Game Structure & Rules

Game Structure
-We will have two leagues 1st-3rd grade and 4th-6th grade
-The playing field will be 25 yards wide and will run the width of the FCDS football field.
-Two 20 minute periods (Teams switch sides at half time) – 5 minute half time
-Each player will receive a Champion T-shirt (Each team will have a different color). These shirts will serve as our jerseys and each player is required to bring their shirt with them on Saturdays.
-We will provide all of our players with flags. These flags will be passed out prior to game #1 and will be collected after game #2.
-FCDS football coaches will serve as refs for each game, while FCDS Varsity football players will serve as team coaches.
-We will stop taking registration forms as soon as we have 32 players (8 players per team) in each league.

Offensively

Each possession will start from the goal line. A team will have 4 downs to get to midfield. On 4th down the offense will have the option to ‘punt’ or go for it. If the team ‘punts’, the other team will start on offense from their goal line. If the 4th down attempt is unsuccessful then the other team will take over on offense from where the previous drive stalled from. If a team intercepts the ball they can return it for a touchdown or until their flag is withdrawn. The team will start from where the interceptor was downed. All touchdowns will equal 7 points. The QB will have 4 seconds to the throw the ball at which point the whistle will be blown and next play will occur from the previous line of scrimmage. A receiver must have at least 1 foot in play to be ruled a catch. A receiver cannot push off the defender to get open. (Offensive pass interference = loss of down). There are no running plays allowed. The first action must be a pass; WR’s are then allowed to lateral the ball to a team mate (no forward laterals allowed). All players must wear a flag on each hip.

Defensively

A defender must detach the flag from the ball carrier in order for that player to be ruled down. The defender is not allowed to ‘press’ or interfere with a player running a route. A player must make a play on the ball first. Pass interference will be 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down. Any style of coverage (man, zone, combination) is approved.

The ref on each field will keep score.