Season Information:

• Spring Season:
• Ages 5-8 year olds 
• Register
• Youth Program Discounted Fees: Minneapolis residents can choose a price that aligns with their financial situation. Read more about Citywide Youth Program Discounts - Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Divisions: 

• Age Divisions:  
• 6U: 5 and 6 year olds (Kindergarten and 1st grade)
•   8U: 7 and 8 year olds (2nd and 3rd grades)
•   Ages 4 and under-contact your local recreation center to see if there are options
• Two Divisions: Girls, Open (Anyone can compete in the open division)
• Roster Size 6U and 8U: (soccer 6 field) 12 players per team, maximum of 2 non-Minneapolis residents. 

League Objectives:

• 6U/8U Flag Football will play under the rules of NFL Flag Football. The MPRB bulletin highlights modifications and clarification of certain rules.
• Encourage all players participation
• Develop basic flag football skills in all participants
• Foster an environment where sportsmanship and self-esteem building come first
• Everyone involved has a positive experience
• This is an instructional league and SCORE IS NOT KEPT – it is not about winning or losing and especially not about beating your opponents.
• All Players should rotate through all positions.
• Encourage and exemplify good sportsmanship. Encourage compliments to opposing players for their good efforts.

Players:

• 6U Leagues – players 5-6 years or entering Kindergarten and 1st grades
• 8U Leagues – players 7-8 years or entering 2nd and 3rd grade
• Games will be 7 on 7. Players may be borrowed from the opposing team if needed.
• Roster limit: 12 players

Weather/Field Conditions:

• Flag football is a game that is played in all weather. Games are to be played unless there is unsafe or severe weather (lightening, tornadoes, etc)
•  Practice may be canceled due to field conditions. Park staff will let coaches know prior to practice. 

Equipment:

• No shirt or pants/may cover any portion of a player’s flags. Players’ shirts must be tucked in the player’s pants if they hang below the belt line.
• Each player on the field must wear a belt with two flags attached on right and left of player.
• Official game ball is a PEE WEE size ball.

Game Time:

• All games will be two 20 minute halves with running time. The clock stops for timeouts and injuries. Halftime shall be 5 minutes.
• Timeouts: Each team receives 1 timeout per half.
• Play Clock: Each team must run a play 30 seconds after the end of the previous play.

Field:

• The playing field shall 30 yards by 70 yards with two 10 yard endzones and a midfield line. 
• No-run zones are marked at 5 yards on each side of midfield and 5 yards from each goal line. Running plays are prohibited inside the no-run zones. 

Game Procedures:

• A pre-game coin toss will determine which team receives the ball first. The winner of the coin toss gets to choose to take the ball at the start of the game or at the start of the second half. 
• The offense starts their possession at the 5 yard line and has 4 plays to cross midfield. When the offense crosses midfield, they will have 4 plays to score a touchdown.
• If the offense fails to cross midfield, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts at their 5-yard line. 
• All possession changes, except interceptions, start at the offense’s 5-yard line.
• Interceptions will not be returned. The ball will be spotted at the spot of the interception.
• If a safety occurs, the defensive team will gain possession of the ball on their own 5-yard line.
• Teams change directions in the second half.     

OFFENSE

Running Plays:

• The QB cannot run directly with the ball. The QB must hand off, lateral or throw the ball. 
• The ball is spotted where the runner’s front foot lands, not where the ball is located.
• Multiple laterals and pitches are permitted BEHIND the line of scrimmage. Any pitch or lateral that touches the ground is dead. 
• The player who takes the handoff or lateral MAY throw the ball from the line of scrimmage. The defense may then cross the line of scrimmage to make a play on the offensive player.
• Ball carriers must make an effort to AVOID a defender with an established position. 

Passing Plays:

• Passes must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. 
• Only one forward pass per play is allowed.
• Once the quarterback has lateraled or handed off the ball, all defensive players are eligible to cross the line of scrimmage.
• The quarterback has a 7 second pass clock. Failure to pass with 7 seconds will result in a dead play.
• Multiple laterals and pitches are permitted BEHIND the line of scrimmage. Any pitch or lateral that touches the ground is dead. 

Receiving Plays:

• All players are eligible to receive a pass (including the quarterback if the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage). 
• A player must have at least one foot inbounds when making a reception.
• If there is simultaneous possession by both offense and defense, possession will be awarded to the offense. 

DEFENSE

• Blocking or tackling is prohibited. 
• Interference with a receiver before a catch is not permitted. 

Rushing the Passer:

• Defensive players may not rush the QB position. Once the ball is lateraled or handed to another player (RB of WR) the defensive player may cross the line of scrimmage to defend the offensive player. 

Pulling the Flag:

• A legal flag pull takes place when the ball carrier is in control of the ball. 
• Defenders may dive to pull a flag but not tackle, hold or run through the ball carrier.
• It is illegal to attempt to strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier’s possession. 
• If a player’s flag inadvertently falls off during a play, the player is down immediately upon possession of the ball and the play will be whistled dead.
• A defensive player may not intentionally pull the flags off a player who is not in possession of the ball.
• Flag guarding is not allowed. A ball carrier may not obstruct the defender’s access to the flags by stiff-arming, dropping of the head, hand, arm or shoulder. The ball carrier may not intentionally cover the flags with the ball or jersey. 

