Flag Football Rules Explained (5-on-5)
No pads, no blocking, no tackling — and it is heading to the Olympics. Here is how the most common version of flag football is played, and where leagues differ.
Install
CHI34
SEA17
Final
PHI10
WAS27
Final
KC24
DEN28
Final
NE24
MIA19
Final
LAC9
LA24
Final
ARI33
DAL30
Final/OT
ATL0
TB16
Final
BAL10
BUF36
Final
CLE6
PIT27
Final
IND7
JAX42
Final
LV38
NYJ33
Final
MIN15
DET19
Final
TEN36
CIN43
Final/OT
CAR19
GB27
Final
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Play Football
Flag leagues, backyard games, youth teams and Sunday-morning touch — this corner of 4Football is for people who play. Learn the rules, find a league near you, sort out your gear and sharpen a skill.
📍 Find a leagueAdult flag, youth flag and tackle, 7-on-7 and women's football — state by state. 🧤 Gear guideWhat you actually need for flag, touch and youth tackle, with live shopping results. 🎯 Skills & drillsThrowing, catching, routes, footwork, flag pulling — coaching cues plus video.
Guides
Football Field Dimensions and Ball Sizes by Age
How big a football field really is, how the markings change from high school to the NFL, and which ball a child should be throwing at each age.
How to Throw a Spiral
A tight spiral is grip, footwork and a clean release — in that order of how often people get them wrong. A step-by-step guide for anyone who has ever thrown a wobbler.
Football Positions Explained for Beginners
Eleven players a side, three units, and a lot of abbreviations. A plain-English tour of who does what — and which positions exist in flag football.
Joining an Adult Flag Football League: What to Expect
You do not need a team, experience or much equipment. How rec leagues work, what to ask before you pay, and how to get through your first season without pulling a hamstring.
Youth Football Safety Basics for Parents and Coaches
Flag or tackle, and when? What good programs do about head injuries, heat and equipment — and the questions to ask before you sign a child up.