YBTR August 2023

 

1)  TRUE or FALSE?  Running into the kicker and roughing the kicker both carry 10-yard penalties and automatic first down.

TRUE.  With an increase in the number of unannounced "quick kicks" in the league over the last few years, a review of the rulebook revealed that we actually didn't have a penalty for running into or roughing the kicker in the rulebook!  This added last year as an editorial change, and since flag football is a limited contact sport, both penalties carry a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down.  The difference in the two is that roughing the kicker also carries a penalty for possible
ejection for 4 or 8 scrimmage plays, and possible disqualification.

 

2)  TRUE or FALSE?  Players can not wear custom-made flags, even if the belt includes three flags that are the same size and dimensions as the Triple Threat brand flags & contrast with the player's shorts or pants.

FALSE.  The rule was codified this year to clearly allow custom-designed flags to be worn by teams, as long as the flags are the same size and dimensions as the Triple Threat brand flags (Flag size: 2 1/4"W x 14 1/2"L), hang at the player’s sides & posterior, and are permanently attached and secured to the flag belt. The flags also must contrast with the player’s pants. 

3)  TRUE or FALSE?  Junior- and youth-sized footballs are allowed in Womens+ division play.

TRUE.  Prior to the 2022-2023 rulebook, this was an exception to the rulebook for the Womens+ division, and not actually included in the rulebook.  Now, we have complete ball size specifications for both sizes of the football (junior & youth) listed in the official rules.

4)  TRUE or FALSE?  The length of each half is 25 minutes.

TRUE.  The city leaders voted to reduce the length of the halves from 30 minutes to 25 minutes in 2022.

5)  TRUE or FALSE?  Players may wear any type of face mask for health reasons.

FALSE.  Players may wear a face mask for health reasons, but those masks shall not include graphics, logos, or insignia that engenders ill will or taunts an opponent.

6)  TRUE or FALSE?  A pass is considered to be a forward pass if it is thrown with its initial direction toward the opponent’s end line.

FALSE.  This is the old definition of a forward pass.  The new, updated definition matches the NCAA rule that says "A pass is forward if the ball first strikes the ground, a player, an official or anything else anything nearer the opponent’s goal line than the point at which the ball leaves the passer’s hand(s). All other passes are backward passes. When in question a pass thrown in or behind the neutral zone is forward rather than a backward pass" and that "if a Team B player contacts the passer or ball after forward movement begins and the ball leaves the passer’s hand, a forward pass is ruled regardless of where the ball strikes the ground or a player."

7)  TRUE or FALSE?  Once the snapper places both hands on the ball, they may not be removed until a legal snap occurs.

FALSE.  The snapper may remove their hand(s) from the ball after gripping the ball and making their preliminary adjustments, as long as the movement is not considered "abrupt" and does not simulate the snap or start of the play.

8)  TRUE or FALSE?  Team B's initial rusher's entire body must be outside the expanded neutral zone.

TRUE.  Rule 2.3.7 requires the rusher's "entire body" to be "outside the expanded neutral zone" in order to be eligible to be the first B player to cross the line of scrimmage after the snap. 

9)  TRUE or FALSE?  The game clock shall stop when a first down is declared with two minutes or less remaining in either half.

TRUE.  This has always been a rule in our league, however prior to the 2022-2023 rulebook, the wording in rule 3.3.8 was vague as to stopping the clock after a first down was declared.