CMFL
Youth Flag Football Rules
2012
FLAG Football is categorized as Non-Contact which means no blocking or tackling is allowed.
7-Man Screen Flag style Football will be played in the K / 1st/2nd Grade level.
One Coach is allowed on the field at a time. Coaches shall remain still and quiet from the snap to when the ball is dead.
Practices shall not begin before August 13, 2012.
I. Number of Players A. Teams will field 7 players 1. Offense a) Four Linemen (on LOS) (1) Center
(2) Tackles
(3) Tackles
(4) Tight End or Wide Receiver ( no more than 7 yds from line)
b) Three Backfield (1) Quarterback
(2) Half back
(3) Full back
2. Defense a) Two Defensive Tackles (5 yds off the LOS)
b) Two Defensive End (5 yds off the LOS)
c) Linebacker (7 or more yds off the LOS)
d) Corner Back (7 or more yds off the LOS)
e) Safety (7 or more yds off the LOS)
II. Timing A. Games will consist of four quarters: ten (10) minutes running time. 1. Clock stops only in case: a) Player injury
b) Time outs (team or official)
c) Unusual delay of game (ball over fence, etc…)
d) Touchdowns
e) Turnovers on Downs
2. Time outs (1 minute) a) Three per half per team
b) Time outs do not carry over into second half.
c) Referees may call time outs for any reason, at any time.
B. Half Time will consist of five (5) minutes.
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III. Equipment A. Game wear includes the following: 1. Game Jersey or T-shirt or Sweatshirt
2. Play pants / sweat pants
3. Sneakers / Rubber cleats
4. Mouth Guard
5. Smooth D – Ring Belt with two flags that are exposed and visible.
B. The following items are prohibited from wear during play: 1. Jewelry of any kind
2. Metal spikes, or screw-in cleats
3. Pants with pockets, belt loops or exposed draw-strings.
4. Belts with anything other than smooth “D” ring buckles.
C. Football 1. Home team responsible for providing the game ball but does not preclude the visiting team from using their own ball during their possession.
2. Pee Wee size and weight ball approved or foam equivalent.
IV. Field Size
A. Field shall be 80 yds long from goal line to goal line with a 10 yard endzone.
B. Field shall be 40 yds wide between sidelines.
C. Played within the regular 100 yd field.
V. Game Rules
A. Home teams will have first possession and Visitors have first possession after half
B. Offensive teams take possession of the ball at their own forty (40) yard line. 1. Teams have four (4) downs to move the ball ten (10) yards or more for 1st down.
2. Failure to move the ball beyond mid-field by the offense on their possession – Defensive team will take possession on their own forty (40) yard line.
3. If offensive team moved the ball beyond the mid-field line and then they lost possession (failure to make a first down), the defensive team will take possession at that point.
C. Scoring 1. Touchdowns are worth six (6) points
2. Extra point run from three (3) yard line = two (2) points
3. Safety: two (2) points.
4. After a touchdown, the ball is put into play at 40-yd line.
D. Offense 1. Play begins when the center snaps the ball between his legs to the quarterback.
2. Running a) The quarterback cannot advance the ball beyond the LOS.
b) Pitches and direct hand offs are allowed
c) Any backfield player may throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
d) Players may not jump, leap, dive or otherwise leave their feet in an attempt to avoid being stopped, or to gain extra yards.
3. Passing a) All passes must be forward, and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
b) Interceptions change the possession of the ball at mid-field (no run back).
4. Receiving
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a) Linemen are not allowed to catch passes.
b) The quarterback is allowed to receive a pass, if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage
c) No players may be in motion prior to the snap.
d) A player must have both feet in bounds when making a reception.
5. Blocking – a) Blocking consists of “screen blocks” whereby an offensive player forces a defensive player to go around them, without making contact.
b) No charging, pushing, or other intentional physical contact with the blocker is allowed.
6. Ball Carriers shall maintain their flags on their hips at all times
7. Fumbles a) No fumble recoveries (ball is dead at spot)
b) Fumbled snaps underneath center are live but fumbled shot-gun snaps are down on the spot.
E. Defense 1. Four Defensive lineman shall begin the play 5 yard back from the line of scrimage. No time delay for the defense is necessary in this case.
2. Three Defensive Backs shall begin the play 7 or more yards back
3. NON- CONTACT RULES… a) Screen blocking will be used whereby an offensive player forces a defensive player to go around them, without making contact.
b) No charging, pushing, or intentional physical contact.
c) In order to stop play, a defensive player must remove either flag from the belt of the offensive player in possession of the ball.
d) Defenders may not pull a ball carrier down by their cloths / belt, they must stop the play by pulling the flag.
