NTYG 8-8
FLAG FOOTBALL RULES
The NTYG will be the general guideline for the operation of the Spring Flag Football
League with the following modifications to accommodate the flag football format.
The NTYG Board will govern all circumstance(s) not specifically addressed below.
** Please note: Anything not covered by NTYG rules will revert to NCAA rules.
Team Formation & Roster
1. Players will be divided into age groups (PK and Kinder) (1st Grade) & (2ND grade)
teams are required to have proof of age for all players (including birth certificate &
report card).
2. Each team will have a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of 16 players and must
have at least one adult coach registered as such with a league that is approved by
NTYG for the current playing year. You can start the game with 7 players.
3. Each team will have a maximum of four (4) coaches and one (1) team parent.
4. All players on a team are required to have matching jerseys or t-shirts.
5. All teams will have a fixed roster certified by the NTYG board prior to the 1st game
and will complete the season with the league approved roster
Player Certification
1. The coach must submit a roster sheet to the NTYG board with the complete team
roster before the first game is played.
2. Each roster sheet shall have a picture of the player, player’s name, jersey number,
date of birth, school name, and grade.
3. The team will approach the certification table together with a copy of their birth
certificate and report card in hand to verify they are an eligible player.
4. After the team members have all been verified by the NTYG board members the
sheet will be signed off and available for presentation before each game. NTYG
board will keep a signed laminated copy of each team’s roster for verification use at
all Spring NTYG football events.
Coaches Responsibilities
1. Coaches are responsible for the actions of their parents.
2. All coaching infractions constitute unsportsmanlike conduct (15 yard penalty).
3. Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalty infractions will result in ejection of
player/coach for the remainder of the game.
4. Player participation see NTYG RULES.
5. Every player must wear a mouth piece (15 yard penalty)
Drafted January 12, 2013
Field Dimensions:
1. Length-40 yards long
2. Width-160 feet
3. End Zone-10 yards deep
Football Size Requirements:
1. K-2 or equivalent
Starting the Game:
1. Visitors have first possession. Home team has first possession in second half.
2. No team will be allowed to participate without team uniforms. (Approval accepted
by host)
3. Ball will be placed at right hash of the 40-yard line beginning each possession.
Game Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Two 20 minute halves with a running clock
5 minute half time, 5 minutes between games
No time-outs unless called by a game official due to injury
30 second play clock once the referee spots the ball.
Teams must be ready at scheduled time.
Forfeit will occur after 10 minutes into first half if the team is not ready.
No kicking game. Ball is always placed on the 40-yard line to start the game, after a
score, and after an interception. (Interceptions may be returned for a touchdown)
8. Referee will announce remaining time at 10, 5, and 2 minutes in each half.
9. Ties: Each team will receive one opportunity (4 downs) to score from the 10-yard
line.
10. Playoff/Tournament games cannot end in a tie. Rule #9 will be repeated until there
is a winner.
Scoring
1.
2.
3.
4.
6 points for TD
1 point for PAT run play; 2 points for PAT pass play.
2 points if the defense returns a PAT back across the 40. (Interception)
Official score kept by referee
Moving the ball
1. Offensive Plays can be a pass or run.
2. Field is marked with 1st down markers/cones at 10-yard intervals: 40 yard line, 30
yard line, 20 yard line, 10-yard line, Goal line.
3. Each team must move the ball past a 1st down marker/cone to get a 1st down.
Drafted January 12, 2013
4. Each team will have 3 downs to get a 1st down from the 40-30, 30-20, 20-10 yard
line. Once a team reaches or passes the 10-yard line marker/cone they will have 4
downs to score.
5. No chains or down marker.
6. Possession always begins at the 40-yard line at the right hash mark. Placement of
the ball must be enforced by officials, in accordance with NCAA rules, once the ball
has been advanced. (left or right hash mark)
7. No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 40-yard line. On an unsuccessful or
successful offensive play from the 40-yard line resulting in an offensive penalty:
The ball will be returned to the 40-yard line and a loss of down will occur.
8. Offenses always move in the same direction. (Half field, both teams start at 40-yard
line.)
