Flag Football: A Growing Trend
Flag football is booming—and it’s easy to see why. It’s fast, inclusive, and actually fun to watch. Kids get all the excitement of football without full-contact hits.
The best part? Anyone can play. No specific build, no prior experience, no “you had to start at age 5” nonsense. If your kid can run, listen, and wants to be part of a team, they’re in.
Field Setup
Our games are played indoors at Conaty Athletic on a scaled-down field built for kids to get more touches and more action:
- Approx. 50 feet wide x 120 feet long
- Two end zones, one at each end
- Smaller field = more plays, more decisions, and less standing around.
Basic Rules
Teams & Timing
- Games are 5-on-5
- Two halves, usually around 12 minutes each
- The clock only stops for halftime, timeouts, or injuries
Non-Contact
- No tackling, diving, blocking, or screening
- Defenders “tackle” by pulling a flag from the ball-carrier
- No fumbles—once the ball is dropped, the play is dead
Ball Handling
- The quarterback can’t run unless the ball is handed off first
- Passes must go forward and beyond the line of scrimmage
- No laterals, pitches, or center sneaks
Dead Ball
A play is over when:
- The ball-carrier’s flag is pulled
- They step out of bounds
- They score, kneel, or their flag falls off
Scoring
- Touchdown: 6 points
- Safety: 2 points
- Extra points:
- 1 point from the 5-yard line
- 2 points from the 10-yard line
If one team goes up by 28 points, we stop tracking the score on the board, but the game still continues so every kid gets full playing time.
Offense & Defense
Running
- No leaping or diving to avoid defenders
- Only direct handoffs are allowed
- The QB can’t run unless they’ve handed off the ball first
Receiving
- Everyone is eligible to catch a pass
- After a handoff, even the quarterback can become a receiver
- Players need one foot in bounds to complete a catch
Passing
- All passes must be forward
- The QB has a seven-second pass clock to get the ball out
Rushing the Passer
- Defenders who rush the QB must start at least seven yards off the line
- Once the ball is handed off, that restriction is lifted and anyone can pursue
Strategy & Plays
This is where the fun really starts.
Coaches use simple formations and plays—slants, posts, handoffs, quick outs—to teach kids how to:
- Find open space
- Read defenses
- Work together to move the ball
New teams start with basic plays and add more as players gain confidence. The goal isn’t to memorize a giant playbook—it’s to understand the game and make smart decisions in real time.