Boxford FalconsFlag Football Overview

Welcome

This document contains the basic rules the players will be using this season. In addition, it introduces the positions, formations, and plays the players will be asked to learn. Once the players have mastered the initial formations and plays, the document will be supplemented with additional ones.

Looking forward to a fantastic football season!

Go Boxford Falcons!

Coach Name<coach email>

Player Expectations

Sportsmanship Tackling, elbowing, blocking are not

allowed. Trash Talking: before, during, or after

game… nope. Not cool. Flags pulled from an opponent’s belt

need to be handed back to the player. No throwing flags at/to players or leaving opponent flags on ground.

Line up for handshake immediately after game concludes.

On Field Play the position you are assigned,

everyone will play all positions. Play hard and have fun!

The Basics

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5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE

5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE

5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE

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Possession Coin toss determines first possession. Offensive team starts with ball at their

own 5 yard line. Three plays to get 1st down by crossing

midfield or score. If team gets 1st down, it has three plays

to score. If offense fails to score, possession

changes. Drive starts from 5 yard line. Interceptions may be returned, fumbles

are dead balls.

The Flag Football Playing Field

In flag football, running plays are not allowed within 5 yards ofmid-field or the endzone.

Game Rules

Timing Games are 40 minutes, (2) 20-minute

halves. Tie games move directly into sudden

death overtime. Once ball is spotted, offense has 30

seconds to snap ball. Each team has (1) 30 and (1) 60

second time out per half.

Scoring Touchdown – 6 points Extra point – 1 point (play run from 5

yard line) 2 pt conversion – 2 points (play run from

12 yard line) Safety – 2 points

Positions: Offense

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Offense Center (C) – begins play by snapping

ball then becomes active receiver. Quarterback (QB) – receives snap and

does one of two things: Hand ball off to runner or, Throw pass to receiver The QB cannot run the ball.

Running Back (RB) – takes hand off and runs/throws. Can receive pass.

Wide Receiver (WR) – Left and Right: receives pass.

There are offensive football positions beyond those listed here. These simplified positions are well suited to the 5 vs. 5 format and the formations and plays the Falcons will run.

Running Back (RB)

Quarterback (QB)

Center (C)

Wide Receiver (WR)

Positions: Defense

Defense Cornerback (CB) – Left and Right: cover

receivers. Linebacker (LB) – Left and Right:

contain runner, general run/pass coverage, blitz

Safety (S) – pass coverage, last line of defense

There are defensive football positions beyond those listed here. The intent here is to provide a simplified version of the positions so the team has a shared language/understanding of the positions and their responsibilities.

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Cornerback (CB)Linebacker (LB)

Safety (S)

Game PlayPassing Shovel passes are allowed. The quarterback has a seven-

second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.

Interceptions may be returned.

Receiving All players are eligible to receive

passes. A player must have at least one

foot inbounds when making a reception.

Running The QB cannot run with the ball. Only direct handoffs behind the

line of scrimmage are permitted. Multiple handoffs allowed. “No-running zones” are located

five yards from each end zone and on either side of midfield.

The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.

Once ball is handed off, all defensive players can rush.

Spinning allowed, but players cannot leave feet to avoid a defensive player.

Ball is spotted where runner’s feet are when flag is pulled.

No laterals or pitches allowed.

Game Play, continuedDead Balls The ball must be snapped

between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.

Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.

Play is ruled “dead” when: Ball carrier’s flag is pulled Ball carrier steps out of

bounds Touchdown or safety is

scored Ball carrier’s knee hits the

ground Ball carrier’s flag falls out

There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

Rushing the Quarterback All players can rush the passer. All players who rush passer must

be at least 7 yards from line of scrimmage when ball is snapped.

Players not rushing the passer may defend on the line of scrimmage.

Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may cross the line of scrimmage.

A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.

Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.

Penalties

All penalties will be called by the referee and assessed from line of scrimmage. Defense Offsides - 5 yds & auto 1st down Interference: 10 yds & auto 1st down Illegal contact: 10 yds & auto 1st down Illegal Flag Pull: 10 yds & auto 1st down Illegal Rushing: 10 yds & auto 1st down

Offense Illegal motion: 5 yds & lost down Illegal forward pass: 5 yds & lost down Pass interference: 10 yds & lost down Flag guarding: 10 yds & lost down Delay of game: 10 yards & lost down  Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

Notes

Miscellaneous Notes Mouthguards are required. Cleats are allowed: no metal spikes. Only the Head Coach may ask the

referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.

