7-8 year olds | 2025 Fall Flag Football

Information

YMCA FLAG FOOTBALL

Rule Book 2025

Game

1. At the start of each game, captains from both teams meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss.
2. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of offense or defense. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction. Possession changes to start the second half to the team that started the game on defense.
3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four (4) downs to score a touchdown.
4. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elects to “punt” on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross the line of gain, the opposing team will start its possession from the spot.
5. Offensive Teams MUST declare 4th down intent. “Play or Punt”, when asked by the referee.
6. Teams may use a timeout only to change the declaration of “Play” at any time prior to the expiration of the play clock.
7. If the declaration is “Punt” the ball changes possession and will be placed at the opposing Team’s 5-yard line, 1st down, with NO option to change the declaration.
8. If the offense fails to score, after crossing midfield the ball changes possession and the new offensive Team starts where the 4th down play ended, or at the defenses 5-yard line if the offense elected to Punt on 4th down.
9. Teams change sides after the first half. Possession changes to the team that started the game on defense.

Terminology

Boundary Lines: The outer perimeter lines around the field. They include the sidelines and back of the end zone lines.

Line of Scrimmage: (LOS) an imaginary line running through the point of the football and across the width of the field.

Line-to-Gain: The line the offense must pass to get a first down or score.

Rush Line: An imaginary line running across the width of the field seven yards

(into the defensive side) from the line of scrimmage.

Offense: The team with possession of the ball.

Defense: The team opposing the offense to prevent it from advancing the ball.

Passer: The offensive player that throws the ball may or may not be the

quarter back.

Rusher: The defensive player assigned to rush the quarterback to prevent

him/ her from passing the ball by pulling his/her flags or by blocking

the pass.

Live Ball: Refers to the period when the play is in action. Generally used in

regard to penalties. Live ball penalties are considered part of the play

and must be enforced before the down is considered complete.

Dead Ball: Refers to the period immediately before or after a play.

Whistle: Sound made by an official using a whistle that signifies the end of

the play or a stop in the action for a timeout, halftime or the end of

the game.

Inadvertent Whistle: Official’s whistle that is performed in error.

Charging: An illegal movement of the ball-carrier directly at a defensive player

who has established position on the field. This includes lowering the

head or initiating contact with the shoulder, forearm, or the chest.

Flag Guarding: An illegal act by the ball-carrier to prevent a defender from pulling the ball-carrier’s flags by stiff arm, lowering elbow or head or by blocking access to the runner’s flags with a hand, arm or ball.

Shovel Pass: A legal forward pass across the LOS underhand, backhand or

by pushing the ball forward.

Lateral: A backward or sideway toss of the ball by the ball-carrier.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: A rude, confrontational, or offensive behavior or language.

Equipment

1. All players must wear YMCA provided belts and flags. All players MUST always wear mouth guards while on the field.
2. Players must wear shoes. Cleats may be worn. However, cleats with exposed metal are never allowed and must be removed.
3. Players may tape their forearms, hands, and fingers. Players may wear gloves, elbow pads and knee pads. Braces with exposed metals are not allowed.
4. Players must remove all jewelry and hats. Winter beanies are allowed.
5. Players may wear soft shell helmets, but they must be secured at ALL times while on the playing field
6. Players’ jerseys must be tucked into shorts or pants if they hang below the belt line.
7. We recommend players wear shorts or pants that do not have pockets. Shorts or pants with belt loops or pockets must be taped. Games will not be delayed for a player to tape up pockets.
8. Participants must bring their own mouth guards to the field.
9. Footballs will be provided. Pee Wee size balls for ages 5-10. Junior size for ages 11-13.
10. Flag belts and flags shouldn’t be the same color as shorts or pants.

