After having the women in four editions of the World Flag Football Championship, going to their fifth participation, the Brazilian men’s team will debut in the championship that will be played from December 6th in Israel.
Among those called up, two players from Florianópolis will be representing Brazil, as well as Santa Catarina and Ilha da Magia. Rafael Polidoro and Nicolas Quadro are going to cross the ocean to wear the hopscotch.
— It’s the first time for the men’s team. Everyone is very anxious. There are only a few days left, and the anxiety has risen to extreme levels. We have a very big responsibility to represent the people who were left out, our friends and family. We have to fulfill our goal and, who knows, win a spot for the 2022 World Games – said Nicolas.
The flag looks like an Olympics, it’s very dynamic, easy to practice, it’s accessible for everyone, children, elderly, fat, thin.
— Nicolas Quadro, athlete of the Brazilian Flag team
Nicolas Quadro represents Brazil in the competition — Photo: Ronaldo Fontana
The capital has two teams in the sport: the women’s team, Desterro Atlantis, which refers to the city’s old name, and Floripa Ghosts, the current one.
— The team from Florianopolis was essential for me to get where I am. I have to thank the guys, we started about four years ago, the women’s team too, Desterro Atlantis. All the guys from Floripa. We got together. We already sent a girl to the last World Cup, in 2018. Now it’s my turn to represent Florianópolis. Maybe we can send more athletes forward. We’ve already played the Super Final of the Brazilian Flag, and we’re going to play again – he said.
For the trip, the athletes had to bear most of the costs, which were around R$ 10 thousand each.
— It is the reality of amateur sport in Brazil. In most non-professional sports, people have to get by in their thirties, work other jobs, make the money. With the flag it is no different. The guys do raffles, sell lunchboxes, truck drivers, do what they can, and there are people helping too – he added.
Competition starts on Monday — Photo: Ronaldo Fontana
Brazil already met its opponents on December 6th and 7th. In Group C of the World Cup, they face Denmark, Italy, Spain, Japan and Switzerland. Women in Group D face Mexico, Israel, Denmark, Japan and Slovenia.
Flag Football was created as a non-contact alternative to traditional American football. Instead of knocking down the opponent, the play is stopped when the defender removes one of the ribbons attached to the player’s belt with the ball. This makes the sport more accessible than the traditional version and eliminates the need for expensive equipment. Also, it’s more secure.
There are some variations of Flag Football, but the most popular and that will be played at the Worlds is the 5×5. The differences from traditional American football, in addition to the lack of contact, are:
- Each team has five players on the field, compared to 11 in the original version.
- The field is smaller, 70 yards (64 meters) long by 25 yards (23 meters) wide, including the endzones.
- The game has two periods of 20 minutes, with 25 seconds to start each move. The clock only stops when there is a change of ball possession or in the final two minutes when one of the teams wins the first down. Each team is entitled to two timeouts per time.
- All players on the field are eligible to receive a pass – there is no offensive line.
- There is no field goal or punt.
- Campaigns always start at the 5-yd-line of the defensive field, with the exception of interceptions.
- The first player to be snapped cannot advance the ball.
