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!