Flag Football Rules
Flag football is a way to experience the excitement of the game – without contact. It’s a fun and fast-paced Game Type that can be played at any age and on various field sizes.
HOW IS FLAG DIFFERENT FROM TACKLE?
- No lineman or blocking. The center snaps the ball and becomes a receiver. All forms of contact are forbidden. Any attempt to block or shield an opponent is a penalty.
- Down and Distance. Each team has 4 plays to advance the ball past midfield. Once crossing midfield and being awarded a first down the team has 4 plays to advance the ball over the goal line. Failure to gain a first down or failure to score results in a turnover.
- No Run Zone. Depending on the set of rules being enforced, a no run zone prevents teams from conducting run plays. While in no-run zones teams cannot run the ball in any fashion. All plays must be run plays. According to the USA Football’s rules the no-run zone is a 5-yard imaginary zone before each endzone. IFAF also includes no-run zones within 5-yards on each side of midfield.
- Blitzer. Defenders who blitz the quarterback must line up at least 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage. All blitzers must be self-identified by raising one hand in the air. It is illegal for any offensive player to impede the path of the blitzer at any time.
Flag Football Rules 101
Flag football is rising! It’s one of the fastest-growing games in the world and was recently added to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
If you’re interested in learning how to play, this video explains the basics of the sport. As the sport's National Governing Body, USA Football is the exclusive selector and leader of the U.S. National Teams that play in international tournaments, including the Olympics. We hope to see you on the field!
Learn More About Flag Football
The IFAF Flag rules are recognized as the official rules for international competition. This is the set used for the World Games, Continental Championships, and the Olympics. This style is played throughout the world. The rulebook you will find through the button below contains descriptions and rules for Beach Flag, Indoor Flag, 5v5 and 7v7.
The USA FLAGTM 5's Rulebook is a condensed version of the larger IFAF rulebook. Additionally, it contains separate rules for league play and tournament play making it useful to flag organizations regardless of how they structure their competition. It also contains suggestions for modifications to the game or rules based on age and skill level.
The USA FLAGTM 7's Rulebook mirrors the USA FLAGTM 5's Rulebook with adjustments made for the additional two players. This is an excellent resource for youth leagues where they want more players on the field to maximize the amount of coaches and playing time in their program.