RULES FOR THE HTB FLAG FOOTBALL YOUTH LEAGUE
For the A, B, C, D,
Junior and Senior Divisions
Ages 5 to 18
Field size
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For the A, and B, Divisions, the field dimensions
will be 25 yards wide by 50 yards deep, with two 7 yard deep end
zones, and one fixed first down at mid field.
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For the C, D
Junior and Senior Divisions the field dimensions will be 30
yards wide by 60 yards deep with two 7 yard deep end zones, and
two fixed first downs at the 20 yard lines
Attire and Safety
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It is strongly recommended that all players wear a
mouth piece.
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It is strongly recommended that all boys wear a
protective cup.
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It is the responsibility of the parents to supply
and implement the use of these items.
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Cleats are recommended, but not required. No metal
cleats are allowed.
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Matching shirts are required to be worn, and
visible at all times, if players wear hoodies, the hood must be
on the head or tucked inside the shirt.
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No hard pads are allowed
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A flag belt must be worn by all players when on
the field. If the flag falls off untouched, then a one hand
touch will end the play.
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All offensive players must have a flag on at the
start of the play. If the play is started with player(s) not
wearing one, the play will be blown dead. This will result in
loss of down, unless a time out is used prior to the start of
the play. If this occurs within the last minute, a ten second
runoff will occur.
Game Clock
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The game will consist of two (2) 20 minute halves
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The clock will continue to run unless stopped by a
time out
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At the one minute mark of each half, a one minute
warning will be announced. During this last minute of the half,
the clock will stop on time outs, dropped passes, penalties,
change of possession, and stepping out of bounds. The clock will
not run during a point after attempt. Each team will receive two
(2) time outs per half, and may not be carried over.
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Game clock will start at the appointed time. Teams
must be at the field and prepared to play at least 15 minutes
before game time. Roster exchange will occur at this time. Late
player will have to wait until halftime to enter the game,
unless a timeout is used. Players entering without notification
will result in the team losing all time outs for the game.
If a team is late, They
have fifteen minutes from game time to field a team. The time
will be deducted from the game time. Furthermore, the team that
is late will not have choice at either half.
Format
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Each team will field 6 players on offense or
defense.
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In the B,
C, D, Junior and Senior Divisions, you must field a minimum of 5
players, or the game will result in a forfeit
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In the A division you must field a minimum of 4
players, or the game will result in a forfeit.
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If a team is playing with 4 players in the A
Division or 5 in the B, C, or D Divisions, the opposing team
must play with the same amount of players. (except playoffs)
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Mercy rule, if a team has a lead of 18 point or larger, then they
will only have 4 downs to score. The team that is down by 18
points or more will start at mid field. The game will be deemed
over, if within the last minute, the team that is ahead, by 10
points or over has possession of the ball.
The Game
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The home team will be determined by coin toss.
Home team has first choice to defer,
receive the ball or choose field direction. (defer gives you
choice 2nd half ).
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There is no
contact, any contact not deemed incidental will be penalized
Offense
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The offense has 40 seconds, to call and start
execution of a play or from the time the ball is spotted, or
they will be penalized for delay of game.
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Offensive team starts on their own 5 yard line.
Team has 4 downs to reach 1st down marker, if so, they get 4
more downs to score, if not, the opposing team receives the
ball on their 5 yard line.
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A no run zone is enforced at both ends of the
field, If the ball is completely within the 2 yard marker the
offense MUST pass the ball to score. QB can run only if the
defense rushes in after the 3 mississippi count
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In the A Division, there is no no run zone
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1 coach is allowed in the huddle and on the field
while game is in play, but must back up behind the quarter back
at the snap. A, B, and C Divisions only
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There must be a clear separation between the
quarter back and center at the snap
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If the snap is dropped, the quarter back can pick
up the ball, and complete the play. Only the qb, and no other
player can pick up the ball. If a player other than the qb
touches the ball, then the play is ruled dead.
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QB is allowed 1 forward pass per play, pitch backs
are OK and does not count as a forward pass. Receivers must have
1 foot in bounds to be a legal catch.
Everyone is eligible to
receive the ball.
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Offensive player can set a stationary pick. Feet
must be planted. Raising of arms or forward contact by the
offensive player is illegal. Ball carrier must avoid defensive
players. NO charging.
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A motion pick is allowed by one player only, and
the player cannot change direction or impede a defensive player
in any way.
