What are the rules for the flags in flag football?
Officials' detail · The game · 1 of 1Every player wears a tight belt with two identical flags, one on each hip, attached by pop sockets. The flags must hang free, be in plain view and contrast with the shorts. A player holding the ball with fewer than two flags is down on the spot. Helmets, pads and headwear are not allowed.
How it works
- Two flags: "tightly fixed flag belts with pop-sockets and 2 identical flags", one on each side of the waist.
- In view: the flags must hang freely, uncovered by the jersey.
- Contrast: every colour on the flag must contrast with the shorts.
- Size: each flag is 15 to 16 inches long and about 2 inches wide.
- The jersey: tucked in, with a number from 0 to 99 on the back.
- Shorts: one colour for the whole team, with no pockets, studs or clips.
- A lost flag: the ball is dead the moment a player with fewer than two flags has it.
- Tampering: a player who deliberately manipulates their flags is disqualified.
- Banned: helmets, shoulder pads, caps, headbands and bandannas.
- Also banned: metal cleats or cleats longer than half an inch, jewellery, towels and anything sticky.
- Glasses: only sports glasses that cannot shatter.
- Mouthpiece: strongly recommended, not required.
The glossary has the flag belt, the flag pull, flag guarding, the tackle, the referee and the penalty.
Tricky cases
A receiver loses a flag running a route, then catches a pass and runs on. Where is the ball dead?
Where the catch was made. The pass is complete, and the yards after it do not count.
A player's jersey has come untucked and hangs over the flag sockets. Is that a problem?
Yes. It is illegal equipment. The whole flag must be uncovered, and the player must fix it or leave the field.
A team in white shorts uses rainbow flags that match its red jerseys. Legal?
Yes. The flags must contrast with the shorts, not the jersey.
A player is told to leave to fix their belt and refuses. What follows?
The team is charged a timeout. If it has none left, the penalty is 5 yards.
Why the rule exists
The flag is the tackle. The rule book wants the flags to be "an easy target": if a defender can reach a flag cleanly there is no reason to grab the player. Loose shorts, pockets and flags that blend in all make the pull harder and contact more likely.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Senior games | Sockets release at a pull of up to 100 newtons | IFAF Flag Rule 1-3-2 |
| All other games | Up to 50 newtons | IFAF Flag Rule 1-3-2 |
| Youth and junior games, by national change | Flags need not be pop flags | IFAF Flag Rules, National Changes |
| Beach flag | No shoes | IFAF Flag Rules, Beach Flag |
From the rule book
International Federation of American Football, International Flag Football Rules 2023 (in force from 1 May 2023), Rule 1, Section 3, Rule 4-1-2 and Rule 9-2-2 h, with approved rulings 1-3-1-I to IV and 4-1-2-II. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IFAF International Flag Football Rules 2023 (PDF).