OFFICIAL ONTARIO PROVINCIAL YOUTH flag football RULES
1. Field Dimensions
a. Field Length – 60 yards long
b. Field Width - 30 yards
c. End Zone – 10 yards deep
2. Starting the game
a. A central timekeeper (from our staff) will be designated. All games will begin and end on this persons instructions. He will also announce the time remaining at the 10, 5, and 2 minute mark.
b. Visitors (according to schedule) will have first possession (top team in bracket or first team listed will be the visitor). The home team will have first possession in the 2nd half (bottom team in bracket or 2nd team listed will be the home team).
c. No team will be allowed to participate without shirts.
d. All teams will have a team specific coloured shirt with player’s number on the back.
e. No football jerseys of any type shall be worn. T-shirts, Under Armour, or basketball type sleeveless shirts are the only choice of acceptable jerseys.
f. Visitors team will always align their team on the left sideline facing the end zone. Home team will always align their team on the right sideline facing the end zone.
g. Referee/Official will announce/post score before each offensive possession begins.
3. Moving the ball
a. Offensive plays must all be passes or runs (No kicking/punting).
b. Field is marked at 15-yard intervals with cones. Each team will have 4 downs to obtain a first down (Three first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown).
c. All possessions always begins at the 5-yard going out.
d. No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 5-yard line. On a successful or unsuccessful play from the 5 yard line resulting in an offensive penalty: The ball will be returned to the 5-yard line and 1st down will become 2nd down; 2nd down will become 3rd down; 3rd down will become 4th down and 4th down will result in a turnover.
e. Offense always move in the same direction
f. All passes must be forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be a forward pass.
g. Once a forward pass has been thrown, a backward pass (lateral) is allowed.
h. Should a swing pass not cross the line of scrimmage (LOS), a defensive player tags the ball carrier behind the 5-yard line, it is a safety.
4. Special rules
a. No blocking.
b. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when one flag is pulled. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Expulsion of a player(s) if ruled unsportsmanlike and flagrant).
c. Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap is not a fumble /dead ball.
d. Each team has 40 seconds to run a play. If a play is not called and run within 40 seconds, a delay of game penalty results with the play being stopped and the ball is placed 5 yards back from line of scrimmage and play and down is repeated.
e. The QB is allowed 5.0 seconds/steamboats to throw the ball. The Official timekeeper starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball.
f. Defensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (Automatic 1st down and spot foul up to 15 yards).
g. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. There will be NO chucking. Deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5 yard penalty).
h. Offensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (15-yard penalty).
i. Interception may be returned (“no blocking” rule applies). If an interception is returned beyond the 5-yard line (the offensive origination point), it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue in the appropriate end zone. The teammates of the person who intercepted the ball may trail the runner so as to be in position to take a backwards pass. They may not block for or screen for the runner.
j. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous sport or the new scrimmage spot in a timely fashion. Failure to do so can result in a delay of game penalty.
k. The offensive center (and 6th player on the field) is not an eligible receiver (teams must have a center to begin play). The ball must be snapped from the ground either between the snapper’s legs (shotgun) or from the ground taken directly from the center on one knee (drop back) in order to mirror the game of football.
l. The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the Referee’s beanbag at the line of scrimmage. On change of possession, the team moving to offense will ensure the beanbag gets to the new scrimmage line (centers on both teams responsible).
m. No taunting or “trash talking”. (5-yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant).
n. The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 4 or less plays or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking).
o. Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the game and the tournament. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the tournament and denied participation in any/all provincial qualifying tournaments! They will also be disqualified from participating in the provincial showcase tournament.
p. Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball and it is unable to be penalized back to the 5-yard line will result in a loss of down penalty. The defense, now the offense, would be starting play with 2nd down.
5. Scoring
a. 6 points for a TD.
b. 1 point for PAT from 3-yard line, 2 point PAT from 10 yard line.
c. 2 points if a team returns PAT back across the 5-yard line.
d. Official score is kept by field referee and game manager.
6. Tie breaker
a. After “coin” flip (an age appropriate math question) to determine first possession, teams will alternate 4 down series from the 15 yard line
b. A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not.
c. If a second overtime period is necessary, each team must then go for two points on the conversion attempts (from the 10 yard line).
