Sports

• Registration for the 2021 season will is open! Register here. 
  • Early registration will cost $90 for the first child and $80 for each additional child. 
    • This fee will increase to $100 for the first child and $90 for additional children after the first evaluation on July 24th. 
      • After online registration closes on August 5th, registration increases to $125 for the first child and $115 for each additional child and must be completed in-person at the last evaluation
  • To play with Central Sports, your child must be registered and attend one of the following evaluations:
    • Saturday, July 24 // 9:30-11:00am
    • Saturday, July 31 // 9:30-11:00am
    • Saturday, August 7 // 9:30-11:00am

• Flag Football is open to children 4 years - Kindergarten
• 7 on 7 Football is open to children 1st grade - 6th grade
• SOFT SHELL HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR 7 ON 7 FOOTBALL. THEY WILL NOT  BE PROVIDED.
  • You can purchase one here. 

Central Sports Football Frequently Asked Questions

RULES UNIQUE TO CENTRAL SPORTS

Game Rules

• Kindergarten Division will play with flags.
• 1-3^rd Grade and 4-6^th Grade Divisions will play 7 on 7, single hand touch football.
• The offensive team begins the game and second half by taking possession of the ball at the starting-yard line.

1-3^rd & 4-6^th Field

K & Under Field

Down Format

• In the Kindergarten division,the offensive team has four plays to gain a first down by crossing midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown.
• If the team fails to cross midfield in four downs or score a touchdown, the other team takes possession on its own 5-yard line.
• In the 1^st-3^rd and 4th-6th grade divisions, the offensive team has 3 plays to gain a first down or a touchdown by crossing the first down lines, or to score a touchdown.
• On fourth down, a team has two options.
  1. A team may attempt to gain a first down or a touchdown. If a team fails to convert on fourth down, either by scoring or picking up a first down, the defensive team gains possession on the starting-yard line and 2 points.
  2. A team may “punt” as its fourth-down play by notifying the referee. In this case, the ball will be placed on the starting-yard line and there will be a change of possession.

Game Clock

• (4) 8 minute quarters with a running clock and a 4 minute halftime
• Substitutions will be briefly made at the conclusion of each quarter
• There are no timeouts during the game
• There is a 30-second play clock that starts after the referee spots the ball for play and blows the whistle.
• The game clock only stops at the conclusion of quarters, halftime and for injuries. 

Game Format

• Devotion will be led over the PA system. The teams need to meet at midfield. Warm up time will be completed before then.
• Visiting team calls the coin toss. The winning team chooses to play either offense or defense first. The team that plays defense at the start of the first half will play offense at the start of the second half.
• The team with possession at the end of the 1^st and 3^rd quarter will maintain possession at the start of the next quarter.
• Kindergarten division is 6 v. 6 while 1^st-3^rd and 4^th-6^th grade divisions are 7 v. 7.
• 4^th-6^th grade can have ONE coach in the huddle for the first TWO games. Kindergarten and 1^st -3^rd grade can have ONE coach in the huddle throughout the season.

Scoring

All Divisions

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra point: 1 point (from 5 yd. line) OR 2 points (from 10 yd. line)
• 1-3^rd and 4-6^th Divisions ONLY
• Interception: 3 points (no points for INT on Extra Point)
• Turnover on downs: 2 points

Offense

• A minimum of three players must be on the line of scrimmage at every snap.
• The referee will spot the ball on the line of scrimmage.
• Only one player can be in motion when the ball is snapped.
• In the 4^th – 6^th grade division, the ball must be snapped between the legs to begin play.
  • Kindergarten and 1^st-3^rd grade players may use the side snap.
• Before handing off or passing, the quarterback must have complete possession of the ball.

Running the Football

• The person who receives the snap from the center (under-center or shotgun) is considered the quarterback and cannot run the ball across the line of scrimmage.
• A pitch from the quarterback can be executed immediately after the snap or on a delay (similar to the option play without the quarterback being able to advance the football).
  • The quarterback is the only player who can make the pitch. The pitch can occur at any time while behind the line of scrimmage.
  • Once the pitch is received, the ball carrier can run the ball, hand-off the ball (behind the line of scrimmage) or pass the

• Direct handoffs behind the line of scrimmage are legal. Multiple handoffs may be used. After the ball crosses the line of scrimmage, handoffs and laterals are not permitted.
• A player receiving a handoff or pitch can pass the ball (halfback pass) from behind the line of scrimmage.
• A ball carrier may not dive. A dive will result in a penalty.
• The ball carrier’s hips determine the spot of the football when a flag ois pulled or a touch is made, not the location of the football.