9. Laterals are allowed.
10. If an offensive player’s flag is pulled behind the 40 yard line the offensive will
maintain possession of the ball and the following down will start at the 40-yard line
unless it is 3rd down. (No Safeties)
Special Rules
1. Fumbles/Bad snaps are dead balls at the spot with the offense retaining possession.
(Loss of down on bad snaps)
2. If a defensive player strips the ball instead of pulling a flag it is a dead ball and the
offense maintains possession of the ball at the spot where the ball was stripped.
3. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous
spot or the new line of scrimmage in a timely fashion. Failure to do so will result in
a delay of game.
4. Two delay of game penalties in the same possession results in a turnover. A delay of
game penalty on the extra point try results in a turnover.
5. Defensive Pass Interference will be a spot foul (1st down at the spot of the foul)
6. Offensive Pass Interference is 15 yards from the L.O.S or loss of down.
7. Interceptions may be returned. If an interception is returned beyond the 40 yard
line (Offensive starting point) it is a touchdown. The extra point will take place at
the 3 yard line as normal.
8. No taunting or trash talking. (5 yard penalty & expulsion if flagrant)
9. Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the current game and the next
scheduled game. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the
tournament.
10. Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball and it is
unable to be penalized because of the ball being placed on the 40 yard line will
result in a loss of down. The defense, now the offense, would be starting play with
2nd down.
8-8 Offense
1. All players must wear league supplied/authorized flags.
Drafted January 12, 2013
2. Gap on the offensive line shall not be more than the arm span from the Center’s arm
to the Guard’s shoulder (“ A- Gap”) or this will negate the gap rule.
3. All players are eligible receivers and runners with the exception of the center.
4. No 3-point stances (1st time = warning; 2nd time = 5 yard penalty).
5. QB can glance at coach for an audible before the offense is set. Once set, no more
instruction is permitted. Violation = unsportsmanlike conduct (15 yard penalty from
LOS).
6. QB cannot run between Guards A- Gap. (A player receiving a direct snap from the
center is regarded as the QB on that play.) (5-yard penalty from LOS).
7. Minimum 4 players on the line of scrimmage (5 yard penalty from the LOS).
8. No flag guarding (10 yard spot penalty).
9. No stiff arm (10 yard spot penalty).
10. No lowering shoulder (10 yard spot penalty).
11. Runner cannot jump in the air (10 yard spot penalty).
12. 30 second play clock violation. Time count begins once ball is spotted. (5-yard
penalty).
13. Offensive holding (5 yard penalty from LOS).
14. Offensive pass interference (15 yard penalty from LOS and loss of down).
15. A player not wearing flags cannot advance, carry or receive the ball.
8-8 Defense
1. Defensive lineman can lineup over offensive guards, but cannot shoot A- Gap (5 yard
penalty).
2. Defensive player may not dive (leave his feet) for the flag (5 yard penalty).
3. A tackle results in a 10 yard spot penalty. (Diving may be seen as a tackle.)
4. An open field tackle results in a touchdown. (Discretionary call).
5. Defensive holding (5 yard penalty and automatic first down.)
8-8 Coaches on the field option
1. (PK-K) and (1st graders) each team may have two (2) offensive coaches and one (1)
defensive coach on the field during offense.
2. One (1) offensive coach on the field must be ten (10) yards behind the deepest
player and remain still during the entire play. (Unsportsmanlike conduct 15 yrd).
3. 2nd grade weeks 1-4 and the tournament each team may have 1 coach on the field.
4. At the snap the offensive coach must be a minimum of ten yards behind the deepest
player and remain still until play is dead.
5. The coach cannot touch a player once set. Use of hands on a player constitutes
unsportsmanlike conduct. (15 yard penalty)
6. Confrontation with the officials by the coach on the field constitutes
unsportsmanlike conduct. (15 yard penalty)
7. Defensive coach must be off the field at the start of offensive play.
Terminology:
 PAT – Point after Touchdown
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

TD – Touch Down
LOS – Line of Scrimmage
Drafted January 12, 2013