Flag Football Rules

Players wear league-standard flag belts (shirts tucked, flags on hips). Metal cleats are prohibited; shorts must be pocketless.

Co-ed leagues commonly require a woman to be a primary operative player within every set of downs (e.g., one "closed" play in three), with bonus-point female TDs in some formats.

Two 20-minute halves with a running clock; the final two minutes of each half use NFHS-style clock stops. Each team gets ~3 timeouts per game.

Playoff overtime typically gives each team one possession from the 10-yard line, repeating until decided (2-pt tries forced from round 3).

Teams have four downs to cross the next zone line (fields are split into 20-yard zones). Failing turns the ball over on downs; most leagues allow a punt declaration on 4th.

The ball is dead where the flag is pulled. Runners may not stiff-arm, swat hands, or shield flags — flag guarding is a 10-yard penalty from the spot.

Within five yards of a first-down line or goal line the offense must pass — no designed runs — preventing power plays at the stripe.

NFL FLAG (5v5)

In 5v5, the quarterback may not run the ball across the line of scrimmage, and defenders rushing the passer must start seven yards off the line. 7v7 leagues vary — check the rule set.

Touchdowns are worth six. After a TD, teams choose a 1-point try from the 5-yard line or 2-point try from the 10. Defensive returns on tries score 2.

Defenders make the "tackle" by pulling a flag. Screen blocking (no hands/arms extended) only; contact fouls yield 10-yard penalties.

NIRSA Rule 9