YMCA Flag Football Rules
5/6 Year Old League
Offical Rules Effective February 17, 2017
The Game
Flag Football is a non-contact sport. Intentional contacts will result in penalty.
Ball Size
5/6 Year Old League- Pee Wee
Field Dimensions
90 feet x 210 feet where field space is adequate (field size may vary depending on location
restrictions).
Sidelines, Back of endzone lines, Goal lines, Midfield/First down line. In addition, there wil be
a line 5 yards before the first down and goal lines.This 5 yard area will be referred to as the
No Run Zone and does not apply to 5/6 year old league.
Game will consist of two (20 minute) halves. Halves are played with a running clock. Clock will
stop for official and coaches timeouts or injuries. NOTE: At the end of each half, there will be
a One-Minute Warning. The official will stop the clock at the one minute mark by calling an
official timeout. If a play is in progress at the one minute mark, then the official timeout will
come at conclusion of play. Inside of one minute, the game clock will stop on incomplete
passes, dropped balls, runner out of bounds, score/change of possession. Clock will restart at
time of snap on next play.
Field Line Markings
Time of Play
Numbers of Players on Field
Number of Downs for a First Down/Touchdown
Start of Play/Change of Possession
Substitutions
Referee/Timekeeper
No Run Zones
All games are designed to be played in a 6v6 format. The minimum number a team may play
with is 5 players. Failure to field 5 players will result in a forfeit. No makeup games will be
scheduled due to forfeiture.
Offense will be awarded four (4) downs to gain a first down/touchdown. Once a team
succesfully crosses the midfield/first down line, they will be awarded a new set of downs to
attempt a score.
Winner of coin toss elects offense or defense to start the game. Team that starts the game on
defense, chooses goal line defend. Reverse possession at start of 2nd half.
The YMCA pravtices a 50% play rule. It is suggested to make substitutions on the change of a
possession. However, coaches may choose to use a free substitution method. This is allowed
as long as it does not slow down the game. To assure ALL players get equal minutes, it is
suggested that players be divided into offensive and defensive squads where the numbers
allow.
If a referee sees a penalty, they will throw a flag/marker on the ground and allow play to
continue. At the end of play, the referees only may discuss the call amongst themselves if
there is any question. Once the referee announces the call to the coaches- IT IS FINAL! If a
coach needs clarification of the call, it will be allowed, but will cost the coach a timeout. Any
coach/player/parent/fan who verbally harasses or physically touches an official can be
penalized and or ejected form the field. Official clock will be kept by referee on the field or a
designated referee/YMCA employee on the sideline.
This zone is only applicable in the 5/6 year old league on 1 point try following a score.
Whenever an offense scores a touchdown and elects to go for a 1 point try, this snap will take
place from the 5 yard line, which is considered a NO RUN ZONE. The offense must execute a
play in which a FORWARD PASS must cross the line of scrimmage (LOS). As clarification, in the
NO RUN ZONE, a forward pass that crosses the LOS must be attempted. Any forward pass
that is caught behind the LOS will result in a loss of down penalty. This means on a one point
try following a score, the play will be called dead and the try will be unsuccessful.
Forward Pass
A FORWARD PASS is defined as any overhand throw, toss, pitch, or shovel that travels toward
or beyond the LOS. Only one FORWARD PASS may be attempted on any given play.
Lateral
A LATERAL is defined as any overhand throw, toss, pitch, or shovel that travels away from or
behind the LOS. Any number of LATERALS may occur on any given play as long as they take
place behind the LOS. No LATERALS are allowed once the football crosses the LOS.
Change of Possesion
Failure to get a first down or touchdown will result in a turnover and the opposing team will
start at the opposite end on the 5 yard line.
If a game is tied at the end of regulation, then the officials will have a coin toss. The team that
wins the toss will select offense or defense first. The other team will select the end of the
field. During an overtime session, there will be no game clock- just a 40 second play clock.
Each team will get one set of downs to score from midfield. Following a score, the offense
must go for two points from the 12 yard line. If teams are still tied after one overtime session,
the game will end in a tie.
Overtime
Interceptions (On a Non-PAT Play)
If a player intercepts a pass, it may be advanced until flag is pulled or player scores. In the
event of flag being pulled, ball will be spotted at that point.
Interceptions (On a PAT Play)
Ball may be advanced the length of the field for a score resulting in the same number of
point(s) as the original attempt. Failure to advance the full length of the field will result in a
new possession beginning on the teams own 5 yard line.
YMCA jersey must be tucked in. Flag belt should be tightly secured on the waist with two
flags attached to the belt by Velcro. Flags must be worn on opposite hips.
Uniforms/Flags
Mouth Pieces
MOUTH PIECES ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE WORN! No mouth piece- no play
Touchdown
Scoring: One Point Try
6 points
1 POINT- Following a touchdown, ball is placed at the 5 yard line. NO RUN ZONE rules apply.
Scoring: Two Point Try
2 POINTS- Following a touchdown, ball is placed on the 12 yard line. Attempt may be a run or
pass play
2 POINTS- Awarded to the defense when offensive ball carrier has flag pulled, falls down,
steps out of bounds, or pass clock expires while standing in their own endzone. Following a
safety, ball is awarded to the defense and will begin possession at opposite end of field at the
5 yard line.
