FO1 Flag Football Rules

(Revised 8/15/15)

Major Changes Highlighted in Yellow

FO1 FOOTBALL uses NCAA Rules with UIL Exceptions and League Exceptions

FO1 Tackle Football utilizes NCAA rules with University Interscholastic League (UIL) exceptions and certain league exceptions
listed below.

FO1s primary goal for the Flag league is to fundamentally prepare the players for tackle football.

FO1 FOOTBALL reserves the right to alter any league specific rules, at any time, for any reason during the season
1)

2)

FO1 Football Coaches - We believe that volunteer youth coaches are our communitys greatest youth sports asset. We want our
coaches to be the best they can be so we are requiring some training in order to help achieve that goal.
a) There will be a maximum of five (5) registered coaches per team. There will be one head coach and a maximum of four assistant
coaches.
b) New coaches to FO1 Sports and existing coaches who have been subject to league discipline in the prior seasons are subject to FO1
Sports Executive Board approval (within 3 weeks of coach registration).
c) Coach Qualification Requirements: All FO1 FOOTBALL head and assistant coaches must complete the following:
i) Complete the Leagues On-line registration and pay the registration fee.
ii) A coaching application
(1) All coaches are subject to criminal background check.
iii) Agreeing and accepting the Coachs Code of Conduct and league liability waiver.
iv) Coach Training: All coaches are required to complete online Level I certification with USA Football for their division
(tackle or flag) before the first day of practice. New coaches to FO1 Sports and existing coaches who have been subject to
league discipline in the prior seasons and are subject to FO1 Sports Executive Board approval (within 3 weeks of coach
registration).
v) In addition to football training, all coaches will be required to teach life lessons known as FO1 Moments and skills such as
teamwork, sacrifice, proper rest, and good eating habits. These weekly lessons are posted at the League website and will
also be e-mailed to coaches/parents each week of the season.
Team Formation:
Team formation is formally defined in FO1s Team Formation Guidelines.
Teams will primarily be formed by elementary schools but coaches at the flag level are able to pool team members from multiple
schools.
c) In the event that a player does not have a team (unassigned player) and/or a particular school does not have enough kids to form its
own team, Teams will be pooled together, which feed the same junior high school.
d) The head coach and assistant coaches children will represent the core group of such a formed team. It will be the responsibility of
those parents to get out and spread the word to help get the childrens friends signed up so that they can be teammates, thus making
the whole experience much more enjoyable for all.
e) Kindergarten and 1st Grade kids will be pooled together and play in the same division. The FO1 Sports Executive Board will make
every effort to balance the teams grade level.
a)
b)

3)

Games:
A game is played consisting of 9 players on offense and 9 players on defense.
There will be a running clock of four (4), 10 minute quarters. Halftime generally be 10 minutes.
Each team will have two (2), 60 second time outs per half. Timeouts stop the running clock.
Games will begin promptly at the scheduled times or as soon as possible after the previous game ends. The minimum number of
players to start a game is 8.
e) A forfeit will incur at 15 minutes past the scheduled game start time (or ending of the previous game) should a team not be able to
field 8 players.
f) The number of players on the field must be the same for both teams. (In the event one team can only field 8 players, the opposing
team will also field 8 players)
a)
b)
c)
d)

4)

Offensive and Defensive Formations:

The Offensive team must always have at least 5 players on the Line of Scrimmage (LOS), and no more than 4 in the backfield
(either double tight ends or wide outs up on the LOS).
b) The defensive team may choose any formation as long as no more than 5 players are on the LOS.
c) The Defense will start 3 yards off the line of scrimmage (marked by the officials) and must line head up on the opposing offensive
player. This is reduced to 1 yard for goal line defense inside the 10 yard line.
a)

5)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Playing Fields:
The games will be played on an 80 X 53-yard field (regulation width) with 10- yard end zones.
A down marker will be used to indicate the number of the down.
A chain team will be supplied by the home team. Parent volunteers to operate the chains will be provided by the home team.
The home team will be on the north or west sideline of any given field.
The visiting team will be on the south or east sideline of any given field.

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f)
g)
6)

The game will start with the offense team (decided by coin toss) on the 20 yard line of the offensive team.
There will not be any kickoffs, field goal attempts, punts, or PAT kicks.

