Offensive flag-guarding: 5-yard penalty + loss of down (using hands/arms to block defender's reach for flag); Illegal contact / blocking: 10-yard penalty; Defensive holding / illegal flag pull: 5-yard penalty + automatic first down
Why people argue about this
People often assume that defensive players can't be penalized for flag-guarding, thinking it's only offensive players who get flagged in NFHS Flag Football. This misunderstanding stems from a lack of understanding about which team is responsible for maintaining possession and avoiding penalties when handling the ball.
