NFL Flag Football 101

Whether you’re new to the game, or looking to brush up on flag football rules, this guide will teach you the ins and outs of how to play flag football.

More kids are playing flag football than ever before. And we can see why—it’s engaging, inclusive, and ridiculously fun.

The best part is, anyone can learn how to play flag football, even if you have no prior experience. Both girls and boys can join, learn, and grow together within this great game!

BASIC FLAG FOOTBALL RULES

When learning how to play flag football, it’s best to start with the basics. In NFL FLAG football leagues, teams play 5 on 5 and each game consists of two halves, usually 20 to 25 minutes long. The clock only stops for halftime(3-5 minutes at referees discretion), timeouts, or injury, making games quick and competitive. Each player has a specific role on the field, and every play counts. A big focus is on equal playing time for all participants and giving everyone a chance to play and develop skill-sets at each position.

The offense will consist of a quarterback, a center, and 3 wide receivers. The center can receive the ball after snapping it to the quarterback. Any player can be used as a running back, if the play calls for it. The quarterback cannot run past the line of scrimmage. All players will have the opportunity to try playing quarterback, however, in younger aged divisions and under special circumstances, coaches will step in to throw the ball from the quarterback position. This will generally happen with kids aged 7 and below.  This hybrid model will help ensure the best possible experience for everyone involved. All players will have the opportunity to develop their throwing skills as part of their practice time.

The defense will also consist of 5 players that will be made up of defensive backs, safety’s and rushers. More details on these positions are shown in the graphic below and explained further in rules that follow.



FLAG FOOTBALL FIELD

A flag football field is shorter than a standard tackle field at 30 yards wide and 70 yards long, with two 10-yard end zones and a midfield line-to-gain. To prevent power football in tight spaces, no run zones are located 5 yards before the end zone and on each side of the midfield line-to-gain. If the ball is spotted on or inside the no run zone, the offense must use a pass play to get a first down or touchdown.



Non-Contact

The most important rule in flag football is that there is no contact allowed, including tackling, blocking, or screening. Instead of physically tackling an opponent to the ground, players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt. Defenders “tackle” the ball-carrier by removing one or both of their flags.

While this rule is designed to keep players safe, there are several other rules that limit contact among players, including:

• The quarterback isn’t allowed to run with the ball. They can run behind the line of scrimmage, but they can’t gain yardage.
• All passes must go forward and be received beyond the line of scrimmage.
• Laterals and pitches aren’t allowed—only direct handoffs are permitted.
• Center sneak plays aren’t allowed.
• There are no fumbles. Instead, the ball stays in possession of the offense and is spotted where the ball-carrier’s feet were when the fumble occurred.
• The ball is dead when: the ball-carrier’s flag is pulled, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, a touchdown or safety is scored, the ball-carrier’s knee, leg, elbows, arms or shoulders hit the ground, or the ball-carrier’s flag falls off.
• Players can’t obstruct or guard their flags.

FLAG FOOTBALL PLAYS

• To set up teams for success, coaches teach a variety of formations, routes and 5 on 5 flag football plays throughout the season. And with every player being eligible to receive a pass, including the quarterback, coaches can get creative and tailor their plays to their team’s strengths—or their opponent’s weaknesses.
• Some plays are complex, while others are more basic. Some go for long yardage, while others aim for short gains. In every scenario, these plays determine the flow of the game and teach players the basic fundamentals needed to succeed. In other words, it teaches them how to play flag football.
• That’s why we always recommend that coaches start with the basics, helping players establish a strong foundation first, and then mix and match new and more challenging plays as their team gains confidence.

SCORING

Every game starts with a coin toss (there are no kickoffs). The starting team begins on its own 5-yard line and has four downs—essentially four plays—to cross midfield for a first down.

If the offense fails to advance after three attempts, they can “punt,” meaning they turn over the ball to the opposing team, which then starts from its own 5-yard line. Or they can go for a first down, but if they fail, the opposing team takes over possession from the spot of the ball.

Once midfield is crossed, the offense has three downs to score a touchdown. A touchdown is 6 points and a safety is 2 points (1-point conversion from the 5-yard line; 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line).

A safety occurs when the ball-carrier is declared down in their own end zone. This happens when their flag is pulled by a defensive player, their flag falls out, their knee or arm touches the ground, or if a snapped ball lands in the end zone.

RUNNING

Only direct handoffs are permitted—there are no laterals or pitches. Once the ball has been handed off, all defensive players are eligible to rush. The person who takes the handoff is allowed to throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage. So while you’ll see a designated quarterback on the field, several plays actually rely on other teammates to pass the ball. This changes up plays, keeps the defense on their toes, and makes the game even more exciting.

Also, under flag football rules, the quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it has been handed off, and then the quarterback becomes an eligible receiver. Any player who rushes the passer, must be a minimum of seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Flag football rules aim to prevent power plays and avoid short-yardage situations, so you’ll find no run zones located 5 yards from each end zone and on either side of the midfield. In this designated area, the offensive team must complete a pass play.

Lastly, if an offensive player’s flag is pulled when they’re running with the ball, the spot of the ball at the time the flag was pulled determines where the ball is spotted, not the flag.

RECEIVING

One rule that makes flag football unique (and that much more competitive) is that everyone can receive a pass, including the quarterback, after the ball has been handed off behind the line of scrimmage. This allows coaches to include a variety of flag football plays into their playbooks and helps players develop fundamental offensive skills. Plus, it makes the game more engaging. Keep in mind that when making a catch, players must have one foot in bounds, just like tackle.

PASSING

Flag football rules state that all passes must go forward and be received beyond the line of scrimmage. Shovel passes, which are short passes to forward receivers, are allowed, but also must be received beyond the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks have a seven-second pass clock to get rid of the ball, counted by the referee. If they don’t get rid of the ball during this timeframe, the play is dead.

Additionally, center sneak play—where the quarterback hands off to the center as the first handoff of the play—is not allowed.

Interceptions are allowed, but look a little different in flag football. They change the possession of the ball at the point of the interception. So if an interception occurs, the referee blows the whistle, and the play is dead. The ball cannot be returned for a touchdown.

RUSHING THE PASSER

Players who rush the passer must stand at least seven yards off the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped, while players who aren’t rushing the passer may start on the line of scrimmage to cover their opponent, if they choose. The seven-yard rule no longer applies once the ball is handed off—all defenders are allowed to go behind the line of scrimmage at that point. A sack occurs when a defensive player pulls off the quarterback’s flag(s) behind the line of scrimmage. The quarterback, or anyone in possession of the ball, is down when their flag(s) are removed.

There will be slight modifications to rules, depending on age category. This will help balance the flow and integrity of the game. These will be communicated to players and coaches before the start of the season. Allowing for modifications will help keep players interested and building their skills, with excitement, enjoyment and less frustration. The goal of our league is to provide a fun, dynamic game, that focuses on skill development and fundamentals. When doing that, the rest falls into place.

Looking forward to an amazing season!