Needham Flag Football Rules
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IF THERE IS ANY CONFLICT WITH THE RULES BELOW AND THE RULES IN THE NFL PLAYBOOK
THE RULES BELOW SUPERSEDE
The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, on 3 downs, and elect 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 field, the opposing team will start its possession from the spot.
Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown. If the offense fails to score, after crossing midfield, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts its drive on its own 5-yard line. 5.
IN OVERTIME
Referee determines which end of the field
Home team calls the coin toss, winners call offense or defense, this goes back and forth for each round
Round 1
Each team will declare if they are going for 1 point (5 yard line) or 2 points (10 yard line)
Round 2
Each team will “go for two” from the 10 yard line.
Referee determines which end of the field
Round 3
Each team will have one play from the 5 yard line going away from the End Zone. The team with the most yards will be the winner with 1 point added to their total score
All Regulation period rules and penalties are in effect
There are no timeouts
Interceptions are returnable in OT, and worth 2 points
BOTH TEAMS MUST HAVE AND OFFENSIVE POSSESSION
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
1. 25 Second Play clock verbal countdown at 10 then a ‘Delay of Game’
2. Each team has 3, 30 Second Timeouts for the game.
Coaches Location During Game:
· K-1 Coaches can be in the huddle prior to the snap of the ball and then can be close to kids at snap
· 2-5 Coaches can be in the huddle prior to the snap of the ball and then should be heading toward the sideline or off the field at the snap.
· 6-8 Coaches can be in the huddle prior to the snap of the ball and then coaches must be off the field completely at the snap of the ball.
o Once 10 Seconds is called Coach MUST head to sidelines and be off the field completely at the snap of the ball.
o May result in a delay of game penalty
The ball is NOW spotted where the ball is when the flag is pulled not where the foot is.
All Games will be 5 players on 5 players
All teams must have at least 4 players to play at game time or game is forfeited.
Divisions are shown below and may be adjusted depending upon the number of players in each division.
1) K-1st Grade
The first 4 Weeks of the K-1 Program will have coaches as QB unless teams agree otherwise.
2) 2nd and 3rd Grades
3) 4th and 5th Grades
4) 6th-8th Grades (May be adjusted based on number of players from each grade)
All teams will play 8 weeks even if eliminated from the playoffs.
PLAYOFFS ONLY: The clock will stop for a 2 minute warning at the 2nd half only. After the 2 minute warning the clock will stop for incomplete passes, plays that are out of bounds, change of possession, fumbles, and penalties.