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Rushing the passer: the rush line and the 7-second rule

Yes, in most rulebooks. NFL FLAG, USA Flag and IFAF let defenders rush from 7 yards back. The quarterback gets 7 seconds to throw or hand off. College has no rush line or pass clock.

Desert Ridge Coyotes 13, LC Legends 162nd half1st & goalBall on opp 14

Example: NFL FLAG 5v5, youth, NFL FLAG tournament

Trailing 16-13 late, Desert Ridge had 1st down 14 yards from the end zone. The quarterback's flag was pulled behind the line for a 5-yard loss.

That is a sack. In NFL FLAG, up to 2 rushers may come from 7 yards back. The drive ended without a score.

Watch how to stat it in the BreakAway app: Logging a sackWatch: Logging a sack (0:41)

Lakeview Lady Hawks 0, Bay City Blaze 6Q21st downBall on own 20

Example: Illinois HS (IHSA), Illinois girls' high school

Down 6-0, Lakeview started a drive at its own 20. Two sacks in a row pushed it back to its own 8. Lakeview then had to punt.

A sack costs the offense yards and a down. Back-to-back sacks can end a drive fast.

Watch how to stat it in the BreakAway app: Logging a sackWatch: Logging a sack (0:41)

The rush gives your quarterback time to throw. It also gives your defense a fair chance.

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

    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

    NFL FLAG One-Way Field makes no change here.

  • USA Flag 5's

    5v5 · Leagues and tournaments, all ages

    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

  • USA Flag 7's

    7v7 · Leagues and tournaments, all ages

    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

  • NFHS (girls' high school)

    7v7 · Sanctioned high school

    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

    Illinois (IHSA) makes no change here.

  • IFAF Flag Football

    5v5 · International play

    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

  • College Flag Football

    7v7 · College, including NAIA women's

    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

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A completed pass, logged in seconds.

Questions.

It is the pass clock. Under NFL FLAG, USA Flag and IFAF rules, the quarterback gets 7 seconds to get rid of the ball. In USA Flag and IFAF, a handoff or a pass beats the clock.

Related rules

Official rulebooks

Sources cited on this page

  1. NFL FLAG Official Playing Rules (NFL FLAG, Revised March 24, 2025)
  2. NFL FLAG Important Rule Changes (NFL FLAG changes, Effective fall 2024 league and tournament seasons)
  3. USA Flag 5's Rulebook (USA Flag 5's, v2026.2)
  4. USA Flag 7's Rulebook (USA Flag 7's, v2026.2)
  5. NFHS Flag Football Rules Book (NFHS, 2026-27)
  6. IFAF Flag Football Rules (IFAF, 2023, effective May 1, 2023)
  7. 2025-26 and 2026-27 College Flag Football Rules (College, 2025-26 and 2026-27)

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