Thanksgiving Classic 7

Football (7v7) Tournament  -  November 30 to December 1, 2024

 [Event is Over]
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................ 1

BRIEF OVERVIEW......................................................... 2

ROSTER............................................................................ 3

EQUIPMENT.................................................................... 3

POSSESSIONS................................................................. 3

FIELD SET UPS………................................................... 3

ON THE FIELD…………................................................ 3

PASSING GAME............................................................. 4

RECEIVING GAME....................................................... 4

RUNNING GAME...……........................................……5

RUSHING OF THE QUARTERBACK........................  5

DEAD BALLS.................................................................  5

SCORING……………………………….......................... 6

PLAYING TIME.............................................................. 6

SPORTSMANSHIP......................................................... 6

PENALTIES..................................................................... 6

PLEDGE…………………………………………………7

ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY...................................... 8

 



THE BRIEF OVERVIEW
• No contact or blocking is allowed.
• The offense has three (3) downs to pass midfield and then three (3) downs to score. A turnover on downs will occur if the offense is short of the first down or end zone resulting in an immediate possession change spotting the ball at the opponent’s 5 yard line.    
• All players are eligible to receive a pass.
• A 5-yard (15 feet) buffer zone is in place before the end zone and first down (mid-field). This buffer zone is a NO RUN zone. Pass only if in this area.
• All possessions, except interceptions, will start at the 5yard line.
• Interceptions may be returned.
• The quarterback cannot run the ball unless there has been a direct handoff behind the line of scrimmage.
• The player who rushes the QB must start at least seven yards from the line of scrimmage.
• Games are played with two 10-minute halves and a 2-minute half-time
• The clock will only stop at the one-minute warning of the second half for a first downs, incompletion, extra points, out-of-bounds play & only if the game score is within an 8pt. differential.
• Most penalties are five yards and assessed from the line of scrimmage. Most offensive penalties will result in a loss of down. All defensive penalties will result in an automatic first down.
• Game-time is forfeit time. If you are not at your field for your scheduled game at game-time, you will forfeit that game.  

     PLAYERS
• Players will be designated as home or away based on the schedule. The away team will wear the white side of the jersey and the home team will wear the colored side.
• The belts that hold the flags (not the flags themselves) must be secured to ensure they do not hang appearing to be a flag. If the belt is hanging, flag guarding will be called.
• Jerseys must be tucked in at all times.  If a jersey is hanging out, flag guarding may be called.
• Molded and screw-in cleats are permitted.  No metal cleats are allowed.
• No jewelry is permitted during the games.
• Shorts and pants must not have open pockets.


THE ROSTER
• The game is played with five (5) players. However, a minimum of four (4) players must be on the field at all times.
• A player may only appear on one roster per division.
• If a player is found playing on a team illegally, the team will forfeit that game.



• BALL TYPE:
8u     NFL FLAG PeeWee
10u       NFL FLAG JUNIOR BALL
12u     NFL FLAG JUNIOR BALL
14u      NFL FLAG JUNIOR BALL  
•     Or equivalent size ball. NO small balls!

THE POSSESSIONS
• The referee will flip a coin before the start of the game to determine possession of the ball. The Away team will make the call. The options are to choose offense, defense, or you may defer your choice to the second half.

FIELD SET UP
• The field is 64 yards in total length by 25 yards in total width.  
• Teams must choose opposite sides of the field to watch the games.
• All possession changes will start at the offensive team’s 5-yard line. *Exception: Interceptions will be spotted at point of interception.
• A 5-yard (15 feet) buffer zone is in place during all games. This buffer zone completely surrounds the playing field. This zone assists in maintaining the safety of our players and spectators during game play. Only coaches, players, and league personnel are allowed within this zone during the game. Coaches are asked to enforce this rule.  
• Each team is responsible for cleaning up the field and sidelines, after the game.

NO RUN ZONE:
A 5-yard (15 feet) buffer zone is in place before the end zone and first down (mid-field). This buffer zone is a NO RUN zone. Pass only if in this area. Exception: NOT in PreK-K or1st-2nd division.

