Rulebook

Coin Toss

• Captains meet at midfield before kickoff
• Visiting team calls the toss
• Winner chooses offense or defense; loser chooses direction
• Possession switches at halftime to team that started on defense
• Teams change field direction after first half

Possession Rules

• Starting position: Offense begins at their own 5-yard line
• First down: Must cross midfield in 4 plays to earn new set of downs
• Scoring opportunity: Once past midfield, 4 plays to score touchdown
• Failed drive: If offense doesn't score, defense takes over at their 5-yard line
• Failed first down: If offense can't cross midfield, opponent starts at their 5-yard line
• Interceptions: Defense can return until downed or out of bounds
• All turnovers (except interceptions) start at offensive 5-yard line

Coaching

• Recommended: 2-3 coaches per team
• Youth level: One coach allowed on field to call plays and direct players
• Cadence rule: Once QB begins cadence, coaches must be silent and behind deepest players
• Alignment help: Youth coaches can position players but no audibles after huddle breaks
• Adult & Junior: No coaches allowed on field during play

Team Rosters

• Minimum: 5 players required
• Recommended maximum: 15 players
• On-field requirement: Games start with 5 players; can continue with 4 if injuries occur (no fewer than 4)
• Home team: Dark jerseys
• Visiting team: Light jerseys

Field Dimensions

Standard playing field for 5v5 flag football:

• Length: 50 yards between goal lines
• Width: 25 yards
• Endzones: 10 yards deep on each end
• Midfield: 25-yard line (first down marker)
• No-run zone: Final 5 yards before endzone (passing only)

Football Specifications

Men's/Co-ed: Adult ball | Women's: Youth ball | Junior games: Youth ball | Youth games: Junior ball

Flag Belt Requirements

• Standard: 2 flags × 15 inches long × 2 inches wide
• Attachment: Pop-socket system, facing outward and downward
• Position: One flag on each hip, clearly visible and hanging freely
• Color: Must sharply contrast with pants/shorts
• Prohibited: No grease, glue, tape, or alterations to flags/sockets
• Tampering: Deliberate manipulation results in disqualification

Player Equipment

• Footwear: Rubber-soled shoes (cleats allowed if venue permits; no exposed metal)
• Mouthguards: Mandatory for all players on field
• Jerseys: Must be tucked in if hanging below belt line
• Shorts/Pants: No pockets recommended; pockets must be taped if present
• Allowed: Gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, forearm/hand tape
• Prohibited: Exposed metal braces, jewelry, unauthorized headwear

Offensive Positions

Defensive Positions

• Blitzer: Lines up 7+ yards from LOS, raises hand to signal rush, gains right of way when rushing QB directly and immediately after snap
• Rushers: Other defenders who cross LOS after legal handoff occurs
• Coverage: Remaining defenders focus on pass coverage and flag pulling

Formation Rules

• Offense: No specific formation requirements; all players eligible after snap
• Defense: No specific formation requirements (except designated blitzer)
• Blitzer declaration: Hand raised above head during final second before snap
• Rush timing: Blitzer must rush immediately and directly toward QB snap location to maintain right of way

Scoring

• Touchdown: 6 points (ball crosses goal line plane)
• PAT from 5-yard line: 1 point
• PAT from 10-yard line: 2 points
• Safety: 2 points (ball-carrier downed in own endzone)
• Defensive PAT return: 2 points (intercept PAT attempt and return to opposite endzone)

Running

• QB restrictions: Cannot run past LOS with ball from snap unless received back via handoff or pass
• Handoffs: Unlimited behind LOS; only one forward handoff allowed per play
• No-run zones: Final 5 yards before endzone = pass only (prevents power running)
• Ball spotting: Ball placed where runner's ball were when flag pulled
• Spinning: Allowed, but must avoid initiating contact
• Ball must break plane: To earn first down or touchdown

Passing

• Forward passes: Only one allowed per play, must be thrown from behind LOS
• All players eligible: Every offensive player can catch passes (including center after snap)
• QB pressure: Must release within 7 seconds or referee blows whistle
• Incomplete pass: Ball returns to original LOS
• Interceptions: Can be returned until carrier downed or out of bounds

Receiving

• Legal catch: Player must have one foot inbounds
• Simultaneous possession: Offense retains ball
• Out of bounds: Play dead immediately
• Bobbled catches: Legal if secured before touching ground

Defensive Rush Rules

• Blitzer: Must be 7+ yards from LOS, raise hand, rush immediately toward QB
• Right of way: Blitzer has priority when rushing properly; loses it if rushing slowly, late, wrong direction, or not toward QB
• After handoff: All defenders may cross LOS and pursue ball-carrier
• QB sack: Pulling QB flags behind LOS = loss of down

Flag Pulling

• Legal pull: One flag cleanly removed = ball carrier down
• Inadvertent flag loss: If flag falls off, one-hand touch anywhere on body downs carrier
• Ball spotting: Marked where ball was when flag pulled (must break plane for first down/TD)
• Flag guarding: Illegal - stiff arms, lowering elbow/head, shielding with ball/hand
• Grabbing jersey: Not permitted; must pull flag only

Prohibited Actions

• Blocking: Completely prohibited - no blocking at LOS, downfield, or screening
• Diving at defender: Ball-carrier cannot dive/jump into defender
• Charging: Runner cannot lower head/shoulder or initiate contact with established defender
• Flag guarding: Cannot use arms, ball, or body to prevent flag access
• Holding: Neither offense nor defense can grab/hold opponents
• Shielding: Offense cannot create picks or deliberately screen defenders from blitzer's path
• Contact avoidance: Both teams responsible to avoid collisions; right of place supersedes right of way

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• Arguing with officials
• Taunting opponents
• Offensive language or gestures
• Throwing equipment
• Excessive celebration
• Leaving bench during confrontation

Defensive Penalties

Offensive Penalties

Enforcement

• Spot fouls: Enforced from location of infraction (charging, flag guarding)
• Pre-snap penalties: Don't count as one of four downs
• Live ball penalties: Part of the play, enforced before down is complete
• Dead ball penalties: Enforced after play ends
• Offsetting penalties: If both teams commit fouls, penalties cancel and down replays
• Declined penalties: Team may decline penalty and accept result of play

League Play

• Game length: Two 20-minute halves (running clock)
• Halftime: 3 minutes
• Clock stops: Timeouts, injuries, referee discretion
• Final 2 minutes: Clock stops on incomplete passes, out of bounds, scores, and first downs
• Timeouts: Each team gets 2 per half (1 minute each)
• Overtime: Each team gets one possession from 5-yard line; highest score wins

Official Crew

• Referee: Head official, makes final rulings, announces penalties, manages game clock
• Down Judge: Monitors line of scrimmage, tracks downs and distance, watches for offsides
• Field Judge: Covers deep passes, watches for pass interference, monitors out of bounds
• Side Judge: Assists with sideline plays, clock management, substitutions

Official Authority

• All rulings are final and not subject to replay review
• Officials have discretion on equipment standards, flag visibility, and safety matters
• Can eject players, coaches, or spectators for unsportsmanlike conduct
• Manage pace of play and enforce time limits