NFL Flag Rules

NFL FLAG is a football league for children ages five to 17. Boys and girls can participate in the league, which is sponsored by the National Football League’s Play 60 program. According the league, NFL FLAG started in 1996 and is a non-contact, teamwork-oriented sport. NFL FLAG has suggested rules, but allows individual leagues to adapt variations.

  1. Basic Rules of Play

    • NFL FLAG is a non-contact sport, which means there are no tackles, and the game is played much like football in other leagues. Tackles are replaced by removing a flag from a player. The game starts after a coin toss and each offensive series begins on the team’s own five-yard line. If the offensive does not score or cross midfield, the ball changes possession. At half time the teams switch sides of the field. The winner is the team with the most points when time expires, after 40 continuous minutes.

    Player Eligibility and Rosters

    • Boys and girls ages five to 17 can play in NFL FLAG leagues for their age groups. The age requirement is based on the child’s age as of Sept. 1 of the current year and should be verified by birth certificate. Each league needs to have a signed waiver from a parent or guardian for each child on the team. Each team must have a minimum of four players.

    Scoring

    • Each touchdown is worth six points. The kick after each touchdown (from the five-yard line) is worth one point or two points if kicked or run in from the 12-yard line. Safeties are worth two points. A mercy rule should go into effect for teams that are winning by more than 28 points.

    Equipment

    • NFL FLAG provides players with flag belts and two footballs per team. Metal cleats are not allowed and players may wear supportive gear such as gloves, elbow pads and knee pads but not gear with exposed metal is allowed. Players are not allowed to wear jewelry or watches and pants with pockets or belt loops should have the pockets or loops taped down. Players must wear official NFL FLAG jerseys and tuck the jersey into their pants. Each player should have two jerseys; home teams wear dark-colored jerseys and visiting teams wear light-colored jerseys.

    Coaches

    • Typically coaches in the NFL FLAG league are parents of children playing in the league. Parents can find and start leagues on the NFL FLAG Web site. Coaches can walk on the field but should remain on the sidelines after play has started. Each team is allowed to have up to three coaches on the sidelines during a game.