Section 3: Playing Area
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 That claim cannot be verified against any IFAF document and is withdrawn. Under Rule 2, Section 1, Article 3 of the current (2023) edition, the end zones are, and have been, 10-yard areas at each end of the field — not 3 yards, not 5 yards. There is no IFAF rules edition published after 2023; the "BAFA flag rules 2026" notes referenced elsewhere are British national governing-body guidance meant to be read alongside the 2023 IFAF rulebook, not a superseding IFAF edition.
Per the Dimensions of Fields chapter and Rule 2-1-2, the standard 5-on-5 field of play is 50 yards (45.75 m) long and 25 yards (22.90 m) wide, with the two 10-yard end zones (Rule 2-1-3) bringing total end-to-end length to 70 yards. A 3-yard safety area surrounds the field on all sides, for a total required footprint of 76 × 31 yards. Line width is 4 inches, and the goal line is part of the end zone (Rule 2-1-5).
Rule 2-1-4 defines "no-running zones" as the 5-yard areas at both ends of the field immediately in front of each goal line; Rule 7-1-3(f) requires the offense to run a forward-pass play (no running plays) once the ball is snapped on or inside the 5-yard line approaching the opponent's end zone. Rule 2-1-6 designates the midfield line — midway between the goal lines — as the "middle line," which is the line to gain for a new series of downs.
IFAF's National Changes chapter permits an alternate "Flag 7 on 7" format on a big field 50 × 30 yards with rosters of up to 7 on-field players (20-player roster), and a small-sided "Beach Flag" format (4-on-4, 25 × 25 yard sand field, no middle line). Both remain distinct from the standard 5-on-5 game described in this rulebook.