Flag Football Rules

  • At the start of each game, the captains from both teams meet at midfield for the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss.
  • The winner of the coin toss has the choice of offense or defense. The loser of the coin toss has the choice of direction. Possession changes to start the second half to the team that started the game on defense.
  • The offensive team takes possession of the ball at its 5-yard line and has four plays to cross midfield. Once a team crosses midfield, it has four plays to score a touchdown. Crossing midfield is the only opportunity for an offense to gain a first down within a single possession.
  • If the offense fails to score, the ball changes possession and the new offensive team starts its drive on its own 5-yard line.
  • If the offensive team fails to cross midfield, possession of the ball changes and the opposition starts its drive from its own 5-yard line.
  • If the defense intercepts the ball, a defensive player can attempt to return it until down, out of bounds or possession of the ball is lost.
  • All possession changes, except interceptions, start on the offense’s 5-yard line.
  • Teams change sides after the first half. Possession changes to the team that started the game on defense.

Offense

The seven players on offense consist of a center, a quarterback and five eligible receivers.
Two of those receivers must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap – each positioned on
opposite sides of the center.

  • Center. This player’s sole responsibility is to snap the ball to begin the play, a critical skill at all levels of football. The center is the only ineligible player on the field. Once the center has delivered the football to the quarterback – either directly or from a pistol or shotgun formation – the center must remain in position except in the case of a turnover, when he or she is then eligible to pull the ball-carrier’s flag.
  • Quarterback. This player receives the snap from the center and initiates the play either through a handoff or pass. The quarterback cannot directly run with the ball across the line of scrimmage without first handing the ball off to a teammate and then receiving a second handoff back or receiving a pass.
  • Receiver/Back. Any player who does not initiate the snap nor receive the snap is considered an eligible receiver/back and can either receive a handoff or catch a pass. Two receivers must be on the line of scrimmage at the snap – on opposite sides of the center – while the other three are at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage in either a slot or running back position. No player other than the quarterback may line up within three yards of the center.

Defense

  • Rusher. One defensive lineman is eligible to rush the quarterback 4 seconds after the ball is snapped. Following a legal handoff, any member of the defense can cross the line of scrimmage.
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