How is flag football played? All rules explained for Pro Bowl 2024

Flag football is a variant of American football. Rather than tackling players to the pitch, the defensive team must remove a flag belt or flag from the ball carrier to end a down. It is one of the more popular variations of American football, and it is played on numerous continents around the world.

Due to its international following, the sport has been featured in more national and international competitions each year. While it maintains significant popularity in the United States of America, other nations have developed their flag football associations as well. As a result, the International Olympic Committee has added flag football as a new sport for the 2028 Olympic Games.

On that note, let's explore the nooks and crannies of the latest Olympic sport.

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How many players are on the field in flag football?

According to the official NFL Flag Football website, 10 players are on the field in a standard flag football game. A game consists of two teams playing five-on-five, and each fixture consists of two halves, usually 15 to 25 minutes long.

Each squad has seven players on the bench, meaning that a standard flag football team consists of 12 players.

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Flag football scoring system

According to "Gridiron Football," touchdowns in flag football are worth six points, while extra points are worth one, two, or three points. Furthermore, safeties are worth two points.

A flag football game starts with the customary coin flip, and the winner will either choose to attack or defend to begin the game. Each match lasts for 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves. The shot clock only pauses for a five-minute halftime period, and each team has timeouts (one per half).

The offense starts at the 5-yard line and has four plays (or downs) to cross the midfield for a first down. If the team on offense is unable to reach the first down after three plays, then they can either "punt" or attempt a fourth down. Then, if the offense proceeds to fail to cross midfield on the fourth down, the defending team gets the ball and starts their offense.

The goal is to cross the midfield, after which the team will have three chances (downs) to score the point(s).

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Difference in rules between NFL and Flag Football

Even though NFL and flag football share a plethora of rules, there are some specific differences to take note of. Here are a few:

1. Fewer Players

NFL football features 11 players out on the field per team at all times. These players include the quarterback, the offensive line, the running back, the fullback, and receivers on the offensive side of the ball. While the defending team typically comprises defensive ends, tackles, and linebackers.

On the other hand, there are only five players on the field in flag football. The reason is that flag football is less contact-heavy and more finesse-based compared to NFL football.

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2. No-Contact

NFL football has a reputation for being one of the most physical sports in the world. It's so physical that each player wears helmets to absorb bone-crunching tackles.

On the other hand, flag football is designed to be fun, lightly competitive, and, above all else, safe. The no-contact rule is a cardinal one, and it is strictly followed across all levels.

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3. Scoring

In NFL football, a touchdown is worth six points, and an extra point can be gotten by kicking a field goal from the opponent's two-yard line.

On the other hand, touchdowns in flag football count for six points, while extra points can go from one up to three in some scenarios.