5v5 vs 7v7 flag football: the rules that change

5 a side. The rulebook never states a count, but its rules talk about 5 eligible players. NFL FLAG's rules page allows up to 10 on a roster.

NFL FLAG §IX.5NFL FLAG rules page

5 to start. After an injury, a team may drop to 4. Never fewer.

USA Flag 5's R1-2-3

7 to start, with at least 7 on the roster. After an injury, a team may drop to 4. Never fewer.

USA Flag 7's R1-2-1, R1-2-3

7 to start. Players may get hurt or thrown out with no one left to sub in. Only then may a team play short. Never below 5.

NFHS 1-1-3NFHS changes 1-1-3

Up to 5. Playing short is allowed. Missing 2 or more players is a forfeit. Rosters hold up to 15.

IFAF R1-1-1

Up to 7. A team may play with fewer.

College R1-1-1

30 x 70 yards. That includes two 10-yard end zones. The line to gain is at midfield.

NFL FLAG rules page

25 x 70 yards. That is a 50-yard field plus two 10-yard end zones. Smaller fields are allowed.

USA Flag 5's R1-7-1

25 x 70 yards, the same as the 5v5 book. That is a 50-yard field plus two 10-yard end zones. Smaller fields are allowed.

USA Flag 7's R1-7-1

4 sizes, and each state picks one. Goal lines are 80 or 100 yards apart. The field is 40 or 53 1/3 yards wide. End zones are 10 yards. The 80 x 53 1/3 size is new for 2026-27.

NFHS 1-1-2; Table 1-7 #1NFHS diagrams #1 to #4NFHS changes 1-1-2

A 50 x 25 yard field, plus 10-yard end zones. Countries may change it: 40 to 60 yards long and 20 to 30 wide. End zones must be at least 8 yards.

IFAF Dimensions; National Changes

The goal lines sit 80 yards apart, with 10-yard end zones. Lines cross the field every 20 yards. The width is only shown in a drawing.

College R2-9-2, R2-9-3, R1-2-2

4 downs to cross midfield. Then 3 downs to score.

NFL FLAG §I.3

4 plays to cross midfield, then 4 to score. Midfield is the only first down.

USA Flag 5's R1-1-2a

4 plays to cross midfield, then 4 to score. Midfield is the only first down.

USA Flag 7's R1-1-2a

4 downs to get to the line to gain. It is the first 20- or 40-yard line ahead of the ball, set when the series starts. Near the goal, the goal line is the target.

NFHS 5-1-1; 5-3-1; 2-21-4

4 downs. Midfield is the only line to gain. Crossing it earns a first down only once per drive.

IFAF R2-1-6; R5-1-1a

4 downs to reach the next line. Lines cross the field every 20 yards. No measuring with chains.

College R5-1-1 to R5-1-3; R1-2-2

Touchdown: 6. The try after it: 1 point from the 5 (pass only) or 2 from the 10 (run or pass). You call your choice. Changing it costs a timeout.

NFL FLAG §VII.1, 2, 5

Touchdown: 6. The try after it is 1 point from the 5 or 2 from the 10. From the 5 it must be a pass, since that is the no-run zone. From the 10 you may run or pass.

USA Flag 5's R4-1-1, R4-1-2

Touchdown: 6. The try after it is 1 point from the 5 or 2 from the 10. From the 5 it must be a pass, since that is the no-run zone. From the 10 you may run or pass.

USA Flag 7's R4-1-1, R4-1-2

Touchdown: 6. On the try, you pick 1 point from the 3 or 2 from the 10. Field goals (3) and kicked tries (1) count only where the state allows them. Then the other team starts at its 14. A team still behind may keep the ball instead. It gets 4th down at its own 20.

NFHS 8-1; 8-3-1, 8-3-3, 8-3-9; 8-4-1

Touchdown: 6. The try after it: 1 point from the 5 or 2 from the 10. You choose before the ref readies the ball. A snap on the 5 must be a pass.

IFAF R8-1-1; R8-3-2; R7-1-3f

Touchdown: 6. The try after it: 1 point from the 3 or 2 from the 10. Changing your choice costs a timeout.

College R8-1-1; R8-3-1

No kicking. On 4th down (or 3rd) the coach calls punt or play. A punt gives the other team the ball at its own 5.

NFL FLAG §I.3NFL FLAG changes #5

We found no punt rule. If you don't cross midfield, the other team gets the ball at its own 5.

USA Flag 5's R1-1-2c

We found no punt rule. If you don't cross midfield, the other team gets the ball at its own 5.

USA Flag 7's R1-1-2c

Yes, a real punt. You must call it first. Then kick within 5 seconds of the snap. The other team can run it back, except on a try. Into the end zone, they start at their 14. Punting is on the list of state choices. Kicks off a tee or holder need state approval.

NFHS 6-1-1, 6-1-2; 3-6-2b; 8-5-3, 8-5-4; Table 1-7 #20MPSSAA item 13

No. Kicking is not allowed at all. Kicking the ball on purpose costs 5 yards and the down.

