First season? Welcome! Here's what a Friday night at the field looks like, so you and your player know what to expect.

Before you leave the house

  • Uniform: jerseys, shorts and flag belts are provided by the league. Wear the jersey every game.
  • Shoes: athletic shoes or cleats. No cleats with exposed metal.
  • Mouthpiece: encouraged for everyone and required for players with braces.
  • Leave at home: watches, earrings and other jewelry. Shorts with pockets aren't allowed either.
  • Water. Always bring water, and a snack for after the game.

Games are played Friday nights at our field, 6791 San Casa Dr., Englewood, FL. Check the schedule for your team's game times.

Where to sit

Only two coaches per team are allowed on the sideline. Everyone else, including parents, siblings, team photographers and team parents, watches from the designated viewing area at least 5 yards off the field.

Please set up chairs, coolers and tents in the end zone area, at least 10 yards off the field, and keep little ones there too. Please don't stand between fields; games are going on all around you.

How a game works

  • Games run about 50 minutes, including timeouts and halftime: two 20-minute halves on a running clock with a 2-minute halftime.
  • It starts with a coin toss at midfield. There are no kickoffs. The offense starts at its own 5-yard line.
  • The offense gets 4 downs to cross midfield, then 4 downs to score.
  • There's no tackling. A play ends when a defender pulls the ball carrier's flag, or when the ball hits the ground.
  • Touchdowns are worth 6 points, followed by a try for 1 point (from the 5-yard line) or 2 points (from the 10).

If a game ends tied, it goes to overtime.

Calls you'll hear

  • "No-run zone." The 5 yards before midfield and before each end zone are pass-only.
  • "Rush!" A defender coming from 7 yards back after the snap. Once they cross the line, the quarterback can run.
  • "Flag guarding." The ball carrier blocked a defender from their flags with a hand, arm or stiff-arm, or by diving.
  • "Seven seconds." The quarterback ran out of time to throw. The down counts and the ball goes back to the line.

How you can help

Cheer for every player, on both teams. Keep comments clean, and leave the officiating to the referees: only the head coach or captain may ask about a call. Our referees are trained high school officials and high school football players, and many of them are teenagers. Please treat them with respect.

Before you leave, throw away your trash in the trash cans. See you Friday!

More questions? Check the FAQ.