Our rules are structured according to NFL YOUTH FLAG football.  There are
some minor changes.  We will play six-on-six if a team has six or more players 
present. A team must field at least five players. If only five are present 
then the game will be five-on-five.  In this game, the offensive team plays 
for a first down at midfield and a touchdown in the end zone.  Running and 
passing plays are allowed, although there are "no-running zones" at midfield 
and near each goal line.  The defensive team covers receivers, rushes the 
passer and grabs flags to make "tackles."

SPORTSMANSHIP

* NO SWEARING OR FIGHTING.  Foul language will not be tolerated, nor will 
trash talking.  There will be one (1) team warning, then automatic ejection 
for the second violation.  Violence of any type will not be tolerated and 
will result in removal from the league.

* NO ROUGHING/BLOCKING.  If the field monitor or referee witnesses any acts of
tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, stiff arming, blocking or unsportsmanlike
behavior, the game will be stopped and a penalty assessed.  At the referee's
discretion, acts of a deliberate nature may result in ejection from the game
or suspension from the league.  Foul play will not be tolerated.

* DO NOT ARGUE WITH THE REFEREES.  The referee's decisions are final.  A penalty 
will be assessed for arguing and repeated violations could result in removal 
from the game.  If there are any problems then these issues should be brought 
to the attention of the league coordinator AFTER THE GAME.

* DELINQUINT BEHAVIOR on the field or off the field, within the confines of the 
park, will not be tolerated and may result in a loss of park privileges, 
including removal from the league.

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NOTE TO PARENTS AND PATRONS:

REMEMBER that ALL teams will advance to the playoffs.  The regular season
standings determine playoff position only.  Since practice time is very
limited the regular season games serve as a training ground for the
individual teams to learn the game and unite as a group.  Ten games is
ample time to allow this process to evolve.

It is important to realize that these games are for the kids, and that any 
unsportsmanlike behavior or disruptive actions by the patrons in attendance 
WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. An Adult Code of Conduct was signed by each player's 
guardian and these guidelines for behavior will be enforced.

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PLAYER ATTIRE

* Wear your game jersies.  Do not alter your shirts in any way.  Flags must 
be worn above jersies and can not be obstructed by any clothing.  Only rubber 
cleats are allowed.  Gloves may be worn during play.
* All players are strongly encouraged to wear a protective mouthpiece.

THE BASICS

* A coin toss determines first possession.
* The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has 
three plays to cross midfield.  Once a team crosses midfield, it has three plays 
to score a touchdown.  If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession 
and the new offensive team takes over on its 5-yard line.
* If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes 
and the opposition starts its drive from its 5-yard line.  There are no punts or 
kickoffs.
* All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense's 5-yard line.
* Teams change sides after the first 20 minute half.  A five minute halftime will 
occur, then possession changes to the loser of the coin toss and the second half 
begins.

PLAYERS/GAME SCHEDULES

* Schedules will be handed out to all players.  Please show up 15 minutes prior 
to gametime.
* Teams must field a minimum of five players at all times. Teams consist of ten 
players, five (or six) on the field, and the rest as substitutes.  All players 
MUST play a minimum of 10 minutes per game.
* New players may be assigned to each team, up to the limit of ten, in case of
injury or chronic absenteeism. NO roster changes will occur after Game #6.
* A substitute player may be assigned to a team in order for them to field six
players for a game.  If a team has less than five players at gametime, then the
game will be declared a forfiet.  Substitutes will be assigned and an exhibition 
game will take place.  These substitute players will be determined by the league 
staff.

TIMING/OVERTIME

* Games are played to 40 minutes running time.  There will be two 20 minute 
halves with a 5 minute halftime.
* If the score is tied at the end of the game, we will move directly to 
sudden-death overtime.  First possession will be determined by coin toss.
* Each time the ball is spotted, a team has 30 seconds to snap the ball.  Teams 
will receive one warning before a delay-of-game penalty is enforced.
* Each team will have two one minute timeouts per half.
* Officials can stop the clock at their discretion.

SCORING

* Touchdowns count as six points.
* Extra points can be played for one or two points at the team's discretion.  
A one-point attempt is played from the five yard line, and a two-point attempt 
is played from the twelve yard line.
* A safety counts as two points.

BLOCKING

* There is NO BLOCKING allowed in this league. This is a NO CONTACT game.
* When a runner crosses the line of scrimmage, or a pass is completed,
all offensive players on the field must take a stationary position. They
can act as stationary picks, but can not make any move to block a defender.
Moving picks are not allowed and are considered blocking. Only the ball
carrier may move once the ball is in play beyond the line of scrimmage.
* Blocking is considered "Unsportsmanlike Conduct" and will result in
a 10-yard penalty and loss of down.
* Flag guarding and stiff arming are considered forms of blocking.