Equipment:
The Wilson K2 composite football will be the Game ball used by the League supplied by each team for practices and games.
Each player will wear a belt and flags provided by the League.
The flags must be worn tight and all jerseys must be tucked in. Correct placement of the flag is with a flag on each hip and one in
the center of the back, jersey must not fold over the flag, and looping of the flag to prevent flag pulling is not allowed.
d) If hip pads and tail pads are worn by kids, the flags and flag belts must at all times be placed around on the outside of such pads.
Tucking the belts into hip pads will result in a 10 yard penalty.
e) If a players flag is inadvertently lost, he is ineligible to handle the ball or will be called down where the flag was lost or ball was
touched.
f) Flags on starting backfields will be inspected by officials prior to start of game and prior to second half.
g) Flag inspection by the official will occur after an inadvertent tackle occurs.
h) Mouth guards are required by all players during game play.
a)
b)
c)

7)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)

8)

Uniforms:
All team members must wear League sanctioned Jerseys and Pants.
Non-detachable, rubber cleats are allowed and recommended.
Metal or replaceable cleats are prohibited.
No headgear or shoulder pads will be allowed on Flag Fields.
Players are allowed to wear pads that are inserted into pants or shorts.
Arm pads may be used provided they are soft.
Players can play with hard casts, provided they are covered by a soft component. These must be shown to and approved by the
referee prior to game starting.

Players and Coaches:

FO1 Only:
i) Players must play a minimum of 10 plays every game. Minimally 5 plays in the first half and 5 plays in the second half.
ii) Each team is required to turn in a Game Monitor Sheet signed by head coach, opposing coach, and referees. Game Monitor
Sheet should be turned in to a league official ( or board member) at the end of each game
b) 2 coaches from each team are allowed on the field during game play.
c) Coaches must not interfere with the play. (coaching/talking must stop when qb starts cadence).
d) Coaches shall move at least twenty yards away from the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
e) Teams can and will be penalized for misconduct from their sideline (Coaches, players, parents).
a)

9)
a)
b)

Turn over on downs:

No punting is allowed in Flag Division.
In the event the offensive team is backed up near their own goal line, on 4th down, the offensive team can declare a turn-over on
downs and the ball will be turned over to the opposing team 20 yards from the LOS. (ie: a 20 yard free punt)

10) Downs:
a) Each team will have 4 consecutive downs to advance the ball 10 yards or to score a touchdown. Once a team gets 10 yards, it is a
first down and a new series of downs begins. If a team does not gain 10 yards in the given 4 plays, possession will shift to the
opposing team at the point where the ball is declared dead.
b) A down will be repeated if there is a Penalty issued (each team will have the ability to accept or decline a given penalty).
11) Tackling and De-flagging:
a) There shall be no tackling of any player. This occurs when a tackle is made and no attempt to pull a flag is observed by the official.
Automatic 10 yard penalty and first down is assessed unless within opponents 20 yard line, which only a first down is assessed.
b) Inadvertent tackling occurs when the defensive opponent accidentally knocks down a ball carrier to the ground in the act of pulling
of flag. If an inadvertent tackle occurs, an inspection of the flag placement and jersey by the official must be conducted. If the
official deems the jersey (i.e. jersey not tucked in or drooping over the flag) or flag placement contributed to the inadvertent tackle,
then an inadvertent tackle will not be assessed.
c) A team is allowed 1 inadvertent tackle per half. After the first inadvertent tackle, a 10-yard penalty and automatic first down will
be assessed unless within opponents 20 yard line, which only a first down is assessed.
d) The player carrying the ball or having possession of the ball is down when the flag is removed from his waist. The defensive player
shall hold the flag above his head and stand still.
e) An accidental touch of the body or shoulder while reaching for the flag shall not be considered a penalty; however touching the
head or face shall be considered a penalty and results in a 5 yard penalty from spot of foul.

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f)
g)
h)

A defensive player may not run over, push, or pull a blocker away from him.
A defensive player may leave his feet to obtain a flag without penalty.
Passer Protection: A defensive player must go for a passers flags. He is not allowed to strike the passers arm.

