FLAG FOOTBALL: A GROWING TREND
Flag football is booming! It's engaging, inclusive, and loads of fun, attracting kids like never before. The best part? Anyone can play—no specific build or prior experience needed. NFL FLAG welcomes boys and girls ages 3 to 15 to join in the action.
FIELD SETUP
The flag football field at FieldHouse Essex is 50-feet wide and 120-feet long, with two 15-foot end zones.
BASIC RULES
- Teams & Timing: Games are 5-on-5 with two halves, typically 12-minutes each. The clock stops only for halftime, timeouts (3 per team), or injuries.
- Non-Contact: No tackling, diving, blocking, screening, or fumbles. Defenders "tackle" by pulling a flag from the ball-carrier.
- Ball Handling: The quarterback can't run with the ball unless it has been handed off. Passes must go forward beyond the line of scrimmage. No laterals, pitches, or center sneaks.
- Dead Ball: The ball is dead if the ball-carrier's flag is pulled, they step out of bounds, score, kneel, or their flag comes off.
- Scoring: A touchdown is worth 6 points; a safety is worth 2. Teams can attempt a 1-point conversion from the 5-yard line or a 2-point conversion from the 10-yard line. If a team leads by 28 points, tracking the score ends, but the game continues through completion.
OFFENSE & DEFENSE
- Running: Players can’t leap or dive to avoid defenders. Only direct handoffs are allowed. The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it’s handed off first.
- Receiving: Everyone, including the quarterback (after a handoff), is eligible to receive a pass. Players must have one foot in bounds to catch.
- Passing: All passes must be forward. The quarterback has a seven-second pass clock.
- Rushing the Passer: Rushers must be at least seven yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This restriction is lifted once the ball is handed off.
STRATEGY & PLAYS
Coaches teach various formations and plays, from simple to complex, aiming for different yardages. These plays help players learn the game's fundamentals and strategize based on their team's strengths and opponents' weaknesses. Coaches should start with basic plays and build up as the team gains confidence.
For a download a free copy of our leagues rule book, click here.