Flag Football Unit Notes

1. Flag Football Unit Notes Physical Education Unit #1

2. History and Objective History: • The American game of football, as we know it today, has grown rapidly from its earliest beginning in England’s Rugby Union, to the first college game between Princeton and Rutgers Universities in 1869. Today, football is considered by many sports lover to be the king of all sports. • As football flourished in America there were many individuals, who for one reason or another, did not have the opportunity to play varsity football. These people persisted in using the fundamental of the football game to invent games which paralleled tackle football. From these inventive assortments came a game called flag football. Flag football was first introduced in the intramural program at the University of Florida. Objective of the game: • Give students the opportunity to understand the terms and workings of a regular football game. This will allow them to become better spectators. It also gives them the appreciation of the skills necessary to play with a football as well as play the game well. OBJECT: TO SCORE TOUCHDOWNS!

3. Players PLAYERS: • A) Offense: 1 center, 2 blockers, 1 quarterback, 2 wide outs, 1 running back. • B) Defense: 1 rusher. 3 linebackers, 3 defensive backs.

4. Offensive and Defensive Rules Offensive Rules: • 1. The offensive team must have a center snap the ball. He is ineligible as a receiver. • 2. The offense has 4 plays to cross the first down marker by passing or running. • 3. One running play per 4 downs the other 3 must be passes. • 4. QB cannot run past the line of scrimmage with the ball. • 5. Handoffs and laterals are legal. • 6. All players are eligible to catch the pass except the center. Defensive Rules: • 1. The defense must have one defensive lineman who is responsible for pass rushing. • 2. The pass rusher may not begin his rush until he counts to “3 Mississippi” out loud. • 3. Once the ball is handed off, all defensive players may rush past the line of scrimmage. • 4. Blitzing is not allowed.

5. Rules RULES: • 1. All penalties will result in a 5-yard penalty from the spot of the foul. • 2. Field is 50 yards long plus end zones. A cone marks the 25 yard line. • 3. Possession begins on the goal line coming out. By reaching the 25 cone the offense is awarded a first down. • 4. Possession ends on either a touchdown, interception, or drive stopped on downs. • 5. NO BLOCKING! Offensive blockers may screen the defense, however. Responsibility to avoid contact is with the defense. • 6. Offense may run the ball on only one down per series. • 7. Defense may only rush one man. • 8. Offensive center are ineligible receivers. • 9. Receivers must declare as eligible by raising hand prior to the snap of the ball.

6. Scoring SCORING: • A) Touchdown: 6 points • B) Conversion: 2 points

7. Definitions DEFINITIONS: • FIRST DOWN: If the ball is moved forward a total of ten yards a first down is awarded. • FULLBACK: A member of the offensive backfield who lines up behind the quarterback. • FUMBLE: Loss of control of the ball by the ball carrier. • GUARDS: The offensive linemen who line up on either side of the center. • HOLDING: Using the hands or arms illegally. • ILLEGAL PROCEDURE: An error in setting a team formation. Five yard penalty. • LATERAL PASS: A ball thrown by the passer which must not travel forward. • LINE OF SCRIMMAGE: The spot on the field where the ball is played and the opposing lines position themselves before each play. • OFFSIDE: Movement or contact across the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. Five • yard penalty. • PASS INTERFERENCE: Bumping, shoving. Or interfering with a pass receiver while the ball is in the air. • PILING ON: Illegally jumping on a player carrying the ball after the whistle has blown to stop the play. Fifteen yard penalty. • PUNT: A kicking play on the fourth down. • SAFETY: When the ball is down in a teams own end zone. Two points for the other team.