🏛️Official — IFAF
Loading OpenSourceSports…
Team Sports
5–10 players
outdoor
ball, flag
10 essential rules
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) governs international flag football, including the IFAF Flag Football World Championship (every 2 years) and qualification pathway for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, where flag football debuts as an Olympic medal sport. The IFAF 5-on-5...
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; 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
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
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
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; 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
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)
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
Never claim a flag pull you didn't make ('ghost flagging')
Verbally or physically signaling a flag pull when you clearly missed the flag is considered the cardinal integrity violation of flag football. It directly robs the offense of yards and exploits the sport's reliance on honest self- or honor-calls. At competitive and recreational levels alike, ghost flagging is viewed as cheating rather than gamesmanship.
Most damaging in games without full officiating crews, but even with officials present, faking or embellishing a pull is seen as deeply unsportsmanlike across the flag football community.
Don't drive into the quarterback after the ball is released
Even in non-contact flag football, defenders are expected not to aggressively run through the QB after a throw. Making unnecessary contact after the ball has left the quarterback's hand is considered cheap, potentially injurious, and contrary to the spirit of the game regardless of whether an official throws a flag.
At elite speed levels some unavoidable close contact occurs; the unwritten rule concerns intent—coverage proximity is not a license to use the QB as a target.
Ease off when holding a large, decisive lead
With a blowout lead, teams are expected to substitute liberally, avoid high-percentage trick plays, and reduce offensive tempo. Continuing to push the score in a clearly decided game is viewed as disrespectful to opponents and coaches, particularly in youth, developmental, or recreational tournament contexts.
Ready to dive deeper?
More strongly enforced at youth and recreational levels. At elite IFAF international play, score differential may affect bracket seeding, creating genuine tension with this norm.
Don't use body contact to compensate for a missed flag pull
When a defender misses a flag, grabbing, tripping, pushing, or tackling the ball carrier is a serious breach of the sport's foundational principle. Flag football's defining characteristic is non-contact; substituting body contact for a missed pull violates the code even when an official misses it.