Flag Football

WINTER FLAG FOOTBALL PROGRAM

7 on 7 flag football is a non-contact flag-pulling league available for kids 4 – 14 years old. Kids will be placed on teams in the following age divisions 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U. Age division is determined by the age of the player as of September 1, of the current year. Players may play up but will not be allowed to play down. 

As we are a member of NFL Play 60, we will follow adapted NFL Play 60 Football’s rules and guidelines. All game jerseys, flags, and footballs will be provided by HSA. 

 NO GAMES will be played over Thanksgiving and Winter break, as well as New Year’s Eve/Day observations. 

Coaches will set the team’s practice schedule and location(s). Rosters will be constructed to promote competitive balance and fairness.

 

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF FLAG FOOTBALL?

The first rule of flag football is pretty straight forward: there’s no contact allowed. That includes tackling, diving, blocking, and screening. Instead, players wear flags that hang along their sides by a belt. To “tackle” the person in possession of the ball, the opposing team needs to pull one or both of their flags off.

While flag football rules are designed to keep players safe, you’ll find that they also create an engaging, fast-paced version of football without the physical contact. 

Here’s a list of basic flag football rules: 

  • All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage

  • Only direct handoffs are permitted—there are no laterals or pitches anywhere on the field 

  • The quarterback has seven-second pass clock to get rid of the ball

  • The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it was handed off first

  • Offensive players must steer clear of the rusher and may not get in his/her way

  • Any defensive player lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible to rush

  • If the ball is handed off, any defender may rush

  • Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts)

  • The ball is dead when it hits the ground, the offensive player’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, or the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground

  • All offensive flag football penalties result in a loss of down and yardage

  • All defensive flag football penalties result in an automatic first down and some are associated with yardage

For a complete list of flag football rules, download the NFL FLAG Football Rule Book.

NFL FLAG football is a non-contact sport. There’s no tackling, diving, blocking, screening or fumbles.

flag football positions

Picture a traditional offensive line in tackle football, all 11 players. Now, remove the linemen.   This is where the idea of 5 on 5 flag football comes from—it’s essentially the shell of tackle football, without the linemen. 7 on 7 is the same, just adding 2 more positions on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. In other words, from an offensive standpoint, everyone can catch the pass, creating a continuous, fast-paced game. Here’s a closer look at flag football positions, and what skills are needed for both offense and defense:

OFFENSE

Typically, teams set up in a formation with these 5 positions: 

  • Quarterback

  • Center

  • Wide receivers, running backs, or a mix of both 

At the start of a play, the center snaps the football back to the quarterback, who can either hand it off or throw it. One question we hear frequently is: Can the QB run in flag football? No, most youth flag football rules don’t allow the quarterback to directly run with the ball. They must hand it off behind the line of scrimmage, or complete a forward pass. But if handed off, the quarterback can then run to receive a pass. The center is also allowed to run for a pass. 

While 5 on 5 flag football leagues typically don’t have offensive linemen, 7 on 7 or 9 on 9 might offer this position. Exactly how does offensive linemen work in flag football? Like tackle, they’re responsible for protecting the quarterback and buying him/her more time to find an open player. 

Of any rules, though, you’ll find that flag football blocking rules differ the most from league to league, with some allowing forms of contact. 

If it is allowed, here’s how to block in flag football: Instead of launching forward at the snap, blocker’s use quick footwork and lateral movements to disrupt the defensive player’s path. Their hands are up and palms are open—arms can’t be crossed or fully extended.   

DEFENSE

Without linemen in the mix, there are really two kinds of flag football defensive positions: rushers and defensive backs. Rushers try to get to the quarterback as quickly as possible, while defensive backs line up to face wide receivers, or even farther back as safeties. 

What is a safety in flag football? The safety is an essential defensive position who acts as a catch-all, covering deep throws and any players who get loose. They’re responsible for keeping offensive players in front of them and covering players who slip through the cracks. 

Coaches typically teach both man-to-man and zone defensive strategies. But the most important skill players learn on defense is the proper way to pull off an opponent’s flags. This technique actually lays the foundation for tackle football. For example, when breaking down, players are taught how to square up their opponent, where to align their head and knees, and what angles to take when pulling off flags. Essentially, it’s the exact position an athlete would need to take to physically tackle their opponent. This is a transferable skill set that benefits players who eventually want to play tackle football.

FLAG FOOTBALL PENALTIES 

Flag football penalties are called directly by the referee and are assessed from the line of scrimmage, with the exception of spot fouls. Spout fouls are exactly how they sound: flag football penalties that are assessed from the spot on the field where the foul occurred.

With more than 20 offensive and defensive flag football penalties in NFL FLAG football, understanding all of them can be a bit overwhelming at first. To make it easy, we’ve broken down these flag football terms into two categories: how the field is set up and how the game is played. 

See the full chart of flag football penalties here. 

FLAG FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT

Forget the helmet, the shoulder pads, the bulky gear. Welcome to flag football, where all you need is a few simple items to get in on the action. Here’s a checklist of essential flag football equipment: 

  • Flag football flags and belt. Every player is provided flags and belt from HSA. 

  • Shorts. Players wear shorts without pockets to avoid penalties and finger injuries. Sweatpants are allowed during the colder months of the year, but remember they shouldn’t have pockets.

  • Mouthguard. The rules of flag football require a mouthguard, and it’s the only protective gear that players wear. 

  • Football cleats. Metal cleats are not allowed on any HSA field. HSA plays on local turf fields and metal is not permitted. Only molded cleats or turf are permitted on the field for games.

  • Football gloves. Not required, but definitely a plus! 

  • Jerseys. Uniform jerseys are provided by HSA. 

  • Water. While not mandatory, water is highly recommended during games to keep your athlete safe and hydrated.