Flag Football Glossary

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Across
  1. 1. A backward or sideways toss of the ball by the ball-carrier. Laterals are not permitted according to youth flag football rules.
  2. 5. occurs when the ball-carrier is declared down in their own end zone. This happens when their flag is pulled by a defensive player, their flag falls out, their knee or arm touches the ground, or if a snapped ball lands in the end zone. A safety is worth two points.
  3. 8. The team who has possession of the ball and is trying to advance to the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown.
  4. 11. receives the snap and passes the ball or hands it off. A _______________ is not allowed to run with the ball after the snap.
  5. 13. The line the offense must cross to get a first down or score.
  6. 14. is the person throwing the ball. In flag football, the passer doesn’t necessarily have to be the quarterback.
  7. 15. is when a defensive player catches the pass from the offenses quarterback. ____________ can be returned for a score (even during and extra point try).
  8. 17. After scoring a touchdown, a team can choose to earn one or two ______________s. The team earns one extra point if a runner carries the ball across the goal line or catches the ball within the end zone starting from the five-yard line. By doing the same thing from the 10-yard line, the team can earn two extra points.
  9. 19. defends against the run and covers short routes by the center, wide receivers and running backs.
  10. 21. attempts to prevent the quarterback from passing the ball (must count 7 Titans at one second intervals prior to rushing).
  11. 22. is the period after the ball is snapped and the team is attempting to advance down the field. In flag football rules, teams have four ________s to cross midfield. If they successfully cross midfield within four _________s, then they have four _________s to score a touchdown.
  12. 24. is when the defensive player pulls the flag of the ball carrier.
  13. 26. colored piece of fabric that hangs on a players side and backside and every player must have a set.
  14. 27. The rules for flag football include ________________ that are located five yards before each goal line and the midfield. If the ball is spotted within a _______________, the offensive team must use a pass play to earn a first down or touchdown. The objective is to prevent power football in tight spaces, limiting contact.
  15. 28. The part of the field directly behind the line of scrimmage.
  16. 29. located on opposite sides of the field, are the scoring areas. The goal line, which a player must cross to score a touchdown, is the start of the ___________.
  17. 30. This is the period of time when the ball and play is in motion. It’s generally used in regard to penalties — _____________ penalties are enforced before the down is considered complete.
  18. 31. snaps the ball to the quarterback and then can run for a pass as a receiver.
Down
  1. 2. This is an imaginary line that expands the width of the field and runs through the point of the football. It indicates where teams can’t cross until the play has begun.
  2. 3. when the offense or defense is not on their side of the ball when the center snaps the ball.
  3. 4. This refers to the period of time directly before or after a play, when the ball isn’t in motion. Flag football rules are more strict about deadlines: they commonly happen when the ball touches the ground, the ball-carrier’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, the ball-carrier’s body — outside of their hands or feet — touches the ground, the pass is incomplete, the ball-carrier’s flag falls out or the receiver has one or no flags when catching the ball.
  4. 6. is when a forward pass is caught by an eligible receiver on the offense.
  5. 7. is when a ball carrier loses possession of the ball and it hits the ground. It can also occur if the center looses control of the ball or the quarterback fails to catch the ball and it hits the ground. A ___________ is dead where it hit the ground unless it was ________d forward, then the ball is dead where it was _________d. A fumble results in a dead ball and marks the end of the down.
  6. 9. The outer perimeter lines around the field, including the sidelines and back of the end zone lines.
  7. 10. takes a handoff and runs with the ball or throws it. A _____________ is also eligible to receive a pass.
  8. 12. occurs when the quarterback drops back to pass and is tackled by a defensive rusher behind the line of scrimmage.
  9. 14. is when the offense has reached fourth down and chooses not to go for it. They give the ball to the defense and they start on their own 5 yard line.
  10. 16. The team who doesn’t have possession of the ball and is trying to prevent the other team from scoring by pulling the ball-carrier’s flags down.
  11. 18. This flag football term happens when the ball-carrier prevents a defender from pulling down their flags. For example, they might stiff arm, cover their flag with their open hand, or lower their elbow. This can also include jumping, dipping or excessive leaning of the torso. It is illegal and results in a penalty.
  12. 20. runs designated routes to catch a pass.
  13. 22. covers wide receivers, either man-to-man or zone.
  14. 23. stands farther back from the line of scrimmage and is responsible for stopping opponents who get loose.
  15. 25. the most valuable score in football, a _____________ is worth six points. A player scores a _____________ if he or she carries the ball across the goal line into the other team’s end zone or catches the ball within the opponent’s end zone.