Field

1. The field consists of two twenty-yard halves, and two ten-yard end zones.
2. No-run zones are in place to prevent teams from conducting power run plays. While in the no-run zones (a 5-yard imaginary zone before midfield and before the end zone). Teams cannot run the ball in any fashion. All plays must be pass plays, even with a handoff. (exception: 5–6-year-olds are not required to pass)
3. Stepping on the boundary line is considered out of bounds.
4. Each offensive team approaches only TWO no-run zones in each drive (one zone 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down, and one zone 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD).

Timing and Overtime

1. Regular Season Games are played on a 40-minute continuous clock with two 20-minute halves. The clock stops for halftime, injuries, and at the Officials’ discretion.
2. Halftime is two minutes.
3. Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 40 seconds to snap the ball.
4. Each team has (1) 60-second timeout per half. They do not carry over.
5. Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.
6. In the event of an injury, the clock will stop then restart when the injured player is removed from the field of play.
7. If the score is tied at the end of regulation play, an overtime period will be used to determine the winner. Overtime format is as follows:
8. The home team calls the toss to determine the team that chooses to be on offense or defense first.

If a second round of overtime must be played, the team that lost the coin toss will

get to choose offense or defense for the start of the second round of overtime.

1. The referee will determine which end of the field the overtime will take place on.
2. Each team will take turns getting one (1) play from the defense’s 5-yard line for one point or the defense’s 10-yard line for two points. Whether to go for one or two points is up to the offensive team. Whether or not the team that begins on offense converts, the team that started on defense gets a chance on offense to win or tie by converting a one- or two-point play of their own.
3. Example: Team A starts on offense and chooses to go for one point from the

5-yard line and is successful. Team B is then on offense and can choose to either

go for one point from the 5-yard line to tie and force a second round of overtime or

to go for two points from the 10-yard line for the win.

1. If the second team on offense in an overtime round fails to beat or match the team that went first, the team that went first wins.
2. Starting with the 2nd overtime, each team will get 1 play from the 5-yard line going out from the endzone. The team with the most yards will be the winner. The team with the most yards will be awarded 1 point added to their final score.
3. Final Score will be recorded to include all points scored for each team
4. All regulation period rules and penalties are in effect.
5. There are no timeouts.
6. Interceptions are returnable in OT, and worth 2 points.
7. Interceptions returned for a score in the first overtime period.

ii.Interceptions advanced from the possession point in the 2nd overtime period.

Scoring

1. Touchdown: 6 points
2. PAT (point after touchdown) 1 point (5-yard line) or 2 points (10-yard line)
3. Note: 1 point PAT is pass only; 2-point PAT can be run or pass.
4. Interceptions returned for scores during regular game play are worth six points, conversions or overtime are worth two points
5. Safety: 2 points
6. Safety occurs when the ball-carrier is declared down in his/her own end zone.

Runners can be called down when their flags are pulled by a defensive player, a flag

falls out, they step out of bounds, their knee or arm touches the ground, a fumble

occurs in the end zone or if a snapped ball lands in or beyond the end zone.

5. A team that scores a touchdown must declare whether it wishes to attempt a 1-point conversion (from the 5-yard line) or a 2-point conversion (from the 10-yard line). Any change, once a decision is made to try for the extra point, requires a charged timeout. A decision cannot be changed after a penalty.
6. Forfeits are scored 1-0 for the winning team.

Coaches

1. Coaches are expected to adhere to YMCA philosophies, coaching guidelines, and

code of conduct.

2. Coaches are permitted on the field during the first 3 games (We will decide after the third week if the coaches can remain on the field, or will Coach from the sideline.)

5-6 year old Division the coaches will remain on the field all season.

1. All team photographers, managers, position coaches, team parents, fans, etc. Are required and must remain at least 10 yards off the field in a designated viewing area.
2. Coaches, this is your responsibility to keep your fans and any other team associated members in the designated areas.

