RULES Scoring ● Touchdown: 6 Points ● PAT: 1 point from 3 yard line; 2 points from 10 yard line ● Team scoring a TD must declare 1 or 2 point decision immediately. The first declaration to the official will be executed. ● Safety: 2 points ○ Ball carrier declared down in their own endzone ○ Offensive penalty in their own endzone ● Mercy Rule If a team is team is winning by 28 points or more, the losing team gets one offensive series to continue regulation play. If they do not score, the game will go into “scrimmage mode.” ○ Winning team is declared. ○ Remaining time is playing the game w/out keeping score. After TDs, no conversions are attempted. ○ Winning team gets 3 downs instead of 4 for their offensive possessions. Offensive Possessions: ● The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5 yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. After the ball is ready for play, teams have :30 seconds to snap the ball. We will enforce this more strictly as the season goes on. There will be a learning curve with this expectation. ● Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown. ● On 4th down, the offense can choose to go for the first down or punt. ● If the team chooses to punt, the ball will be placed at the opposing team’s 5yard line. ● If the team elects to go for it and doesn’t make it, that defense will take possession where that play ended. ● Interceptions may be returned in normal play. The only exception is if the leading team is up in points by more than 20 points and the ball is intercepted, then the ball is dead at that point on the field.
GAME TIME / Overtime ● Each game will feature 2 17 min running time halves with a 3 minute halftime. The clock will stop on dead balls in the last two minutes of the game if the score is within 8 points. ● Each team gets 1 :30 second timeout in the second half. ○ Each team plays 5 players at a time. One of the 5 on offense acts as the center and is eligible to go out for passes. ● Teams change sides after the first half. The team that started on defense will start on offense the second half. ● Overtime The team that got the ball at the start of the game will determine if they want to go first or second with trying to score in O.T. Teams can decide to go for a one or two point conversion. With each overtime period teams will alternate getting to make the decision of whether they want to go first or second. LIVE/DEAD Ball ● The ball is LIVE at the snap of the ball and remains LIVE until the official whistles the ball DEAD. ○ Play is ruled DEAD when: ■ the ball hits the ground ■ the ball carrier’s flag is pulled or falls out ■ the ball carrier steps out of bounds ■ a TD, PAT or safety is scored ■ any part of the ball carrier, other than hand or foot, hits the ground ■ a receiver catches a ball while in possession of one flag ■ when an inadvertent whistle is performed ● Offense can replay the down from original line of scrimmage ● take the ball where the whistle blew ■ substitutions can be made on ANY dead ball if the offensive team subs players out. Running the Ball ● No Fumbles the ball is spotted from where the ball was fumbled (this prevents players from “fumbling forward” if they are short of the first down marker.
● The ball is spotted where the runner’s front foot is when the flag is pulled (this discourages runners from trying to dive/leap forward with the ball out, which may cause greater risk for injury) ● Once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, all offensive players without the ball need to stop moving. This prevents offensive players from running with a ball carrier or trying to “screen” a defender off. ● The QB cannot run the ball UNLESS the defense rushes a defender from behind the “rush marker (5 yards down field) when the ball is snapped. ● All jerseys must be tucked in before the play begins. The flags must be on the player’s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding. ● Laterals are NOT allowed CHARGING ● The ball carrier or receiver must show a clear attempt to step to the side of the defender. If the ball carrier does not show a clear attempt and collides with the defender, the ball carrier/receiver will be assessed a 10 yard penalty. Repeated offenses may result in removal from that game. PASS PLAYS ● A legal forward pass must be from behind the line of scrimmage and be caught down field. ● The QB has a 6 second pass clock to legally throw the ball down field. ■ The ref will start the stopwatch on the snap. ■ When the QB throws the ball, the ref will stop the stopwatch and continue observing the play. At the end of the play, the ref will check the time it took to throw the pass. ● If it is over 6 seconds, the ball will go back to the original line of scrimmage and move to the next down, unless it was intercepted. ● If it was under the 6 seconds, the play result will stand and the quarterback will move the line of scrimmage spot to the new location ● If the ref senses the QB has gone far over the 6 seconds and confirms it on the clock, he can blow the play dead. FORMATIONS ● The offensive team must have a minimum of 1 player on the line of scrimmage (center) and can have up to 4 players on the LOS. The QB must be off the LOS. ● All offensive players must be set for 1 second before the ball can be snapped or a player goes in motion. ● No motion is allowed towards the line of scrimmage.
