Flag Football Rules: Everything You Need to Know to Dominate the Field

Flag football started during World War II as a recreational sport for American soldiers. Over the years, the sport has become popular with kids under 17. According to the International Federation of American Football Association (IFAFA), 2.4 million kids play flag football in the United States. The sport is rapidly growing and will eventually become more popular internationally than tackle football, per the IFAFA. The reasons for its popularity are that it’s a safe, fun, minimal-impact sport that’s accessible to all genders with varying body types. Understanding American football rules gives you a basis for flag football rules.

Below, we’ll discuss some important flag football rules, which are like American football rules with some key differences.

Basic Flag Football Rules

To understand the nuances of flag football, it’s important to know the basics of how long a game takes, how many players are on a team, and the field dimensions.

Game Objectives: Every game starts at the 5-yard line and the offensive team has 4 downs to move the ball 10 yards for a first down. There are no kickoffs or punts in flag football and a coin toss determines which team gets the ball first. There are no fumbles, laterals, or pitches. The team that scores the most points wins.
Number of Players per Team: Team sizes vary from 4 to 10 players. Beach flag football has 4 players per team. The IFAFA uses 7 players. Beach flag football is played on a field 25 yards long and 25 yards wide.
Game Duration and Timing: IFAFA games are 21 minutes long. The clock doesn’t stop for the first 20 minutes. In the final minute, the clock stops for timeouts, incomplete passes, and when a player goes out of bounds.
Field Dimensions: The standard size of an IFAFA field is 50 by 25 yards wide with two 10-yard end zones. No run zones are located 5 yards before midfield and 5 yards before the end zone. This means teams must pass the ball in those spaces.
Flag Position: One flag attached to a belt with Velcro is worn around your waist.

Gameplay Regulations

Playing flag football is like playing American football. There is passing, running, and kicking. Some strategies and rules are different because it’s a non-contact sport.

Advancing the Ball: You move the ball forward by passing and running. There are only direct handoffs in flag football. Laterals and pitches aren’t allowed. The quarterback can’t run forward with the ball unless it’s handed off first. That means a running back or another offensive player would have to hand it back to the quarterback if they are going to run.
Scoring: Touchdowns, Extra Points, and Field Goals: A touchdown is worth 6 points, a kick from the 3-yard line after a TD is worth 1 point, and a 10-yard kick after a TD is worth 2 points. Safety is worth 2 points. If a team scores on safety, the other team must punt or kick off from its 14-yard line.
Flag Pulling: Techniques and Legalities: All shirts must be tucked in, and they can’t hang over your belt. An offensive player is down when the flag they carry is pulled out by a defender. A player is also down when their flag falls out accidentally and a defender touches them. You can’t guard your flag with your hands.

Offensive and Defensive Rules

The offensive and defensive rules are centered around eliminating contact. Learning and practicing the rules will help you improve your flag football experience.

Offensive Rules

Blocking Regulations: Only screen blocking is allowed. Players must stand straight up with their hands in a neutral position. They can’t extend their arms to deter a defensive lineman. No body blocks or roll blocks are allowed. Players are penalized for these types of blocks and could be expelled.
Passing Rules and Restrictions: The quarterback has 7 seconds to pass the ball. If the pass isn’t initiated at that time, the play is dead. All passes must be forward and beyond the line of scrimmage. A receiver must have 1 foot inbound for a complete pass. Interceptions may be returned.
Running Plays and Limitations: Spinning is allowed but the runner can’t jump around or over a player to avoid the defense. The ball is placed where the carrier’s feet are when the flag is pulled.

Defensive Rules

Defensive Regulations: A defensive player can’t pull the flag out of any player who isn’t in possession of the ball, and they can’t intentionally hold or push a player to remove their flag.
Flag Pulling Strategy: Go for the top of the flag while using both hands. Getting it at the top makes it easier to pull off the flag from its base, where Velcro usually binds it. A strong grip is required to make sure the runner doesn’t escape. That’s why you should use both hands.
Blitzing Rules: Defenders who blitz must line up at least 7 yards off the line of scrimmage. A blitzer must raise 1 arm up in the air to identify themselves. If there’s a handoff, any player can blitz. Offensive players can’t stand in the way of a blitzer.

Penalties and Infractions

Penalties for flag football are like the penalties for American football. Below are examples of some common offensive and defensive penalties.

Offensive Penalties

Illegal Blocking: A player uses their hands or physically tries to block a defender. This results in a 10-yard penalty and loss of down.
Charging: Charging is when the player with the ball runs through a defender. They must go around them. This results in a 10-yard penalty and loss of down.
Flag Guarding: An offensive player intentionally obstructs their flag from the defense. This results in a 10-yard penalty and loss of down.
False Start: An offensive player moves before the ball is snapped. It’s a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.
Delay of Game: The offense fails to put the ball in play before the play clock runs out. Play clocks are usually 30 seconds in flag football. It’s a 5-yard penalty and loss of down.

Defensive Penalties

Unnecessary Roughness: It’s when a player is intentionally physical when trying to pull the flag off an opponent. It’s a 10-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Illegal Rush: The rusher isn’t lined up 7 yards off the line of scrimmage. It’s a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Roughing the Passer: A player contacts the passer after the ball is thrown. It’s a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.
Pass Interference: The defensive player interferes with the offensive player’s ability to catch a pass. It’s an automatic first down at the spot of the foul.
Offsides: A player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. It’s a 5-yard penalty and an automatic first down.

Flag football is for everyone. If you learn some of the basics before stepping onto the field, you’ll be able to improve quickly and enjoy the game more.