Region D Flag Football Teams

COVID Procedures

All participants should self-screen prior to arriving at this event and should remain home if feeling unwell or displaying coronavirus symptoms.

All athletes, coaches and spectators are required to wear a mask while inside the Flag Football facility regardless of vaccination status. All athletes and Unified Partners are required to wear a mask indoors while they are competing.

Unless fully vaccinated, participants who are medically able should continue to wear a mask at outdoor venus the majority of time while at Special Olympics Illinois activities.

Athletes and Unified Partners do not have to wear a mask while competing in outdoor competitions.

Vaccination is not required to attend in person events.

Special Olympics Illinois will not be providing masks.  Athletes and coaches must bring their own.

SOILL will have hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes/spray and other cleaning/sanitizing products on-site.

Please check with your Region staff on the status of spectators attending competitions.  With a few exceptions, only registered athletes, coaches and partners are allowed at these events.  It is very important you relay to all parents and guardians the importance of only allowing registered persons into the event.

Special Olympics Illinois is committed to providing the best athlete, volunteer, coach and supporter environment possible.  While we are excited to resume in-person events, the health and well-being of our constituents remains our top priority.  All of our in person events follow the COVID-19 recommended IDPH and CDC guidelines. 

Please review the COVID High-Risk fact sheet for more information:

https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2-High-Risk-Fact-Sheet-7.9.20.pdf

What is Flag Football?

One of the newest and most exciting sports Special Olympics Illinois offers is Flag Football. In Illinois, Flag Football provides competition for teams of five in Junior and Senior (Coed) age groups.

Athletes in Illinois who participate in team competition, compete locally at a Regional Qualifying event. Teams who win a gold medal are eligible to advance to the State Flag Football Championships hosted in November.

Flag Football Events Offered in Illinois

• 5-on-5 Team Competition – Junior and Senior Age Groups

Event Information

Bus Drop off/Parking:

• Found under Supporting Documents below is the bussing for all participating park/agency delegations. Parking is available in the lot off of 31^st and Albany.
• Please instruct your bus driver to drop you off at 3030 W. 30^th Street
• Be sure to get your bus drivers’ contact information so you are able to contact them as the event concludes.

Competition Information

Flag Football Teams Qualifier
Teams will compete in their designated divisions. each team will play 2 games. Gold Medal teams will advance to State Flag Football Tournament.

• Competition will be OUTDOORS on the turf field.  Only water is allowed on the turf – please respect the facility and clean up any water bottles after yourself.
• The Competition is outside – please dress appropriately for the weather.  In the event of a weather cancelation, coaches will be notified by email by 7:30am.  Coaches can also call the weather hotline – 312.745.1993 – and the message will be updated by 7:30am in the case of a cancelation. 
• All athletes should be competing in athletic attire, no jeans allowed.
• Awards will be distributed after all competition is completed.

• Games will all be played outside – in the event of inclement weather, please call the weather hotline at 312.745.1993.  The hotline will be updated at 7:30am.  Coaches will be notified by email if there is a weather cancellation by 7:30am.  Be sure that athletes are dressed appropriately for outdoor games.
• Games will be 40 minutes long, with two 20 minute halves, running clock. 
• Please be ready to play at the designated start time of the game!  Flags should be on and any warm-ups need to be done prior to the game start time – there is plenty of greenspace to warm-up.
• If the game is tied after 40 minutes-Each team receives two (2) plays from midfield and the team gaining the most points or yardage advantage is awarded one (1) extra point and wins the game. If an interception occurs, the team that intercepts the ball automatically wins the Game. If the team with the first attempt in overtime scores on the first play, the opposing team must score on its first play also. If both teams score a touchdown, or gain the same yardage, the procedure is repeated until one team wins.
• The minimum number of players required per team is 5. Teams may continue with a minimum of four (4) players, if necessary due to disqualification or injury.
• Rubber cleats are fine to wear. No metal studs, hiking boots or other equipment deemed dangerous by officials can be worn.
• All players must wear a rubber mouth piece during competition.
• Flag Football is a non-contact sport. All aspects of Flag Football rulings must be made with players’ safety as the primary consideration.
• No players can be added to the submitted roster on site.
• There will be port-a-potties  at various locations in the park and the permanent restrooms on the north end of the fields.
• Lunch will be served on the north end of the turfs.
• Awards will be distributed following all of the games and state paperwork will be completed at that time for teams. Please note that ALL teams will automatically advance to State this year as long as they are not considered a scratch.

Awards

Divisions will be completed before event and awarded after competitions.

Please contact Jaimie Yagunich for any Event questions.

Concessions

• Lunch will be provided to all athletes and coaches on a 3 to 1 ratio. Lunches will be distributed upon completion of competition.
• Please note that we are unable to provide for dietary restrictions; therefore, if anyone registered has a specific diet, please plan to bring a separate lunch for that athlete.

Supporting Documents

Region D Flag Football 2021 Map

Region D Flag Football 2021 Rosters

Region D Flag Football 2021 Team Divisions

Region D Flag Football 2021 Team Schedule

Who We Are

Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world.  Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and 13,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities.  Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life.  Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, social skills and encourage family and community support.