Flag Football vs Flag Football — Same Game, Different Rules

Player is "down" when defender removes either hip flag (or back flag if used); No tackling, blocking, or contact — incidental contact penalty-free; intentional contact = flag

Ball-carrier is down when defender removes either hip flag; Knee-down, ball-out-of-bounds, or flag falls off naturally = play dead; No contact: no blocking, no diving, no tackling — flag-pull only

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)

Two 20-minute halves (running clock; clock-stops in final 2 minutes of each half); 2-minute half-time; OT: alternating possessions from 5-yard line

QB must release ball within 7 seconds (some events 4 seconds for "no-rush" defense); Forward pass only behind line of scrimmage; Defense rush only from 7+ yards back, or single designated rusher

QB starts behind line of scrimmage; one direct hike; Once ball is hiked: QB has 7-second pass clock or must release/lateral; Forward pass allowed only behind line of scrimmage

Each possession starts at offense's own 5-yard line; Offense has 4 downs to reach midfield → fresh set of 4 downs to score; Coin toss for possession

Each possession starts at offense's own 5-yard line; Offense has 4 downs to advance past midfield → fresh 4 downs to score; No first downs prior to midfield

Ball: IFAF-approved adult football (men's intermediate/youth size for women); Flag belt: two-flag belt (one on each hip); flags 14-16" long, "pop"-style detach; No pads, no helmets — non-contact sport

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)

Field: 80 yards × 40 yards (with two 10-yard end zones, total 100 yards); 5-yard line markings; cones mark mid-field "no-run zones" near goal lines (no rushes within 5 yards of end zone on offense's side and within 5 yards of midfield on offense's side, varies by state); Indoor variant: shorter f...

Field: 50 yards × 25 yards (with two 10-yard end zones, total 70 yards) — shorter than NFHS; Marked midfield line for first-down advancement; 5-yard no-rush zone before line of scrimmage (defense)

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

5 players per side on the field; Roster: 12 players per game roster (some events allow up to 15); Substitutions: unlimited between plays

Two 20-minute halves (running clock; clock-stops in final 2 minutes of each half); 2-minute half-time; OT: alternating possessions from 5-yard line

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 possession starts at offense's own 5-yard line

Touchdown: 6 points; Extra point (PAT): 1 point from 5-yard line, 2 points from 10-yard line; Safety: 2 points (+ possession to scoring team)

Touchdown: 6 points; Extra point (PAT): 1 point from 5-yard line, 2 points from 10-yard line; Safety: 2 points (defense)

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

Flag-guarding (offense): 5-yard penalty + loss of down; Illegal contact (offense/defense): 10-yard penalty; Defensive holding / illegal flag pull: 5-yard penalty + automatic first down

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...

Non-contact ruleset eliminates tackle-football collision risk. Penalty structure aggressively penalizes contact, flag-guarding, and dangerous play to maintain that profile.