IFAF vs NFL FLAG rules: what's different
Both are 5v5, but they play differently. IFAF has no contact, no kicks and no mercy rule that ends the game. Midfield is its only first-down line, and a game is two 20-minute halves. NFL FLAG gives you 4 downs to cross midfield and 3 to score. It lets the coach call a punt and ends a league game at a 35-point lead.
SoCal Fire Elite 0, Lakeview Lady Hawks 01st half4th & 3 to midfieldBall on own 22
Example: NFL FLAG 5v5, girls' youth, NFL FLAG tournament
SoCal Fire Elite faced 4th down at its own 22, 3 yards short of midfield. A 7-yard pass got them across.
In NFL FLAG, crossing midfield earns a new set of 3 downs to score. They scored on the 3rd one.
Watch: Logging an interception (0:32)Desert Ridge Coyotes 0, Rosemont Rockers 01st half4th & 20 to midfieldBall on own 5
Example: IFAF Flag Football, unknown level (treated as youth)
On 4th down from its own 5, Desert Ridge threw 25 yards to the opponent's 20. That crossed midfield.
Under IFAF rules, midfield is the only first-down line. One throw earned a fresh set of downs to score.
Watch: Logging an interception (0:32)IFAF rules are used in international play. Some players will meet them as they move up.
Updated · cited to the official rulebooks · Compare every ruleset
Side by side
| Rule | IFAF Flag Football5v5 | NFL FLAG 5v55v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Players on the field | Up to 5. Playing short is allowed. Missing 2 or more players is a forfeit. Rosters hold up to 15. | 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. |
| Field size | 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. | 30 x 70 yards. That includes two 10-yard end zones. The line to gain is at midfield. |
| No-run zones | The 5 yards in front of each goal line. If you snap on or inside the 5, you must throw a forward pass. Running there costs 5 yards and the down. | 2 on every drive: the 5 yards before midfield and the 5 yards before the goal line. No running plays across the line there. League play skips them for 8U and younger. |
| Downs and first downs | 4 downs. Midfield is the only line to gain. Crossing it earns a first down only once per drive. | 4 downs to cross midfield. Then 3 downs to score. |
| Punts | No. Kicking is not allowed at all. Kicking the ball on purpose costs 5 yards and the down. | 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. |
| Rushing the passer and sacks | 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. | 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. |
| Blocking, screening and contact | 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. | No blocking or screening. No holding the ball carrier or running through them. |
| Game length and clock | 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. | 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. |
| Mercy rule | No rule ends the game early. Lead by 30 or more when the two-minute notice comes, and the clock runs. That lasts for the rest of the half. | League: the game ends at a 35-point lead. Tournament: 28. |
Scroll the table sideways for every rulebook. Each citation jumps to its source below.
Stat it in BreakAway
From 5v5 and 7v7 to NFL FLAG and your own house rules, if you play it, BreakAway can stat it. See how rulesets work
- BreakAway U lesson · 0:32Logging an interceptionTake it the other way
- BreakAway U guideHow to stat a flag football game
Who it's for
- Federations: Talent ID on one national record
In the glossary
Pick your ruleset. Stat the game.
Start from a curated list of presets. Change any rule for your team, league or tournament. Field and downs, how the game's organized, scoring, punts and turnovers, overtime. Saved to your team for the next game. Tap to use it and you're ready to stat. Real stats, generated as you go.
A completed pass, logged in seconds.
Related rules
- 5v5 vs 7v7 flag football: the rules that change
- NFL FLAG vs USA Flag rules: what's different
- High school vs NFL FLAG: what changes
- Every rule, every ruleset, side by side
Official rulebooks
- IFAF Flag Football Rules2023, effective May 1, 2023. Free from the publisher.
- NFL FLAG Official Playing RulesRevised March 24, 2025. Free from the publisher.
Sources cited on this page
- IFAF Flag Football Rules (IFAF, 2023, effective May 1, 2023)
- NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules (NFL FLAG, Revised March 24, 2025)
- NFL FLAG Flag Football Rules (NFL FLAG rules page, Web page, as of October 6, 2026)
- NFL FLAG Important Rule Changes (NFL FLAG changes, Effective fall 2024 league and tournament seasons)