K. Forward pass
1. Only one forward pass can be made per down.
2. Ball can be passed or handed backward to any player at any time.
3. A forward handoff can be made at any point during the game (a handoff is
when the ball is in a player’s possession at all times—no air between the ball
and the player’s body).
4. All players are eligible pass receivers.
5. Illegal forward pass:
 Two forward passes during a down.
 Intentionally throwing ball away (unless he is out of the pocket)
 Intentionally throwing ball away to save a loss. This includes backward
pass out-of-bounds.
 If passer is beyond offensive scrimmage line.
 Forward pass after possession change.
 If passer catches own untouched pass.
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L. Screen Blocking
1. Screen blocking is legally obstructing an opponent without contacting him/her
with any part of the screen blocker's body.
2. Blocker cannot use arms, elbows, legs, or knees. If contact is made with part
of an offensive player’s body that is outside the frame of the screen blocker’s
body, it will be penalized.
3. Blocker must get in moving rusher's direction of movement quick enough for a
change of direction to be made prior to possible contact (think block/charge in
basketball).
4. Generally, blocking and defending follow same rules as for basketball rules
concerning the block/charge.
5. The player who initiates contact that results in a distinct advantage during a
screen block will be penalized.
6. Screening players down field is legal; however, any contact deemed
illegal by the referee will be penalized (players running full-speed and impeding the process of a potential deflagger is a safety issue and any intentional contact will be penalized on the player who initiates the contact).
M. Flag Belt & Deflagging
1. Runners must not guard the flags with ball, hands or shoulders.
2. The ball will be spotted at the point where the flag was pulled, not where the
ball is.
3. Flags must not be attached to runner in a way that one pull cannot deflag the
runner.
 If a runner loses his/her flag belt, they are down at the point where the flag
belt fell off.
 Exception: If the flag belt falls off before possession is gained,
the player will be down as soon as possession is gained.
 If the quarterback receives the snap without flags on, the play is dead immediately and it will result in a loss of down.
4. Runner scoring a touchdown must raise hands so nearest official can deflag
the scorer.
 If the flag belt does not come off, the touchdown does not count.
The ball will be placed five (5) yards from the previous spot (loss of
down).
 Intentional deflagging of an offensive player without the ball results in a
penalty and an automatic first down.
5. Deflagger may NOT leave his or her feet to deflag runner.
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N. Rushing the Quarterback (all age groups)
1. A maximum of three (3) players may rush the Quarterback. No announcement
is necessary and rushing is allowed on every play.
2. All rushers are required to start beyond the “No Rush Zone” which will be
designated by a yellow or orange cone/ball spotter, 7 yards from the defensive
line of scrimmage.
3. Players in the “No Rush Zone” may cross the defensive line of scrimmage and
pursue the ball carrier once the referee in the backfield determines an attempt
to
advance the ball has been made (including fake handoffs or runs).
 Players will be signaled by the referee in the backfield at this point by
dropping his/her hand. The referee’s hand will start above his/her head
at the start of every play.
4. No blitzing will be permitted. An illegal blitz will be called if a player in the “No
Rush Zone” crosses the defensive line of scrimmage prior to the referee dropping his/her hand.
O. Roughing the Passer:
1. If a defensive player trying to block a pass contacts the passer's arm, it will
constitute roughing the passer. This is the case if the ball is touched or missed
by the defender. Defensive players should go for the flag belt ONLY.
P. Punts
1. Ages 5-6 & 7-8
 When a punt is declared, the ball is moved twenty (20) yards from the current spot, not to penetrate the opponent’s 10-yard line. Kicking is not permitted in these age divisions.
2. Ages 9-10 & 11-12
 A punt must be kicked, not thrown.
 Must be announced by referee after asking team captain on fourth down
how they want to play the down: kick or play.
 There are no unannounced kicks.
 Punting formation: Kicking Team must have at least four on the scrimmage
line.