Formation:

• An offensive team must have a minimum of three players on the line of scrimmage. 
• The quarterback must be off the line of scrimmage.
• Only one player is allowed in motion at a time. All motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage. 
• The center must snap the ball with a rapid and continuous motion to a player in the backfield and the ball must be completely leave the player’s hands. The ball can be snapped between the legs of off to one side. 

Penalties:

• Penalties will be called by coach/referees
• All penalties assessed from the line of scrimmage
• All defensive penalties result in an automatic first down
• All offensive penalties result in a loss of 10 yards with the exception of a penalty committed inside the offense’s 10-yard line. The penalty yards will be half the distance to the goal line. 

Additional Notes:

• All volunteers must be background checked
• All coaches must be certified through their home park and shall comply with the rules and regulations as stated in the bulletin
• The MPRB does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to, or treatment or employee in, its services, programs, or activities. Upon request, accommodation will be provided to allow individuals with disabilities to participate in all MPRB services, programs and activities.

If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, or handicap, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240 

Season Information:

• Spring Season: May-July for ages 9-15 years
• Fall Season: August-October for ages 9-18 years
• Register
• Youth Program Discounted Fees: Minneapolis residents can choose a price that aligns with their financial situation. Read more about Citywide Youth Program Discounts - Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Divisions: 

• Age Divisions: 11U, 13U, 15U and 18U
• Two Divisions: Open (Anyone can compete in the open division)
• Roster Size: 10 player maximum, 2-non-Minneapolis residents

Weather/Field Conditions:

• Flag football is a game that is played in all weather. Games are to be played unless there is unsafe or severe weather (lightening, tornadoes, etc.)
• Practice may be canceled due to field conditions. Park staff will let coaches know prior to practice and weather cancellations will be posted here. 

Administrative Rules by Division:

• Field: 30x70 yards
• Players on the field: five players
• Game ball:
• 11U - Junior
• 13U, 15U and 18U - Regulation
• Timing: Two 20-minute halves; clock stops for timeouts or injuries
• Halftime: Three minutes
• Time outs: One 30-second timeout per half and one floating timeout per game to clarify a call
• Mercy rule: If a team gains a 28-point advantage, the game will end
• Tie games: Regular season games that are tied after regulation will remain a tie; no overtime
• Season length: Seven regular season games and post-season invitational tournament

MPRB Flag Football Schedules:

• Youth MPRB Flag Football schedules will be viewable through our online league management software. It is a web-based program and can be viewed from anywhere. 
• Park directors will be notified when they are available for viewing you will then use the following steps to get your team’s schedule. 
• Website: www.teamsideline.com/sites/minneapolisparks

  a. On the top menu bar, click on Game Schedules – Choose your Division - Teams can also use the “Find Team Schedule” search bar

  b. Teams can view the whole season schedules, or they can click on “teams” and just view the schedule for their team (great tool for parents & coaches) 

  c. Special notes will be displayed above the standings (i.e. tournament information) 

  d. Teams can check scores of other games & view standings once the scores have been reported. 

Administrative Rules by Division:

Post Season Invitational Tournament Information 

• The Tournament Entry Fee is $50 per team. 
• The Tournament is an “Invitational” meaning that only players/teams that have been asked to take part can compete. 
• Seeding is done prior to the end of the regular season. This is done to ensure that we give participants and staff enough to time to organize their schedule. (Seeding is final once tournament schedule is sent out)
• All 13U to 18U teams will be invited to participate 
• Tiebreakers - Winning percentage - Head-to-Head - Head-to-Head Differential - Total Points Against - Total Points Differential - Lowest Number of Forfeits - Coin Toss 

Team Rosters and Coaches

• Maximum 10 players per roster – Extensions must be approved by League Director 
• Maximum of 2 non-Minneapolis residents per roster
• Maximum of 3 MPRB certified coaches per team. This includes all team personnel (photographers, first aid, etc.) 
• Coaches must remain on the sideline the entire game.

Participation Rules

• Mouthguards are required to be worn by all participants in MPRB youth flag football. Youth that wear a retainer/brace will have to purchase their own specialized mouthguard. You can find specialized mouth guards here.
• Every player dressed and attending a game MUST play a minimum of 4 plays per half. Players must participate in at least 3 regular season games to be eligible for the post season tournament. 
• Team Forfeit Rule: Teams must have 5 players ready to play by game time or a forfeit will be declared. 
• Jewelry shall not be worn by players during warm-ups and/or competition. (Medical alert bracelets are not considered jewelry and must be taped to the body and alert may be visible). 
• Ejections: Any ejection (player or coach) will be reviewed by the League Directors and may result in additional suspension of penalty. 

Playing Rules:

• The MPRB plays by rules published by the NFL Flag Football
• The NFL Flag Football rulebook can be found here: USA Flag Football Rules

Looking for Volunteer Coaches:

• Join your child on the field this fall! Become a volunteer coach! In a few easy steps YOU can be a volunteer coach for our Flag Football program! For additional details please contact the league director or Sheu Oduniyi at soduniyi@minneapolisparks.org or visit the Coaches' Corner.