AAU Junior Olympic Games 5v5 Youth Flag Football Rules - Vocabulary

Flashcards defining core vocabulary terms, rules, and penalties for AAU Junior Olympic Games 5v5 Youth Flag Football.

Backwards Lateral

A pass pitched backward by an offensive player, permitted up to twice behind the line of scrimmage and once beyond it.

Forward Pitch

A pass pitched forward by an offensive player, which can occur only once per play and must be executed behind the line of scrimmage.

Jump

An action where an offensive ball carrier leaves their feet to advance the ball, provided they land on their feet, do not dive, and do not hurdle a defensive player.

Pro Clock

Time stoppage rules active during the last minute of the second half when the score is within 18 points, stopping the clock for out of bounds, incomplete passes, touchdowns, turnovers on downs, penalties, and timeouts.

No Run Zone

The area within 5 yards of the goal line where the offensive team is strictly prohibited from running the ball.

Onside Play

A single timed play from the 5-yard line given to a losing team down by 18 points or less with 1 minute left in the game to convert past midfield.

Throw-Off

A throw made by the defense across midfield to initiate play at the start of halves, after touchdowns, or after safeties.

Touchback

Occurs when the ball travels beyond the goal line and out of bounds or is dropped in the end zone on a throw-off, resulting in possession at the 5-yard line.

Punt

An option on 4th down where the offense forfeits the play to move the ball to the opposing team's 5-yard line.

Blocking

An illegal act where an offensive player moves beyond the line of scrimmage to impede a defender's progress toward the ball carrier, or grabs/holds a defender.

Charging

An infraction where an offensive ball carrier lowers their head or shoulder and makes physical contact with an established stationary defender.

Diving

Leaping into the air with feet behind; prohibited for offensive players attempting forward progress, but permitted for defenders attempting to pull flags or catch passes.

False Start

An offensive infraction where a player moves forward or crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

Flag Guarding

An offensive violation where a ball carrier uses their hand, arms, elbows, or the ball to block a defender's access to their flag.

Force Out

A catch ruling granted at the point of exit when an airborne player attempting a catch lands out of bounds primarily due to contact with an opponent.

Free Play

A play in which the team in possession has the option to replay the down or accept the outcome of the play following a defensive penalty.

Loss of Down

A penalty remedy requiring the penalized team to start their next play with one fewer down remaining in the set of downs.

Blitz

A defensive rush across the line of scrimmage immediately as the ball is snapped, bypassing the standard 3-second defensive wait time.

Stationary Pick

A legal move where an offensive player sets a stationary position without using hands or arms to impede a defender after the ball is possessed.

QB Clock

A 6-second time limit for the quarterback to pass, hand off, or pitch the ball before the play is blown dead as a sack equivalent.

Defensive Holding

A foul where a defender grabs or holds a ball carrier's body or uniform to impede progress, resulting in an automatic first down at the spot of the foul.

Defensive Pass Interference (DPI)

Defensive contact preventing an offensive player from catching a catchable pass, or holding/forcing an eligible receiver out of bounds.

Flag Tampering

Altering flags with adhesives, knots, or magnets to make them harder to pull, resulting in automatic player suspension and possible team game disqualification.

Roughing the Passer

Intentional or unintentional defender contact with the throwing arm or shoulder of a passer, penalized by 10 yards and an automatic first down.

Tackling

Intentional physical contact by a defender that disrupts a runner's progress causing significant momentum loss or falling, penalized by 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Inappropriate actions including disrespecting officials, taunting, fighting, head-level contact, faking penalties, illegal blitzing, or mimicking snap cadences, penalized by 15 yards.