Flag Football

At which level is flag football played?

• Professional

• College

• High school

• Youth level

How is flag football believed to be begun?

In the U.S. military during WWII to prevent soldiers from getting injured

What place has the first recorded history of flag football?

• Fort Meade in Maryland

  • Generally accepted as its birthplace

When were the rules for flag football standardized?

• They were standardized in the 1950s through the College Physical Education

• The official rules were published in 1952

How did flag football grow in popularity?

It grew in popularity when active soldiers returned from war

What is the objective of flag football?

To score a touchdown by running or passing the ball over the opponents goal line without being tackled

How many points are awarded for a touchdown?

Six with no extra point attempted

How do you win flag football?

By gaining the most points

Where are the flags worn in flag football?

• With a flag belt around the waist and with flags hanging down the side

• Each time wears a different colored flag

What does the defensive player do?

Detaches the flag belt (tackles) to stop the runner

How long is the football field (not including end zones)?

100 yds long by 53 yds wide

How is the game started?

• With a kickoff, which may be a punted or thrown ball

• The kickoff should be ~5 yds from the goal line

• Teachers may eliminate kickoffs and punts and have each team’s possession start at their opponents 5 yd line

• Kicking team cannot cross the kicker until the ball is kicked

Game play

1. A team has three chances to move the ball from one zone to the next zone or end zone. The first down markers are generally at midfield and identified with cones. If a team fails to make a first down within their four downs, possession is awarded to the defensive team at the spot of the ball.

2. Play starts with a center snap to the quarterback from the shotgun position.

3. All players on both teams are eligible to catch a pass. Forward passes may be thrown from any point behind the line of scrimmage and laterals may be thrown from anywhere on the field.

4. One blitz every four downs. This is the only time a quarterback can sneak a run.

5. Rushers must count to 5 “seconds” before crossing the line of scrimmage and rushing the quarterback.

6. An incomplete forward pass is a dead ball and there are no fumbles

7. Flags must be worn on the outside of the uniform

8. Play is dead once the flag is removed

9. Person in motion may go forward, but not past the line of scrimmage.

10. The only time a player can pick up a ball from the field is off a kickoff or punt.

11. No blocking, however, shielding with your body is acceptable.

12. All touchdowns are worth 1 point. No extra points.

Down

The unit of play. When a team has first down, it has four plays to get to mid field, or to score after reaching mid field. In PG flag football, you are allowed a maximum of eight downs (2 sets of four downs) each time you have possession of the ball.

Fumble

When a player loses possession of the ball, except when he passes, kicks, or hands the ball off. Fumbles may not be advanced, the ball is blown dead at the spot it hits the ground.

Goal Line

The line that has to be crossed by the team in possession of the ball in order to score a touchdown

Handoff

An offensive play in which one back hands the ball off to another back who attempts to advance the ball

Illegal forward pass

When the ball is thrown forward from any point beyond the line of scrimmage.

Interception

An offensive pass that is caught by a defender

Kick-off

The ball is kicked with a punt for either the start of a game or after a touchdown is scored. To speed up the game the teacher my eliminate kickoffs and have all possessions start at the opponents five yard line

Lateral

A backwards pass anywhere on the field

Line of scrimmage

An imaginary line or vertical plane passing through the end of the pall nearest a team’s goal line and parallel to the goal line

Man to man coverage

A defensive coverage that uses one on one coverage

Offside

When any part of the player’s body is beyond the scrimmage line before the start of the play

Snap

When the center hikes or hands the ball back to the quarterback to start the play. Done only in shotgun formation during PE flag football

Touchdown

Six points are scored (seven in PE football) when a player in possession of the ball reaches the goal line or is in the end zone of the opposing team by running, catching, or returning an interception.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

Any act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Pushing, shoving, tripping, tackling, flag guarding or pass interference.

Zone coverage

A defensive coverage that utilizes defensive players covering a zone of the field

Passing

• Fingers on laces, 3 on 1 off

• Sideways to target

• Step with opposite foot

• Snap Wrist Catching

• Make a diamond above waist, pinkies together below waist.

• Catch in front of body and bring it into tuck position.

• Do not catch on your chest.

• Keep your feet moving during and after catch.