Flag football is a popular recreational form of football. It is also played at a competitive level by high schools that might not field a tackle football team. Flag football can be a demanding sport that requires speed, quickness, physical play and the skills to make acrobatic catches. There are several different forms that the game can take.
Eight-Man All Eligible
This type of flag football is often played at the college intramural level. Each team will have eight players, and when your team has the ball, it must have at least four players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. Once the ball is put in play, the players on the line of scrimmage can block the defender in front of them, then go out and try to catch a pass. All players are eligible to catch passes, including the quarterback if he hands off or pitches to a running back or a receiver. In this game, there is usually two 20-minute running halves, although stop time will be used in the final two minutes of the game.
Nine-Man Ineligible
This type of flag football is often played by youngsters who later go on to play tackle football. It is designed to get young players used to the game and its rules, but it eliminates the hard-hitting aspect of the game. In nine-man flag football, a minimum of four players is on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. These players include the center, two guards and one tackle. None is eligible to catch a pass; they are blockers. The only time they can get possession of the ball is after a fumble.This game is usually played with four 10-minute running quarters, although stop time is often used in the last minute of the first half and the last two minutes of the second half. This game includes significant contact, because players will block on the line and downfield.
No-Contact Flag Football
This is the highest-scoring version of flag football. In this game, the offensive players cannot block for one another. The only thing they can do to help a teammate with the ball is to run alongside the teammate and attempt to screen the defender who wants to pull the flag. However, the screening player cannot deliver a block with his forearm or shoulder to assist his teammate. At the same time, defensive players can't get physical with any offensive players who are screening them unless they are running straight at the ball carrier. That's the only time they may move an offensive player with their hands. This game is usually comprised of four 10-minute periods, with with running time in all but the last minute of the first half and the last two minutes of the second half.
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