Waterloo Region Minor Football
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Jr Warriors Flag Football Rules


Flag football is a non-contact sport.
Ther's NO Tackling, diving, blocking , screening or fumbles.


BASIC RULES​​​​​​​

  • Center must snap the ball between legs for all divisions EXCEPT U8.
  • All forward passes must be received beyond the line of scrimmage, lateral
    passes must be received behind the QB and the LOS. Laterals are permitted
    after the ball has crossed the LOS.
  • Direct handoffs, toss, pitches are permitted and considered runs.
  • The quarterback has a 5 second pass clock to get rid of the ball or it is a sack.
    (Loss of down, no yards loss)
  • The QB cannot run, unless a handoff is given to them.
  • Offensive players must avoid the rusher and may not interfere in his/her direct
    path aka STRAIGHT LINE, to the QB. (official’s discretion)
  • Any 1 defensive player lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible
    to rush (must be acknowledged by official)
  • If the ball is handed off, any defender may rush forward
  • All defensive players must be minimum 3 yds from LOS, can't cross LOS unlessa hand off or throw has taken place
  • Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts,1 point if td scored)
  • The play is dead when the ball hits the ground, the ball-carrier’s flag is pulled or
    falls from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, the ball-carrier’s body
    touches the ground or ball carrier jumps in the air.
  • All offensive flag football penalties result in a loss of down and yardage
  • All defensive flag football penalties result in down repeated except PI
    (automatic 1 st ) and some are associated with yardage.


GAME PLAY RULES


1) At the start of each game, captains from both teams to play ROCK PAPER SCISSORS to
determine where they want to start (Offense or Defense)

2) All offensive teams take 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.
(U12, U14, U16 its 3 downs for a 1 st and 3 to score) 

 A) U8, 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.

B) ALL other age groups must go for it on their last down

C) All divisions have 1x 60 sec timeout per game, (U8 has 2 timeouts)

D) No runs allowed from within 5 yards into the endzone.

3) U8 and U10 is 5v5, while all other age groups are 6v6. 

4) Only 2 players on the LOS needed for 5v5, 3 players needed for 6v6

5) ALL games are played on a 30-minute continuous clock unless one team gains a 28-0
point advantage which will end scoring of the game, but play can continue. The clock does not
stop for injuries unless deemed by official NOT THE COACHES!!

6) In the event of an injury, the clock will NOT stop, unless the injury requires an ambulance, it will
then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play (time permitting). Restart
after time has expired only if the game has playoff implications (if teams make it or are eliminated
only)
**AN ATHLETIC THERAPIST IS ONSIGHT FOR ANY INJURIES AND THEIR WORD IS FINAL. IF THEY
DEEM A PLAYER NEEDS TO COME OFF AND IS UNFIT TO CONTINUE, THEY ARE NOT TO PLAY
FOR THE REST OF THE GAME. IF THE THERAPIST DECIDES PLAYER NEEDS A DOCTORS NOTE

TO COMEBACK FOR FUTURE GAMES, PARENTS WILL BE ADVISED AND PLAYER MAY NOT PLAY
UNTIL NOTE IS RECEIVED BY THERAPIST AND COACH GARS**

7) Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 20 seconds to snap the ball.

8) ABSOLUTELY ZERO CONFRONTATIONS TOWARDS OFFICALS, ATHLETES OR PARENTS
WILL BE PERMITTED. THIS IS EVERYONE FIRST AND ONLY WANRING.

9) Coaches are to double check and sign score cards after each game.

10) Grabbing a ball carrier's shirt or shorts, even by mistake, is a holding penalty.


Flag Football Equipment

Flag football flags and belt. Every player will be provided with a belt.

Shorts\Pants. Players must wear shorts or pants without pockets to avoid penalties and finger injuries. 

Mouthguard. The rules of flag football require a mouthguard, and it’s the only protective gear that players wear. 

Football cleats. All cleats are allowed except for METAL cleats.

Football gloves. Not required, but definitely a plus!