Flag football. It's the fastest growing form of football in the country. It's a fast-paced game forever.
From men and women to boys and girls of all ages. Flag football is non-contact. So, all you need is a football and a flag.
Pair Flags. Players wear flags around their waist and pulling on one stops the play. You probably already knew that though, right?
But if you're new to flag, there are a few key differences you should know. In flag, the field is 50 yards long and 20 25 yards wide with 10 yard deep end zones. A game lasts 40 minutes with two 20 minute halves.
Plenty of time to show off your flag skills and touchdown dance moves. Here's how the game is played. There's an offense and a defense, but no special teams because punts and field goals are not part of the game.
On offense, you have five players, a center, quarterback, and three receivers. They start at their own five yard line and have four plays to cross midfield for a first down. Once past midfield, they'll have another four plays to score. The offense can run either pass plays or run plays. Once hiked, the quarterback has seven seconds to release the ball.
On pass plays, a receiver only needs one foot inbounds. The quarterback can't advance the ball beyond the line of scrimmage, unless they first hand the ball off to a teammate. Then, they are like any other offensive player and can receive another handoff or pass.
By the way, there are other ways to score. There are no run plays within 5 yards of the end zone. If you're that close to the end zone, it's all about taking it to the air. On defense, one player is the blitzer.
They are designated by raising their hand. Blitzers start 7 yards back, while others on defense can line up at the line of scrimmage. A blitzer's clear path to the quarterback cannot be blocked. It's simply the quarterback versus the blitzer at this point.
Only the player with the ball can have their flag pulled, and there's no tackling, holding, or stripping the ball. ball. When possession changes, the drive starts on the new offense's 5-yard line. In the case of an interception, if the player with the ball runs out of bounds or is deflagged, the offense starts at that location.
And of course, interceptions can also be returned for a touchdown. On extra point tries, you can go for one from the 5-yard line, but it must be a pass play or a two-point conversion from the 10 with the option to either run or pass. Here are a few more key rules to keep in mind. No diving, leaping, or jumping to avoid a flag pool.
But dipping and spinning are perfectly fine. Just don't get too dizzy. And for offensive players without the ball, remember to stop your motion once the ball crosses the line of scrimmage. Blocking and screening are big no-nos. And that, my friends, is the essence of flag football.
Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, mastering these rules will help you enjoy the game to the fullest. So, grab your flags and your... fastest shoes and get ready for a whole lot of fun.