4. Rushing the quarterback a) Only the four defensive lineman players lined up on the line of scrimmage may rush the quarterback.
F. Penalties – All penalties are 5 yards from the spot of the ball 1. Defense: a) Offsides
b) Pass Interference
c) Illegal contact (holding, blocking etc…)
d) Illegal flag pull (before player has possession of the ball)
e) Too many players on field
2. Offense: a) Illegal motion (any player moving before ball snap)
b) Offensive pass interference (illegal pick play, pushing off/away defensive player)
c) Flag Guarding – includes loss of down.
d) Too many players on field at snap of ball
e) Diving to advance the ball
f) Charging over a defender by the ball carrier or stiff arming
3. Referee Judgment a) Referees determine incidental contact that may result from normal run of play from intentional contact.
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G. Sportsmanship / Roughing 1. If the game official 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. a) Unsportsmanlike conduct will include any actions, physical or verbal deemed by the game or league officials to be detrimental to the participants, coaches, officials, spectators, game or league.
2. Players ejected from more than one game will be suspended from play in this league for the remainder of the season.
3. Spectators who are in violation of the League or association code of conduct may be asked by the Referees to leave the event immediately. Further action by the league or association may be taken with due process.
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Central Maine Football League
2012
Final Rules and League Format
Eligibility by Grade
Flag Team – 1st and 2nd Graders
Pee Wee Team – All 3rd and 4th Graders
Youth Team – All 5th and 6th Graders
All Teams – Minimum players – 11
(Excluding 2nd graders for Pee Wee Teams)
For 2012, $150 entry fee required for each team to cover cost of QuickScores, Jamboree and championship game officials, and trophies.
Team rosters must be provided by Jamboree. Failure to provide roster will result in forfeit of all wins until one is submitted. Weights are to be recorded on rosters and must be verified and certified by the team coordinator. Players weight for ball carrier status will be effective as of the Jamboree.
Footballs
The home team will be responsible for providing the game ball but this does not preclude the visiting team from using their own ball during their possessions.
Pee Wee Teams will use the “TDJ” or “K2” ball and the Youth Teams will use the “TDY” or “TDJ” ball.
Practice
Practices should not begin before the start of football practices as designated by the Maine Principles Association for high schools. This year the date is August 13, 2011. Jamboree event will kickoff the season on Saturday, September 8 and first games will be played on Saturday, September 15.
Coaches
Pee Wee Teams – Each Team may place not more than two coaches on the field at one time. The coach may assist his players until the quarterback begins his cadence. Once the QB begins cadence, the coach must remain quiet and still. At no time will the coach be allowed to talk or move (unless movement is to prevent interfering with the play). The first assisting violation will result in a warning from the official and every assisting violation after that will result in a 15 yard penalty. The league encourages restraint on coach assisting during plays and reinforces the importance that opposing Coaches that are 2
on the field do not display poor sportsmanship to the players. Coaches will NOT argue with each other or officials and show disrespect to their team. All coaches should be certified by the National Youths Sports Coaches Association before being allowed to coach.
Youth Teams – Coaches will not be allowed on the field, except during time-outs.
All Teams - A maximum of 5 coaches per team will be allowed on the sidelines
during the games.
- At no time will electronic (2-way radios) devices be allowed to be used between any coaches.
- Coaches are responsible to assign jersey numbers to players that best fit the position. They will be playing.
CMFL strongly encourages that Players, Coaches, and Parents all sign the NYSCA Code of ethics or similar as an agreement of behavior, character, and good sportsmanship from those involved with the League.
Officials
At least two board officials will be assigned to each Youth division game by the head of officials (Ed Baehr). Pee Wee division games are only required to have one board official. The host program will be responsible for paying any/all officials. If an official is absent due to unplanned or unforeseen circumstances, the head coaches will determine if there is a suitable replacement. In the event a suitable replacement cannot be agreed upon, the game will be rescheduled during the next week (prior to the next game).
Length of Game
All games will consist of four, 8-minute quarters with overtime, if needed. (OT same as High School rules with 4 plays for each team from the 10 yard line until the tie is broken). No games should end in a tie.
The League also encourages additional playing during a 5th quarter for the “B” team players that will consist of 10 offensive plays in succession for both teams. This will have no bearing on the outcome of the normal game. This should be the norm and not the exception. Coaches need to find ways to play 5th quarter even if partial squads are used to increase player participation.