IFAF R2-9-6; R6-1-1

Yes, a real punt. Tell the referee on 4th down, then kick within 4 seconds. No surprise punts. The other team can run it back. Into the end zone, they start at their 14.

College R6-2-1, 2, 4, 9; R2-23-6b; R8-5

Up to 2 rushers, each with a hand raised. They start at the 7-yard rush line. Anyone may rush after a handoff or pitch. The passer has 7 seconds. A sack is pulling the quarterback's flag behind the line. No rushing in league play for 8U and younger.

NFL FLAG §XIII; §XI.3NFL FLAG changes #2, #3

Up to 2 blitzers, each 7 or more yards back with a hand raised. Anyone may rush after a handoff. The 7-second clock ends only on a handoff or pass. A sack is pulling the quarterback's flag behind the line.

USA Flag 5's R1-3-2; R4-5-1 to 6; R4-3-3

Up to 2 blitzers, each 7 or more yards back with a hand raised. Anyone may rush after a handoff. The 7-second clock ends only on a handoff or pass. A sack is pulling the quarterback's flag behind the line.

USA Flag 7's R1-3-2; R4-5-1 to 6; R4-3-3

Not fully checked. The rush rules are in a part of the book we have not read. The penalty list has no rush-line foul. Rushers must go for the flag. Hitting the QB's arm is roughing: 10 yards and a first down.

NFHS Penalty summary, 9-4-4; Points of Emphasis

Any defender more than 7 yards back may rush. Up to 2 may signal as blitzers and get the right of way. The rest wait for a handoff, fake handoff or pass. The passer has 7 seconds.

IFAF R2-2-6; R7-1-4d-f; R7-1-3g

This rulebook has no rush line, no sack rule and no pass clock. Before the snap, defenders must stay back from the ball. Hitting the QB's throwing arm or hand is roughing. Penalty: 10 yards, plus a first down for the offense.

College R7-1-5; R9-1-7

No blocking or screening. No holding the ball carrier or running through them.

NFL FLAG §X.8; §XIV.2

No blocking or screening: 10 yards and the down. The rulebook also explains shielding and aiming.

USA Flag 5's R4-2-5; R4-6; R6-3

No blocking or screening: 10 yards and the down. The rulebook also explains shielding and aiming.

USA Flag 7's R4-2-5; R4-6; R6-3

Not fully checked. The blocking rules are in a part of the book we have not read. The penalty list makes 4 blocking fouls 10 yards each. They are illegal technique, locked arms, holding and illegal use of hands. Screen blocking is a 2026-27 point of emphasis.

NFHS Penalty summaryNFHS rules page

No contact. Who had the spot first, or the path, decides who is at fault. Illegal contact costs 10 yards. The offense also loses the down. Against the defense, it is also a first down.

IFAF R2-13; R9-1-1

Screen blocking is legal if the screener does not start the contact. A defender's illegal use of hands costs 5 yards and gives a first down.

College R2-2-1; R9-3; R9-4

League: two halves of 15 to 25 minutes, set by the league. The clock stops only for injuries, halftime and timeouts. Each team gets one timeout per half, 60 seconds long. Play clock: 40 seconds. Tournament: two 12-minute halves on a running clock. Play clock: 25 seconds. Three 30-second timeouts a game.

NFL FLAG §VINFL FLAG rules page

League: two 20-minute halves. Play clock: 30 seconds. Each team gets 2 timeouts of 30 seconds per half. For 18 and over, stopping the clock in the last 2 minutes is suggested. Tournament: halves of 12, 15 or 20 minutes, by age.

USA Flag 5's R2-1-1 to 4; R2-2-1

League: two 20-minute halves. Play clock: 30 seconds. Each team gets 2 timeouts of 30 seconds per half. For 18 and over, stopping the clock in the last 2 minutes is suggested. Tournament: halves of 12, 15 or 20 minutes, by age.

USA Flag 7's R2-1-1 to 4; R2-2-1

Four quarters of 12 minutes, with a 1-minute break after the 1st and 3rd. Each state sets halftime between 5 and 20 minutes. You get 25 seconds to snap. Each team has 3 timeouts per half, 1 minute each, and loses any it doesn't use. Until the 2-minute mark of each half, an incomplete pass or a runner going out keeps the clock running.

NFHS 3-1-1, 3-1-6, Table 3-1; 3-4-4f, g; 3-5-1; 3-6-1

Two 20-minute halves. The clock stops for set events in the final 2 minutes of each half. Play clock: 25 seconds. Two 60-second timeouts per half.

IFAF R3-2-1, R3-2-5; R3-3-2, R3-3-4; R7-1-1b

Four 12-minute quarters. The clock runs nonstop through minute 22 of each half. Then comes a two-minute timeout. Play clock: 30 seconds. 3 timeouts per half.

College R3-3-1; R3-6-1, R3-6-2; R4-1-5; R3-4-3a