Live Ball/Dead Ball

1. The ball is live at the snap of the ball and remains live until the official whistles the ball dead.
2. The official will indicate the neutral zone and line of scrimmage.
3. It is an automatic dead ball foul if any player on defense or offense enters the neutral zone.
4. A player who gains possession of the ball in the air is considered in bounds if the first foot or other body part contacts the ground in the field of play.
5. The defense may not mimic the offensive team signals by trying to confuse the offensive players, while the quarterback is calling out signals to start the play. This will result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
6. Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
7. Any official can whistle the play dead.
8. Play is ruled “dead” when:
9. The ball hits the ground.
10. If the ball hits the ground as a result of a bad snap, the ball is then placed where the ball hit the ground.
11. The ball-carrier’s flag is pulled.
12. The ball-carrier steps out of bounds.
13. A touchdown, PAT or safety is scored.
14. The ball-carrier’s knee or arm hits the ground.
15. The ball-carrier’s flag falls out.
16. The receiver catches the ball while in possession of one or no flag(s).
17. Inadvertent whistle
18. Ball-carrier leaves their feet other than jump cuts, spinning or to avoid a downed player on the field of play.

NOTE: There are no fumbles. The ball becomes a dead ball. (If the ball is fumbled forwards, then it will be spotted where the ball carrier lost possession.

8. If inadvertent whistle occurs the offense has two options:
9. A) take the ball where the whistle blew, and the down is consumed
10. B) replay the down from the original line of scrimmage.

If it occurs on the last play of the half or game, the offense will be awarded one untimed down

and given those two options.

9. A team can use a timeout to question an official’s rule interpretation. If the official’s ruling is correct, the team will be charged a timeout. If the rule is interpreted incorrectly, the timeout will not be charged, and the proper ruling will be enforced. Officials should all agree on any controversial call to give each team the full benefit of each call.
10. Officials should all agree to change a call on the field that is in dispute.

Running

1. The ball is spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled.
2. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball. The quarterback is the offensive player who receives the snap.
3. Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted. Handoffs may be in front, behind or to the side of the offensive player but must be behind the line of scrimmage. The offense may use multiple handoffs.
4. “Center sneak” play is not allowed. The QB is not allowed to handoff to the

center on the first handoff of the play.

1. Any player who receives a handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
2. Once the ball has been handed off, in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
3. Pitches and laterals are allowed behind the line of scrimmage only.
4. No-run Zones are located 5 yards before each end zone and 5 yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage power-running situations. Teams are not allowed to run in these zones if the subsequent line is LIVE. (Reminder: Each offensive team approaches only TWO no-run zones in each drive – one 5 yards from midfield to gain the first down and one 5 yards from the goal line to score a TD).
5. Runners may not leave their feet to advance the ball. Diving, leaping or jumping to avoid a flag pull is considered flag-guarding. (Players with the ball cannot dive into the end zone.)
6. Spinning/Jump Cuts are allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a flag pull.
7. Players spinning out of control will be called for flag guarding.
8. Ball carriers may leave their feet, and the play will continue for spinning, jump cuts, QB’s passing progression or if there is a clear indication that he/she has done so to avoid a collision with another player and the play will continue without stoppage.
9. No blocking or “screening” is allowed at any time.
10. Offensive players in close proximity of the ball-carrier must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball-carrier.
11. Flag obstruction – All jerseys MUST be tucked in before play begins. The flags must be on the player’s hips and free from obstruction. Deliberately obstructed flags will be considered flag guarding.
12. Any player who receives a handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
13. Once the ball has been handed off in front, behind or to the side of the quarterback, all defensive players are eligible to rush.

Passing

1. All passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage, thrown forward and ball out of hand prior to breaching the line of scrimmage.
2. There is no intentional grounding
3. All passes that do not cross the line of scrimmage, whether received or not, are illegal forward passes, unless touched by a defender. Pass must go beyond the line of scrimmage to be considered a legal pass.
4. The quarterback may throw the ball away to avoid a sack. Pass must go beyond the line of scrimmage.
5. Shovel passes are allowed. To be an official pass, the ball must be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
6. Multiple forward passes are allowed if they are made from behind the line of

scrimmage. No forward pass is allowed beyond the line of scrimmage.