Substitution
All teams- All players who are not injured or withheld for disciplinary reasons must enter the game for at least one play.3
Ball Carrier Weight Limit
Each division will have a weight limit for ball carriers in the backfield and line including quarterback, running backs, receivers and ends. The Youth division will have a 130 pound limit and the Pee Wee division will have a 110 pound limit for ball carriers.
Defensive Alignments
For the Pee Wee division, only 5 defensive linemen are allowed in the line of scrimmage area which extends 3 yds in each direction between the ends. This restriction is not in effect when the offensive team is within the defensive team’s red zone ( 20 yards from endzone).
Time Outs
During very hot weather conditions (and both coaches agree), an uncharged time-out will be allowed half-way through each quarter for a water break.
All Teams- Three time outs will be allowed during each half. Any team with a 17 point lead, will not be allowed any time outs unless one of the two apply: (1) Injury timeouts and (2) a substitution time out can be called to align and position new players.
Play Clock
Pee Wee Team- 40 seconds from the spot of the ball
Youth Team- 30 seconds from the spot of the ball
Point After Touchdown (PAT)
All Teams- Have the option to kick or try to score by any other means.
Coaches will make the official and opposing coach aware of their decisions prior to the snap of the ball whether they elect to kick the PAT. If a team wishes to kick, the defense must wait 5 seconds after the ball is snapped before they can make any attempt to cross the line of scrimmage (as counted down by the official). After the 5 seconds has expired, the defensive team will be allowed to try and prevent the point by any means allowed by the rules of football. Once the ball is kicked, the defensive delay ends.
A team that elects to kick, must kick, and a PAT by any other means will not be allowed (no advancing of the ball by running or throwing).
Youth Teams- Each team must attempt a kicking PAT after the first touchdown. When up by 17 points, the team on the favorable side, must kick a point after attempt.4
Field Goals
All Teams- Same as extra point rule.
Punting
Offensive team must announce to the official and the opposing coach that they have decided to punt. The ball must be snapped at least 5 yards to the punter. The defense and offense must wait the full 5 seconds before they are allowed to rush or release from the line of scrimmage. Once the ball is punted, the defensive and offensive delay ends. The punting team may run the ball if the snap is not clean, however they may not advance the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. If the ball is advanced beyond the line of scrimmage, the ball will be returned to line of scrimmage and the receiving team will take possession from there.
“17” Point Rule
All Teams- If your team has just scored, and still trails by 17 points or more, that team will be entitled to receive the kick-off. They can also decline to receive. If you trail by 17 points or more at the half, you will be entitled to receive the 2nd half kick-off but they can also decline.
“30” Point Rule
If a team leads by 30 or more points, they must replace the entire starting backfield with 4 different players, if they have not done so already.
Un-sportsmanlike Conduct
Any time a player or coach is given a penalty for un-sportsmanlike conduct, that player or coach will be ejected for the remainder of the game.
Any un-sportsmanlike penalty for a physical act will result in a mandatory 1 game suspension.
The official has the right to call an un-sportsmanlike conduct on fans.
First offense- Warning from the official or a 15 yard penalty
Second offense- 15 yard penalty of forfeiture of the game
Third offense- forfeiture of the game
Any coaches whose actions are detrimental to the league are subject to disciplinary action by the board (up to, and including permanent dismissal from the CMFL).
CMFL Tournament
With a six team format, the CMFL’s tournament will include a play-in game which will be held on Wednesday, October 17 under the lights at Maranacook and Winthrop. The 5
play-in games will be between the teams finishing third through sixth. In this format, the No. 3 team will play No. 6 in Game 1 and No. 4 will play No. 5 in Game 2. The winners will advance to the playoff game on Saturday, October 20 and the seedings will be determined based on the order each team finished the season. For example, if the No. 6 team beats the No. 3 team and the No. 4 team beats the No. 5 team, then the No. 4 team is the three seed and the No. 6 team is the fourth seed. In the playoff games, the No. 1 team will play the fourth seed and the No. 2 team will play the three seed. The championship games will be played under the lights on Wednesday, October 24 at Winthrop. The play-in, playoff and the championship games will be full games with 4 – eight minute quarters. All tie games will be completed per the same rules as high school.
Area Representation
Maranacook
Oak Hill
Winthrop
Lisbon
Poland (Tri-Town)
Monmouth
No area may actively recruit players from other areas.
If a player wishes to participate in a program that is different from the one he/she is living in, that player must get permission from each area involved.
2012 Area Youth Football Coordinators – it is encouraged that League and team coordinators are not coaches.
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