NFL FLAG Rule Book
What are the rules of Flag Football?
The first rule of flag football is pretty straight forward: there’s no contact allowed. That includes tackling, diving, blocking, and screening. Instead, players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt. To “tackle” the person in possession of the ball, the opposing team needs to pull one or both of their flags off.
While flag football rules are designed to keep players safe, you’ll find that they also create an engaging, fast-paced version of football without the physical contact.
Here’s a list of basic flag football rules:
- All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage
- Only direct handoffs are permitted—there are no laterals or pitches anywhere on the field
- The quarterback has seven-second pass clock to get rid of the ball
- The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it was handed off first
- Offensive players must steer clear of the rusher and may not get in his/her way
- Any defensive player lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible to rush
- If the ball is handed off, any defender may rush
- Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts)
- The ball is dead when it hits the ground, the offensive player’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, or the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground
- All offensive flag football penalties result in a loss of down and yardage
- All defensive flag football penalties result in an automatic first down and some are associated with yardage
For a complete list of flag football rules, download the NFL FLAG Football Rule Book.
NFL FLAG football is a non-contact sport. There’s no tackling, diving, blocking, screening or fumbles.
Flag Football Field Terms
Boundary lines: The outer perimeter lines around the field, including the sidelines and back of the end zone lines.
Offense: The team who has possession of the ball and is trying to advance to the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown.
Defense: The team who doesn’t have possession of the ball and is trying to prevent the other team from scoring by pulling the ball-carrier’s flags down.
End zone: The two end zones, located on opposite sides of the field, are the scoring areas. The goal line, which a player must cross to score a touchdown, is the start of the end zone.
No run zone: The rules for flag football include no run zones that are located five yards before each goal line and the midfield. If the ball is spotted within a no run zone, the offensive team must use a pass play to earn a first down or touchdown. The objective is to prevent power football in tight spaces, limiting contact.
Line-to-gain: The line the offense must cross to get a first down or score.
Line of scrimmage: This is an imaginary line that expands the width of the field and runs through the point of the football. It indicates where teams can’t cross until the play has begun.
Backfield: The part of the field directly behind the line of scrimmage
Flag Football Game Terms
Dead ball: This refers to the period of time directly before or after a play, when the ball isn’t in motion. Flag football rules are more strict about deadlines: they commonly happen when the ball touches the ground, the ball-carrier’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground, the pass is incomplete, the ball-carrier’s flag falls out or the receiver has one or no flags when catching the ball.
Downs: A down is the period after the ball is snapped and the team is attempting to advance down the field. In flag football rules, teams have four downs to cross midfield. If they successfully cross midfield within four downs, then they have three downs to score a touchdown.
Flag guarding: This flag football term happens when the ball-carrier prevents a defender from pulling down their flags. For example, they might stiff arm, cover their flag with their open hand, or lower their elbow. It is illegal and results in a penalty.
Lateral: A backward or sideway toss of the ball by the ball-carrier. Reminder: laterals are not permitted according to youth flag football rules.
Live ball: This is the period of time when the ball and play is in motion. It’s generally used in regard to penalties—live ball penalties are enforced before the down is considered complete.
Passer: The passer is the person throwing the ball. This flag football term is more common in flag football because the passer doesn’t necessarily have to be the quarterback.
Rush line: An imaginary line running across the width of the field seven yards (into the defensive side) from the line of scrimmage. In other words, any defensive player who is positioned seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible to rush.
Rusher: The defensive player assigned to rush the quarterback to prevent him/her from passing the ball by pulling his/her flags or blocking the pass. Offensive players must steer clear of the rusher. When the ball is handed off, any defender may rush.
Shovel pass: A pitch attempted beyond the line of scrimmage. The quarterback “shovels” the ball directly forward to a receiver. These are legal, whereas laterals and pitches are illegal plays, according to flag football rules.