7. Time
a. 20 minute halves (continuous clock for each half—see: “starting the game”)
b. Each team gets 1 time out per half. (Exception: Injuries. Both games on the field will halt until player(s) can be removed as soon as safety dictates).
c. 5-minute half-time/10 minutes between games.
d. League play requires that all games start/end at the same time.
e. Teams must be on site and ready to play when scheduled.
f. If a team(s) are late and cannot start when the game officially starts, they will begin play with whatever time is left on the game clock – not to exceed 10 minutes of 1st half.
g. Forfeit will occur after 10 minutes of the 1st half.
h. Injury time outs may reduce the amount of time between halves and/or between games to maintain game schedules.
8. Secondary Coverages
a. Coverage will be the choice of each participating team.
9. Squad Members
a. Players: Maximum of 10 players per team.
10. Officials
a. 2: Referee and Field Judge
b. Timekeeper/Scorekeeper: A designated official (official or coach from an opposing team) will keep the game time and score.
11. Coaches
a. Each team must have a coach/administrator accompany it to any/all events to serve as a team administrator on duty for their particular team(s). This individual is responsible for the action(s) of those representing his/her team.
b. All team coaches will wear an identifying tag/shirt for clarification purposes. A team may not have more than four (4) coaches in the end zone and/or sideline.
12. Regular Season Standings Tie Breaker
a. Head-to-Head, Points Scored, Points Allowed will determine the regular season winners.
b. In a three-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted. Once a winner is declared, the remaining two teams will revert back to head-to-head to break remaining tie.
c. A forfeit will result as a loss of 28 - 0.
13. Fan Seating
a. Fans may sit behind their team when they are playing. However, after the contest, they must relinquish their position to the fans of the team schedule to play.
b. Fans may not sit behind someone else’s team during a contest.
a. Field Length – 60 yards long
b. Field Width - 30 yards
c. End Zone – 10 yards deep
2. Starting the game
a. A central timekeeper (from our staff) will be designated. All games will begin and end on this persons instructions. He will also announce the time remaining at the 10, 5, and 2 minute mark.
b. Visitors (according to schedule) will have first possession (top team in bracket or first team listed will be the visitor). The home team will have first possession in the 2nd half (bottom team in bracket or 2nd team listed will be the home team).
c. No team will be allowed to participate without shirts.
d. All teams will have a team specific coloured shirt with player’s number on the back.
e. No football jerseys of any type shall be worn. T-shirts, Under Armour, or basketball type sleeveless shirts are the only choice of acceptable jerseys.
f. Visitors team will always align their team on the left sideline facing the end zone. Home team will always align their team on the right sideline facing the end zone.
g. Referee/Official will announce/post score before each offensive possession begins.
3. Moving the ball
a. Offensive plays must all be passes or runs (No kicking/punting).
b. Field is marked at 15-yard intervals with cones. Each team will have 4 downs to obtain a first down (Three first downs without a penalty would result in a touchdown).
c. All possessions always begins at the 5-yard going out.
d. No penalty will be assessed in excess of the 5-yard line. On a successful or unsuccessful play from the 5 yard line resulting in an offensive penalty: The ball will be returned to the 5-yard line and 1st down will become 2nd down; 2nd down will become 3rd down; 3rd down will become 4th down and 4th down will result in a turnover.
e. Offense always move in the same direction
f. All passes must be forward. A pass caught behind the line of scrimmage must be a forward pass.
g. Once a forward pass has been thrown, a backward pass (lateral) is allowed.
h. Should a swing pass not cross the line of scrimmage (LOS), a defensive player tags the ball carrier behind the 5-yard line, it is a safety.
4. Special rules
a. No blocking.
b. Receiver/Ball carrier is legally down when one flag is pulled. (Excessive force by shoving, pushing, or striking a blow will be penalized by automatic first down and 5 yards. Expulsion of a player(s) if ruled unsportsmanlike and flagrant).
c. Fumbles are dead balls at the spot with the last team retaining possession. A muffed snap is not a fumble /dead ball.
d. Each team has 40 seconds to run a play. If a play is not called and run within 40 seconds, a delay of game penalty results with the play being stopped and the ball is placed 5 yards back from line of scrimmage and play and down is repeated.
e. The QB is allowed 5.0 seconds/steamboats to throw the ball. The Official timekeeper starts a stopwatch on the snap of the ball from center and stops the watch as soon as the QB releases the ball.
f. Defensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (Automatic 1st down and spot foul up to 15 yards).
g. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. There will be NO chucking. Deliberate bumping or grabbing. These actions will result in a “tack on” penalty at the end of the play (5 yard penalty).
h. Offensive pass interference is the same as NCAA/CFL rules. (15-yard penalty).
i. Interception may be returned (“no blocking” rule applies). If an interception is returned beyond the 5-yard line (the offensive origination point), it is a touchdown and point after attempt should ensue in the appropriate end zone. The teammates of the person who intercepted the ball may trail the runner so as to be in position to take a backwards pass. They may not block for or screen for the runner.
j. Offensive team is responsible for retrieving and returning the ball to the previous sport or the new scrimmage spot in a timely fashion. Failure to do so can result in a delay of game penalty.
k. The offensive center (and 6th player on the field) is not an eligible receiver (teams must have a center to begin play). The ball must be snapped from the ground either between the snapper’s legs (shotgun) or from the ground taken directly from the center on one knee (drop back) in order to mirror the game of football.
l. The center will be responsible for setting or re-positioning the Referee’s beanbag at the line of scrimmage. On change of possession, the team moving to offense will ensure the beanbag gets to the new scrimmage line (centers on both teams responsible).
m. No taunting or “trash talking”. (5-yard penalty and expulsion if flagrant).
n. The offense must gain at least 15 yards in the first 4 or less plays or the defense takes over. (There is no kicking).
o. Fighting: the player(s) involved will be ejected from the game and the tournament. If a team fight occurs, the teams involved will be ejected from the tournament and denied participation in any/all provincial qualifying tournaments! They will also be disqualified from participating in the provincial showcase tournament.
p. Any dead ball foul on a play that results in the defense getting the ball and it is unable to be penalized back to the 5-yard line will result in a loss of down penalty. The defense, now the offense, would be starting play with 2nd down.
5. Scoring
a. 6 points for a TD.
b. 1 point for PAT from 3-yard line, 2 point PAT from 10 yard line.
c. 2 points if a team returns PAT back across the 5-yard line.
d. Official score is kept by field referee and game manager.
6. Tie breaker
a. After “coin” flip (an age appropriate math question) to determine first possession, teams will alternate 4 down series from the 15 yard line
b. A winner is determined when one team scores during its possession and the other does not.
c. If a second overtime period is necessary, each team must then go for two points on the conversion attempts (from the 10 yard line).
7. Time
a. 20 minute halves (continuous clock for each half—see: “starting the game”)
b. Each team gets 1 time out per half. (Exception: Injuries. Both games on the field will halt until player(s) can be removed as soon as safety dictates).
c. 5-minute half-time/10 minutes between games.
d. League play requires that all games start/end at the same time.
e. Teams must be on site and ready to play when scheduled.
f. If a team(s) are late and cannot start when the game officially starts, they will begin play with whatever time is left on the game clock – not to exceed 10 minutes of 1st half.
g. Forfeit will occur after 10 minutes of the 1st half.
h. Injury time outs may reduce the amount of time between halves and/or between games to maintain game schedules.
8. Secondary Coverages
a. Coverage will be the choice of each participating team.
9. Squad Members
a. Players: Maximum of 10 players per team.
10. Officials
a. 2: Referee and Field Judge
b. Timekeeper/Scorekeeper: A designated official (official or coach from an opposing team) will keep the game time and score.
11. Coaches
a. Each team must have a coach/administrator accompany it to any/all events to serve as a team administrator on duty for their particular team(s). This individual is responsible for the action(s) of those representing his/her team.
b. All team coaches will wear an identifying tag/shirt for clarification purposes. A team may not have more than four (4) coaches in the end zone and/or sideline.
12. Regular Season Standings Tie Breaker
a. Head-to-Head, Points Scored, Points Allowed will determine the regular season winners.
b. In a three-way tie, only the scores of games between teams in the tie will be counted. Once a winner is declared, the remaining two teams will revert back to head-to-head to break remaining tie.
c. A forfeit will result as a loss of 28 - 0.
13. Fan Seating
a. Fans may sit behind their team when they are playing. However, after the contest, they must relinquish their position to the fans of the team schedule to play.
b. Fans may not sit behind someone else’s team during a contest.