Last updated June 2026.
The Drawer · Rules at-a-glance · Football — Flag
Flag football rules: a five-minute primer for first-time parents
How youth flag football works, how the field and scoring compare to tackle football, what the common calls are, and what first-time spectators consistently get confused by.
Field/court setup
Flag football is played on a smaller field than tackle, typically 30 yards wide and 70 yards long for youth levels, with end zones at each end. Each player wears a belt with two flags attached at the hips. Teams have between 4 and 8 players per side depending on the league format. There are no blocking rules in most youth flag leagues.
Game length
Youth flag football games typically run two 20-minute halves with a running clock, stopping for scores, out-of-bounds, and called plays. Some leagues use a play-count format rather than a game clock. Total game time is usually 45–60 minutes.
Scoring basics
- · Touchdown: 6 points. Getting the ball into the end zone.
- · Extra point: 1 point (run or pass from the 5-yard line) or 2 points (run or pass from the 10-yard line).
- · Safety: 2 points for the defense. When the offense is tackled (flag pulled) in their own end zone.
- · Interception returned for a touchdown: 6 points for the defense.
Calls you'll see
- · Flag guarding: the ball carrier using their arm or hand to prevent a defender from pulling their flag. Illegal. Results in an automatic flag pull at the spot.
- · Offsides: a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap.
- · Pass interference: a defender makes contact with a receiver before or during their attempt to catch the ball.
- · Illegal flag belt removal: pulling a flag when the player does not have the ball.
- · Roughing the passer: making contact with the quarterback after the ball is released.
Three things parents most often get wrong
- · Flag pulling is the tackle equivalent. When both flags are pulled, the play is dead at that spot.
- · Most youth flag leagues do not allow rushing the quarterback. The pass rush comes from behind a set line several seconds after the snap.
- · There is no blocking in most youth flag formats. Players run routes and the defense plays coverage only.
- · The quarterback cannot run past the line of scrimmage in many youth flag formats. Check the specific league rules.