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Wilton Flag Football Rules

Wilton Flag Football follows the 5 on 5 NFL Flag Football Rules
with a few modifications for each division

https://nflflag.com/coaches/default/flag-football-rules


Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade Divisions

  • Kids should get warning(s) before penalty called. Shirts are tucked in and flags aligned on hips.  No hanging belt strap
  • 30X40 yard field
  • Pre-K & Kindergarten & 1st = Black or Red Mini NFL Flag Footballs. 2nd Grade = Blue Junior NFL Flag Footballs.
  • Pre-game, 20-minute halves, 5-minute halftime 
  • Each team has three 30 second timeouts per game.
  • 2 Coaches allowed on the field for offense and 1 coach on the field for defense
  • Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 25 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
  • QB has 7 seconds to throw the ball.
  • Pitches are not allowed, all handoffs must be direct handoffs, however a shovel pass forward is allowed.
  • All passes must be on or past the line of scrimmage.
  • QB's are not eligible to run past the line of scrimmage with the ball to gain yardage, however a QB can hand the ball off to another player and that player is a dual threat to run or pass the ball.
  • Center can hike from the side or between the legs
  • The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield.
  • ·Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown.  
  • If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elect to "punt" on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross field, the opposing team will start its possession from the spot.
  • QB Exchange Rule: If the center and QB exchange is fumbled, the play is dead and the offenses are allowed to snap it again without losing a down.
  • ·All rushers must wait until the QB touches the ball before rushing
  • All players are required to line up 7 yards off the line of scrimmage, anyone can rush the passer without raising their hand
  • If a players jumps the snap that player is ineligible to rush the QB.
  • Each touchdown is 7 points, no extra points at this division
  • If the ball is spotted inside the 5-yard line for a 1st down or Touchdown the ball is moved back to the 5 yard like so the offense can run or pass. 
  • Officially at the 1st/2nd grade level there is not a no run zone.  If the ball is on the 5 yard line players may line up on the goal line, they do not need to be 7 yards off the ball.
  • Overtime Rules: we have a coin flip, winning team can go 1st or 2nd, the 1st team can go for 1pt from the 5-yard line or 2pts from the 10-yard line. 
  • Overtime Rules:  Each team gets 1 chance to score, if the game is still tied whoever lost the 1st coin toss gets to choose to go 1st or 2nd. 
  • Overtime Rules:  In the 2nd overtime both teams have to go for 2 from the 10 yard line.  If the game is still tied the team that won the 1st coin toss gets to choose 1st or 2nd.
  • Overtime Rules:  in  the 3rd and final overtime attempt each team starts from their own 5 yard line and whoever gets the most yards wins.

3rd & 4th Grade Divisions

  • Kids should NOT get warning(s) before penalty called. Shirts are tucked in and flags aligned on hips.  No hanging belt strap.
  • 30X50 yard field
  • Blue Junior NFL Flag Footballs (We can make an exception for Under Armour, Wilson & Nike "Pee Wee" size footballs which are legal in FCFL Tackle Football)
  • Pre-Game, 20-minute halves, 5-minute halftime 
  • Each team has three 30 second timeouts per game.
  • 1 Coach allowed on the field for Offense only at the 3rd/4th grade division. 
  • Defensive coaches can go on the field to set up the defense but must leave the field before the snap.  
  • Center must hike between the legs.
  • Pitches are not allowed, all handoffs must be direct handoffs, however a shovel pass forward is allowed if the receiver is on or past the line of scrimmage.
  • All passes must be on or past the line of scrimmage
  • QB's are not eligible to run past the line of scrimmage with the ball to gain yardage, however a QB can hand the ball off to another player and that player is a dual threat to run or pass the ball.
  • Offense has 25 seconds to hike the ball, the 25 second clock will start once referees have established the 7-yard rush line.
  • QB has 7 seconds to throw the ball.
  • The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield.
  • Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown.  
  • If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elect to "punt" on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross field, the opposing team will start its possession from the spot.
  • All players can line up on the line of scrimmage, but all designated rushers must be 7 yards off the line of scrimmage.  Any number of players can rush, provided they start 7yds off the line of scrimmage.
  • If a player jumps the snap, that player in ineligible to rush the QB.
  • Any designated rusher can rush the QB. Anyone lined up on the line of scrimmage must be 1 yard off any offensive player.  Meaning you cannot press the Center or any Wide Receiver, they must allow a free release without any contact. 
  • The play will not be blown dead upon minimal contact. Excessive contact will result in a 15yd/half the distance penalty for the initiating player (offensive or defensive).
  • Each touchdown is 6 points, 2-point conversion from 10 yards (Run or Pass), 1-point conversion from 5 yards (Pass only)
  • 2-point conversions are returnable. If the defense intercepts a pass during a 2 point conversion they are able to return it for 2pts. 
  • Overtime Rules: we have a coin flip, winning team can go 1st or 2nd, the 1st team can go for 1pt from the 5-yard line or 2pts from the 10-yard line. 
  • Overtime Rules:  Each team gets 1 chance to score, if the game is still tied whoever lost the 1st coin toss gets to choose to go 1st or 2nd. 
  • Overtime Rules:  In the 2nd overtime both teams have to go for 2 from the 10 yard line.  If the game is still tied the team that won the 1st coin toss gets to choose 1st or 2nd.
  • Overtime Rules:  In the 3rd and final overtime attempt each team starts from their own 5 yard line and whoever gets the most yards wins.


