FLAG FOOTBALL THAT’S NOT FOR WUSSIES
WHEN: Saturday mornings, 10am arrival with play beginning at or before 10:30am
LOCATION: Blue Jacket Park, 2501 General Rees Avenue, Orlando
This park is huge with lots of open green space. This park has a central Orlando location so it should be easy for everyone to get to. More details here, http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/html/Parks/BlueJacket.htm
BALL:
NFL regulation ball
APPAREL: bring a white and a dark T-shirt to the game, eventually we’ll have pennies for people to wear but for now, bring two colors. Otherwise you’ll be running to Walgreen’s to buy a cheap shirt so we can even out teams, or sitting on the sidelines. Cleats are highly recommended, no metal. UNIQUE FLAG FOOTBALL GAME PLAY
The concept here is flag football with some reasonable contact. An offense will be required to keep an offensive line and the defense can rush the quarterback at will with its line, in turn. Blocking and pass rush will happen. But blocking must be reasonable and controlled. The focus will be on speed and movement, not power. Why this style? Because standard flag football is too pansy. It’s also confusing if 6 or 7 receivers are running around trying to get open. Plus, this style will allow for the inclusion of a run game and give us a more pure enjoyment of the game. The concept is flushed out in detail below. FLAGS
Players will wear the flags provided around the waist. When a flag is pulled the player is down at the spot. Stiff-arming is permitted, but blocking flags with your hands is not permitted. OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE LINES
An offense will be required to have a center and two guards next to the center at minimum. If they wish more lineman can be added. One of the guards on the end of the line can be designated as a tight end and thus can run a route and catch a pass on that play. The designated tight end lineman will identify himself before each snap (a simple raise of the hand and the words “tight end” will do.) At minimum, a defense will be required to have one less linemen than the offense. So if the offense has a center and two guards, the defensive must have two down lineman. One of these lineman can break off and cover the tight end. The defensive linemen must line up inside the guards, so they cannot be in an OLB sort of position. Of course each play begins when the center snaps the ball to the QB. So let’s look at this graphically:
DL DL*
G C G*
This above example would work. Let’s assume the G* is the indicated tight end guard, he could run a pass route and the DL* could cover him. Obviously this means we need at least 6 players per team to have a worthwhile game. That would allow for the center, two guards, a QB and two WRs. Even more players make it even better. No team can have more than 3 WR or 2 WR and one RB on each play. Extra players will have to go to the line. Again this is necessary to prevent a willy-nilly secondary. Let’s have a look at offenses with 9 players:
WR WR G* G C G G WR
QB
or
WR G G C G G* WR
QB
RB
In both of the above scenarios, the DL would be required to have at least four down lineman, since that would be one less than the 5 OL. The game will obviously have some pretty cool action in the trenches. It’s a blessing that we can play the game and enjoy that aspect of football. But to do so there will be blocking and it must be done in good spirit and safely. BLOCKING
Blocking in this game will be all about maneuvering and speed. As will pass rush. We are here to have fun and enjoy the game on a deeper level with this arrangement. So we must respect each other and realize yes we want to win, but no one is getting paid here. No bull rushing or chop blocking. No shoving the s**t out of someone and knocking him to the ground. It’s just bad sportsmanship and will get you banned. No blocking or pass rushing with hands above the chest. This will prevent any contact to the neck and face and ensure that the blocking is safe. Essentially, focus on speed, movement and technique and realize we are to treat each other as friends here. We aren’t afraid of contact, but it must be safe. We all have day jobs and families. KICKOFFS, THE FIELD & FIRST DOWNS
The field will be set up with cones. The offense will start near their own goal line, and the field length will be split into thirds, basically giving the offense a chance to achieve two first downs as they advance the ball past the first down markers. If a team turns the ball over on downs, the other team will simply start on offense near their own goal line, not at the position where downs were lost. There is no punting. TURNOVERS
Interceptions can be returned. The offense will play from the spot where the interceptor is downed. This may create situations for easy first downs and scores after a pick, so, just don’t throw the pick and you won’t have to worry about that. GAME TIME & SCORING
Touchdowns are 6 points. The offense will then have a chance at an extra point play that will start at a designated distance close to the end zone, probably about 5 yards out. PENALTIES & OFFICIATING
People have played pick up basketball games for years without refs and they seem always agree when someone’s been fouled. The same goes here. Just be honest and admit if you messed with a WR too early or held a pass rusher. All penalties will be 5 paces and a reply of the down for the offense. The organizer of this league will make decisions as a head referee (even while playing) if it becomes necessary due to excessive disagreement. This game is about fun and playing, not nick picking and cheating will not be tolerated. FIELD GOALS
That would be awesome. But we don’t have goal posts. So, no.