1. If the quarterback throws the ball and then catches it, the play is dead and treated like an incomplete pass.

Receiving

1. All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed-off behind the line of scrimmage).
2. Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage and no motion is permitted toward the line of scrimmage.
3. A player must have at least one foot or other body part in bounds, contacting the ground first with possession.
4. In the case of simultaneous possession by both an offensive and defensive player, possession is awarded to the offense.
5. Interceptions are returnable. If returned for a score during regular game play, the score will be worth six points, two points if returned during conversions and/or overtime.

Rushing the Passer

1. One player may rush the passer. The Rusher must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Players not rushing the quarterback can defend on the line of scrimmage.
2. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule no longer is in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
3. A special marker, or the referee, will designate a rush line seven yards from the line of scrimmage. Defensive players should verify they are in the correct position with the official on every play.
4. A legal rush is:
5. Any rush from a point 7-yards from the defensive line of scrimmage.
6. A rush from anywhere on the field AFTER the ball has been handed off by the

quarter back.

1. A penalty may be called if:
2. The rusher leaves the rush line before the snap and crosses the line of scrimmage

before a handoff or pass – illegal rush (5-yards from the line of scrimmage and first down).

1. Any defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped –

offsides (5-yards from line of scrimmage).

iii. Any defensive player not lined up at the rush line crosses the line of scrimmage

before the ball is passed or handed off – illegal rush (5-yards from the line of

scrimmage).

1. If the offense draws the rusher(s) to jump the seven-yard marker prior to the snap of the ball, that rusher CANNOT rush during that play. However, any other defender that is seven yards back may rush instead. Jumping the rush is not a penalty until the rusher crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the handoff or passed ball.
2. Extraordinary circumstances:
3. Teams are not required to rush the quarterback.
4. Teams are not required to identify their rusher before the play.
5. Players rushing the quarterback may attempt to block a pass as long as they are 5 yards from the Quarterback; however, if they are within 5-yards of the Quarterback, they must go for the flags. Contact to the QB will result in a roughing the passer penalty if the player is not going for the flag.
6. The offense cannot intentionally impede the rusher in any way. The rusher has the right to a clear path to the quarterback, regardless of where they line up prior to the snap. The PATH is set pre-snap from the rusher directly to the QB. PATH does not move once the quarterback moves. If the “path or line” is occupied by a moving offensive player, then it is the offense’s responsibility to avoid the rusher. Any disruption to the rusher’s path and/or contact will result in an impeding the rusher penalty. If the offensive player does not move after the snap, then it is the rusher’s responsibility to go around the offensive player and to avoid contact.
7. A sack occurs if the quarterback’s flags are pulled behind the line of scrimmage. The ball will be spotted where possession of the ball is once the flag is pulled. If the Quarterback’s arm is in a forward motion to throw the ball when the flag is pulled, the play will continue. (Official’s judgement)
8. A Safety is awarded if the sack takes place in the offensive team’s end zone.

Flag Pulling

1. A legal flag pull takes place when the ball-carrier is in full possession of the ball.
2. Defenders can dive to pull flags but cannot tackle, hold, or run through the ball-carrier when pulling flags.
3. It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball-carrier ‘s possession at any time.
4. If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during a play while that player has possession, the player is down immediately and the play ends. The ball is placed where the flag lands.
5. If a player who has one or no flags in their belt takes possession of the ball, the play is dead at that spot on the field.
6. A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off a player who is not in possession of the ball.
7. Flag guarding is an attempt by the ball-carrier to obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by stiff arming, dropping the head, hand, ball, arm or shoulder or intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey.

Formations

1. Offenses must have at least one player on the line of scrimmage (the center), the quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage.
2. Teams may shift formations before the snap if they are set for at least 1

second before the ball is snapped.

