Let It Fly may be the fastest-moving sporting event to ever grace the grass at Robb Field. The short-field flag football tournament dominated the park Jan. 27, with 75 teams vying for a chance to travel across the country for the national title in Florida.
Cones and yard markers transformed Robb Field’s expansive grounds into 12 fields, which were swarming with players of all shapes, sizes and skill levels. The big winners were the ones who played as a team and kept their heads amid the quick throws and sprints to the endzone, as points racked up faster then credit card miles at Fashion Valley.
“This is just real fun,” participant Donald Harrison said. “[Our team] doesn’t play football, we all play basketball together. I would do this again next year, though, and the year after that.”
Harrison’s team, United Nations, pulled together five friends who play pickup basketball at 24-Hour Fitness for a day of something new. The guys decided that playing four-on-four flag football would be fun. And even though they didn’t win, they had a great time.
Most of the players, even in the top divisions, play for the fun of it. The camaraderie was apparent: Each time someone made a great catch, whoops and shouts erupted all over the field.
Lack of contact aside, the game is very similar to tackle football, without as much running. The center hikes the ball, and all three linemen are eligible receivers; the team is given three plays to get to midfield from their own 5-yard line. The downs reset for the other half, giving the teams six chances to score before the ball goes the other way.
Most teams brought a small cheering section “” from girlfriends and wives to kids and siblings “” all supporting their loved ones during the action-packed contests.
Some of the more serious teams, such as Del’s Dingos from Bakersfield, have players with experience in other leagues. Nate Munson has played six seasons with the Bakersfield Blitz arena football team and uses the flag games as a way of staying in shape during his off-season, with less chance of injury by contact.
“It’s pretty much the same game, with three receivers. It’s great for working on foot speed and your knowledge of the game, basic skills,” Munson said. “I just love playing football, and this is a great turnout with good competition.”
The Bakersfield boys have high hopes for their squad. Their goal is to assemble a team good enough to travel all over the country for various tournaments, with the intention of eventually winning on a national level.
One reason the game is such a good test of fundamental skills is that the quarterbacks are not allowed to run, which means none of the flashy NFL-style breaking a tackle and sprinting into the endzone. The scoring rules also help keep the action going, with games lasting 30 minutes or until one team scores 28 points. Point values are the same as regular football, with a one-point conversion starting at the 5 and a two-pointer going from the 12.
Each year, the top four teams in each division are invited to play in Lakeland, Fla., for the national tournament in June. The A division (Top Gun) saw the bottom-seeded Respect team battle back for a win, while B (Adult Competitive) was similar, with seventh-seeded Clisse Status clinching their title. The Gators won C division (Adult Recreation) from their second-seed position, and the D (Couch Potato) champs, Affliction, battled from the third spot.
The championships will likely include more than 400 teams playing for the honor of matching up with an “NFL Legends Team.” To most guys, the thought of playing any sport against former professionals is a great honor.
“Most of the former NFL players, although older than when they played in the league, are so much faster, stronger and can jump higher than any of the normal guys,” San Diego event coordinator Tim Compton said. “The California events are smaller, usually 75 to 100 teams, but we want to be there and hope to grow the events through bigger title sponsors.”
To join in the fun, visit www.4on4football.com.