1. Boxford Falcons Flag Football Overview

2. Welcome
This document contains the basic rules the players will be using this season. In addition, it introduces the positions, formations, and plays the players will be asked to learn. Once the players have mastered the initial formations and plays, the document will be supplemented with additional ones.
Looking forward to a fantastic football season!
Go Boxford Falcons!
Coach Name
<coach >

3. Player Expectations Sportsmanship
Tackling, elbowing, blocking are not allowed.
Trash Talking: before, during, or after game… nope. Not cool.
Flags pulled from an opponent’s belt need to be handed back to the player. No throwing flags at/to players or leaving opponent flags on ground.
Line up for handshake immediately after game concludes.
On Field
Play the position you are assigned, everyone will play all positions.
Play hard and have fun!

4. The Basics Possession Coin toss determines first possession.
Offensive team starts with ball at their own 5 yard line.
Three plays to get 1st down by crossing midfield or score.
If team gets 1st down, it has three plays to score.
If offense fails to score, possession changes. Drive starts from 5 yard line.
Interceptions may be returned, fumbles are dead balls.
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5 YARD: NO RUNNING ZONE
The Flag Football Playing Field
In flag football, running plays are not allowed within 5 yards of
mid-field or the endzone.

5. Game Rules Timing Games are 40 minutes, (2) 20-minute halves.
Tie games move directly into sudden death overtime.
Once ball is spotted, offense has 30 seconds to snap ball.
Each team has (1) 30 and (1) 60 second time out per half.
Scoring
Touchdown – 6 points
Extra point – 1 point (play run from 5 yard line)
2 pt conversion – 2 points (play run from 12 yard line)
Safety – 2 points

6. Positions: Offense Offense
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Positions: Offense
Offense
Center (C) – begins play by snapping ball then becomes active receiver.
Quarterback (QB) – receives snap and does one of two things:
Hand ball off to runner or,
Throw pass to receiver
The QB cannot run the ball.
Running Back (RB) – takes hand off and runs/throws. Can receive pass.
Wide Receiver (WR) – Left and Right: receives pass.
There are offensive football positions beyond those listed here. These simplified positions are well suited to the 5 vs. 5 format and the formations and plays the Falcons will run.
Wide Receiver (WR)
Center (C)
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Quarterback (QB)
Running Back (RB)

7. Positions: Defense Defense
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Positions: Defense
Defense
Cornerback (CB) – Left and Right: cover receivers.
Linebacker (LB) – Left and Right: contain runner, general run/pass coverage, blitz
Safety (S) – pass coverage, last line of defense
There are defensive football positions beyond those listed here. The intent here is to provide a simplified version of the positions so the team has a shared language/understanding of the positions and their responsibilities.
Safety (S)
7 yds
Linebacker (LB)
Cornerback (CB)
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8. Game Play Running Passing The QB cannot run with the ball.
Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted.
Multiple handoffs allowed.
“No-running zones” are located five yards from each end zone and on either side of midfield.
The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage.
Once ball is handed off, all defensive players can rush.
Spinning allowed, but players cannot leave feet to avoid a defensive player.
Ball is spotted where runner’s feet are when flag is pulled.
No laterals or pitches allowed.
Passing
Shovel passes are allowed.
The quarterback has a seven-second “pass clock.” If a pass is not thrown within the seven seconds, play is dead, loss of down. Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule no longer is in effect.
Interceptions may be returned.
Receiving
All players are eligible to receive passes.
A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

9. Game Play, continued Rushing the Quarterback Dead Balls
All players can rush the passer.
All players who rush passer must be at least 7 yards from line of scrimmage when ball is snapped.
Players not rushing the passer may defend on the line of scrimmage.
Once the ball is handed off, the seven-yard rule is no longer in effect and all defenders may cross the line of scrimmage.
A special marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
Remember, no blocking or tackling is allowed.
Dead Balls
The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start play.
Substitutions may be made on any dead ball.
Play is ruled “dead” when:
Ball carrier’s flag is pulled
Ball carrier steps out of bounds
Touchdown or safety is scored
Ball carrier’s knee hits the ground
Ball carrier’s flag falls out
There are no fumbles. The ball is spotted where the ball hits the ground.

10. Penalties
All penalties will be called by the referee and assessed from line of scrimmage.  
Defense
Offsides - 5 yds & auto 1st down
Interference: 10 yds & auto 1st down
Illegal contact: 10 yds & auto 1st down
Illegal Flag Pull: 10 yds & auto 1st down
Illegal Rushing: 10 yds & auto 1st down
Offense
Illegal motion: 5 yds & lost down
Illegal forward pass: 5 yds & lost down
Pass interference: 10 yds & lost down
Flag guarding: 10 yds & lost down
Delay of game: 10 yards & lost down 
Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

11. Notes Miscellaneous Notes Mouthguards are required.
Cleats are allowed: no metal spikes.
Only the Head Coach may ask the referee questions about rule clarification and interpretations. Players cannot question judgment calls.
Practice will be held for 1 hour before each game.
Optional practices may be occasionally scheduled on non-game days.
Please notify the coach of any game schedule conflicts.
If you leave your player with the coach during practice/game, please confirm before dropping and provide contact information.

