WELCOME:
We are happy to announce that registration is now OPEN for the 2024 BFL Flag Football Fall season! Registration for the 2024 fall season will END on 09/02/24. Boys and girls in grades 1st - 9th are welcome to join! Our season kicks off on 09/14/24 and our championship games are scheduled for 11/16/24. Schedule is subject to change based on schedule conflicts, weather and unforeseen circumstances. Each team is required to have at least ONE volunteer head coach. Parents, family members and/or friends of family are eligible to coach. If interested in coaching please create an account for yourself on the website and register as a volunteer head coach. Feel free to contact our technical support team if assistance is needed in registering as a coach or if you have any other technical difficulties. You can call our technical support team at Sports Connect: 1 (866) 981-2583 or 1 (866) 258-3303. ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL, NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE ONCE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. BFL is affiliated with NFL Flag Football. All games will be played on SATURDAYS at:
Riverview High School (Football field)
1 Ram Way
Sarasota, Florida 34231
Practices and games will be held on Saturday mornings between 8am - 12pm. The divisions are broken down as follows:
Pee Wee division (1st - 3rd grade, boys & girls)
JV division (4th - 6th grade, boys & girls)
Varsity division (7th - 9th grade, boys & girls)
* Structuring of divisions above are subject to change based on registration totals
There will be 7 regular season games and 1 day for playoffs (schedule may vary based upon Riverview HS availability, cancellations due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances). Playoffs are single elimination format. Champions in each division will receive a trophy and be crowned, "BFL CHAMPIONS!"
ROSTERS:
Players are drafted on to teams by the NFL computer program known as "the matrix." The matrix places players on to teams in the following order: friend/coach request, grade and the skill level parents entered on the registration form. Team rosters are a maximum of 10 players total (subject to change based on enrollment). There are 6 players on the field for offense and 6 players on the field for defense (number of players on the filed are subject to change based on enrollment). There is a 4 player minimum required on the field. Throughout the season players will learn basic skills of football such as running, passing, receiving and defending. Each team is required to have at least ONE volunteer head coach. Parents, family members and/or friends of family are eligible to coach. If interested in coaching please create an account for yourself on the website and register as a volunteer head coach. Feel free to contact our technical support team if assistance is needed in registering as a coach or if you have any other technical difficulties. You can call our technical support team at Sports Connect: 1 (866) 981-2583 or 1 (866) 258-3303. We are willing to help train volunteer coaches if needed.
ABOUT THE GAME:
Games involve non-contact rules which means all forms of blocking and tackling are prohibited and are comprised of (2) twenty-four minute halves. The clock does NOT stop except for injuries, half-time (2 minutes) and timeouts (each team has one 60-second timeout per half).
The team on offense will start at their 5-yard line and have three downs to move the ball past midfield for a first down. Once a team has crossed midfield they receive four downs to score. In the event the offense does not get to mid field after their 3rd down, they have two options; they can "punt," which means they turn the ball over to the opposing team who starts on their 5-yard line, or they can go for the first down. If they fail to make the first down marker (mid-field), the opposing team will take over possession from the spot of the ball.
If a touchdown is scored it is worth 6 points and the offense can then opt to go for a 1-point conversion from the 5-yard line or a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line. For more on our league rules and regulations you can check with your coach who will have all of the rules and regulations in his/her handbook.
FLAG FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT:
NFL game day jersey (included with registration fee)
NFL game day shorts (included with registration fee)
Flag football belts (included with registration fee)
Football cleats (recommended, rubber spiked cleats are allowed, metal cleats are NOT allowed)
Mouthguard (MANDATORY)
Football gloves (optional)
PRACTICES:
Teams will have the opportunity to practice at our practice field prior to their game during game day (subject to change based on field availability with Riverview HS). This is a great time for coaches to teach their players about the fundamentals of flag football and can work on player skills and the playbook. This is also an opportunity for teammates to form friendships that carry over on and off the field. Practices will be organized and carried out by a head coach, assistant coach and/or team manager. Practices are not mandatory.
REGISTER NOW
Registration is open for individual players as well as complete teams. Friend and coach requests can be accommodated during the registration process by filling out the 'Buddy Request," or "Coach Request" fields. ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE FINAL, NO REFUNDS AVAILABLE ONCE REGISTRATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. Flag football is a fun way for children to exercise, learn about teamwork and make new friends!