MAJOR FLAG FOOTBALL
OFFICIAL RULEBOOK
Major Flag Football is a 6-on-6 youth flag football league focused on competition, player development, sportsmanship, and fun.
These rules apply to all Major Flag Football games unless otherwise noted.
QUICK RULES
6-on-6 Flag Football
4 downs to reach midfield
4 downs to score after crossing midfield
One forward pass per play
One defensive rusher per play
7-yard rush line
5-yard no-run zones
No blocking or tackling
K–1: Coach Quarterback
2–3, 4–5 & Junior High: Player Quarterback
DIVISIONS
K–1
Coach Quarterback
2–3
Player Quarterback
4–5
Player Quarterback
JUNIOR HIGH
Player Quarterback
All divisions play 6-on-6.
PENALTY ENFORCEMENT
Major Flag Football uses a simplified penalty system so players, coaches, and officials can easily understand and consistently enforce penalties.
DEFENSIVE PENALTIES
5 yards in favor of the offense + replay the down
Examples include:
• Tackling
• Pushing a runner out of bounds
• Defensive pass interference
• Illegal contact
• Illegal rushing
• Multiple rushers crossing the line of scrimmage
The offense may decline the penalty and take the result of the play.
OFFENSIVE PENALTIES
5 yards against the offense + loss of down
Examples include:
• Holding
• Blocking
• Screening or picking
• Flag guarding
• Offensive pass interference
• Illegal forward pass
PRE-SNAP PENALTIES
Pre-snap penalties are enforced 5 yards and the down is replayed.
Examples include:
• False start
• Offside
• Illegal motion
SERIOUS OR REPEATED FOULS
Dangerous, intentional, unsportsmanlike, or repeated violations may result in additional consequences at the official's discretion, including removal from the game.
GAME FORMAT
Games consist of two 20-minute halves with a 3-minute halftime.
The game uses a running clock except for injuries, official timeouts, or other situations determined by the officials.
FINAL TWO MINUTES
If the score is within 8 points at the 2-minute mark of the second half, normal clock-stoppage rules apply for the remainder of the game.
The clock stops on:
• Incomplete passes
• Players going out of bounds
• Touchdowns and extra-point attempts
• Changes of possession
• Penalties
• Official timeouts and injuries
If the score is more than 8 points apart, the running clock continues.
STARTING POSSESSION
The game begins with a coin toss or other method determined by the officials.
Each offensive possession begins at the team's own 5-yard line, except following an interception.
DOWNS
The offense has 4 downs to reach midfield.
Once the offense crosses midfield, it receives 4 additional downs to score.
If the offense fails to reach midfield within four downs, possession changes.
If the offense reaches midfield but fails to score within its next four downs, possession changes.
After a turnover on downs, the opposing team begins at its own 5-yard line.
OFFENSIVE RULES
Quarterback
K–1: Coach Quarterback
2–3, 4–5 & Junior High: Player Quarterback
The quarterback may not run beyond the line of scrimmage.
Snap
The ball must be snapped between the center's legs.
The center may not intentionally move the ball before the snap.
Running
Players may run the football except when the play begins inside a designated no-run zone.
NO-RUN ZONES
No-run zones are located within 5 yards on either side of midfield and within 5 yards of each end zone.
When the offense begins a play inside a no-run zone, the ball may not be advanced by a direct handoff or quarterback run.
The ball must be advanced by a forward pass or a backward/lateral toss or pitch.
Passing
Only one forward pass may be thrown during a play.
The forward pass must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
Once a forward pass has been thrown, another forward pass is not allowed — even if the player throwing the second pass is still behind the line of scrimmage.
Backward & Lateral Passes
Backward and lateral passes are allowed.
A backward or lateral pass may be thrown anywhere on the field.
The ball must travel sideways or backward relative to the player throwing the ball.
Players may continue to make legal backward or lateral passes after a forward pass has been completed.
If a backward or lateral pass touches the ground, the ball is dead at that spot.
Handoffs
Handoffs are allowed behind the line of scrimmage.
Motion
One offensive player may be in motion before the snap.
The player in motion may not be moving toward the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.
All other players must be set.
Eligible Receivers
All players are eligible receivers, including the center after the snap.
Blocking & Screening
Blocking is not allowed.
Offensive players may not use their hands, arms, shoulders, or body to block, screen, pick, or intentionally interfere with a defender.
Players without the ball must give defenders an opportunity to pursue and pull the ball carrier's flag.
Flag Guarding
Ball carriers may not intentionally prevent a defender from reaching their flags.
Flag guarding includes:
• Covering a flag with a hand or arm
• Swatting or pushing away a defender's hand
• Lowering a shoulder into a defender
• Using the ball or body to intentionally prevent a flag pull
Penalty: 5 yards against the offense + loss of down
DEFENSIVE RULES
Rushing the Quarterback
Only one defensive player may rush the quarterback on each play.
