How to Play Flag Football

The Basics

Flag football is a fast-paced, non-contact version of American football where players pull flags from the ball carrier's belt to stop them instead of tackling. It's a great way to enjoy the excitement of football while minimizing the risk of injury.

Teams and Positions

Flag football is typically played with 5 players on each team. Common positions include:

• Quarterback: Throws the ball to receivers.
• Center: Snaps the ball to the quarterback.
• Receivers: Catch passes from the quarterback.
• Rushers: Try to pull the quarterback's flags before they can throw the ball.

Starting the Game

The game starts with a coin toss to determine which team will start on offense. The offensive team begins at their own 5-yard line and has four downs (attempts) to reach midfield.

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra Point: 1 point (from the 5-yard line) or 2 points (from the 10-yard line)
• Safety: 2 points (awarded when the ball carrier is tagged in their own end zone)
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Rules and Penalties

There are various rules and penalties in flag football to ensure fair play and safety. Some common ones include:

• Offsides: A defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
• Illegal Rush: A defensive player rushes the passer from closer than 7 yards.
• Pass Interference: A player interferes with an eligible receiver's ability to catch the ball.
• Flag Guarding: The ball carrier uses their hands or arms to prevent a defender from pulling their flags.
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More Information

For a complete understanding of the rules, you can refer to the official NFL Flag Rulebook.

NFL FLAG OFFICIAL PLAYING RULES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• General
• Spot Fouls
• Defensive Penalties
• Offensive Penalties
• 8U, 7U & 6U and Grade Based Guidelines

I. GENERAL

1. GAME SETUP AND FLOW

1. At the start of each game, captains from both teams meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss.
2. The winner of the coin toss has the choice of offense or defense. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction. There is no option to defer. Teams will automatically switch sides of the field and the team that started the game with possession will begin the 2nd half on defense.
3. The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four (4) downs to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has three (3) downs to score a touchdown. If the offensive team fails to cross midfield after 3rd down and elect to "punt" on 4th down, possession of the ball changes and the opposing team will start a new possession from its own 5-yard line. If the offensive team goes for it on 4th down and does not cross midfield, the opposing team will start a new possession from the spot where 4th down ended.
4. Any time there is a 'PUNT or PLAY decision on 4th or 3rd down, the referee WILL ask the offense's Head Coach to declare 'Punt or Play'. The coach MUST make an immediate decision or risk a delay of game penalty. Teams may use a timeout to change the declaration of "Play" at any time prior to the expiration of the play clock.
5. After crossing midfield, if the offense fails to score on 3rd down, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts at its 5-yard line.

II. TERMINOLOGY

III. EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

1. All players must wear official NFL FLAG belts and flags. All players MUST wear mouth guards at all times while on the field. Game balls should be age specific.
2. Players must wear shoes. Cleats may not be allowed at certain locations.

NFL Flag Football Rules & Penalties

General Rules

• Games are played with two teams of five players each.
• The field is 50 yards long with two 10-yard end zones.
• The game is played with a running clock.
• The offense has four downs to cross midfield, then three downs to score a touchdown.
• Tackling is not allowed. Instead, players pull flags from the ball carrier's belt to stop them.

Penalties

Additional Notes

• The referee has the final say on all rulings.
• Players and coaches should familiarize themselves with the full rulebook for a complete understanding of the game.