See flag football in action
The quickest way to understand the sport: pull the flag, stop the play, then win territory one down at a time.
The game
What is flag football?
Flag football is a non-contact version of American football. Five players a side, a smaller field, and instead of tackling, defenders pull a flag from the ball-carrier's belt to end the play. It is played under IFAF rules worldwide and debuts at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. The official IFAF rulebook is linked at the bottom.
The whole game in four numbers
Flag football is fast, tactical and easy to follow once you see the rhythm of a possession.
5v5
4
6
0
How one possession works
Find the space, close the space
The arrows show ideas, not a playbook. On offense, routes create space and timing. On defense, players share space, communicate and protect the most dangerous routes.
Stretch the defense
Routes at different depths make defenders choose. The quarterback reads the space that opens, not a memorised name.
Cross the middle
Crossing routes force defenders to pass threats on or follow them. Good spacing keeps the routes clear for the catch and the run after it.
Protect the deep field
A simple defensive picture: deep players protect the big play while underneath defenders close the short space and the rusher pressures the quarterback.
Man coverage
Each defender follows a receiver. It is aggressive and clear, but motion and crossing routes test communication.
Zone coverage
Defenders protect areas of the field and pass receivers between them. Eyes stay on the quarterback while the team keeps its shape.
Pressure with control
The rusher attacks the quarterback while the rest of the defense squeezes the passing lanes. The goal is a hurried decision, not a reckless gamble.
The basics
- Five players per team on the field at a time.
- There is no tackling and no blocking. To stop someone you pull one of the two flags off their belt.
- The moment a flag comes off, the play is over at that spot.
- Everyone can catch and everyone can defend — there are no restrictions by position.
How a game flows
- One team attacks, the other defends. The attack starts from its own end of the field.
- The attacking team gets four attempts (called downs) to reach midfield.
- Reach midfield and it gets four fresh downs to reach the end zone and score.
- Fail, or throw an interception, and the other team takes over.
- The ball is never live on the ground — there are no fumbles to chase.
Scoring
- Touchdown — carrying or catching the ball in the end zone: 6 points.
- Extra point from the shorter distance: 1 point.
- Extra point from the longer distance: 2 points.
- Safety — the attacking team is stopped behind its own goal line: 2 points to the defence.
What you cannot do
- No contact. No tackling, blocking, holding or shoulder charges.
- No flag guarding — you may not use your hand or arm to keep a defender away from your flags.
- No diving or hurdling to avoid a defender.
- The player rushing the passer must start from the marked distance off the line, not right in the quarterback's face.
Field of play
Ask the rulebook
Type a question and get the answer from the official IFAF rulebook, with the rule it comes from. Every answer is quoted or written from the book itself — nothing is guessed.
Why it is a safe place to start
- Non-contact by design, which is why it is played in mixed ability groups worldwide.
- Very little equipment: shirt, shorts, cleats, a flag belt.
- The rules above are the whole game — you can follow your first session without studying anything.
- It is an Olympic sport from Los Angeles 2028, in the same 5-on-5 format we train.
Quick answers
Is flag football contact-free?
No contact. No tackling, blocking, holding or shoulder charges. There is no tackling and no blocking. To stop someone you pull one of the two flags off their belt.
How many players are on the field?
Five players per team on the field at a time. Everyone can catch and everyone can defend — there are no restrictions by position.
How do you score in flag football?
Touchdown — carrying or catching the ball in the end zone: 6 points. Extra point from the shorter distance: 1 point. Extra point from the longer distance: 2 points.
Is flag football an Olympic sport?
It is an Olympic sport from Los Angeles 2028, in the same 5-on-5 format we train.
Everything you need to join
The same answers as our FAQ, gathered on one page you can read top to bottom or send to a friend.
- Who can join
- Ljubljana Frogs is a men's club and we train players aged 16 and over — no previous flag football experience needed. If you are a woman who wants to play, our friends at Domžale Tigers run a women's programme and we will happily point you their way. If you are under 16, you can train and play soccer at the same venue in Dobrova until you are old enough to join us.
- When and where we train
- At Nogometno igrišče Dobrova in Šujica, Dobrova pri Ljubljani (ŠD Dobrova). Monday and Wednesday are flag football and mandatory. Tuesday is a sprinting session and Thursday is technical training — both optional. Sessions run 18:00–19:30, or 17:30–19:00 when the sun sets earlier. Saturday is by arrangement when there are no games.
- What it costs
- Your first week of training is free — a full week, not one session stretched over three. If you only drop in occasionally instead, it is 10 € per training. Each season you pay 50 € (club membership plus championship licence). Billing starts in September, so the mid-August start of the season is not charged — and neither is November, the free month with no club training. Training then costs 40 € per month if you live within 30 km of the training ground in Šujica, Dobrova; travel from further out and training is free — the commute is your contribution. The fee is paid in advance — by the 15th, for the month that follows — with an attendance reward measured against the 8 mandatory trainings in a month: attend all 8 and you pay 0 € the next month, at least 6 means 10 €, two means 30 €. If you get injured you keep paying to hold your spot on the roster, otherwise it goes to someone else; while you recover you can still use the practice facilities for alternative training, or come along to sessions and follow what is happening so you keep learning the game. You arrange and pay for your own sports medical exam (about 80 €) before you start playing. You can have the exam done at any Medicina dela in športa (occupational and sports medicine) clinic in Slovenia. Once you have completed a full season and attended every tournament, the club covers your medical exams from then on. Optional personalised gear is 240 €.
- Your first session
- Just turn up to any training day (18:00–19:30, or 17:30–19:00 when the sun sets earlier) — no appointment, no application needed first. Bring a white t-shirt, shorts without pockets, a bottle of water and cleats (we no longer lend cleats). That is it. Your first week is free.
- Language
- Training runs in Slovene and English. A large part of the squad is international, including Erasmus students, so you do not need any Slovene to train, play or follow the calls.
- Kit
- The training fee covers sessions plus rental of shirts, shorts and game jerseys (returned at the end of the season). Cleats and gloves you buy yourself — we no longer lend cleats. The club supplies flags and balls, which stay club property. Always bring your own water. Optional personalised gear is 240 €; after three seasons you get a jersey with your surname, and after more than three years with the club you receive a free club gear package.
- Insurance
- Travel insurance is mandatory for everyone who travels with the team. For dedicated sports cover — for example the Specialisti policies from Vzajemna or Merkur — call our sponsor Krznami d.o.o.: Žiga Kržič on +386 41 882 781. They will tell you exactly what you need and how to arrange it.
Easier to understand by playing it
Turn up to any training day (18:00–19:30, or 17:30–19:00 when the sun sets earlier). First week is free.
This page is a plain-language guide. Exact field sizes, clock and distances follow the current IFAF competition rules — always the authority if the two ever disagree.