12. Boxford Falcons Formations and Plays

13. ENDZONE
Formations
The Falcons will run a small number of basic formations and plays to begin the season. Once the players have mastered these, new ones will be added.
Offensive Formations
I - Formation
Tripps
Defensive Formations
1-1-3
1-3-1
Half Dollar
Formation/play ‘flashcard’ sheets for printing/cutting are included at the end of of the document for review/study.
The formation describes how the players line up before the play is started. WR C WR QB
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14. I-Formation Offense: I-Formation Center (C) – lines up over ball.
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I-Formation
Offense: I-Formation
Center (C) – lines up over ball.
Quarterback (QB) – lines up directly behind center.
Running Back (RB) – lines up behind quarterback.
Wide Receiver (WR) – lines up on line of scrimmage to the left and right of center. WR C WR QB
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15. Tripps Offense: Tripps Formation (right)
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Tripps
Offense: Tripps Formation (right)
Center (C) – lines up over ball.
Quarterback (QB) – lines up directly behind center.
Running Back (RB) – lines up behind quarterback.
Wide Receiver (WR) – both line up on line of scrimmage to the right of center.
Variations
Tripps Left – receivers line up to left of center.
Tripps (Right or Left) Empty – RB lines up with receivers on line of scrimmage C WR WR QB
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16. Receiving Routes
fly
slant
Quarterback and Receiver success is dependent on their skills and their ability to communicate. Receiving routes are the primary way they ‘speak’ to one another without using words.
Receiving Routes
Slant – run straight about 3 yards then at angle.
Out – run straight and then turn straight towards sideline.
Fly – run straight forward down field.
Curl – run forward about 5 yards then stop and turn back towards QB to receive pass.
In – run straight and then turn straight towards middle of field.
out WR C WR QB RB in
curl C WR WR QB RB

17. 1-1-3 Defense: 1-1-3 Formation
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1-1-3
Defense: Formation
Cornerback (CB) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage covering receivers (or assigned to blitz QB).
Linebacker (LB) – 1 at line of scrimmage watching RB and 1 lined up 4 yards back watching QB.
Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or assigned to blitz QB). CB S CB
7 yds LB LB
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18. 1-3-1 Defense: 1-3-1 Formation
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1-3-1
Defense: Formation
Cornerback (CB) – 4 yards back from line of scrimmage covering receivers.
Linebacker (LB) – 1 at line of scrimmage watching RB and 1 lined up 4 yards back watching QB.
Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or assigned to blitz QB). S
7 yds CB LB CB LB
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19. Half Dollar Defense: Half Dollar Formation
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Half Dollar
Defense: Half Dollar Formation
Cornerback (CB) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage covering receivers (or blitzing).
Linebacker (LB) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage playing zone (or blitzing).
Safety (S) – 7 yards back from line of scrimmage in center of field watching play develop (or blitzing). CB LB S LB CB
7 yds
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20. OFFENSIVE FORMATIONS I-Formation Tripps Right Tripps LeftWR QB RB C
Tripps Right C WR WR QB RB
Tripps Left
Tripps Right Empty WR WR C C RB WR WR QB QB RB

21. I-FORMATION PLAYS I-Formation Run Right I-Formation Run LeftWR C WR WR C WR QB QB RB RB
C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to right side of field
Receivers run decoy routes
C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to left side of field
Receivers run decoy routes
I-Formation
Pass WR C WR QB RB
C > snaps ball to QB > pass to open receiver (Blitz coming? Overthrow to sideline)
Receivers must run routes

22. TRIPPS FORMATION PLAYS
Tripps Right
Run Right
Tripps Right
Run Left C WR WR C WR WR QB QB RB RB
C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to right side of field
Receivers run decoy routes
C > snaps ball to QB > hands off to RB > runs forward to left side of field
Receivers run decoy routes
Tripps Right
Pass C WR WR QB RB
C > snaps ball to QB > pass to open receiver (Blitz coming? Overthrow to sideline)
Receivers must run routes

23. DEFENSIVE FORMATIONS 1-1-3 Defense 1-3-1 Defense 7 yds 7 ydsCB S CB S
7 yds
7 yds LB LB CB CB LB LB
Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz
Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz
Half Dollar Defense CB LB S LB CB
7 yds
Coverage by position called before snap – man, zone, or blitz