12) Blocking:
a) A blocker must stay on his feet at all times.
b) Cross blocking and roll blocking are not permitted.
c) A defensive player cannot block or push a ball carrier out-of-bounds.
d) Butting, elbowing, or knee blocking is not permitted.
e) Double Team Blocking: There will be no two-on-one blocking for a ball carrier beyond the line of scrimmage.
f) Blocking a player from behind is not permitted.
g) Interlocking blocking is not permitted.
h) Blocking and/or screening is permitted anywhere on the field.
i) Crack-back blocks or blind blocks are considered illegal and will result in a personal foul penalty (15 yards).
13) Eligible Ball Carriers:
a) All backs or receivers are eligible to run the ball.
b) Ends are eligible to run the ball provided they are the outside man on the LOS.
c) FO1 Sports suggest that all players have the opportunity to run the ball at some point during the season.
14) Ball Carrier:
a) The ball carrier cannot use his hands or arms to protect his flags.
b) The ball carrier cannot lower his head to drive or run into a defensive player.
c) Stiff arming is not permitted.
d) The ball carrier may run in any direction until the ball is declared dead.
e) The ball will be considered dead if the carriers flag falls off inadvertently or if a significant portion of the flag is covered by the
players jersey (that will make it difficult for the defense to grab.)
f) QB sneaks are allowed, but QB must take at least 2 steps backwards before advancing toward the LOS. If QB sneak is run out of
the shotgun formation, QB does not have to take 2 steps backwards.
15) Passing:
a) All passes will be attempted from behind the LOS.
b) Only running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and center are eligible to receive passes
c) A lateral pass is not considered a forward pass.
16) Fumbles:
a) All fumbles will be declared a dead ball and the line of scrimmage will be marked at the point of the fumble.
i) If a fumble occurs at the under center snap, the play will be allowed to continue.
ii) If a fumble occurs during a shotgun snap (i.e. the QB catches the ball and drops to the ground one time), the play will be
allowed to continue.
iii) If in a shotgun formation, and a snap is not handled by the QB (i.e. the snap goes over the head of the QB or to the left or
right of the QB), then the ball is ruled dead at the spot it hits the ground.
b) Fumbled ball recovery by either team is considered a dead ball in favor of the offense.
17) Scoring:
a) Touchdown 6 pts
b) Safety 2 pts
c) Points after Touchdown:
i) Passing 2 pts
ii) Running 1 pt
18) Misc. Rules:
a) A team will have 45 seconds to put the ball in play after the referee has declared ready for play.
i) The referee will give 1 warning to a coach or team that is taking too much time in the huddle.
ii) After such warning, the offensive team will be given a 5 yard delay of game penalty.
b) QB/Center Exchange: Ball is put in play by a center/quarterback exchange (snap). This must be done thru the centers legs. It can be
Shotgun.
i) Kindergarten league (if applicable): It is acceptable to snap the ball from centers back.
c) 24 Point Lead: When one team is in the lead by 24 points or more, it is recommended that the Starting backfield (QB and running
backs) will be removed from the backfield until either the score gets closer or end of game. These players are eligible to play any
other position on the line of scrimmage.
d) Injured Player: Once removed from a game because of injury, a player must sit out at least one play.

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e)
f)

g)
h)

Timeouts will be limited to two (2) - 60 second time-outs per half (All Divisions).
Age Limit: The age limit for a specific grade level shall not exceed 1 year past the age limit for grade levels as defined by Katy
Independent School District.
i) If a player is held back by his parents due to summer birthday and then repeats a grade level, then he should play up to the
grade level equivalent with his age. Kids are allowed to play up, as long as there is not a significant size difference that
would increase the childs risk of injury.
Flag Tampering: If a referee finds flags on a team that are intentionally tampered with, the game will be forfeited by that team.
The league will provide flags to the teams.

19) Overtime
a) Regular season games may end in a tie (no overtime).
b) Playoff games ending in a tie after the 4th quarter will play one overtime period as described by NCAA rules.
i) If after the first overtime period, the game is still a tie, then the teams will be required to attempt a 2-point conversion for the
remaining overtime periods, until a winner is declared.
20) Playoffs:
a) At the conclusion of the regular season, FO1 Sports will conduct a post-season Championship playoff.
b) Championship playoffs will be held for each division for the top ranking teams based on their regular season records.
c) Playoff Rankings (and tiebreakers) will be based on the following:
i) Highest winning percentage
ii) Head-to-Head winner
iii) Defensive points allowed (full regular season)
iv) Offensive points scored
d) The number of playoff teams for each division is based on the number teams participating in that divisions regular season:
i) 8 or fewer teams Top 4 teams make the playoffs
ii) 9 to 11 teams Top 6 teams make the playoffs (#1 & #2 seed receive first round bye)
iii) 12 or more teams Top 8 teams make the playoffs (no byes)
21) All penalties will be enforced in guidance with UIL rules, Unless stated otherwise below:
a) Tackling (10 yards and first down)
b) Inadvertent tackling: After 1st incidence per half, 10 yards and first down
c) Delay of Game (5 yards)
d) Hands to face during blocking or de-flagging: 5 yards from spot of foul
e) Ball carrier using hands to prevent de-flagging - (10 yards)
f) Holding or pushing the ball carrier while trying to de-flag only after flag inspection by official (10 yards)
g) Leaving feet to block (10 yards)
h) Cross body or roll body blocking (10 yards)
i) Blocking or pushing ball carrier out of bounds (10 yards)
j) More than 2 blockers for the ball carrier (on one defensive player) beyond the LOS - (10 yards)
k) Clipping or Blocking in the back - (10 yards)
l) Interlock Blocking (10 yards) Spot foul
m) Stiff arming Spot foul
n) Lowering head (10 yards)
o) Coach or Parent Misconduct (Personal foul)
p) Illegal attachment or placement of flag belts on players- (10 yards)

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