Flag Football (IFAF) vs Flag Football (NFHS) — Same Game, Different Rules

Two 20-minute halves (running clock except in final 2 minutes — clock stops on incomplete pass, out-of-bounds, score, change of possession); 1-minute half-time; OT periods if tied (alternating from 10-yard line); Each team is allowed three charged timeouts per half (increased from two, per the Ru...

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 ...

Ball: youth/junior/intermediate football (size adjusted by gender + level); Flag belt: three-flag belt (two hip + one back) per player; pop-style detachable flags 14-16" long; No pads or helmets required (no tackling)

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 That claim cannot be verified against any IFAF document and is withdrawn.

Field: Per Rule 1, state associations designate one of four official field sizes for competition: 300 ft. × 120 ft., 360 ft. × 120 ft., 360 ft. × 160 ft., or the newly added 300 ft. × 160 ft. (adopted for 2026-27) — each configuration includes two 30-foot end zones.; 5-yard line markings; cones m...

5 players per side on the field (some states 7-on-7); Roster size typically 12-15 players per team; Substitutions: unlimited between plays

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...

Two 20-minute halves (running clock except in final 2 minutes — clock stops on incomplete pass, out-of-bounds, score, change of possession); 1-minute half-time; OT periods if tied (alternating from 10-yard line); Each team is allowed three charged timeouts per half (increased from two, per the Ru...

Touchdown: 6 points; Extra point (PAT): 1 point from 5-yard line, 2 points from 10-yard line; Trailing-team possession option (new exception to Rule 8-3-9, effective 2026-27): instead of attempting a try, a team trailing on the scoreboard may elect to retain possession, taking over on fourth down...

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.

Offensive flag-guarding: 5-yard penalty + loss of down (using hands/arms to block defender's reach for flag); Illegal contact / blocking: 10-yard penalty; Defensive holding / illegal flag pull: 5-yard penalty + automatic first down

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 ...

Flag Football is intentionally non-contact, which substantially reduces injury risk relative to tackle football. NFHS still requires: mandatory mouthguards (at most state-association levels), pre-participation physical examination, certified athle...

The Flag Football Code states plainly that "the most important aspect of the rules is to avoid any significant and impactful contact," and that the first supporting principle is to make the flags an easy target so a runner cannot rely on contact t...