What Is Flag Football & What's the Objective?

**Flag football** is a non-contact version of American football. Instead of tackling, a play ends when a defender pulls a **fabric flag** from the ball carrier's belt. The game is governed by the **International Federation of American Football (IFAF)** and is scheduled to debut at the **2028 Los Angeles Olympics**. **The goal is simple:** score more points than the other team by carrying or passing the ball into the opponent's **end zone**. - Two teams of **5 players each** compete. - Olympic rosters hold up to **12 players**, and substitutes are allowed. - The game is played over **two 20-minute halves**. - The clock runs continuously, stopping only for timeouts and injuries — and during the **final two minutes** of each half. - Each team receives **2 timeouts per half** with no carryover. Because there is **no kicking** in this format — no kickoffs, punts, or field goals — every possession starts fresh with a snap. This keeps the game fast, simple, and beginner-friendly!