1. One player at a time may go in motion at least 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage.
2. Movement by a player who is set or a player who runs toward the line of scrimmage while in motion is considered a false start.
3. The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion between his/her legs to a player in the backfield, and the ball must completely leave his/her hands. (Division 5-7 the center is allowed to hand or shovel pass the ball to the Quarterback)

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

1. If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of intentional tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped, and the player will be ejected from the game. The decision is made at the referee’s discretion. No appeals will be considered. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
2. Offensive or confrontational language is NOT allowed. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If offensive or confrontational language occurs, the officials will determine if a warning or immediate ejection is warranted.
3. Players may not physically or verbally abuse any opponent, coach or official.
4. Ball-carriers MUST try to avoid defenders with an established position.
5. Defenders must give free releases off the line of scrimmage to offensive players and are not allowed to run through the ball-carrier when pulling flags.

ROUGH PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED

6. Fans must also adhere to good sportsmanship as well:
7. Yell to cheer on your players, not to harass officials or other teams.
8. Keep comments clean and profanity free.
9. Compliment ALL players, not just one child or team.
10. Fans are required to keep fields safe and kids friendly:
11. Keep younger kids and equipment such as coolers, chairs and

tents a minimum of 10 yards off the field.

1. Dispose of ALL trash in designated trash cans.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties:
3. Defense + 10 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first down
4. Offense – 10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down

Penalties

1. The referee will call all penalties.
2. Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.
3. All penalties will be assessed from the line of scrimmage, except as noted. (Spot fouls)
4. Only the team captain or head coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players may not question calls.
5. Games or halves may not end on a defensive penalty unless the offense declines it.
6. Penalties are assessed as a live ball, then dead ball. Live ball penalties must be assessed before play is considered complete.
7. Penalties will be assessed half the distance to the goal yardage when the penalty yardage is more than half the distance to the goal.
8. Spot fouls in end zone: Defensive (Ball on one-yard line, first down} Offensive (Safety)

Defensive spot fouls

Defensive pass interference Automatic first down

Holding +5 yards and automatic first down

Stripping +10 yards and automatic first down

Offensive spot fouls

Screening, blocking, or running with the ball -10 yards and loss of down

Charging -10 yards and loss of down

Flag guarding -10 yards and loss of down

Defensive penalties

Defensive unnecessary roughness +10 yards and automatic first down

Defensive unsportsmanlike conduct +10 yards and automatic first down

Offside +5 yards from line of scrimmage

Illegal rush (Starting rush from inside 7-yard marker) +5 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first down

Illegal flag pull (Before the receiver has the ball) +5 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first down

Roughing the passer +10 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first

down Taunting +10 yards from line of scrimmage and automatic first

down

Offensive penalties

Offensive unnecessary roughness -10 yards and loss of down

Offensive unsportsmanlike conduct -10 yards and loss of down

Offside / false start -5 yards from line of scrimmage

Illegal forward pass (throwing a pass after crossing the line of scrimmage) -5 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down

Offensive pass interference -5 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down

Illegal motion (More than one person moving) -5 yards from line of scrimmage

Delay of game -5 yards from line of scrimmage

Impeding the rusher -5 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down

Illegal Procedure -5 yards from line of scrimmage

Taunting -10 yards from line of scrimmage and loss of down

5-6 Guidelines

These Rules are specific to the 5–6-year-old Division to assist with teaching the Game.

‘No Run’ zones are eliminated. Teams may run anywhere on the field.

Defenders may NOT rush the passer unless there is a legal handoff executed in the backfield.

One Coach for each team is permitted on the field pre-snap to help their players

If the ball falls to or touches the ground during the initial center to quarterback exchange, the play is ruled a  ‘Do Over’ with no loss of down, once per down. On a second consecutive occurrence, the down is consumed.

Defenders MUST line up at least five yards from the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.

The home team is listed second on the schedule and will wear the white jersey.  The visiting team is listed first and wears the blue jersey.

If a team is ahead by 18 points, they will not be allowed to send a rusher on defense.

If a team is up by 18 points, they will not attempt points after touchdowns.

If a team is down by 18 points, they will start with the ball on the 10-yard line.