5th thru 12th Grade Divisions

  • Kids should NOT get warning(s) before penalty called. Shirts are tucked in, and flags aligned on hips. No hanging belt strap.
  • 30X50 yard field
  • Brown Intermediate NFL Flag Football (We can make an exception for Under Armour, Wilson or Nike "Junior" size footballs for 5th & 6th as well as Under Armour, Wilson or Nike "Youth" size footballs for 7th & 8th which are all legal in FCFL Tackle Football)
  • Pre-Game, 12-minute halves, 5-minute halftime 
  • Each team has three 30 second timeouts per game.
  • 1 Coach allowed on the field for Offense only at the 5th thru 12th grade division. Zero coaches are allowed on field for defense.
  • Center must hike between the legs.
  • Pitches are not allowed, all handoffs must be direct handoffs, however a shovel pass forward is allowed
  • All passes must be on or past the line of scrimmage
  • QB's are not eligible to run past the line of scrimmage with the ball to gain yardage, however a QB can hand the ball off to another player and that player is a dual threat to run or pass the ball.
  • Offense has 25 seconds to hike the ball, the 25 second clock will start once referees have established the 7-yard rush line.
  • QB has 7 seconds to throw the ball.
  • The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield.
  • Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown.  If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elect to "punt" on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross field, the opposing team will start its possession from the spot.
  • All players can line up on the line of scrimmage, but all designated rushers must be 7 yards off the line of scrimmage. 
  • If a player jumps the snap, that player in ineligible to rush the QB.
  • Only a designated rusher can rush the QB and they must raise their hand.  Anyone lined up on the line of scrimmage must be 1 yard off any offensive player.  Meaning you cannot press the Center or any Wide Receiver, they must allow a free release without any contact.  
  •  Each touchdown is 6 points, 2-point conversion from 10 yards (Run or Pass), 1-point conversion from 5 yards (Pass only)
  • 2-point conversions are returnable. If the defense intercepts a pass during a 2-point conversion they are able to return it for 2pts. 
  • Overtime Rules: we have a coin flip, winning team can go 1st or 2nd, the 1st team can go for 1pt from the 5-yard line or 2pts from the 10-yard line. 
  • Overtime Rules:  Each team gets 1 chance to score, if the game is still tied whoever lost the 1st coin toss gets to choose to go 1st or 2nd. 
  • Overtime Rules:  In the 2nd overtime both teams have to go for 2 from the 10 yard line.  If the game is still tied the team that won the 1st coin toss gets to choose 1st or 2nd.
  • Overtime Rules:  In the 3rd and final overtime attempt each team starts from their own 5 yard line and whoever gets the most yards wins.

SAFETY - Contact Rules

 Hello Flag Football Parents,

The Wilton Youth Football & Cheer Board reviewed recent changes and implementations surrounding the "no-contact" rules in Flag Football. We are adding additional clarification and specificity as to how to enforce and monitor these rules from now on.