RUNNING PLAYS

* The quarterback cannot run with the ball.
* Only direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are permitted.
* Offense may use multiple handoffs.
* "NO-RUNNING ZONES" located five yards from each end zone and five yards on 
either side of midfield are designed to avoid short-yardage, power-running 
situations.
* The player who takes the handoff can throw the ball from behind the line of 
scrimmage.
* Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
* Spinning is allowed, but players can not leave their feet to avoid a defensive 
player (NO DIVING).  In this case, the ball will spotted where the ball carrier's 
feet left the ground and the flag was pulled, not where the ball landed. 
* Absolutely NO laterals or pitches of any kind are allowed.  Only direct 
handoffs are permitted.

RECEIVING

* All players are eligible to receive passes (including the quarterback if the 
ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
* No motion before the snap is allowed.  Players must be set.
* A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.

PASSING

* The quarterback has a seven-second "pass clock."  If a pass is not thrown 
within seven seconds, play is dead with loss of down.  Once the ball is handed 
off (running play), the seven-second rule is no longer in effect.
* Interceptions change the possession of the ball at the point of the 
interception.  Interceptions are the only changes of possession that do not 
start on the 5-yard line.

DEAD BALLS

* The ball must be snapped between the legs, not off to one side, to start 
play.  The quarterback may line up either directly behind the center or in the 
shotgun formation.
* 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.
	- At the point of an interception (interception returns are not allowed).
	- Ball carrier's knee hits the ground.
	- Ball carrier's flag falls off.
	- At the point where a ball is dropped (fumble).
* There are NO fumbles.  The ball is considered dead at the point where it hits 
the ground.  No loss of possession.

RUSHING THE QUARTERBACK

* All players who rush the quarterback must be a minimum of seven yards from the 
line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.  Any number of players can rush the 
quarterback (blitzing), as long as they are behind the seven yard mark.  Players
not rushing the quarterback may defend on the line of scrimmage.
* The rusher, or rushers, must be given a clear path to the quarterback.
* Once the ball is handed off (running play), the seven-yard rule is no longer 
in effect, and all defenders may cross the line of scrimmage.  A special orange
marker, or the referee, will designate seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
* REMEMBER, NO BLOCKING OR TACKLING IS ALLOWED!

PENALTIES

DEFENSE

- Offsides:  		    5 yards/automatic first down.
- Pass Interference:  	    10 yards/automatic first down.
- Illegal Contact (holding):
		  	    10 yards/automatic first down.
- Illegal FLAG pull (before receiver has the ball):
			    10 yards/automatic first down.
- Illegal Rushing (starting rush from before 7-yard mark):
			    10 yards/automatic first down.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct:  10 yards/automatic first down.

OFFENSE

- Illegal Motion:  	    5 yards/loss of down.
- Illegal Forward Pass (pass thrown from beyond line of	scrimmage):
			    5 yards/loss of down.
- Offensive Pass Interference (illegal pick, pushing defender):
			    10 yards/loss of down.
- FLAG guarding:	    10 yards/loss of down.
- Delay of Game:  	    10 yards/loss of down. (CLOCK STOPS)
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct:  10 yards/loss of down.
	(this includes blocking, stiff arming and moving picks)

* ALL PENALTIES ARE ASSESSED FROM THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE.
* Referees will determine incidental conduct that may result from normal run 
of play.  Please remember that this is a NON-CONTACT SPORT and blocking is
not allowed.
* Only the coach can ask the referee questions about rule clarification and 
interpretations.  Players cannot question judgement calls.
* Games cannot end on a defensive penalty, unless the offense declines it.

MAKE-UP GAMES/POSTPONEMENTS

* We can not play in inclement weather. Playing in the snow is OK, depending
on the field conditions. We can not play in the rain. The League staff will
make the decision on whether a game can, or can not, be played at the
regularly scheduled time. This may be a last minute decision.
* Game postponements will be announced as soon as possible, and these games
will be replayed at our earliest convenience. A make-up schedule with
gametimes will be announced as soon as possible.
* Make-up games will be played on weeknights at Moore Park beginning at
5:30pm (weather permitting). We will make every attempt to complete our game
schedule before the playoffs begin.
* No make-up games can be played until the league has moved to Moore Park
and the BYSA Soccer Season is completed.

PLAYOFFS

* ALL TEAMS MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.  The first and second place teams receive a
bye for the first round and automatically advance to the semi-finals.
* Regular Season tiebreakers will be decided first by head-to-head results,
and second by head-to-head point totals. If there is still a tie then a
coin toss will determine playoff position.
* Trophies will be handed out to the championship winner.
* Game jersies can be kept after the season.

FIELD DIAGRAM

REMEMBER THAT WE ARE ALL HERE TO HAVE FUN.
PLEASE PLAY SAFELY AND RESPONSIBLY.

If you will be absent from a game, please notify your coach or team captain 
ahead of time so a replacement can be called up if needed.  If anyone has any
questions or concerns, please contact Clint or Dale at 412-571-3222.

Note: The City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks and Recreation does not
discriminate in regards to race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, ethnic background, or handicapped condition.