No rushes are allowed in the 5/6 year old league. Defense must remain beyond the LOS at all
times. Defense must allow ballcarrier to cross the LOS before attempting a flag pull.
Scoring: Safety
Rushing the QB
Play Clock
Referee will set the ball and blow the whistle. The offensisive team will have 40 seconds to
snap the ball. Failure to do so will result in a 5 yard Delay of Game penalty. NOTE: On the
first play of an offensive series, the official will not allow a play to be run until the defense has
had the opportunity to make substitutions and is ready for play. Following this initial play of a
possession, the offense may elect to snap the ball as soon as the ball is spotted and whistled
into ready for play. Referees should make every effort to spot the ball as quickly as possible
following a play.
Pass Clock
The QB will have 9 seconds to pass, lateral, or hand off the football. Failure to do so will result
in a dead ball and loss of down. The ball will be be spotted at the original LOS.
Play Stoppage
A play is deemed over any time a ball carrier's: flag is pulled or comes off while touching the
football, body part other than hand touches the ground, ball is dropped or hits the ground, or
steps out of bounds.
Any formation is allowed on offense. However, the QB must be in one of two positions: 1.
Under Center- taking the snap from directly behind the center
2. Shotgun- still
directly behind, but separated from the center. Snaps may be done from a side hike position
or between the legs. Any number of handoffs or laterals may occur behind the LOS. Only one
player may be in motion parallel to the LOS when the ball is snapped.
Formations: Offense
Formations: Defense
Advancing the Ball
Offensive Penalties (5 Yards)
Any defensive alignment is allowed. Defense must line up beyond the LOS.
Ball is spotted where the ballcarrier's feet are when the flag is pulled. Runner can not extend
ball with arm or dive. Ball carrier may twist, pivot, or spin. No vertical jumps. Runner can not
swipe or contact the arm of a defender to avoid a flag pull.
Dead Ball Penalties: False start, delay of game. Live Ball Penalties: Pushing, screening,
blocking, flag guarding. Penalty will be marked off from the point of the infraction. Half the
distance will apply when inside their own 5 yard line. Defensive coach has the option to
accept the penalty on a live ball penalty or decline and take the result of the play.
Flag Guarding
Flag Guarding is a subjective call of the official. Players carrying the football are strongly
encouraged to carry the football in a tucked position with arm bent at the elbow. Flag
Guarding will be called if the ball carrier makes contact with the hand or arm(s) of a defender
who is trying to make a legitimate flag pull. Play will be blown dead and ball will be spotted at
point of infraction.If the defender is not attempting a flag pull or there is no contact with the
defender's hand(s) or arm(s), no call will be made.
Defensive Penalties (5 Yards)
Off sides, pass interference, intentional contact with ball carrier, defensive holding, illegal flag
pull (pulling the belt, or uniform to slow down the ball carrier). Penalty will be marked off
from the point of the infraction. Half the distance will apply when inside the 5 yard line.
Offensive coach has the option to accept the penalty and replay the down or decline and take
the result of the play.
Team Penalties (10 Yards)
Unsportsmanlike Conduct (player or coach taunting, aggressive behavior, stripping the ball,
intentional contact with the QB while passing). In the event of a team penalty, yardage will be
awarded and a team warning issued. Subsequent team penalties can lead to player/coach
ejection.
2 points will be awarded to the defense if while in their own end zone, ball carrier's flag if
pulled or falls off, pass clock expires, ball carrier falls down, or steps out of bounds. A safety
will also be awarded to the defense of an offensive penalty occurs in the endzone. In the
event of a safety, there will also be a possession change.
Safety
Records/Rankings
Win/Loss records will be kept by the YMCA for seeding purposes during the Spring seasons
for post season tournament purposes. Win/Loss records are not kept during the Fall seasons.
Timeouts
Each team will have one timeout per half. Timeouts will not be carried over to the second half
or ovetime session. In the event of overtime, each team will be awarded one timeout.
Coaches on Field
Only one coach allowed on the field. Coach must stay away from the play. Any coach that
impedes a play will be assessed a 5 yard penalty.
Players:
Only players registered with the YMCA will be allowed to participate and must wear an apporoved YMCA uniform. Players must conform to age
limitations (birthdate as of August 1). No school or club teams are allowed to participate. The YMCA abides by a 50% play rule for every player,
unless the player/parent chooses not to or in the event of an injury.
Coaches:
All coaches are required to complete a volunteer coaches packet prior to assuming role as coach.
Coaches can not question, comment, or exhibit disruptive language or behavior at any time to any YMCA Staff, participant, or spectator.
Parents:
Must exhibit the same behavior controls and follow the same code of conduct rules mandated to both the coaches and players.
Special Rules:
Parents are to provide supervision for all their children, at all times.
Teams must follow the official game schedule issued by the YMCA. Games cancelled by the YMCA due to weather will be rescheduled by the
YMCA.
Forfeits will result in the option of a scrimmage among players present. Teams may combine for scrimmage.
All parents/players must sign and return the Concussion Awareness Form to the coach prior to season.