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A multiple pick is illegal, and will be penalized
if it is deemed by the referee that the formation was too tight
to allow penetration by the defensive players.
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The cluster play is not allowed. (at snap all
players surround the qb)
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If the defense intercepts the ball they can run it
back for a TD, if they get flagged before scoring
the spot will be marked back at the 5 yard line if the
mid field was not crossed
or mid field if the mid field line was crossed.
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Flag shielding and stiff arming is not allowed.
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Diving to advance the ball or scoring is not
allowed, spinning, and jumping for the ball is allowed
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The position of the ball determines the spot of
the ball,. If the ball crosses the down marker it is a first
down, and if it crosses the goal line, it is a score.
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Any time a player falls, or a knee touches the
ground, even if untouched, the play is ended.
Scoring
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Touch Down - 6
points,
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extra point -1
(run or pass from 2 yd line)
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2 point
conversion (run or pass from 5 yd line)
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Safety 2 points
Defense
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At the snap of
the ball the referee will count 3 mississippi, defensive players
must wait for the full completion of the count
before crossing the line of scrimmage. No Blitzing is
allowed
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If the quarter back hands off the ball, then the
count will stop and the defense may cross the line of scrimmage.
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Stepping in front of an offensive player and
causing contact is not allowed.
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1 coach may be in the defensive huddle, but must
back out of the way at the snap
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In the D, Junior
and Senior Divisions the
coach is not allowed on the field
Penalties
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Defensive-
Off-sides: (+ 5) yards and replay the down or “o” takes result
of play
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Holding the ball
carrier: 5 yards added at the end of the run, down counts
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Interference: 10
yards from original spot, automatic 1st down or result of play
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Ball stripping:
5 yards from the spot of the foul, replay the down.
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If ball
stripping occurs within the 5 yard line, the result will be a
touchdown.
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Personal fouls:
tackling or pushing out of bounds, 10 yards and a warning (2nd,
eject) If occurred within the 5 yard line then its an automatic
touch down.
Offensive
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Offensive-
Off-sides or false start: (-5) yards and replay the down
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Tying flag belt
(-10) and loss of down and possible ejection of player, coach,
and/or parent.
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Flag shield:
(-5) yards from spot of foul, down counts
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Interference:
Blocking (-5) yards from original spot, down counts
Illegal forward pass: passing beyond the line of
scrimmage. 5 yards from original spot, and loss of down.
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Forward lateral:
If after a forward pass, and/or past the line of scrimmage. 5
yards from the spot of the fowl, and the down counts.
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Personal fouls:
Charging (must avoid players) (- 10) from spot of foul, down
counts
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Stiff-arming:
(-10) from spot of foul, loss of down and warning (2nd, eject)
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Embellishment
–poor sportsmanship (-5 yds) down counts
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Cursing, and
aggressive behavior will not be tolerated
and will result in a (-10 yd) penalty on the team
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Delay of game,
throwing or kicking the ball (-5 yd) spectators stepping on the
field or out of bounds line, one warning then (-5 yd)
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Diving to
advance the ball- 15yd penalty and loss of down.
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The coaches are
responsible for the conduct of their teams. This includes
spectators. Unruly behavior will result in a 15 yd
unsportsmanlike penalty on the team.
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A team having
been found to use unregistered players, will forfeit the game, a
second offence will result in the coach being suspended, and
would have to petition the committee for reinstatement.
Additional
All teams are
required to supply the league with individual pictures of their
players with name and birthdate of player on a word file. This will
then be placed online for player identification.
You must pick up all
your garbage when you leave
You must park in
designated spots
You must stay behind
the out of bounds line at all time (5 yd penalty after one warning)
There is no smoking
allowed at any field
Cursing or fighting
will result in ejection from the game. This includes spectators
Teams must be ready
to take the field five minutes before the scheduled time, if first
game or as soon as the prior game is completed. Referee will blow
the whistle and call for coaches and captains. The teams have two
minutes to comply. If
one team is on the field an the other is not by the second whistle
that team will lose choice. If both teams do not comply then the
referee will start the game clock. This is for the start of the
game. The teams must still be at the field for roster exchange 15
minutes before scheduled game start.
Footballs
A Divisions
mini ball
B Division
pee wee ball
C Division 1st season
choice pee wee or junior
Then junior ball
D and Junior Divisions junior ball
Senior Division Official ball
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