Our primary goal is to ensure a safe and fun environment for all children. We will always be fluid in reviewing areas of concern that parents, coaches, and board members bring to the Board's attention. As such, we determined to clarify further the recent "no-contact" rule changes in the Flag Program. These rule clarifications intend to focus the head coaches and refs on correcting decision-making to prevent further player-to-player contact instances. 

Below covers three (3) areas:
1) Rules
2) Penalty Calling Process
3) Enforcement

Also, potential injury severity does not influence the enforcement of penalties resulting from a contact play. Coaches and refs will enforce rules and penalties consistently to improve gameplay and maximize safety measures.

Rules

Flag Football is a non-contact sport. Any play resulting in player-to-player contact requires review immediately. Player to player contact will fall into one (1) of three (3) categories, ranging in severity from least to most severe.  The coaches and refs on the field will enforce the below guidelines.  We expect the coaches to teach the fundamentals of the game to avoid all types of contact.

1)  Incidental Contact: Contact that is understood to be generally unavoidable during a play or would be difficult to avoid entirely. 

·        A player makes a significant effort to avoid contact but still makes contact. 

·        A player's hand/arm/extremity inadvertently comes into contact with another player.       - i.e. - A defender tries to break up a pass and his hand accidentally comes across the receiver's face
- i.e. - A player dives for a flag and contacts another player.. Note - if a major collision, the play will be classified more severe.

2)  Reckless Contact: Contact is generally avoidable under any circumstances based on a redirection of a player, but that player does not redirect in a sufficient amount of time before contact. 

·        A defender runs full speed toward the ball carrier and does not "break down" properly to gain control and makes body contact with the ball carrier.                             - It is possible that both players involved in the incident could be penalized with 'Reckless Contact'. 

·        A defender runs full speed toward the ball carrier and dives to pull a flag, and makes body contact with the ball carrier.  

3)  Intentional Contact: Contact deemed avoidable in mostly all instances and done with intent to make physical contact. 

·        A defender realizes they won't be able to pull the flag before the runner scoring, so instead lowers their shoulder to "tackle/bump" the runner out of bounds

·        A runner swarmed by defenders at the goal line decides to lower their head through the swarm of defenders initiating the contact (charging).

·        A runner runs full speed at a defender who is broken down and does not change direction - charging.

Penalty Calling Process - Coaches & Refs

Once any contact occurs during gameplay, the referee will blow the whistle to stop the play immediately. 

The two (2) Head Coaches (HCs) meet with the referee and collectively decide which type of contact the play resulted in (Incidental, Reckless, Intentional). If the two (2) HCs cannot agree on a call, the refs will call a 15 yd penalty. The refs will report the lack of coach agreement to the Board. The Board will decide if further action is warranted.

Enforcement

Incidental Contact - A 10-yard penalty on the offending team. 

·        There is no limit to how many 'Incidental Contact' penalties can be called in a game or on a player.

Reckless Contact - A 15-yard penalty on the offending team. 

·        In addition, the offending player and coach will receive a 'Reckless Contact' warning. 

·        If the same player receives a second 'Reckless Contact' penalty in the same game, the refs/coaches will remove the player immediately from the contest. 

·        All 'Reckless Contact' penalties are reported to the Board and tracked throughout the season. 

·        A player who accumulates four (4) 'Reckless Contact' penalties in a season will receive a one-game suspension. 

·        In a season, a team that gets five (5) 'Reckless Contact' penalties will result in a one (1) game suspension for the Head Coach. 

Intentional Contact - A 15-yard penalty on the offending team and the immediate removal of the offending player from that contest.

·        The Board will then review the play to determine any further potential disciplinary action is required.

While the Board, Coaches, Commissioners, and Directors do all that is feasible to create a safe playing environment for the youth that participate, we cannot ensure there will never be injuries resulting from gameplay. While hard to swallow in ANY circumstance, injuries are an occurrence in every sport regardless of levels of contact. The Board will thought take every step necessary to minimize the opportunities for injury to occur.  

Best,

Wilton Youth Football & Cheer Board

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