● The center must snap the ball with a rapid continuous motion between his/her legs to a player in the back field and the ball must completely leave his/her hands. ● 3rd/4th grade can use 6 formations Ace Left, Ace Right, Trips Right, Trips Left, Bunch Right, Bunch Left UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT ● If the league representative or referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking, or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game. The decision is made at the referee’s discretion. NO APPEALS. Foul play that may be dangerous to the other participants will NOT be tolerated. ● Offensive or confrontational language is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the referee will give (1) warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. ● Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent or official. ● Ball carriers MUST make an effort to avoid defenders with an established position. ● Defenders are NOT allowed to run through the ball carrier when pulling flags. ● Fans must also adhere to good sportsmanship. ○ Positive comments towards your team!! ○ Do not use negative comments towards the referee or other team. ○ Please keep chairs and other items away from the field for the safety of our players. ○ If a fan is asked to leave the game because they have demonstrated unsportsmanlike behavior and they do not leave, the game will be forfeited. ○ Irish Camps has and always will provide an atmosphere where players, families, and friends can feel comfortable enjoying a day of flag football. Anyone that jeopardizes this environment will be asked to leave. PENALTIES ● Referee will call all penalties. ● Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines. ● Only the Team Captain may ask the referee questions about rule clarifications and interpretations. Defensive Fouls DEFENSIVE FOULS Offside 5 yards from LOS & Auto 1st Down
Illegal Flag Pull (before the receiver has the ball) 10 yards from LOS & Auto 1st Down Roughing the Passer 10 yards from LOS & Auto 1st Down Taunting 10 yards from LOS & Auto 1st Down Defensive Pass Interference Spot Foul & Automatic 1st Down Defensive Holding Spot Foul, + 5 yards, Auto 1st Down Unnecessary Roughness Spot Foul, +10 yards, Auto 1st Down OFFENSIVE FOULS Offside/False Start/Illegal Motion 5 yards from LOS Illegal Forward Pass (throwing beyond the LOS) 5 yards from LOS & Loss of Down Offensive Pass Interference 5 yards from LOS & Loss of Down Delay of Game 5 yards from LOS & Loss of Down Screening/Blocking/Running w/Ball Carrier 5 yards from LOS & Loss of Down Charging 10 yards from LOS & Loss of Down Flag Guarding Spot Foul, 10 yards, Loss of Down Offensive Unnecessary Roughness Spot Foul, 10 yards, Loss of Down Intentional Grounding Spot Foul, 10 yards, Loss of Down OTHER PENALTIES Illegal Equipment 5 yard penalty TERMINOLOGY ● Boundary Lines: the outer perimeter lines around the field. ● LOS: Line of Scrimmage an imaginary line running through the point of the football and across the width of the field
● Midfield: The “50” yard line of the field. This will serve as the first down marker for offensive possessions. ● Rush Line: an imaginary line running across the width of the field 5 yards from the LOS ● Rusher: any defensive player that rushes the QB, they must be behind the “rush line” at the snap of the ball ● Live Ball: refers to the period of time that the play is in action. Generally used in regard to penalties, live ball penalties are considered part of the play and must be enforced before the down is considered complete. ● Dead Ball: refers to the period of time immediately before or after a play ● Charging: the movement of the ball carrier directly at a defensive player who has established position on the field. This includes lowering the head, making contact with the defender with a shoulder, forearm, chest, or stiffarm. ● Flag Guarding: an act by the ball carrier to prevent a defender from pulling the ball carrier’s flags by blocking access to the flags with a hand or arm. ● Shovel Pass: A forward lateral that occurs BEHIND the LOS. This is NOT allowed in Team Flag. ● Lateral: A backwards or sideways toss of the ball by a ball carrier. This is also NOT allowed in Team Flag. PARENTS CODE OF ETHICS I hereby pledge to provide positive support, care and encouragement for my child participating in the Team Flag League offered by Irish Camps, LLC by following the Parent’s Code of Ethics Pledge. ● I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials at every game and at practices. ● I will insist and instruct my child play in a safe and healthy environment. ● I will place the emotional and physical wellbeing of my child ahead of a personal desire to win. ● I will the support the adults running the league and the high school officials in order to encourage a positive and enjoyable experience for all. ● I will do my very best to make sure youth sports are fun for my child. ● I will ask my child to treat other players, coaches, fans, and officials with respect, regardless of race, sex, or ability. ● I will keep the fields safe by keeping younger children, chairs and all other items away from the playing field. ● I will sit behind the endzones and not on the sideline.
ELIGIBILITY All players must be registered with Irish Camps Team Flag via Athletechs before participating in any league activities. This includes registration, release of liability form, complete parent and player contact information, and signed Parent Code of Conduct by the legal parent(s) or legal guardian(s). ● A player may only play on one team per league. A player can participate in multiple leagues though. For example a 6th grader plays on a 5th/6th grade team and also on a 7th/8th grade team. Scheduling conflicts may arise with this though. ● Any team playing with an unregistered player(s) will result in an immediate game forfeiture. ● Irish Camps reserves the right to add players and/or move players from teams if it is deemed necessary by the league. ● In the event of an injury, a team with insufficient substitute players may play with four players on the field, but no fewer than four. Teams must start a game with a minimum of four players. TEAM EQUIPMENT ● Game Balls will be provided for all games to be used by both teams. ● All players are required to wear the proper team color jersey/tshirt with a number on the front of the shirt. ● Jerseys must be tucked into the shorts, if they hang below the belt line. ● Players may wear tennis shoes or cleats (must be rubber soled absolutely no metal spikes) ● Flags will be provided. Each player is responsible for ensuring their flags are on their hips before each play. At the end of the game, teams need to return their flags.
