What are the rules for flag football? - Project Sports
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What are the rules for flag football?

3 min read

Asked by: Julie Long

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.

What is the most important rule in flag football?

The most important rule in flag football is that there’s no contact allowed, including tackling, diving, blocking, screening or fumbles. Instead of physically tackling an opponent to the ground, players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt.

How do you play flag football step by step?


Focus on catching the ball first and then tucking it tight against your body. Challenge your partner see how many passes you can catch in a row without dropping the ball. Good luck and have fun.

Can you kick the ball in flag football?

Playing the Ball



Players can kick, carry, and the throw the ball to move it up the field. A defender may knock down a pass that’s in the air. If the player with the ball has his flag pulled or if he goes out of bounds, he is called “down” and the ball is dead.

How do you score in flag football?

In order to score a touchdown in flag football a player must cross the goal line and get into the end zone with possession of the football. The end zone is 10 yards deep and 40 yards wide. Players can either catch the ball inside of the end zone or carry the ball over the goal line.

What are penalties in flag football?

Defensive flag football penalties

Type Description
Illegal flag pull A player pulls the flag off an opponent before they have full possession of the ball
Roughing the passer A player makes contact with the passer after they’ve thrown a forward pass

What is defense in flag football?

Instead of linemen, there are five defensive football players who typically take on one of two positions: a defensive back or rusher. But all flag football defensive positions have the same objective: to prevent the offensive team from scoring.

What are the rules of football game?

Football Rules and Regulations

  • Teams will be told which way they are kicking at start of game.
  • Teams cannot score directly from a kick off.
  • There is no offside.
  • All free kicks and corners are direct and opposition must be 3 metres away.
  • Goal kicks to be taken anywhere inside penalty area.

How many tries do you have to get a first down in flag football?

The ball will be placed on the 14 yard line after every touchdown. A team shall have four consecutive downs to advance to the next zone line to gain (and earn a first down). The zone line to gain in any series shall be the zone in advance of the ball, unless distance has been lost due to penalty or failure to gain.

How much is a touchdown?

Points are scored as follows: Touchdown: 6 points.

What are the rules for a touchdown?

Touchdown (6 points)



A touchdown is earned when a player has legal possession of the ball and the ball touches or goes over the imaginary vertical plane above the opposing team’s goal line. After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a try play for 1 or 2 points (see below).

How many points is a safety?

two points

In gridiron football, the safety (American football) or safety touch (Canadian football) is a scoring play that results in two points being awarded to the scoring team.