Coach’s Corner
Here are the rules for the Indian Land YMCA Flag Football League! Please feel free to refer to this at any time during the season for any questions or concerns!
7-12 FAQ
Cones and Blitzing
1. There are three cones during a timed down: The Line of Scrimmage Cone, Neutral Zone Cone, and Blitz Cone. All defenders must be behind the the Neutral Zone Cone, and all offensive personnel must be behind the Line of Scrimmage cone prior to the ball being snapped.
2. If a defender is blitzing, they must be behind the blitz cone prior to the ball being snapped. Defenders who do not properly display being behind the blitz cone will be flagged.
3. QB’s are NOT allowed to run unless they are being blitzed. This means QB design runs are not allowed and will result in a loss of down.
4. Defenders who are blitzing are not allowed to fake blitz to draw the QB to run. Once a defender is behind the cone and runs at the line of scrimmage, they must continue their pursuit.
5. QB’s have 7 seconds to throw the ball. After 7 seconds is up, and the QB has not thrown the ball, the play is presumed dead and the next timed down begins.
Snaps and Eligibility
1. Centers must place the ball on the ground to start a snap motion. If the ball is not on the ground, an illegal snap infraction will be called.
2. All snaps must be one continuous motion, meaning once the ball is picked up from the ground, it cannot be placed back. This will result in a dead ball, ending the timed down.
3. Centers ARE eligible receivers.
4. The only player required to be on the line of scrimmage is the center. All other players can either be behind the line of scrimmage or on it with the center.
Passing
1. If a player makes a legal forward pass, only laterals/backwards passes may happen after this.
2. You can make as many backward passes/exchanges as possible, but only one forward pass is allowed.
3. If a player throwing the ball goes across the line of scrimmage while attempting the throw, they will be flagged for an illegal forward pass.
Blocking
1. A player blocking must use a basketball “screen” to stop defenders.
2. If a player uses their hands, arms, or legs to stop a defender from getting to the ballcarrier, they will be flagged.
General Questions
Flag Guarding will happen a lot. It is natural for a person to want to push people away from them, and we understand that.
Teams get 4 downs to get a first down/score depending on where they are on the field. There are no punts.
A Turnover on Downs means the other team will receive the ball on their own 7 yard line.
Fumbles are dead ball plays.
The “NO RUN AREA” only exists 3 yards from the end zone (the 1pt line and forward).