FLAG FOOTBALLRULES

Learn the game. Master the fundamentals. Play with confidence.

Flag football is similar to American football, but without tackling. Defenders remove flags from the ball carrier's belt to stop them. The rules below are based on IFAF official rules, the standard used at the 2028 Olympics.

Players per team

70×25 yd

Field size

40 min

Game time

Flags per player

The Field & Setup

The Field

70 × 25 yards playing area (5-on-5)

End zones 10 yards deep at each end

Middle line divides the field — teams must cross it to advance

No-running zones — 5-yard areas before the middle line and each end zone (must throw here)

Players

5 players per team on the field

Up to 15 on the roster

All players must be the same gender

Game Time

Two 20-minute halves

2-minute break at halftime

Clock stops in last 2 min of each half (incomplete passes, out of bounds)

How the Game Works

Starting the Game

Coin toss decides who has the ball first

Ball starts at the offense's own 5-yard line (no kickoff)

Moving the Ball

4 downs to cross the middle line

Then 4 more downs to score a touchdown

Advance by running or passing — fail, and the other team gets the ball

The Snap & Quarterback

Play starts with a snap backward from the center to the QB

QB has 7 seconds to throw or hand off

QB cannot run forward unless another player touches the ball first

Flag Pulling

Each player wears a belt with 2 flags (one per hip)

Pulling a flag stops the play

Ball is spotted where the flag was pulled

How Points Are Scored

Touchdown

Carry or catch the ball into the opponent's end zone.

1–2

Extra Point

After a TD: 1 point from the 5-yard line, 2 points from the 10-yard line.

Safety

The offense is stopped with the ball in their own end zone.

Important Rules

No Contact

Flag football is non-contact. Tackling, blocking, pushing, and holding are all fouls. Any contact with impact is penalized.

No-Running Zones

Within 5 yards of the middle line and 5 yards of each end zone, teams must pass — running with the ball is illegal.

Flag Guarding

Ball carriers cannot use hands, arms, or the ball to block defenders from pulling their flags. Jumping or diving to protect flags is also illegal.

Blitzing

Defenders starting ≥7 yards behind the line of scrimmage can rush the QB (blitz). Blitzers rush directly to the QB unblocked — no one may intercept their path. They must signal with a raised hand before the snap. Max 2 blitzers per play.

Fouls & Penalties

When a player breaks a rule, the team loses yards. Common fouls:

−10 yds

Illegal Contact — Touching or blocking another player with force

−5 yds + loss of down

Flag Guarding — Protecting your flags illegally

−5 yds

Offside — Crossing the line before the ball is snapped

−10 yds

Pass Interference — Blocking a receiver from catching the ball

−10 yds

Unsportsmanlike Conduct — Rude language or poor sportsmanship

Flag Football vs. American Football

Feature

Flag Football

American Football

Stopping play

Pull flags

Tackle to ground

Blocking

Not allowed

Allowed

Team size

5 players

11 players

Field length

70 yards

120 yards

Kicking

None (most rules)

Kickoffs, punts, FGs

Equipment

Flag belt, jersey, shoes

Helmet, pads, full gear

Game length

40 min (2×20)

60 min (4×15)

Different Versions of Flag Football

Different organizations play with slightly different rules:

Team Size

5-on-5 (IFAF Olympic, 50×25 yd field) · 7-on-7 (IFAF alternate & NFHS high school, 50×30 yd field)

Number of Flags

2 flags (IFAF — one per hip) · 3 flags (some youth leagues — adds one at back for easier defense)

Blocking

No blocking — IFAF & NFL Flag · Some rec leagues allow limited screen blocking (stand in the way, no pushing)

QB Rush Distance

7 yards back — IFAF & NFL Flag · 5 yards back — Beach Flag (4-on-4)

Downs to Score

4 to midfield + 4 to end zone (IFAF & USA Football) · 4 + 3 (some NFL Flag leagues)

Field Size

IFAF 5v5: 50×25 yd · IFAF 7v7: 50×30 yd · Beach: 25×25 yd · NFL Flag: 70×25–30 yd · NFHS: up to 100 yd

Flag football is a fast, fun, and safe way to enjoy football. Whether played by IFAF Olympic rules or another version, the sport emphasizes speed, strategy, and sportsmanship over physical contact.

FLAG FOOTBALLRULES

The Field & Setup

The Field

Players

Game Time

How the Game Works

Starting the Game

Moving the Ball

The Snap & Quarterback

Flag Pulling

How Points Are Scored

Important Rules

Fouls & Penalties

Flag Football vs. American Football

Different Versions of Flag Football

Sources