5 V 5 & 6 V 6 FLAG GAME FORMAT

K–2ND GRADE / 8U DIVISION RULES & GOALS

• 45-second play clock.
• Unlimited runs allowed.
• One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense.
• Pass count is 5 seconds until a “sack.”
• Goals:
  • Focus on teaching proper fundamentals.
  • Help players line up correctly and run plays in the right direction.
  • Be flexible with the rules to encourage learning.

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3RD–4TH GRADE / 10U DIVISION RULES & GOALS

• 30-second play clock.
• Two runs allowed per offensive possession:
  • One run to gain a 1st down.
  • One run to advance toward the end zone.
• No runs within 5 yards of the end zone.
• No runs during extra point attempts.
• One coach is allowed on the field for both offense and defense.
• Pass count is 4 seconds until a “sack.”
• Goals:
  • Begin limiting the use of run plays.
  • Encourage the use of passing plays.
  • Teach players how to line up and apply basic football fundamentals.

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5TH–6TH GRADE / 12U DIVISION RULES & GOALS

• 30-second play clock.
• One run allowed per offensive possession.
• No runs within 5 yards of the end zone.
• No runs during extra point attempts.
• No coaches are allowed on the field.
• Pass count is 4 seconds until a “sack.”
• Goals:
  • Emphasize passing over running.
  • Encourage teams to develop passing-focused strategies.

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7TH–8TH GRADE / 14U DIVISION RULES & GOALS

• 30-second play clock.
• Defense can rush the QB only once per defensive possession.
  • Defender must line up 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage and at least 3 yards away from the rusher bag.
  • Defender must declare to the official they are rushing the QB for that down.
• QB can run the ball if the defense decides to rush the QB.
• No coach allowed on the field.
• Pass count is 3 seconds until a "sack."

Goals:

• Transition into a pass-heavy game similar to high school 7v7 formats.
• Players focus on applying their QB, WR, and DB skills learned in coaching.

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9TH–12TH GRADE / 16U & 18U DIVISION RULES & GOALS

• 30-second play clock.
• Defense can rush the QB except:
  • At the +5-yard line (5 yards from their own end zone).
  • At the +5 goal line (5 yards from the opponent's end zone).
• Defense does not need to declare to the official when rushing.
• Defender must line up 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage and at least 3 yards away from the rusher bag.
• QB can run the ball if the defense decides to rush the QB.
• No coach allowed on the field.
• Pass count is 3 seconds until a "sack."

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7TH–12TH GRADE / 14U–18U DEFENSIVE RUSHING RULES

• Rushing/blitzing the QB is allowed outside the +5-yard line.
• No QB rushing/blitzing is allowed when the line of scrimmage (LOS) is at the +5-yard line.
• Rushing can occur from any defensive position if the player is:
  • 7 yards behind the LOS.
  • At least 3 yards away from the rusher bag.
• Multiple players may rush the QB.
• Penalty: A 5-yard penalty is enforced if an offensive player obstructs the rusher's path.

Defensive players can cross the LOS when:

• A handoff, fake handoff, or backward pass has occurred.
• This "Deception Rule" ensures fair play and encourages passing game development.

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Interceptions:

• Can be returned for a touchdown.
• If the flag is pulled before the end zone, possession begins where the defender is flagged.

If a team leads by 35+ points:

• They have 2 downs to achieve a first down and 2 downs to score until the point difference drops below 35.
• The trailing team starts offensive possessions at the +10-yard line with 4 downs to score.
• If the point difference drops below 35, regular rules resume.

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Grade 7–12/14U–18U divisions:

• No defensive QB rush/blitz is allowed.

The offense must release the ball within:

• K–2nd Grade/8U: 5 seconds.
• 3rd–4th Grade/10U: 4 seconds.
• 5th–6th Grade/12U: 4 seconds.
• 7th–12th Grade/14U–18U: 3 seconds.

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Pass count examples:

• K–2nd Grade/8U: "One one-thousand... Five one-thousand... SACK!"
• 3rd–6th Grade/10U–12U: "One one-thousand... Four one-thousand... SACK!"
• 7th–12th Grade/14U–18U: "One one-thousand... Three one-thousand... SACK!"

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Additional rules:

• Forward passes must cross the LOS.
• No forward passes behind the LOS; this results in a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
• QB handoffs alert the defense to cross the LOS.

K–4th Grade/8U–10U and All-Girls Divisions:

• The center may side-saddle snap.
• Side-saddle snaps must be directly to the QB without trick plays.

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5th–12th Grade/12U–18U:

• The center must snap between the legs.

Offensive Penalties

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Defensive Penalties

General Rules