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ALL-SPORTS ATHLETIC LEAGUE

Football Handbook Flag/ Two hand touch

Valid as of November 29, 2012

Hand book

Flag / Two (2) Hand Touch

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 3

Article I. Amount of Players .............................................................................................................................. 3

Article II. Belts Defined ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Article III. Field Size ............................................................................................................................................. 3

Article IV. Start of game ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Article V. Played Time......................................................................................................................................... 4

Article VI. Running Time ...................................................................................................................................... 4

Article VII. Time Out ............................................................................................................................................. 4

Article VIII. Substitution......................................................................................................................................... 4

Article IX. Scoring ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Article X. Tie Game ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Article XI. Stopping Defender .............................................................................................................................. 5

Article XII. Fumble ................................................................................................................................................ 5

Article XIII. Rules – Offense ................................................................................................................................... 5

Article XIV. Rules – Defense .................................................................................................................................. 6

Article XV. Penalty ................................................................................................................................................ 7

Article XVI. Punting / Kicking / Throw off .............................................................................................................. 8

Article XVII. Players Equipment .............................................................................................................................. 9

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INTRODUCTION

Rule Book & Regulations These are the rules and regulations for flag and tag football. These rules will and only can be change by All sport Athletic League. If any changes has been done each team Captain or and Coach will be notify. Rules of play as published by The All sport Athletic League will cover all play of the game of Football.

Article I. Amount of Players

Offensive 1) The game is played by 12 man team and 8-man on Field. 2) 3 player’s on front Line 3) 1 QB (Quarter Back) 4) 4 Receivers

Defensive

1) 3 Player’s on front line 2) 4 Defenders

Article II. Belts Defined

1) Belts must be sized to fit each player. 2) Each belt has 3 flags that are 16 inches or more in length and 2 inches in width. 3) The flag belts are triple-threat type, which require the entire belt to be removed. 4) The belt fastener must consist of a spring-loaded clamp, resembling a clothespin, attached to one end of

the belt and clipping onto the opposite blank end. 5) All players must have flags.

Article III. Field Size The field is to be a minimum of 70 yards by 40 yards with 5-yard end zones. Center zones shall be 20 yards.

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Article IV. Start of game

1) To start a game a coin is tossed and the winner must choose one of the following privileges 2) To kick or receive the football 3) To defend a goal 4) The winner may not defer this privilege to the second half

Article V. Played Time

1) There will be 4 quarters of 10 minutes each for Teens and Unlimited 2) There will be 2 quarters of 15 minutes each for youth only 3) An intermission of 5 minutes between halves and 2 minutes between quarters.

Article VI. Running Time

1) After a touchdown. Clock does not start until ensuing kickoff is touched in play by the receiving team. 2) If the offense commits a delay of game penalty. 3) Upon declaration of a punt. Clock does not start until the ball is punted. 4) On penalties, until ball is ready for play.

Article VII. Time Out

1) Each team will be allowed 3 timeouts per half. 2) Each time-out will last 1 minute.

Article VIII. Substitution

1) Substitutions are unlimited.

Article IX. Scoring

1) Touchdown = 6 points 2) Extra Points: 5 yards out = 1 point; 10 yards out = 2 points 3) Safety = 2 points (Ensuing from 20 yard line regardless of field size)

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Article X. Tie Game

A tie at the completion of the game is broken in the following manner:

1) The winner of a coin flip will have the option of starting on offense or defense. 2) The ball will be put into play at the 20-yard line. 3) Each team will have 4 downs to advance the ball to the goal line. 4) If a team does not score by four downs their total yardage is counted. 5) If a team loses possession of the ball, the other team takes over on offense and the ball will be placed on

the 20-yard line. 6) The team that loses possession does not regain their downs.

Article XI. Stopping Defender The progress of the ball carrier is stopped when a defending player removes his flag belt or touches with both hands at the same time.

Article XII. Fumble

1) A fumbled ball is dead, unless caught in the air by a trailing teammate (lateral). 2) The ball is spotted at the spot of the fumble or where the ball hit the ground, whichever is less

advantageous to the offensive team. 3) Reminder: for the play to be considered a fumble, the offensive player must first establish possession.

