Flag Football
Non-contact form of American football — pull a flag from the ball carrier's belt instead of tackling.
👥5 per team🌤outdoor
What is Flag Football?
Flag football is a non-contact variant of American football in which defenders "tackle" the ball carrier by pulling a flag from a belt around their waist. It uses a shorter field, five-a-side and shorter play clocks. The sport is booming globally and will make its Olympic debut at LA 2028.
Quick facts
Category
Ball Sports
Type
Team sport
Players
5 per team
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1940s United States (military intramural games)
Olympic
Yes
Popularity
major
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified