Flag Football Games May 1st!

When and where is it? 

Friday, May 1st, starting at 2:45 pm at Pat Butler Elementary School, 700 Nicklaus Street, Paso Robles.

What should my student bring? 

Students should bring their Pat Butler jerseys and a change of clothes to school if they will not be playing in what they are wearing that day. Students should bring a water bottle and athletic shoes (NO CROCS!). For safety reasons, students who are not wearing proper footwear will not be able to participate. Students who have not attended at least one practice will not be able to participate. 

How will the game look? How long will it be? 

We will be competing against the Winifred Pifer Elementary flag football teams. Both 5th and 6th-grade games will run simultaneously. 

All student athletes must tuck in their jerseys, so wearing athletic shorts or sweatpants is highly encouraged! Jerseys cannot hang over shorts/sweats as this prevents defenders from pulling flags. Failure to comply will result in a penalty on the team. 

• Playing: Games will consist of two 20-minute halves, with no stoppage of the clock, and a 5-minute halftime. Games will be played with seven offensive players (including a center) and seven defensive players, with substitutions as needed. The ball will start on the 40-yard line, with the offense having 4 downs to advance 20 yards for a first down. A change of possession occurs if they fail to get to the 20-yard line or they turn the ball over on an interception. Each team will advance in the same direction. All players will start each half as assigned to either the offensive or defensive side of the ball. Once a player is assigned to either offense or defense, they will continue to play on that side until the end of the half (*Exception: if a team cannot field enough players to fill both sides of the ball, then coaches may use their discretion to move players).

• Scoring: If the offense reaches the 20-yard line without a change of possession, they will have 4 downs to score a touchdown. If they fail to score, a change of possession has occurred, and the ball will be placed on the 40-yard line. If they score, they will have the opportunity to go for 1 point from the 3-yard line, or 2 points from the 8-yard line. They may only pass the ball on a conversion attempt. 6 points will be awarded to a team if they score on an interception. 

• Rules: There is no tackling or blocking of runners once a ball carrier has the football. This is 100% safety based, and referees are instructed to call this very closely. The ball carrier may not use their hands or arms to protect their flags. Defensive players may not pull flags before a player is in possession of the ball. Flag guarding is not allowed. There will be no attempt to trip or tackle a ball carrier, and the football may not be stripped from the ball carrier.  

• Score Cap Rule: If a team is winning by 28 or more points or reaches a 28-point margin with 10 minutes or more left in the 2nd half, the score/winner will be recorded and finalized at that point in the game. 

Spectator Guidelines: 

Please bring a chair to enjoy watching the games, but we kindly ask that you stay clear of the fields and sidelines to avoid interfering with the athletes. It is the spectator's responsibility to enjoy the games within the bounds of good sportsmanship. It is fun and exciting to watch any competitive sport, and natural to cheer for your student/team. Good fans also recognize good play and hard work from either side. Please be respectful of our volunteer coaches, volunteer officials, and opposing schools. Games may be halted or concluded prematurely if spectators display disrespectful behavior or aggression towards coaches, athletes, or volunteers, and they may be requested to exit the school. Our main goal is to make sure the kids have a fun and enjoyable experience! 

NOTE: Volunteer referees are instructed to teach, not over officiate. Many times, referees will teach the kids what is expected without flagging the offense or defense on certain penalties unless teams are abusing the concepts.

What do I do when the game is over or if my student needs to leave early? 

For the safety of our athletes, every student must be checked out by a coach before leaving campus. If you need to leave early, please be sure to check out with a coach! If your child walks home, please have them let their coach know when they are leaving. 

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to reach out, and I will get back to you as soon as possible!