Article XIII. Rules – Offense

FLAG ONLY

1. No intentional move with the hands, elbows, or shoulders shall be made by the ball carrier to prevent the defender from removing his flag (flag guarding). Only on two (2) hand touch

2. Any player who loses his flags while in possession of the ball will be allowed to retain the ball. 3. The ball will be declared dead at the spot where the flag was lost or where you were tag. 4. The ball carrier may not run into a defender in an effort to prevent his flag from being removed. 5. The ball carrier may not hurdle or dive in order to advance the ball. If he does, the ball will be declared dead

at the spot where he left the ground (penalty). (ONLY FLAG FOOTBALL) 6. The ball carrier may spin one time per defender. If he spins twice, the ball will be declared dead at the spot

of the second spin. (ONLY FLAG FOOTBALL)

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BOTH

1. Offensively, everyone is eligible for a pass. 2. 3 players on line 3. 4 Receivers 4. Downs: If the offense fails to advance the ball to the next zone in 4 downs, they shall lose possession of the

ball at the spot where the ball is blown dead after the fourth down. 5. To start any offensive play, including punts, the ball must be passed between the legs of the center or the

football must be on the back of the teammate. 6. If any portion of the players knees touches or crosses the line, the next zone is played. 7. Offensive players may move around before the snap as they wish. 8. However, all offensive players must be set for at least one second before the snap. An exception to this

would be if the offense has a player in motion at the time of the snap. One player may be in motion moving parallel or backwards from the line of scrimmage.

9. There will be a 20-second time limit between play. If this time is exceeded, the clock will stop until the next snap of the ball. And the Offense team will move back 5 yards

10. No hideouts are permitted. That is, the offense cannot intentionally try to hide a player on the field. (All players must be five yards from the sideline.)

11. On a fumbled snap, a handoff that is fumbled or backward pass or lateral, once the ball hits the ground, it is immediately dead and put in play where the ball hits the ground.

12. No running plays are allowed directly over the center of 1 yard to his left or right, except on broken plays. Referees are to place a beanbag type device 1 yard away from the ball on both sides.

13. Arms may not be extended while blocking. Use of hands is in violation. 14. The team that has the ball in play from the line of scrimmage may throw a forward pass. There may be

more than one legal forward pass during a down, but each must be thrown behind the original line of scrimmage.

15. Blocking - Teammates of the ball carrier may contact opponents with their arms provided: 16. The elbows are entirely outside the shoulders. 17. The hands are closed or cupped with the palms not facing the opponents. 18. The forearms are approximately parallel to the ground, in the same horizontal plane and extended more

than 45 degree’s from the body. 19. The blocker’s hands may not be locked and he may not swing, throw or flip his elbow or forearm so it is

moving faster then the shoulder of the opponent and have at least one foot in contact with the ground during the block.

20. Blocking from the rear is always clipping in flag football. 21. The ball will be placed in the middle of the field after each play.

Article XIV. Rules – Defense

FLAG

1) Defenders shall not impede the progress of the ball carrier in an attempt to remove the flag. 2) A passer may be contacted if the defender is sincerely attempting to remove the passer’s flag.

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BOTH

1) It shall be illegal to dive at the ball carrier from the forward plane. Diving from the side and behind is legal. 2) Use of the defensive forearm shiver technique on the line is forbidden. 3) Canning the center is forbidden. 4) Defensive players attempting to block a pass may not contact the passer (roughing the quarterback). 5) It shall be a foul to tackle, hack, straight-arm, trip, push, hold or rough another player. 6) Defenders may not contact an offensive player with extended arms. Bump and run defense on wide

receivers is not permitted at anytime. 7) Defensive players cannot rush 1 yard either side of the beanbags.

Article XV. Penalty

Certain penalties in football might call for more or less than the standard 5 to 10 yard penalties. Here are a few of them.

Five (5) Yards Penalty

1) Offside: When a Defense team goes past the line of scrimmage before the quarterback snapped the ball

2) False Start: Which a player goes past the line of scrimmage without touching someone before the ball is snapped.

3) Encroachment: When a player goes past the line of scrimmage and hits someone before the ball is snapped

4) Delay of game: When the offensive take more then 30 second

5) Holding (defensive): When a defensive player tackles or holds an offensive player other than the ball carrier. The

penalty is 5 yards and an automatic first down.

Ten (10) Yards Penalty

1) Forward lateral: When an offensive player makes a forward pass after crossing the line of scrimmage

2) Holding (offensive): When an offensive player uses his hands, arms, or other parts of his body to prevent a defensive

player from tackling the ball carrier. The penalty is 10 yards

3) Illegal use of hands or feet: When a player uses his hands or feet in unnecessary ways

4) Offensive Interference: When an offensive player interferes with a defensive player who is trying to catch the ball.

5) Pass Interference: When a defensive player interferes with the offensive player who is trying to catch the ball.

