Interception rules in flag football
Yes, you can return an interception in almost every rulebook. The exception is NFL FLAG's One-Way Field, where the play ends at the catch. Most rulebooks give 2 points for a defensive score on an extra-point try. High school does not let the defense score on a try at all.
Harbor Point Mariners 6, Rosemont Rockers 142nd half2nd & 8 to midfieldBall on own 17
Example: NFL FLAG 5v5, youth, NFL FLAG tournament
Trailing 14-6, Harbor Point took over at its own 5 after a punt. Two plays later, a pass was picked off and returned for a touchdown.
In NFL FLAG, a pick-six is worth 6 points during regulation. It made the score 20-6.
Watch: Logging an interception (0:32)LC Legends 0, Harbor Point Mariners 20Q23rd downBall on own 33
Example: NFHS (girls' high school), high school (NFHS rules, treated as youth)
Trailing 20-0, LC Legends threw on 3rd down from its own 33. Harbor Point intercepted and ran it back to the 9.
In NFHS play, the new offense starts where the return ends. Harbor Point scored on the next snap.
Watch: Logging an interception (0:32)Interceptions swing games. Your players should know they can run them back.
Updated · cited to the official rulebooks · Compare every ruleset
By ruleset
What each rulebook says, in our words, with the rule to check it against. A blank cell says why it is blank.
NFL FLAG 5v5
5v5 · Youth leagues and tournaments
Yes, you can run them back. A return touchdown is 6 during regular play. It is 2 on a try or in overtime. A backward pass behind the line can be picked off and run back too.
NFL FLAG §VII.3; §XII.4NFL FLAG changes #4NFL FLAG rules page
NFL FLAG One-Way Field
5v5 · Youth, on a one-direction field
The play ends at the catch. The ball goes to the 40.
USA Flag 5's
5v5 · Leagues and tournaments, all ages
Yes, you can run them back. The new offense starts where the play ends. A defensive touchdown on a try is 2.
USA Flag 7's
7v7 · Leagues and tournaments, all ages
Yes, you can run them back. The new offense starts where the play ends. A defensive touchdown on a try is 2.
NFHS (girls' high school)
7v7 · Sanctioned high school
Yes, you can run them back. The intercepting team starts where the play ends. On a try, the play stops once the defense has the ball. Only the offense can score on a try.
Illinois HS (IHSA)
7v7 · Illinois girls' high school
In overtime, an interception ends the play. No return. Otherwise NFHS.
IFAF Flag Football
5v5 · International play
Yes, you can run them back. The new offense starts where the play ends. A defensive touchdown on a try is 2.
College Flag Football
7v7 · College, including NAIA women's
Yes, you can run them back. The intercepting team starts where the play ends. A return for a score on a try is 2.
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
- Families: Follow every game, get recruited
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.
Questions.
6 points during the game. In NFL FLAG, a pick-six on an extra-point try or in overtime is worth 2.
Related rules
- Can the quarterback run in flag football?
- Is flag football a contact sport? Blocking and contact rules
- What is flag guarding? The rule and the penalty
- How long is a flag football game?
- Can you jump, dive or spin in flag football?
- Flag football equipment rules
- Every rule, every ruleset, side by side
Official rulebooks
- NFL FLAG Official Playing RulesRevised March 24, 2025. Free from the publisher.
- USA Flag 5's Rulebookv2026.2. Free from the publisher.
- USA Flag 7's Rulebookv2026.2. Free from the publisher.
- IFAF Flag Football Rules2023, effective May 1, 2023. Free from the publisher.
- 2025-26 and 2026-27 College Flag Football Rules2025-26 and 2026-27. Free from the publisher.
- Get the official NFHS rulebookThe NFHS Flag Football Rules Book is sold by NFHS. The cells here answer one question each in BreakAway's words; the book is the rule.
Sources cited on this page
- NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules (NFL FLAG, Revised March 24, 2025)
- NFL FLAG Important Rule Changes (NFL FLAG changes, Effective fall 2024 league and tournament seasons)
- NFL FLAG Flag Football Rules (NFL FLAG rules page, Web page, as of October 6, 2026)
- USA Flag 5's Rulebook (USA Flag 5's, v2026.2)
- USA Flag 7's Rulebook (USA Flag 7's, v2026.2)
- NFHS Flag Football Rules Book (NFHS, 2026-27)
- IHSA adoptions for the 2025-26 NFHS Flag Football Rules (IHSA, 2025-26, Section 7)
- IFAF Flag Football Rules (IFAF, 2023, effective May 1, 2023)
- 2025-26 and 2026-27 College Flag Football Rules (College, 2025-26 and 2026-27)