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Rules and Regulations
Team Zone Athletics Code of Conduct
1. All Team Zone Athletics players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators are to conduct themselves in a way that demonstrates respect and integrity to all others.
2. The emotional and physical well-being of youth participants will always be placed above the personal desire to win.
3. Good sportsmanship will be always displayed.
4. Players, coaches, parents and spectators will always respect the decisions of the referees and players, parents and spectators will always respect the decisions of the coaches.
5. No profanity, violence or verbal threats are allowed at any event.
6. Any grievances between coaches, officials or other parties should never be communicated on or about the field of play in view of the spectators and parents.
7. All Team Zone Athletics players, coaches, officials, parents and spectators will not belittle or ridicule anyone involved in a youth sporting event, whether in private, public, in-person or online.
8. Every parent, coach, referee and spectator will do their part to keep sports fun and positive for every youth participant.
9. All players will only be eligible to play within their specified age and grade level. This promotes fair play and safety.
Flag Football Rules – Pre-K-8th Grade
Section 1 Season Dynamic and Game Play Structure
1. The season will consist of a 5-game regular season with a 2-week playoff or consolation games (All Teams will play 7 games in total)
2. Trophies will be awarded to Championship Teams; 2nd place teams will receive medals
3. 6 on 6 Gameplay Format on a 25-yard wide x 50-yard long fields, fields will run East to West
4. Team Zone Athletics Flag Football Teams will be comprised of 10-12 athletes (maximum) of any gender
5. If a Team is participating in Spring Flag Football and is affiliated with a local organization, the organization is responsible for communicating the roster make-up with Team Zone Athletics
6. If an athlete is not affiliated with any local program, Team Zone Athletics will place the athlete on a Team
7. All games will consist of 2-20 minute halves (Running Clock) with a 3 minute half-time, with 1-30 second timeout per half
8. Referees will be responsible for keeping time on the Field
9. The Main Scoreboard will post a 50-minute clock for each time slot just as a reference to make sure games stay on schedule
10. Head Coaches will receive 2-Footballs and a set of Flags for their team
a. Once Rosters are Final, Head Coaches are responsible for communicating practice times and locations if they choose to hold Practice
11. Game Schedules will be emailed out weekly and will also be posted on the Team Zone Athletics Website
Section 2 Game Play Rules
1. All Teams will start out with the ball at their own 5-yard line and have 3 downs to cross mid-field, if they do not cross mid-field the other team takes over possession at their own 5-yard line
2. NO pass rush, Referees are responsible for enforcing a “coverage sack” if the ball is not released within 5 seconds. This is to emphasize the passing game and run game limitations
3. If a Team crosses mid-field within 3 downs, they then have 4 downs to try and score
4. Extra points are worth 1 point from the 5-yard line and 2 points from the 10-yard line if the attempt is successful (this is for all grade levels)
5. Flag Guarding:
a. A player cannot use their hand to swat away the opposing defender’s hands when attempting to pull a flag.
b. A player cannot cover up their flags to not allow a defender access to a Flag.
6. Fumbles: There are NO Fumble Recoveries, if a fumble occurs during an offensive possession, it will be ruled as a dead ball at the spot the fumble occurred
7. There are no points awarded for any interception run back on any offensive possession or any extra point attempt (this is to protect the integrity of the game)
a. If an interception takes place during an offensive possession, the ball will be spotted accordingly to where the interception took place and will be ruled a “dead ball” at the spot of the interception
8. There are No-Safeties for any bad snap that goes over the quarterback’s head when they are at their own 5-yard line **If a snap goes over the head of a QB and into the endzone, it is a loss of down and they retain possession
9. If a snap occurs during any other down and at any other locations on the field, it will be ruled as a dead ball at the original spot with a loss of down (For example 3rd down at the 20, snap goes over the head, the ball will be placed back at the 20 and it is 3rd down)
10. A player is ruled down where the Flag is pulled, not where the Football is when the Flag is pulled
11. Diving is not allowed at any time to advance the Football (on offense)
a. If a player’s Flag falls off during possession of the Football, they are down where their Flag fell off (this is to help with shoving or 1 hand touch) Players and Coaches are responsible for ensuring that their Flags are worn properly
b. If a player’s Flag falls off prior to catching a pass, they are ruled down where the catch was made, not where the Flag fell off. (2-hand touch applies)
12. Flags cannot be tied at all, if a Player’s Flags are tied and a referee notices it, that Player will be out for a play and a loss of down will occur
13. Grade Levels Pre-K/K, 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th are allowed Unlimited Runs
14. Grade Levels 5th/6th and 7th/8th are passing only; no runs are allowed at any point **All passes must be completed beyond the line of scrimmage
15. Laterals are allowed once a player has crossed the line of scrimmage with possession of the Football
16. Laterals can take place behind the line of scrimmage on passing levels, but must be advanced by throwing across the line of scrimmage after the lateral
17. There is no physical blocking of any kind allowed on any level
18. Grade Levels Pre-K/K, 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th ALL Defenders must line up at a minimum of 3 yards off the line of scrimmage. Referees should use a bean bag of some sort as a point of reference for athletes.
19. Defender’s may walk up on receivers at the Line of Scrimmage, but cannot “jam” or “press” the receiver; This rule only applies to 5th/6th and 7th/8th graders
21. Tackling of any kind is prohibited; Referees are to enforce this rule to the Player and Coach and have the authority to eject a player for “excessive contact.”
22. All players are to be guaranteed 20 minutes of playing time per game **This rule will be strictly enforced and if it is not followed, then the Coach will not be allowed to Coach anymore
23. A single player may not score more than 3 Touchdown’s in a single game; this is to ensure Coaches are providing other player’s opportunities and showing good Sportsmanship
a. ** This Rule ONLY applies to Grade Levels Pre-K/K, 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th
b. ** If a player does score a 4th Touchdown, that score will be removed and will result in a loss of down
24. The Game Clock will be kept by the referees on the field, the clock will stop in the 2nd half only on dead balls with 2:00 or less left in the game
25. One Coach is allowed on the Field for Pre-K/K, 1st/2nd and 3rd/4th, all other grade levels the Coaches will remain on the sideline
Game Night Logistics
1. All Teams will be required to check-in with Team Zone Athletics Representative prior to the start of their scheduled game
2. On game nights, Teams can warm-up in the grass areas on the North or South end of the Field
3. Teams must remain on the North and South ends of the track until the prior games have ended
4. NO Teams are allowed on the Track at anytimev
5. Teams will exit the Field on the North and South Ends
6. Teams are not allowed in the practice areas until 45 minutes prior to the start of their game (This will be heavily enforced to ensure Teams have plenty of time to warm-up)
7. All Scores will be displayed on the West Side of the Stadium
8. Coaches are responsible for checking in with the Score Table at the end of the game
9. Team Zone Athletics is not responsible for any cancellations due to weather or any other reasons beyond our control
10. If a Game Night is cancelled due to weather, Team Zone Athletics will work with the Joliet Park District to make the games up on the Sunday of the same week (Field Availability and Times are subject to change) **Make up games are strictly contingent on Busey Bank Field Availability
11. Any Questions Regarding Rules should be emailed to: teamzoneathletics@gmail.com
Section 4 Schedule, Standings and Playoffs
1. The Regular Season Schedule and Playoff Schedule will be posted on the Team Zone Athletics Website
a. Coaches will be given a copy of the Schedule, prior to the start of the season
b. Schedules will be emailed to all athletes and families participating in Spring Flag Football through Team Zone Athletics
2. Standings will be kept by Team Zone Athletics and Updated on Tuesdays of the current Game Week
a. Standings for each Division will be posted on the Team Zone Athletics Website
3. Any discrepancies in scores or standings should be brought up to Team Zone Athletics
4. Team Zone Athletics will defer to the Score that was reported by the Referees and Scorekeeper
5. All Teams will participate in the Playoffs
6. Playoff Structure will be as followed:
a. If there are 8 Teams in a Division, then the Top 4 will play for the Championship and the lower 4 will compete in the Consolation Bracket
7. Tie-Breakers
a. Head to Head Record against opponents is the 1st Tie-Breaker
b. Opponent Win Percentage of the Top 4 Teams is the 2nd Tie-Breaker
c. Points for and against do not count for Standings or Tie-Breakers (this is to ensure that Teams are not running up the score or not allowing teams to score)
d. In the event that 2 Teams have not played each other and their Win Percentage vs. Opponents is the same, then there will be a “Play-In Game” on Sunday to determine who should be in the top 4
i. The Winner will be placed as the #4 Seed in the Winner Bracket and the Loser will be placed as the #5 Seed in the Consolation Bracket
Flag Football Rules - 9-12 Grade
Section 1 Season Dynamic and Game Play Structure
1. High School 7 on 7 Flag Football Teams will consist of athletes that are in High School
a. There will be 2-Divisions of Flag Football
I. The 1st Division will be made up of Freshman and Sophomores
II. The 2nd Division will be made up of Juniors and Seniors
III. Teams do not have to have both classes on their team
2. The season will consist of a 5-game regular season with a 1-Day Tournament (All Teams will play a minimum of 7 games total)
a. Playoffs will be played as a Bracket Style Tournament (every team is guaranteed 2-Playoff Games)
3. Trophies will be awarded to the Championship Teams, 2nd place teams will receive a medal
Section 2 Game Play Rules
1. Game Play Field is 40 yards in length with a standard football field with of a 160 feet. Endzones are Standard 10 yards in depth.
