FLAG FOOTBALL HONOR CODE

Thank you for being a part of the Club Sport Kids family. By participating in the league all players and parents are agreeing to respect all players, coaches, and staff at all times. Below is a copy of our Club Sport Kids honor code.

1. I will remember that youth sports are played for fun!
2. I will be a role model for my team demonstrating how to treat other players, parents, officials and coaches with respect at all times.
3. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship regardless of the score by acting in a positive manner towards all players, officials, parents and coaches.
4. I will show respect to all referees and officials and never act in a manner that would be disrespectful toward them.
5. I will be an encouragement to all players on all teams regardless of the score.
6. I will place my child’s emotional and physical well being ahead of my own personal desire to win.
7. I will not use drugs, tobacco or alcohol at any event and will remind other parents not to do so.
8. I will encourage my child to shake hands/high five with the other team at the conclusion of all games.
9. I will refrain from swearing or confrontational actions while attending any league event.
10. I accept that violation of any of these points could result in the removal of the parent and/or child from the league.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE COMMUNICATION

We have staff on hand at all leagues. Should you have an issue during a game that is not being addressed in the manner you like, please seek the help of our staff in red shirts near the command center. If you have reason to voice concern, please help us by following these procedures:

• Players should communicate with coaches & parents.
• Parents with coaches & field coordinators.
• Coaches with referees, field coordinators & office staff.
• If at any time you feel that greater action is needed please contact Club Sport Kids at info@clubsportkids.com or 877-820-2582 ext 3.

FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

In this game, the offensive team plays for a first down at midfield, and a touchdown in the end zone. Running and passing plays are allowed, although there are “no-running zones” at midfield and near each goal line. The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the passer and grabs flags to make “tackles.”

Attire & Equipment:

• The league provides a jersey, shorts and a flag belt for each player. Should the player opt for different shorts or pants, please make sure they are without pockets to prevent injury.
• Players’ jerseys must be tucked into shorts or pants if they hang below their belt line.
• Shoes must be worn - cleats are highly recommended but they must be non-metal cleats.
• All players must wear a protective mouthpiece.

The Basics:

• Referees are used for all age groups.
• The play is usually 7v7, unless team size is an issue on game day. Should a team be short players, coaches can agree to play with less players or share players. OLDEST Coed division & GIRLS division will play 5v5.
• A coin toss determines first possession.
• The offense must have 4 stationary players on the line of scrimmage prior to the snap. If a team is playing with 5 or less players, they will need 3 on the line of scrimmage.
• The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has three plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three plays to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.
• If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the defense’s 5-yard line.
• Interceptions may be returned.
• Teams change sides after the first half. Possession changes to loser of coin toss unless deferred, and the clock does not stop.
• There are no kickoffs and blocking is NOT allowed.

Timing/Overtime:

• Two (2) 25-minute halves are played. The clock is a running clock. It will be stopped at time outs and officials can stop the clock at their discretion. More time may be given at the ref’s discretion.
• Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball. Teams will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced. Each team has one 60-second and one 30-second time-out per half.

Scoring:

Club Sport Kids is all about fun! An official score is not kept for games. Should kids and/or parents want to keep track on their own, the following point system can be used:

• Touchdown: 7 points
• Safety: 2 points
• Extra points are not used.

Sportsmanship:

• FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED- If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the game will be stopped and the player will be ejected from the game.
• Trash talking is illegal (trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators). Officials have the right to determine offensive language. If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game.
• All coaches, parents, representatives, etc. share in the responsibility for the success of our league, and for maintaining our reputation as a home of good sportsmanship, character, and class.
• Sportsmanship Rule: If a team is up 3+ touchdowns, it is the coach’s responsibility to alter play (i.e. reduce or stop using rushers, switch up positions with receivers and/or QB, etc).
• NO PLAYER, COACH, PARENT, OR SPECTATOR MAY HARASS OR VERBALLY DISAGREE WITH A REFEREE.
• Any coaches, parents, or players displaying unsportsmanlike conduct may be asked to leave the playing area for the duration of the game by a referee or coordinator.

Field Diagram:

Coaching:

• It is up to the coach and/or assistants to ensure fair play and that all players get equal playing time. All coaches are volunteers - any abuse of them by parents will not be tolerated.
• Oldest division:  Coaches are allowed on field ONLY for huddles & must be on sidelines during play.
• Check out some sample plays: 5v5 plays or 7v7 plays. Get some coaching tips here.

Running:

• The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball. The quarterback is the offensive player who receives the snap.
• 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.
• “No-running zones” located five yards from each end zone and five yards on either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage power-running situations. While in the no-run zones, teams cannot run the ball in any fashion. All plays must be pass plays, even with a handoff.
• The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
• Controlled spinning is allowed, but players cannot leave their feet to avoid a defensive player (no diving).
• No blocking or screening is allowed at any time.
• Offensive players without the ball must stop their motion once the ball has crossed the line of scrimmage. No running with the ball carrier.
• The ball is spotted where the ball carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled, not where the ball is. Forward progress will be measured by the player’s front foot. A first down or touchdown will occur when a player’s waist breaks the plane of the first down line while in possession of the football.  The football must cross the line as well.

Receiving:

• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time prior to the snap.
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

Passing:

• All passes must be from behind the line of scrimmage.
• Shovel passes are allowed.
• Only one forward pass is allowed per play. Unlimited backwards or lateral passes are allowed.
• The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, and results in the loss of down.
• Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.

Dead Balls:

• The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play (exception made for 6-8 yr old division). For the 6-8 yr old division only - if the ball is fumbled on the snap, replay of down.
• Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.

Dead Balls continued:

• 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

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

Rushing the Passer:

• Rushers must be a minimum 7 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap. For the 6-8 yr old division - the rusher will rush from 10 yards out. Any number of players can rush the quarterback. Players not rushing the quarterback can defend on the line of scrimmage.
• Once the ball is handed off, the 7 yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may go behind the line of scrimmage.
• All defensive players must be 5 yards off the line of scrimmage at the snap. A cone, or the referee, will designate five yards from the line of scrimmage.
• No blocking or tackling is allowed.
• The offense cannot 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. 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.
• To allow a proper rushing buffer, anytime a ball is downed within 5 yards of the midline or goal line, the ball will be placed 5 yards out with the defense lining up at the goal line or midline.

Flag Pulling:

• A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball.
• Defenders can dive to pull flags but cannot tackle, hold or run through the ball carrier when pulling flags.
• It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier’s possession at any time.
• If the ball carrier’s flag falls off, the ball is dead one the player is touched shoulders to waist by the defense.
• A defensive player may not intentionally pull flags off of a player who is not in possession of the ball.
• 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, arm or shoulder, intentionally covering the flags with the football jersey or tying the belt in a knot to prevent the pull.  Flag clasps must be in the front of the player.

Penalties: Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play.

Injuries:

• In the event of an injury, the referee will pause the game and assess the situation.
• A First Aid kit is available at the command tent.
• CSK Coordinators should be notified anytime an injury occurs, even if the player resumes playing, and document the incident.