Receiving the Football

• All 6 or 7 players are eligible to receive passes. The quarterback becomes eligible after a handoff or pitch.
• A completion consists of a receiver gaining control of the football while having at least one foot in bounds.
• If a player catches a pass with his knee(s) on the ground, the play is dead and the ball is spotted at the point of the completion.
• All forward passes can be completed behind or beyond the line of scrimmage. Only one forward pass can be completed per play. Once the ball leaves the quarterback’s hand, the defender can make a play on the ball.
• The quarterback has 7 seconds to throw a pass. If a pass is not thrown within 7 seconds, it is treated as an incomplete pass (loss of down). A handoff or pitch will end the 7-second pass count.

Dead Balls

• Play is ruled dead when one of the following occurs:
• The ball carrier is touched with one hand of a defender.
• The ball carrier steps out of bounds.
• The ball carrier’s knee hits the ground.
• A touchdown or safety is scored.
• A pass falls incomplete.
• At the point of an interception. When the defense intercepts pass, the play is whistled dead.
• The ball hits the ground as a fumble. The ball will be spotted at the point of the fumble.

Defense Basics

• Teams may play man-to-man, zone defenses or combination of both.
• Interceptions may not be returned. 3 points will be awarded and the defensive team gains possession at the starting-yard line.
• Rushing the Passer
• Kindergarten Division
  • A beanbag will be placed 7 yards away from the line of scrimmage. Only 1 player may rush, and only if they are behind the bean bag before the snap.
• 1-3^rd and 4-6^th Divisions
  • There is no rushing. The quarterback has 7 seconds to pass or hand off the ball.
  • Once the ball is handed off or pitched, the 7-yard rule is no longer in effect, and all defenders may cross the line of scrimmage to pursue the ball carrier.

PENALTIES

•  Defense
  • Encroachment: The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and REPLAY OF DOWN.

• • Illegal Rush
  • Kindergarten Division
    • When a defensive player, who is not the rusher, crosses the line of scrimmage while the quarterback still has possession of the ball.
  • 1-3^rd and 4-6^th Divisions
    • Enforced when defensive players cross the line of scrimmage while the quarterback still has possession of the ball.
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and REPLAY OF DOWN.
  • Interference
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and an AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.
  • Illegal contact
    • Pulling the jersey, holding, blocking, pushing.
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and an AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.
  • Illegal flag pull
    • Before the receiver catches the football.
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the line of scrimmage and an AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.
  • Diving
    • Diving toward the ball carrier to pull a flag
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the spot of the foul and an AUTOMATIC FIRST DOWN.

• Offense
  • Illegal motion
    • More than one person moving.
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and REPLAY OF DOWN.
  • Illegal formation
    • Not enough men on the line of scrimmage.
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and REPLAY OF DOWN.
  • Illegal pass
    • A pass is thrown after the ball carrier has crossed the line of scrimmage
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and a LOSS OF DOWN.
  • Delay of game
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and REPLAY OF DOWN.
  • Flag guarding (for Kindergarten division only)
    • Intentional or unintentional use of the arm to prevent the flag from being pulled.
    • The penalty is 5 yards from the spot of the foul and a LOSS OF DOWN.
  • Illegal use of the hands
    • Blocking (stiff arming in Kindergarten Division)
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the spot of the foul and a LOSS OF DOWN.
  • Diving
    • Diving toward the end zone or first down.
    • The penalty is 10 yards from the spot of the foul and a LOSS OF DOWN.

Practices are once a week 5:30 and 6:30. Practices are held on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday evenings starting from August 30th, 2021 to November 4th, 2021. All practices and games take place on the fields by the pavilion . Once your team is assigned a practice time, that scheduled practice will always be on that day and time. 

All games will be held on Saturdays from 8 AM - 1 PM on the fields by the pavilion September 18th, 2021 - November 6th, 2021. 
Check back for additional information.

Wiffle Ball is a variation of the sport of baseball designed for indoor play in confined areas. The game is played using a perforated plastic ball, a pitching machine, and an official Moonshot bat.

The only movement that takes place will be in the field. There is no base running. Players will have to throw the ball at a 5X6 ft first base to determine if the batter is out or safe.

Central will provide all of the equipment. Bring tennis shoes and athletic apparel.

Teams will consist of 5-8 players. Only 5 will be in the field at a time, but teams may rotate players in the field. All 8 players can be in the batting lineup with no rotation required.

A player does not have to play every game, but will be expected to pay for an entire season.