2. Games will be played with 2-20 minute halves with a 5:00 halftime.
3. Teams can use a Center for snaps, however the center is not eligible as a receiver.
4. If Teams choose to no use a center, the ball will be placed on the QB Tee with a 4 second buzzer.
5. On Offense the quarterback is allowed 4 seconds to pass the ball to a receiver. If he does not make pass within four seconds, the whistle is blown dead and the play is dead. No defensive players are allowed to rush the quarterback. The quarterback is not allowed to run the ball to try and pick up yardage.
6. The offense has three plays to pick up 15 yards for a first down. If they fail to get a first down, the opposing team gets the ball on offense.
7. If the offense will then have three more plays to reach the 10 yard line. If they fail to get a first down, the opposing team gets the ball on offense.
8. Once the team has reached the 10 yard line, they will have 4 plays to try and score. If they fail to score, the opposing team gets the ball on offense.
9. There is no kicking or punting in 7 on 7.
10. All passes must be a forward pass. The only laterals allowed are after a completion of a forward pass.
11. A fumble is ruled a dead ball at the spot of the fumble with possession given to the last team to touch the ball before the fumble.
12. Defenses can score points by intercepting the ball. If a team intercepts a pass, they will receive 3 points and a turnover on downs will take place. If a team stops a team from gaining a first down, they will receive 2 points and have a chance to take over on downs.
13. Anytime that a defense takes over on downs, the ball will be place at the 40 yard line.
14. A player is ruled down where the Flag is pulled, not where the Football is when the Flag is pulled
15. Diving is not allowed at any time to advance the Football (on offense)
16. If a player's Flag falls off during possession of the Football, they are down where their Flag's fell off (this is to help with shoving or 1 hand touch) Player's and Coaches are responsible for ensuring that their Flags are worn properly
17. If a player's Flag falls off prior to catching a pass, they are ruled down where the catch was made, not where the Flag's fell off
18. Flags cannot be tied at all, if a Player's Flags are tied and a referee notices it, that Player will be out for a play and a loss of down will occur
19. The Game Clock will be kept by the referees on the field, the clock will stop in the 2nd half only on dead balls with 2:00 or less left in the game
Section 3 Game Night Logistics
1. All Teams will be required to check-in with Team Zone Athletics Representative prior to the start of their scheduled game
2. On game nights, Teams can warm-up in the grass areas on the North or South end of the Field
3. Teams must remain on the North and South ends of the track until the prior games have ended
4. NO Teams are allowed on the Track at anytime
5. Teams will exit the Field's on the North and South Ends
6. Teams are not allowed in the practice areas until 45 minutes prior to the start of their game (This will be heavily enforced to ensure Teams have plenty of time to warm-up)
7. All Scores will be displayed on the West Side of the Stadium
8. Coaches are responsible for checking in with the Score Table at the end of the game
9. Team Zone Athletics is not responsible for any cancellations due to weather or any other reasons beyond our control
10. If a Game Night is cancelled due to weather, Team Zone Athletics will work with the Joliet Park District to make the games up on the Sunday of the same week (Field Availability and Times are subject to change) **Make up games are strictly contingent on Busey Bank Field Availability
11. Any Questions Regarding Rules should be emailed to: teamzoneathletics@gmail.com
Section 4 Schedule, Standings and Playoffs
1. The Regular Season Schedule and Playoff Schedule will be posted on the Team Zone Athletics Website
a. Coaches will be given a copy of the Schedule, prior to the start of the season
b. Schedules will be emailed to all athletes and families participating in Spring Flag Football through Team Zone Athletics
2. Standings will be kept by Team Zone Athletics and Updated on Tuesday's of the current Game Week
a. Standings for each Division will be posted on the Team Zone Athletics Website
3. Any discrepancies in scores or standings should be brought up to Team Zone Athletics
4. Team Zone Athletics will defer to the Score that was reported by the Referees and Scorekeeper
5. All Teams will participate in the Playoffs
6. Playoff Structure will be as followed:
a. If there are 8 Teams in a Division, then the Top 4 will play for the Championship and the lower 4 will compete in the Consolation Bracket
7. Tie-Breakers
a. Head to Head Record against opponents is the 1st Tie-Breaker
b. Opponent Win Percentage of the Top 4 Teams is the 2nd Tie-Breaker
c. Points for and against do not count for Standings or Tie-Breakers (this is to ensure that Teams are not running up the score or not allowing teams to score)
d. In the event that 2 Teams have not played each other and their Win Percentage vs. Opponents is the same, then there will be a “Play-In Game” on Sunday to determine who should be in the top 4
I. The Winner will be placed as the #4 Seed in the Winner Bracket and the Loser will be placed as the #5 Seed in the Consolation Bracket
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