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Flag football is a non-contact variation of American football or Canadian football. It has a similar set of rules to American football, but instead of tackling players to the ground in this sport, the defensive team has to remove the flag or a flag belt from the ball carrier.

As in traditional gridiron football, the primary objective is to score touchdowns by advancing the football down the field and crossing the opponent's goal line. The absence of contact blocking and emphasis on positional tactics make flag football accessible and enjoyable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Flag football

Flag football involve two teams, usually comprising 5, 7, or 8 players each, competing on a smaller field compared to traditional football.

A typical flag football pitch measures 70 x 30 yards (64m x 27.4m) with 10 yards (9.1m) allotted to each of the two end zones.

Players aim to gain yards by running or passing the ball. Instead of tackles, defenders stop the play by pulling the flags from the ball carrier's belt.

Forward passes are permitted, and the quarterback throws the ball to receivers who attempt to catch it and gain yardage. Teams have four attempts (called downs) to advance the ball a specific distance, with each successful attempt earning them a new set of downs.

Scoring involves touchdowns worth six points, and teams can opt for extra point or two-point conversion attempts after a score.

Flag football is widely played all around Asia, Europe and North America and is also being offered by many sports clubs. Flag football will make its Olympic Games debut in 2028. It was also an invitational sport at the 2022 World Games.

Flag Football at the World Games

Flag football was featured at the 2025 Chengdu World Games and here are the medalists who won gold at the end of this event:

Trivia

• Champion quarterback Tom Brady played flag football from elementary school through to his first year at high school.

Similar Sports

• American Football — a team sport played on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. Each team attempts to advance an oval ball down the field into the end zone by running or passing it. It is also known in some parts of the world (outside of the US) as Gridiron. In the US it is referred to simply as football.
• Canadian Football — a type of gridiron football that is played in Canada.
• Tag Rugby — a team sport similar to touch rugby in which instead of a tackle a velcro attached tag is pulled off the ball carrier.
• Touch Football — a version of American Football, where instead of tackling players to the ground, the person carrying the ball only needs to be touched.
• Touch Rugby — a team sport derived from Rugby Football, in which the tackling is replaced with just a touch.
• Chase Tag — like the playground game of tag, a chaser has 20 seconds to tag an evader as they race around an obstacle course.

Related Pages

• About football (general)
• Flag Football at the Olympics
• Flag football is played at the World Games
• Football Decoder — what is called football around the world?
• Complete list of sports
• The Encyclopedia of Sports — a list of every sport from around the world.

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