FIELD COACHING:
8u    1 coach allowed on the playing field.
10u    NO coaches allowed on the playing field.
12u    NO coaches allowed on the playing field.
14u    NO coaches are allowed on the playing field.
• When playing in a split division, the rules from the oldest age apply.
•      8u- The coach must set up the players and then get to the sideline. We can’t have adults on field/Secondary in way of players running etc.
•       10u, 12u,14u - the coaches are not allowed on the field during the game except for during a timeout.
* when you call play have your team huddle w/ you on sideline. It creates better energy from players and speeds up the game. More time & more balls to distribute!


NORCAL FLAG FOOTBALL RULE BOOK

 THE PASSING GAME
• Only one forward pass per down. All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• QB has a seven (7) second “pass clock.”  If the pass is not thrown within seven seconds, the play will be ruled dead, with a loss of down.  Once the ball is handed off, the seven-second rule is no longer in effect.
• Shovel passes are legal, but must be beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Interceptions and returns are allowed for ages 4th- 5th Grade and up. For all younger ages, an interception is a dead ball at the point of interception and the possession is that of the intercepting team.
 
THE RECEIVING GAME
• Once the offensive player catches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, all other offensive players must come to a stop. Downfield screening or blocking is illegal
• All players must start with their flag belts on. If a player starts without his flag belt properly secure with all flags attached, his team will be accessed a 5-yard and loss of down penalty.
• All players are eligible to receive passes (including the QB, if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage).
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time.  
• A receiver is down where his/her flag belt is pulled, however if the ball crosses the plane of the first down (or goal line) it counted as a first down (or touchdown)
• If a receiver’s flag belt inadvertently falls off or is being held up by player without contact from another player, that player will be ruled down.  
• Receiver must have at least one foot in bounds when making a catch.
• The football tipped off of a teammate, can be caught (is in play) as long as the initial receiver does not show possession of the ball.

THE RUNNING GAME
• Once the offensive player runs the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, all other offensive players must come to a stop. Downfield screening or blocking is illegal.)  
• The QB cannot run the ball, QB can only run the ball if he or she has taken a direct hand-off.
• Only direct hand-offs behind the line of scrimmage are legal.  Anyone behind the line of scrimmage can receive a hand-off.  Exception:  The ball cannot be handed off between the center’s legs. But rather wrapped around to him.
• No laterals, tosses or pitches of any kind, anywhere on the field, are allowed.
• The player who takes the hand-off can throw the ball, as long as he or she does not pass the line of scrimmage first.
• Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush.
• Once the ball has been handed off, the seven-second pass rule is no longer in effect.
• Defensive players cannot pass the line of scrimmage, during a direct hand-off play, until the ball is handed off.
• Spinning is allowed.  However, jumping or diving to advance the ball is not allowed.

THE RUSHING OF THE QUARTERBACK
• Any number of players may rush the quarterback as long as they are a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage. The rush marker will be designated by the referee, prior to the snap of the ball
• If the offense draws any rusher to commit or jump that seven-yard marker, that rusher CANNOT rush during that play. However, any other defender that is seven yards back may rush instead.
• The rusher must declare their rush angle or path to the QB by standing anywhere behind the 7 yard rush marked by the referee. If this path is crossed AND contact is made involving the rusher then an offensive penalty will be assessed.
• The rusher CANNOT run straight into the center. The center has the right away if the rusher does not take an angle to the QB. If contact is made with the center by the rusher who is has not taken an angle to the quarterback a defensive obstruction penalty will be called.
• Players not rushing the quarterback may defend the line of scrimmage, as long as he or she is at least TWO yards from the line of scrimmage.
• A rusher can attempt to block the pass or vision of QB by jumping straight up ONLY. No swiping at ball or leaning into QB.

THE DEAD BALLS
• The ball must be snapped between the center's legs to start a play.
• A play is ruled dead when: the ball carrier’s flag is pulled; the ball carrier steps out of bounds; any part of the ball carrier’s body other than hands touch the ground; the ball carrier lets the ball hit the ground; or after a touchdown or extra point is scored.
• There are no fumbles.  The ball is spotted where the player loses control of the ball.
• If there is an inadvertent whistle during a play, the offense has the choice of either the result of the play at the point the whistle was blown, or replaying the down.
• If there is an inadvertent whistle during a passing play and the ball is in flight, the down is replayed.


SCORING
• Scoring:  
Touchdown = 6 points
Extra point (pass only), 5 yards = 1 pt.
Extra point, 12 yards =  2 points
Safety = 2 points.

