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
ENDZONE
5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE
5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE
5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE
ENDZONE
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
ENDZONEENDZONE
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.
ENDZONEENDZONE
7 yd
s
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.
ENDZONEENDZONE
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.
ENDZONEENDZONE
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
ENDZONEENDZONE
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).
ENDZONEENDZONE
7 yd
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).
ENDZONEENDZONE
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).
ENDZONEENDZONE
7 yd
s
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
Top Related