Practice will be held for 1 hour before each game.

Optional practices may be occasionally scheduled on non-game days.

Please notify the coach of any game schedule conflicts.

If you leave your player with the coach during practice/game, please confirm before dropping and provide contact information.

Boxford FalconsFormations and Plays

Formations

The Falcons will run a small number of basic formations and plays to begin the season. Once the players have mastered these, new ones will be added.

Offensive Formations I - Formation Tripps

Defensive Formations 1-1-3 1-3-1 Half Dollar

Formation/play ‘flashcard’ sheets for printing/cutting are included at the end of of the document for review/study.

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WR WR

QB

RB

C

The formation

describes how the

players line up before

the play is started.

I-Formation

Offense: I-Formation

Center (C) – lines up over ball. Quarterback (QB) – lines up directly

behind center. Running Back (RB) – lines up behind

quarterback. Wide Receiver (WR) – lines up on line

of scrimmage to the left and right of center.

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CWR WR

QB

RB

Tripps

Offense: Tripps Formation (right) Center (C) – lines up over ball. Quarterback (QB) – lines up directly

behind center. Running Back (RB) – lines up behind

quarterback. Wide Receiver (WR) – both line up on

line of scrimmage to the right of center.

Variations Tripps Left – receivers line up to left of

center. Tripps (Right or Left) Empty – RB lines

up with receivers on line of scrimmage

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C WR WR

QB

RB

Receiving Routes

Quarterback and Receiver success is dependent on their skills and their ability to communicate. Receiving routes are the primary way they ‘speak’ to one another without using words.

Receiving Routes Slant – run straight about 3 yards then

at angle. Out – run straight and then turn straight

towards sideline. Fly – run straight forward down field. Curl – run forward about 5 yards then

stop and turn back towards QB to receive pass.

In – run straight and then turn straight towards middle of field.

WR

QB

RB

QB

RB

WR C

C WR

WR

slant

out

fly

curlin

1-1-3

Defense: 1-1-3 Formation Cornerback (CB) – 7 yards back from

line of scrimmage covering receivers (or assigned to blitz QB).

Linebacker (LB) – 1 at line of scrimmage watching RB and 1 lined up 4 yards back watching QB.

Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or assigned to blitz QB).

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s

CBCB

LB

LB

S

1-3-1

Defense: 1-3-1 Formation Cornerback (CB) – 4 yards back from

line of scrimmage covering receivers. Linebacker (LB) – 1 at line of

scrimmage watching RB and 1 lined up 4 yards back watching QB.

Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or assigned to blitz QB).

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7 yd

s CBCB

LB

LB

S

Half Dollar

Defense: Half Dollar Formation Cornerback (CB) – 7 yards back from

line of scrimmage covering receivers (or blitzing).

Linebacker (LB) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage playing zone (or blitzing).

Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or blitzing).

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CBCB LBLB S

Tripps Left

QB

I-Formation

WR WR

QB

RB

C

RB

Tripps Right

Tripps Right Empty

RBWRWR C

WR WR

QB

WR

QB

WR

C

RB

OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS

C

I-FormationRun Right

QB

RB

I-FormationPass

C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to right side of fieldReceivers run decoy routes

I-FormationRun Left

RB

WRWR C

WR WR

QB

WR

QB

WR

C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to left side of fieldReceivers run decoy routes

C

RB

I-FORMATION PLAYS

C

C > snaps ball to QB > pass to open receiver (Blitz coming? Overthrow to sideline)Receivers must run routes

Tripps RightRun Right

QB

RB

Tripps RightPass

C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to right side of fieldReceivers run decoy routes

Tripps RightRun Left

RB

WRWRC WR

QB

C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to left side of fieldReceivers run decoy routes

C

TRIPPS FORMATION PLAYS

WR

RB

WR

QB

C > snaps ball to QB > pass to open receiver (Blitz coming? Overthrow to sideline)Receivers must run routes

C WR

DEFENSIVE FORMATIONS

1-1-3 Defense

LB

LB

Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz

CBCB S

7 yd

s

1-3-1 Defense

LB

LB

Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz

CBCB

S

7 yd

s

Half Dollar Defense

LB LB

Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz

CBCB S

7 yd

s