Tackle Football vs. Flag Football: Rule Comparison

1. Contact: Not Allowed in Flag Football

The biggest difference in flag football vs. tackle football is contact. As the name implies, there is plenty of contact in tackle football. Offensive players block defenders, while members of the defense try to tackle the offensive ball carrier.

In flag football, on the other hand, contact is prohibited. Players can make contact while defending a pass, but they “tackle” offensive players by pulling one of the flags around their waist.

This difference also leads to a discrepancy in equipment. In tackle football,  for instance, players must wear pads from head to toe, including shoulder pads, helmets, and more. Flag players, conversely, do not need any specialized equipment other than cleats and their flag belt.

2. Number of Players: Way More in Tackle Football

There is also a major difference in the number of players between flag football vs. NFL-style football. In tackle football, the need for offensive and defensive linemen increases the number of starters to 11 players on each side.

In flag football, because those positions essentially do not exist, there are fewer players on the field. Depending on the league, flag football requires five to eight starters per team.

3. Field Size: Bigger in Tackle Football

The field size is another major difference between flag football and tackle football. A traditional tackle football field is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide, not counting 10-yard endzones on either side of the field.

Flag football fields tend to be smaller. Typically, a flag field is only 70 yards long and 30 yards wide.

4. Pace: Flag Football Is Much Faster

Flag football usually has a much faster pace than traditional football. There are fewer stoppages of play, and since teams are encouraged to throw the ball more, drives take less time to complete. The shorter field also reduces the amount of time it takes to score.

The minimal contact also helps to speed up the pace of flag games, as there tend to be fewer injuries.

5. Length of Games: Tackle Football Takes Longer

In tackle football, there are four 15-minute quarters, with a halftime break in the middle. This creates a 60-minute game. For flag games, there are no quarters. Instead, most leagues use 20 to 25-minute halves.

6. First Downs: Completely Different in the Two Sports

The length needed to secure a first down is another significant difference between flag football vs. tackle football. In traditional football, you need 10 yards to get a first down.

For flag football, on the other hand, you typically need to reach midfield within four plays to secure a first down. After passing midfield, the only way to keep the ball for more than four plays without scoring is for the defense to commit a penalty.

7. Extra Points: No Kicks in Flag Football

Both flag and tackle football offer multiple options for the extra point attempt after scoring a touchdown. In NFL-style football, teams can attempt a 2-point conversion from the two-yard line or kick a PAT.

Flag football rules, on the other hand, usually do not allow for kicks. Instead, teams can attempt a conversion from the five or 10-yard lines for one or two points, respectively.