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Rules: NFHS 7v7, FNL 6v6, and NFL FLAG 5v5, explained for coaches

Flag football rules differ by rulebook. NFHS rules govern 7v7 girls high school flag; FNL rules govern 6v6 leagues; NFL FLAG rules govern 5v5 youth leagues. The rules that change your coaching most are whether the quarterback can run, where the rusher starts, and how the clock works. These guides explain each rulebook without reproducing it.

Under NFL FLAG rules the rusher starts 7 yards off the line of scrimmage and the quarterback cannot run, which is why a 5v5 playbook and a 7v7 playbook cannot be the same book.

By Jay Fraser. Published . Updated .

Rules explainers

  • NFHS girls flag football rules for coaches (7v7) Coming soon

    Field, players, clock, scoring, rushing, running, contact, equipment.

  • NFL FLAG 5v5 rules for coaches Coming soon

    The 7-yard rusher, the no-run quarterback, and the no-contact line.

  • FNL 6v6 rules for coaches Coming soon

    A quarterback who can run, and what that does to your defense.

  • 5v5 vs 6v6 vs 7v7: the rule differences that matter Coming soon

    One table, three formats, the rules that change your play calls.

  • The five rules coaches get wrong Coming soon

    Flag guarding, the rush line, the run zone, the dead ball, and the clock.

  • Flag football scoring rules

    Touchdowns, extra-point tries, safeties, and tiebreakers. The guide that owns scoring.

Learn the rules in the order they change your coaching

  1. 1Find out which rulebook your league uses. Ask the commissioner; the answer is usually NFHS, NFL FLAG, FNL, or a house rulebook based on one of them.
  2. 2Learn the quarterback rule first. If the quarterback can run, your playbook and your defense both change.
  3. 3Learn the rusher rule second: where the rusher starts and how many can come.
  4. 4Open the playbook for your format so every play you install is legal under those rules. 7v7 playbook browser.
  5. 5Read the scoring rules guide for values and tiebreakers. Flag football scoring rules.

The rules that change your coaching, by format

Rule7v7 (NFHS)6v6 (FNL rules)5v5 (NFL FLAG rules)
Players on the field765
Can the quarterback runYesYesNo
HandoffsYes, a back takes handoffs and jet sweepsYesYes, but the quarterback cannot carry past the line
Rusher startSee the NFHS rulebookSee the FNL rulebook7 yards off the line of scrimmage
Who plays itGirls high school and college womenYouth and adult FNL leaguesYouth and adult NFL FLAG leagues

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Frequently asked questions

Q01Which rulebook does girls high school flag football use?+

Most state associations that sanction girls flag football adopt the NFHS flag football rules, which are written for the 7v7 game. Some states publish their own modifications, so read your state association rulebook alongside the NFHS book before the season.

Q02Do youth flag football leagues all follow the same rulebook?+

No. NFL FLAG leagues use the NFL FLAG rules, FNL leagues use FNL rules, and many independent leagues write a house rulebook based on one of them. Ask for your league rulebook in writing before the first practice and coach from that, not from memory of another league.

Q03What rule differences matter most when switching from 5v5 to 7v7?+

Three. The quarterback can run in 7v7 and cannot in 5v5. A back takes handoffs and jet sweeps in 7v7, so you coach a run game. And the field has two more players on each side, which changes spacing, zone drops, and how deep your safeties play.

Q04Where can I read the official flag football rulebooks?+

NFL FLAG publishes its rules on nflflag.com. The NFHS sells its flag football rules book through nfhs.org and state associations post their adoptions. IFAF, NIRSA, and USA Football publish their own rulebooks for international, collegiate recreational, and youth play. Links are in the sources on this page.

Q05Should I teach my players the rules or just the plays?+

Both, but the rules first. A team that knows flag guarding, the rush line, and the run rule stops giving away penalties, and penalties decide more youth games than play design does. Ten minutes on rules at the first practice pays off all season.

Sources

Part of the Flag50 coach library. Do it now on the 7v7 tool page, 6v6 tool page, or 5v5 tool page.