Region J Flag Football and Individual Flag Football Skills

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.

Competition Information

Registration begins at 8:15am

Flag Football Team Tournament:

Traditional and Unified divisions are offered in pool play or bracket style tournament (based on number of teams in division). Games start at 9:00 AM and scheduled every hour. OC is at 11:00 with the next games starting at 11:15 and continuing every hour until complete. We will stick to the schedule as much as possible, but be prepared to start early if time allows.

Flag Football Skills:

Starts at 11:15.  Athletes will compete in throwing for distance, catching and throwing accuracy, and a zig-zag run through cones.
Awards presented once a division has finished the competition and results are tabulated.

State Qualifier for teams from Regions F, G, H, I, J and K.

Skills open to individual athletes from F, G, H, I, J and K as exhibition (no advancement).

Event Details

Teams must have team jersey/shirts and athletic shorts or pants without pockets. Molded cleats are strongly recommended but not required. No metal cleats. Teams must provide their own flags, mouthpieces, and warm-up footballs. All are encouraged to bring their own water bottle. Water and Powerade will be available. All attendees must provide their own PPE and sunscreen. Teams are encouraged to bring lawn chairs/blankets to sit on while not playing. The field area has little to no shade. Access to shade trees and pavillions is available a short walk from the field.

TEAM Play: Divisions will be determined based on entry scores and past tournament play. Medals will be presented. Gold medal teams will advance to state.
SKILLS: Ribbons will be presented. There is no advancement to state for Skills.

Facility Information

New Baden City Park soccer field is located on the west end of the park and can hold 3-4 flag football fields. Accessible restrooms are close by. Parking is located at the field.

Concessions

Lunch is TBD. Water and Powerade will be available. Concession stand is TBD.

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.