6) Personal Foul/Tech: When a player intentionally commits a serious penalty

7) Unnecessary roughness: When a player hits or makes contact with a player after the ball is out of play

8) If one player strikes an opponent with a fist or kick, runs into a player after the whistle is blown

9) Roughing the kicker: When a defensive player makes any contact with the punter, provided the defensive player

hasn’t touched the kicked ball before contact. This is an automatic first down.

10) Roughing the passer: When a defensive player makes direct contact with the quarterback after the quarterback has

released the ball. This is an automatic first down.

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Article XVI. Punting / Kicking / Throw off 1) There is only punting or kicking if the field is long enough if the field is short it will be a throw off. 2) In a case of a Throw off the opposite team will get the ball on there 20 3) On fourth down, the offense must announce to the referee its intention to either punt the ball or attempt a

play to try and maintain possession of the ball or score. 4) If the decision is to punt, the announcement must be made within the 30-second time limit to run a play. 5) Upon the announcement of a punt, the referee shall stop the clock and give the receiving team enough

time to set up its return team. 6) When set, the official will blow the whistle which gives the offense 15 seconds to punt the ball. 7) The clock will re-start when ball is punted. 8) The special team must have 7 players on the line of scrimmage in a reasonably stationary position until the

ball is punted. 9) The receiving team must have at least 5 players in a reasonably stationary position at the line of scrimmage. 10) These players may not leave their feet to block or catch the punt. 11) The kickoff will be from the 30-yard line on an 80-yard field, and from the 20-yard line on a 60-yard field,

and at the end zone on a 50 – yard field 12) The Special team may move as it wishes prior to the kick without crossing the line of scrimmage before the

ball is kicked. 13) No on-side kicks allowed. 14) Once the kicking or punting team touches a live ball, it becomes dead at that spot and becomes the

possession of the receiving team. 15) The receiving team of a kickoff must have at least 5 players in a reasonably stationary position on the front

line. These players are to be positioned 10 yards away from the ball. The players on the front line may not leave their feet to block or catch the kick.

16) If the receiving team touches the ball and then the ball touches the ground, the ball is dead at the spot it touched the player or where it hit the ground, whichever is less advantageous to the receiving team.

17) The kicking/punting team can never gain possession on a kick/punt. Therefore, a ball that his a receiving player and is caught in the air by the kicking/punting team will be declared dead following the same provisions of a fumbled ball as described in rule Article XV Section 8

18) Following a Touchback, the ball is placed on the 20 yard line. 19) If a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team has the choice of a 5-yard penalty and re-kick or it take

possession of the ball at the spot where the kickoff went out of bounds or the 20 yard line which ever is greater.

20) No interception or kick-off can be returned from the end zone.

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Article XVII. Players Equipment

FLAG ONLY

1) Referees should inform players to tuck in shirts if they notice it before a play. 2) If the ball carrier’s shirt is un-tucked, the ball is dead at the spot of the first legitimate flag-pull attempt

made by the defense. 3) This does not apply if a defender pulls the shirt out of the shorts of the ball carrier. 4) All players must wear flags of the same color. They must, however, contrast with the color of the shorts

being worn. 5) The flag belt must be clipped in such a manner that it will come off with one pull. It is illegal to create loops

and knots with the belt to make it more difficult to pull off.

BOTH

1) Numbered jerseys of the same color and all shirts must be tucked in so that the entire flag belt is visible. 2) The official ball shall be of rubber construction and of intermediate size. 3) Regular football equipment such as shoulder pads, kidney pads, and forearm pads are prohibited. 4) No casts of any kind are permitted. 5) All players must wear shoes. If wearing cleats, only non-metal ones are allowed. 6) Any player in violation will be warned, penalized and will be ejected from the game on a 2nd offense. 7) Players may wear football pants or kneepads. 8) All players can wear a mouthpiece. 9) Fair play and sportsmanship must be the attitude of everyone involved 10) Flag football is intended to be a finesse sport. While a certain amount of contact is allowable, dangerous

and/or excessive contact and collisions must be avoided. 11) Referees are to pay special attention and penalize and warn the player(s) responsible. 12) The second warning to a player will result in ejection.

*A note to coaches: Blockers should be taught to get in the way of the defensive player and stay in his way or perhaps turn or move the defensive layer in a particular direction. Defensive players should be taught to go around the blockers. In the same spirit, warm-ups before games should be appropriate to Middle School flag football. No blocking bags are allowed. **Referees are responsible for checking the equipment of all players before the game.

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