Flag Officials Course
Training Built for Officiating Flag Football
Meet the Moment
Flag football officials face fast-paced games, packed weekends, and high expectations, from local leagues to big-stage moments. No matter where you officiate, assignors want officials who understand the game.
The USA Football Flag Officials Course helps you step onto the field prepared, whether you're working your first assignment or returning for another season. Learn flag football rules, communication strategies, game management, and more.
Start your Flag Officials Course today and get the training that meets the moment—For You. For the Game.
READY WHEN IT MATTERS
Flag football continues to grow at every level, and so does the demand for officials—but officiating takes more than showing up in stripes. It requires preparation, awareness, and the ability to manage the game no matter what it throws at you.
The USA Football Flag Officials Course supports officials with training that goes beyond the rulebook. Officials develop mechanics, understand the differences between 5v5 and 7v7, learn de-escalation strategies for when emotions run high, and receive guidance on staying healthy.
Because being ready when it matters isn't just optional, it's the standard.
FLAG OFFICIALS COURSE
$24.50
- Digital Training Badge
- USA Football Fives (5v5) Flag Rulebook
- USA Football Sevens (7v7) Flag Rulebook
- USA FLAG™ 5's High School Rulebook
- USA FLAG™ 7's High School Rulebook
- 5v5 and 7v7 Game Type Comparison
🅘Our system will automatically determine your year based on prior training linked to your USA Football account and email. Using a different account will require starting at Year 1. Returning officials must complete the USA Flag™ 5’s Refresher and reassessment quizzes each year. The TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID requires that you pass the Flag Officials Course, complete SafeSport training, and take an NCSI Background Check before participating in a USA Football Event or National Team Development Program Qualifying Events.
Want to Officiate TEAM USA FOOTBALL®?
The TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID includes the Flag Officials Course and Tiered Eligibility to officiate National Team Development Program qualifying events, plus Institute Eligibility, Exclusive Benefits, and more.
TAKE CHARGE
OFFICIATE THE GAME YOU LOVE
The Flag Officials Course helps flag football officials show up prepared, manage the game with confidence, and meet the expectations of assignors.
Earn Respect
The Flag Officials Course helps you build the skills assignors look for when picking their game-day crews.
Elevate Your Skills
Learn the latest mechanics and key concepts focused on how to officiate the game.
Know Game Types
Understand the key differences between 5v5 and 7v7 flag football, including comparing the game types and rules.
Manage the Moment
Develop communication and de-escalation strategies to keep games under control when emotions rise.
Ready All Season
Officiating games add up. Get guidance on health, safety, and wellness to stay focused all season long.
The Flag Officials Course is part of USA Football’s commitment to support flag football officials by providing education, training, resources, sport standards, and competitive opportunities aligned with the official National Governing Body.
USA Football is also responsible for selecting, training, and leading TEAM USA FOOTBALL®, which consists of one family of teams representing the U.S. in elite national and international competitions.
Officials who want to pursue opportunities with the National Team or National Team Development Program must have a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID and complete all required training to maintain their eligibility.
*The TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID requires that you pass the Flag Officials Course, complete SafeSport training, and take an NCSI Background Check before participating in a USA Football Event or National Team Development Program qualifying events.
KEY FINDINGS
The experience of football officials and referees by the numbers*
of officials are not trained in flag football
aspire to officiate other game types or levels
officiate as a part-time paid position
(Source: 2024 Football Officials Study conducted by Performance Research)
What you need to know about the USA Football Officials Certification
The Flag Officials Course is designed for new and returning flag football officials. Whether you’re stepping onto the field for the first time or continuing to officiate another season, the course supports officials working youth, high school, adult, and competitive flag football games.
The course provides training focused on the real demands of officiating flag football, including:
- Flag football rules, penalties, signals, positioning, and mechanics
- Key similarities and differences between 5v5 and 7v7 game types
- Communication and de-escalation strategies for managing the game
- Health, safety, and wellness guidance to stay effective throughout the season
Your year is automatically determined based on prior training linked to your USA Football account and email.
- Year 1 is for officials who were not trained in 2025 and includes USA Flag™ 5’s rules, wellness and safety essentials, conflict resolution, and mental wellness.
- Year 2 is for officials trained in 2025 and includes the USA Flag™ 5’s refresher, 2026 rules updates, rulebook revisions, and a 5v5 vs. 7v7 game type comparison.
IMPORTANT: If you use a different USA Football account or email from 2025, you will start at Year 1.
After completing the Flag Officials Course, officials unlock access to:
- A digital training badge
- Official rulebooks
- Game type comparison guides
These resources are designed to support officials on and off the field throughout the season.
The Flag Officials Course is separate from other training requirements related to TEAM USA FOOTBALL® opportunities. However, completing the Flag Officials Course is necessary for officials interested in pursuing opportunities with National Team Development Program qualifying events. Officials must purchase a TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID, which includes access to the Flag Officials Course. The TEAM USA FOOTBALL® Official ID requires that you pass the Flag Officials Course, complete SafeSport training, and take an NCSI Background Check before participating in a USA Football Event or National Team Development Program Qualifying Events.
If you need assistance with your Flag Officials Course, our team is here to help.