🏛️Official — IFAF
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Team Sports
5–10 players
outdoor
football, jersey, pants
10 essential rules
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) governs international flag football, including the IFAF Flag Football World Championship and the qualification pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where flag football debuts as an Olympic medal sport. The current governing docume...
Rule 4-1-2 declares the ball dead when, among other conditions, any part of the runner's body other than a hand or foot touches the ground, the runner has fewer than 2 flags in their possession, or the ball goes out of bounds. A "sack" is defined ...
Rule 3-2-1 sets total playing time at 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves with a 2-minute intermission. Under Rule 3-2-6, if the score difference reaches 30 points or more at the Referee's ...
Rule 3-1-3 governs the tiebreaker: after a 2-minute intermission and a coin toss (with no charged team timeouts available), the first extra period consists of 2 series, each team snapping at the mi...
Rule 7-1-3(g) gives the quarterback 7 seconds after the snap to pass or hand off the ball; if that limit is exceeded the ball becomes dead at the scrimmage line for loss of down. Rule 7-1-4(d) permits a maximum of 2 defensive "blitzers," each of w...
Rule 1-3-1(d) addresses intra-oral mouthpieces — if worn, they must be a visible non-white color — and states that "the use of a mouthpiece is strongly recommended," stopping short of making it mandatory equipment. Rule 1-3-3 (Illegal Equipment) p...
Correction to a previously published claim: an earlier version of this rulebook stated that a "2026 update" enlarged the end zones from 3 to 5 yards. That claim cannot be verified against any IFAF document and is withdrawn.
Rule 1-1-1 sets each team at not more than 5 players on the field, with rosters of up to 15 players (5 on field, 10 substitutes). A team that is missing more than 1 player from its regular number forfeits the game.
Rule 7-1-3(g) gives the quarterback 7 seconds after the snap to pass or hand off the ball; if that limit is exceeded the ball becomes dead at the scrimmage line for loss of down. Rule 7-1-4(d) permits a maximum of 2 defensive "blitzers," each of w...
After a try, Rule 8-3-3 has the ball put in play by the opponent at its own 5-yard line (absent an enforced penalty). After a safety, Rule 8-4-2 has the scoring team snap from its own 5-yard line.
Rule 10-3-1 defines the "basic spot" used to enforce most non-spot fouls, and Rule 10-2-4 provides that when both teams commit offsetting live-ball fouls, the down is replayed — unless the team last gaining possession had not itself fouled before ...
Never claim a flag pull you didn't make ('ghost flagging')
Verbally or physically signaling a flag pull when you clearly missed the flag is considered the cardinal integrity violation of flag football. It directly robs the offense of yards and exploits the sport's reliance on honest self- or honor-calls. At competitive and recreational levels alike, ghost flagging is viewed as cheating rather than gamesmanship.
Most damaging in games without full officiating crews, but even with officials present, faking or embellishing a pull is seen as deeply unsportsmanlike across the flag football community.
Don't drive into the quarterback after the ball is released
Even in non-contact flag football, defenders are expected not to aggressively run through the QB after a throw. Making unnecessary contact after the ball has left the quarterback's hand is considered cheap, potentially injurious, and contrary to the spirit of the game regardless of whether an official throws a flag.
At elite speed levels some unavoidable close contact occurs; the unwritten rule concerns intent—coverage proximity is not a license to use the QB as a target.
Ease off when holding a large, decisive lead
With a blowout lead, teams are expected to substitute liberally, avoid high-percentage trick plays, and reduce offensive tempo. Continuing to push the score in a clearly decided game is viewed as disrespectful to opponents and coaches, particularly in youth, developmental, or recreational tournament contexts.
More strongly enforced at youth and recreational levels. At elite IFAF international play, score differential may affect bracket seeding, creating genuine tension with this norm.
Don't use body contact to compensate for a missed flag pull
When a defender misses a flag, grabbing, tripping, pushing, or tackling the ball carrier is a serious breach of the sport's foundational principle. Flag football's defining characteristic is non-contact; substituting body contact for a missed pull violates the code even when an official misses it.
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