The designated rusher must begin at least 7 yards from the line of scrimmage.
The rusher must have one hand raised before the snap to identify themselves as the designated rusher.
The rusher must keep their hand raised until the ball is snapped.
Only the designated rusher may cross the line of scrimmage before a handoff, backward pass, lateral pass, or forward pass releases the other defenders.
If more than one defender illegally crosses the line of scrimmage to rush the quarterback:
Penalty: 5 yards in favor of the offense + replay the down
Flag Pulling
A defensive player stops a ball carrier by legally pulling one of the ball carrier's flags.
The play is dead when the flag is pulled.
The ball is spotted where the ball carrier's flag was pulled.
Defenders should attempt to pull the flag rather than initiate unnecessary contact with the ball carrier.
Tackling & Illegal Contact
Tackling is prohibited.
Players may not intentionally tackle, trip, shove, or take down a ball carrier.
Defenders may not intentionally force a ball carrier out of bounds instead of attempting to pull the flag.
Penalty: 5 yards in favor of the offense + replay the down
Dangerous, intentional, or repeated contact may result in the player being removed from the game.
LOOSE BALLS
Defenders may not intentionally wrestle, rip, or strip the football from a player who has possession.
However, a ball that comes loose remains live until it touches the ground.
If the ball comes loose without touching the ground, either team may gain possession.
A defender who legally gains possession of a loose ball may advance it.
This includes a defender who unintentionally gains possession of the football while making a legal attempt to pull the ball carrier's flag.
If the ball touches the ground, the play is immediately dead. There are no recoveries of a ball from the ground.
The offense retains possession at the spot where the ball became dead unless possession had already legally changed.
Officials may penalize attempts to wrestle, rip, or forcibly remove a secured football from another player's possession.
INTERCEPTIONS
An interception results in an immediate change of possession.
The defender may return the interception.
The play continues until the returner's flag is pulled, the player goes out of bounds, scores, or the ball otherwise becomes dead.
An interception returned to the end zone is a touchdown.
SCORING
TOUCHDOWN
6 points
EXTRA POINT
1 point from the 5-yard line
TWO-POINT CONVERSION
2 points from the 10-yard line
No-run zone rules apply to extra-point attempts.
OVERTIME
If a game requiring a winner ends in a tie, each team receives an opportunity to score.
Each team receives 4 plays from midfield.
After a touchdown, the team must attempt a 2-point conversion.
If the score remains tied after both teams have had a possession, additional rounds continue until a winner is determined.
PASS INTERFERENCE
Players have the right to make a play on the football.
A player may not intentionally restrict an opponent's opportunity to catch a pass through illegal contact.
Defensive Pass Interference
5 yards in favor of the offense + replay the down
The offense may decline the penalty and accept the result of the play.
Offensive Pass Interference
5 yards against the offense + loss of down
TURNOVERS ON DOWNS
If the offense fails to reach midfield within four downs, possession changes.
If the offense crosses midfield but fails to score within its next four downs, possession changes.
Following a turnover on downs, the opposing offense begins at its own 5-yard line.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Players, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship.
Major Flag Football encourages competitive play without disrespectful behavior.
Players should:
• Respect teammates and opponents
• Respect coaches and officials
• Avoid taunting or excessive celebration directed at opponents
• Play hard while maintaining control
Coaches and spectators should:
• Encourage players positively
• Respect officials and opposing teams
• Allow coaches to coach
• Avoid arguing with officials
• Help create a positive environment for youth football
Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in a 5-yard penalty.
Serious or repeated unsportsmanlike conduct may result in removal from the game or field area.
COACH EXPECTATIONS
Coaches are expected to:
• Teach proper football fundamentals
• Encourage good sportsmanship
• Keep players involved and developing
• Respect officials and opposing teams
• Maintain a positive team environment
• Communicate practices and schedules with families
Players should receive meaningful opportunities to participate and develop throughout the season.
OFFICIALS
Officials are responsible for enforcing the rules while maintaining safety, fairness, and game flow.
Officials may use reasonable judgment when a situation is not specifically addressed by this rulebook.
Not every incidental contact is a penalty. Officials should distinguish between normal incidental contact and contact that creates an unfair advantage or unnecessary safety risk.
The goal is to keep the game safe, fair, competitive, and moving.
RULE CLARIFICATIONS
Situations may occasionally occur that are not specifically addressed in this rulebook.
Major Flag Football reserves the right to clarify rules and make rulings when necessary to preserve the safety, fairness, and integrity of the league.
MAJOR FLAG FOOTBALL
6-on-6 Youth Flag Football
Competitive • Developmental • Fun
More Touches. More Reps. More Football.