FLAG FOOTBALL

History American football as we know it originated in the late 1800’s, developing from two English sports, soccer and rugby. In 1876 the Intercollegiate Football Association was formed and developed rules of the game, including line of scrimmage, systems of downs, and the scoring system. Touch and flag football grew out of the interest in American football. Flag football eliminated the controversy in touch football; which allowed for less contact and a clearly successful tackle by pulling a flag The skill to grab or protect the flag also made flag football more interesting than touch football.

FLAG FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT Flags Comfortable athletic clothing including athletic shoes Pinnies

How to Play Flag Football 8 players on each team Game starts with a placekick from the field’s centerline Objective is to carry or pass the football across the defense’s goal line for a touchdown Offense gets 4 consecutive attempts, called downs, to advance the ball 10 yards There are two types of scoring, 6 point touchdown and 2 point conversion Defense stops offense by pulling one flag No body contact is allowed

FOOTBALL FIELD

FLAG FOOTBALL SAFETY In regulation game of flag football players need to wear athletic shoes and clothing Players need to be aware of all surroundings making sure not to come in contact with another player Make sure football field is free of debris, specifically, rocks or left out equipment Practice proper communication when playing, make sure you are speaking loud enough to be heard over any other noises.

Positions Quarterback-The offensive player who receives the ball from the center at the start of each play before either handing it to the running back, throwing it to a receiver, or running with it himself Wide Receiver-Key offensive player involved in passing plays Running Back- An offensive player who runs with the football Center-The offensive lineman who hikes (or snaps) the ball to the quarterback at the start of each play Defenders- Unit that is responsible for keeping the opposition out of their end zone.

Offense and Defense Offense Defense The team that has the football and attempts to advance it toward their goal for a touchdown The team that is trying to stop the offense from scoring by pulling their flag or intercepting the ball Offense Defense

To put the ball in play by giving it to the quarterback SNAP To put the ball in play by giving it to the quarterback

The act of throwing the ball to another player. PASSING The act of throwing the ball to another player.

A sideways or backwards pass thrown from one player to another. LATERAL PASS A sideways or backwards pass thrown from one player to another.

Forward Pass Cues One hand with Fingers on strings Side to the target Step with opposite foot Twist Throw

The act of catching a football without dropping it. Receiving Cues The act of catching a football without dropping it. Elbows flexed Reach with hands Eyes track the ball Soft hands pull it in

Receiving A Football That Is Thrown Low/Medium Pinkies together with fingers forward Eyes track ball Extend arms with pinkies together Use 2 hands Soft hands pull it in

Receiving a Football That Is Thrown High Thumbs Together Eyes track ball Extend arms with thumbs together Use 2 hands Soft hands pull it in

The act of giving the ball to another player HANDOFF The act of giving the ball to another player

Down One play, starting when the ball is put into play and ending when the ball is ruled dead There are 4 Downs in Flag Football The offensive team has 4 downs or plays to either score or gain 10 yards. If the team gains 10 yards, then the downs start over. If they don't gain 10 yards, after the fourth try, the opposing team gets possession of the football at the spot of the tackle

“Tackle” Performed by pulling one flag off the offensive ball carrier

BLOCKING The action made by one of the linesmen or backs to get in the way of an opponent trying to tackle the player with the ball.

Placekick A kick in which a ball is held by a person or tee on the ground

Punt A kick in which the kicker holds the ball and drops and kicks it before it touches the ground.

Completion and Interception A completion is a forward pass that is caught by an eligible receiver An interception is pass thrown to an offensive player but is caught by a defensive player

Touchdown A scoring play in which any part of the ball, while legally in the possession of a player who is in-bounds, crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line. A touchdown counts as 6 points.

Line Of Scrimmage An imaginary line stretching the width of the field that separates the two teams prior to the snap of the ball and where the ball is placed before each play

Playing flag football keeps me at a healthy weight How Will Flag Football Benefit Me In My Life? Playing flag football keeps me at a healthy weight Physical activity such as flag football keeps me active and alert and keeps me from being tired Playing flag football is a great way to have fun and make friends