Basic rules of game:

• 4 downs to get a first down or score a touchdown. First downs are measured by chains or zones. When zones are used, the placement of the ball for first down, determines the zone. A team must advance across the line to the next zone for a first down, regardless of the distance.
• Touchdown scores 6 points. Allowed Point After Try (PAT) may be for 1 point or 2 points. In tackle, a field goal earns 1 point and a running or passing touchdown from the 5 yard line earns 2 points. Flag football has various rules for PATs. NIRSA awards 1 point for a successful PAT from the 3 yard line and 2 points from the 10 yard line.
• Touchback: Downed in own end zone. 2 points for defense and offense must kick.
• Flag pull (tackle) or out of bounds ends a down. Ball marked where hips are when flag pulled or where the ball is when the player is downed in tackle football.
• Turnover: Can occur on downs (failed 4th down conversion), fumble, or interception in air. No fumbles in flag football.

The field: 40 x 100 yards (80 yards from endzone line to endzone line) for flag football 40x120 yards for football (100 yards endzone to endzone). Zones mark first downs. Sideline, Goal line, End zone.

Equipment: Flag football requires shirt to be tucked in, no metal cleats, no jewelry. Tackle requires approved protective equipment

Kick-off: Kicks are taken from the 35 yard line. Kick out of bounds is penalty. NIRSA flag football does not allow kick offs. The team starts on the 20 yard line.

Punt: In NIRSA flag football rules, the team must declare they are going to punt. Then all players are allowed to line up on the line of scrimmage while one person punts.

Out-of-bounds: Any part of player touches field on or outside sideline or end line. One foot in bounds required.

Snap:

• All players must be behind respective scrimmage lines.
• Offense must hold position for one second before snap.
• NIRSA flag football requires the quarterback to be at least 2 yards behind the center.
• 1 player may be in motion at the snap if all players are first stationary for 1 second. The player in motion can only move laterally or backward from the line of scrimmage.

Passing: A backward pass may be thrown at any time and any number of times. Only one foreward pass allowed from behind line of scrimmage.

Blocking:

• No grasping, pulling, holding, or encircling with hands or arms.
• Arms must be out but not locked and contacting the opponent within the frame of his body below the shoulders.
• Must block player in the front of the body. Clipping is an illegal block to back.
• NIRSA flag football does not allow contact blocking. Players may screen block similar to a basketball screen and the defender must attempt to go around the player.

Guarding the flag (flag football): Cannot guard by using hands, arms, or ball to deny opportunity of opponent. Cannot swing arms over, lower shoulders which puts arms over flag belt.

If flag belt falls off tag between shoulder and knee.