Settle the argument

Flag football rules, settled

The arguments that start on the sideline, answered in one line, with the rule behind every call. Send the page to whoever you’re arguing with.

Can the quarterback run in flag football?

Not straight from the snap.

Can you block in flag football?

Flag football is non-contact.

Yes

Can you rush the quarterback in flag football?

From more than 7 yards back.

Yes

Is flag guarding illegal in flag football?

5 yards and a loss of down.

Yes

Can you spin in flag football?

As long as the flags don’t rise.

Can you jump or hurdle in flag football?

Not to get away from a flag pull.

Can you dive in flag football?

Diving is a form of flag guarding.

Yes

Can you lateral in flag football?

But only behind the line of scrimmage.

Down

What happens if your flag falls off in flag football?

You’re down as soon as you have the ball.

Can you run the ball in the no-run zone?

Inside the 5, it has to be a pass.

Yes

Is one foot in bounds a catch in flag football?

Any part of the body in bounds counts.

Can you pull the flag of a player without the ball?

Only the runner’s flags.

Can you throw two forward passes in flag football?

One forward pass per down.

Can the quarterback catch their own pass in flag football?

Not unless a defender touched it first.

Is there intentional grounding in flag football?

Throwing it away is just an incomplete pass.

Loss of down

What happens when the pass clock runs out in flag football?

7 seconds to pass or hand off.

Yes

Can you hand off forward in flag football?

Behind the line, but never forward to the center.

Yes

Can you run a reverse in flag football?

As many handoffs as you like behind the line.

Yes

Can the defense score on an extra point in flag football?

It’s worth 2 points.

Only for 2

Can you run on an extra point in flag football?

The 1-point try is pass only.

4 + 4

How many downs do you get in flag football?

4 to cross midfield, then 4 to score.

Can a receiver go out of bounds and come back in flag football?

Not if they stepped out on their own.

Yes

Can you tip the ball to a teammate in flag football?

On a forward pass, any player can bat it.

Yes

Is motion allowed in flag football?

One player, not toward the goal line.