FLAG FOOTBALL RULES GUIDE
HISTORY:
Flag football is a variation of the game of touch football, which has its outgrowth
from regular football. The first football game was between Princeton and Rutgers in
1859.
SCORING:
Touchdown – 6 points – When a player carries the ball across the goal line or a pass is
completed in the end zone.
Conversion - 1 point - After a touchdown is scored a team is given a scrimmage play
from 3 yards away from the goal line to either complete a pass
in the end zone or carry the ball over the goal line.
Safety 2 point - When the ball is legally in the possession of a player becomes
dead behind their own goal line. Points are awarded to the
opposing team and will receive the ball on the kickoff.
TERMS:
Off sides – when a player on the offensive or defensive team crosses the line of
scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
Snapping- handing or passing the ball back from its position on the ground with a quick
continuous motion of the hands.
Pass Interference- an act in which a player pushes blocks, removes a flag, or holds an
opponent to prevent her from catching or intercepting a pass after the
ball has left the hands of the passer.
Neutral Zone- a 3 yd. area separating the defensive team from the line of scrimmage.
Line of Scrimmage- Offense: imaginary line drawn from the front tip of the ball and
parallel to the end line. Defense: a line 3 yds. From and parallel to
the offensive line of scrimmage.
Lateral Pass- a pass that is thrown sideways or back toward the passers goal.
Punt- ball is held and dropped over the foot and kicked after a snap from the center.
Kick Off- kick where the ball is placed on the ground at the beginning of each half and
after a score.
Tackling- pulling one of the ball carrier’s two flags.
Huddle- two or more players conferring between downs.
Hand Off- handing the ball forward behind the line of scrimmage to a backfield player.
Fumble- failure of a player to retain possession of the ball while running or while
attempting to receive a kick, hand off, or lateral pass.
Incomplete Pass- a forward pass that cannot be caught, or is dropped before the receiver
can maintain control.
Forward Pass- a pass that is thrown by any player behind the line of scrimmage toward
the opponent’s goal.
End zone- the area between the goal line and the end line.
Down- game unit, which begins with the centering of the ball and ends with a dead ball.
BASIC RULES:
1. A team is composed of 9 players. On offense: End Guard Center Guard End
On defense: X X X X X (defensive lineman)
QB
X X X ( defensive halfbacks)
HB
HB
X
( safety)
FB
2. The offensive team shall have 5 line players and 4 backfield players.
3. The defensive team may not line up closer than 3 yds. from the line of scrimmage.
4. The ball is put into play by a kick off at the beginning of the game, at the start of
the half, and after a score. The ball is kicked from the quarter line.
5. If the ball is kicked or punted into the end zone, it returns to the receiving teams
quarter line to start the series of downs.
6. A team has 4 downs to move the ball into the next zone.
7. The offensive team must be motionless before the ball is snapped.
8. Any member of the team may catch a pass.
9. A team may punt on any down.
10. If a team fails to move the ball into the next zone on its’ 4 downs, the opposing
team starts their series of downs from the spot where the ball was dead.
11. A forward pass may be thrown from the line of scrimmage only.
12. The offensive team has 30 seconds to put the ball in play after it has been
centered.
13. During a conversion attempt, the defensive team cannot score by running back an
interception or recovering a fumble.
14. The pass receiver or the defender may not make physical contact during a pass
play.
15. Each player must have two flags, which hang freely on both sides of the body.
16. The ball carrier cannot conceal her flag or use her hands to prevent her flag from
being pulled.
PENALTIES:
Loss of 5 yds.
1. Off sides 2. Delay of game 3. Passing in front of the line of scrimmage 4. Stiffarming by ball carrier/hiding or holding flags 5. Shortening the flag or playing
without flags in proper position.
Loss of 15 yds.
1. Holding or illegal tackling 2. Illegal blocking 3. Pass interference 4.
Unsportsman-like conduct
FOOTBALL FIELD MARKINGS