 Kicker must kick immediately upon receiving the snap. If not, it is illegal
procedure.
 Neither kickers nor receivers can cross their scrimmage line until ball is
kicked.
 Scrimmage kicks that are not announced are illegal.
 If a time-out is taken by either team, “K” team can change decision concerning a kick or an announced scrimmage play. Also, decision can be
changed if down is repeated because of penalty.
 Punts may be advanced by the receiving team regardless of whether or not
that ball has contacted the ground.
 If a punt is muffed by the kicking or receiving team, the ball is dead at the
spot where it hit the ground following the muff.
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Q. Ball touches ground:
1. Ball is dead when it touches the ground. Including but not limited to:
 Incomplete pass
 Muff
 Fumble
2. The only live ball after touching the ground is a punt that is untouched by a
player. If a player “R” or “K” touches a punt in the air or on the ground it becomes dead when the ball next touches the ground.
R. Basic penalty enforcement:
1. All penalties are five yards.
 Exception—unsportsmanlike conduct (10 yards)
2. All offensive penalties are loss of down penalties. Loss of down means that the
offense loses the right to replay the down. Teams can NEVER start on second
down. If a first down line is gained after the penalty yards are enforced, it will be
first down for the offense.
3. All defensive penalties are automatic first down penalties.
4. All penalties will be enforced from the previous spot.
 Exception—defensive holding or illegal contact with the runner (end of
the run)
 Exception—flag guarding (spot foul)
 Exception – illegal contact—committed downfield by the offensive team
(spot foul unless the play ends short of the foul. In this case it would be
enforced from the end of the run.)
 Pass Interference (Spot Foul)
5. All penalties can be declined.
 Exceptions—ejection and forfeiture of game
S. Protests
1. Judgment calls cannot be protested.
2. Rule interpretation protests must be made before the next snap. Rule
decisions are final after the ball is next legally snapped.
T. Inadvertent whistle:
1. Replay down if ball is loose on pass or kick.
2. Replay down or take play results option to team whose player is in possession
at time of whistle.
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U. Sportsmanship
1. Any acts of unsportsmanlike conduct will be penalized accordingly. If it occurs
during the game, it will be a live ball, 10-yard penalty. Two unsportsmanlike
conduct penalties in one game by the same player will result in an ejection.
2. Examples of actions that will be penalized include but are not limited to:
 Taunting
 Flagrant contact
 Swearing
 Using ones voice to deceive the opponent
3. Depending on the severity of the unsportsmanlike conduct, game officials
have the right to eject a player without warning or prior penalty.
4. Coaches and parents of participants are held to a higher standard than the
players because of their role as leaders and example-setters. The conduct of parents and spectators is the responsibility of the head coach. Any unsportsmanlike
acts by parents or spectators will result in a penalty against the team for which
they are with.
First Aid
1. Coaches and parents are responsible for providing first aid to their own team and
child however a staff member trained in First Aid will be on hand to assist you.
2. Cover open sores/lesions prior to game.
3. A team member who has an open wound is prohibited from participating further in
the game until appropriate treatment has been administered.
4. If medical care or treatment can be administered in a reasonable amount of time,
the individual would not have to leave the game. The length of time that is considered reasonable is judged by the official.
5. Suggested guidelines for providing first aid:
a. Wear gloves when contact with blood or other body fluid is anticipated.
b. Immediately wash hands and other skin surfaces with soap and water if in contact with blood or body fluids.
c. The bloodied portion of the uniform must be properly disinfected or the uniform
changed before the individual may participate.
d. Clean all blood contaminated surfaces and equipment with a solution of 1:10
bleach water or other disinfectant.
e. Articles contaminated with blood or body fluids should be properly disinfected of
disposed as soon as possible.
Disinfect means washing the material in a product such as Pine Sol, Lysol, Purex, Clorox, etc. Disposed means place the contaminated material in a plastic bag, seal the
bag, then dispose of the material properly.
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