•A Mercy rule will be declared once a 28 pt. differential has been obtained. The game will then be officially finished, however if there is time left in game the losing team will then have ball for 4 downs or until they score (coaches can agree which)..

PLAYING TIME

Games are played with two 10-minute halve and a 2-minute half-time.

• There is a 30-second huddle clock, which starts once the line of scrimmage is marked.      
• Each team is allowed one 60-second timeout per half. Timeouts do NOT carry over into the next half.
• Referee may stop the clock at own discretion.  
• The clock will only stop at the one-minute warning of the second half for a first downs, incompletion, extra points, out-of-bounds play & only if the game score is within an 8 pt. differential.  

OVERTIME

ONLY in Champ. - Coin flip determines who goes first. Team can go for 1pt or 2 pt conversion. Opponent has to match the conversion or beat it. If they both convert on a 1pt it goes to a 2 pt the remainder of the rounds. If first team goes for 1pt and converts the opponent can go for 1 pt or 2 pt to win.


SPORTSMANSHIP

• Trash talking is not allowed. Trash talking is offensive language used against opposing coaches, players, officials, league personnel or fans. Officials will give one and only one warning. If this trash talking continues, the offender may be ejected from the game.  

• If any league personnel or official witnesses any act of rough housing, including but not limited to, tackling, elbowing, cheap shots, or any other unsportsmanlike act, the game will

be stopped and that player may be ejected. Further disciplinary action may follow including expulsion from the league.

• After the game, teams are expected to form a line at midfield and high-five and congratulate the opposing team regardless the outcome of the game.  



PENALTIES
• Defensive penalties are 5 yards and an automatic first down.
• Offensive penalties are 5 yards and loss of down (except pre-snap penalty of false start or illegal motion) from the line of scrimmage. EXCEPT for flag guarding, diving and jumping which will be a 5yd penalty from the spot of infraction.
• Penalties on interceptions will be assessed where the interception occurred.  Exception: If the game referee judges that a player intentionally or flagrantly commits a penalty then the penalty will be at the point of the foul, no less than the point of interception.
• All Personal Fouls and Unsportsmanlike Conduct will result in a 15yd. penalty and loss of down or automatic first down.
• Any type of blocking or screening is illegal and will result in a penalty.
• Extra attempts: If the offense throws an interception and commits an infraction after the interception, when the opposing team takes offensive possession they will get an additional 5 yards from the line of scrimmage.  If a flagrant foul or intentional foul occurs on the extra point play, the penalty will still be assessed from the line of scrimmage.
• Only head coaches may approach the referee. Judgment calls cannot be argued.
• A protest on a rule interpretation must take place before the next play is started.  League Directors arbitrate and have the final say. If a team protests a rule interpretation and is proven wrong, the team will be charged a timeout.  If the team doesn’t have a timeout then that team will be penalized as a delay of game.
• Games will not end on any accepted live ball defensive penalty.
• Any offensive penalty in your own end zone will result in a safety (2 points).
• A second penalty on an extra point, will equate to the number of points the offensive team was attempting and be awarded.


PLEDGE
I trust in God
I love my country
And will respect its laws
I will play fair
And strive to win
But win or lose
I will always do my best
The Pledge intended for “I trust in God” to reflect the statement “In God We Trust” on U.S. coinage and currency, as well as the statement including a reference to God in the Pledge of Allegiance
NorCal Flag Football is a private organization. It is not a government organization, and thus is not bound by the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights with regard to the First Amendment’s prohibition against the state establishing an “official” religion. Consequently, if any pledge is recited before games or distributed in literature by member leagues, or if a prayer is recited before games, or if the National Anthem is played, it is not an infringement of anyone’s rights under the U.S. Constitution.
Rather, it is an expression of those rights, in a private, non-governmental setting. This is not mitigated by the league may benefit from the use of public facilities, as do many children’s organizations, church groups, service clubs, and other organizations that often do have specific requirements regarding religion or professions of belief
______________________________________________________________

NORCAL FLAG FOOTBALL provides an atmosphere where players, families and friends will feel comfortable enjoying a day of football.  Any person who displays negative behaviors that jeopardize that environment will be asked to leave.


NORCAL FLAG FOOTBALL is committed to positive sportsmanship and safety therefore; operates under a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY.


Thank you for your support in upholding the rules that govern play and behavior in NorCal Flag Football.

Robert Foster
NCFF Director

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