This is the second straight season that the NFL Pro Bowl is a flag football game after the league changed the event format. The International Federation of American Football estimates that around 20 million people in more than 100 countries play the sport.
Flag football’s popularity will continue to grow when it is added to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and NFL players are expected to participate. The NFL is taking an active role in increasing flag football participation and is currently looking for a Head of Flag Football Vice President.
Flag Football Rules
The biggest difference with flag football is that there’s no contact allowed, including tackling, diving, blocking, and screening. Players wear belts with flags on each side, and the player with the ball is considered “tackled” when the opponent pulls one or both flags off.
Each team has seven players on the field instead of the designated 11 in a tackle football game. The field is reduced from 100 yards to 50, but the end zones still remain 10 yards like in a traditional NFL game.
There are four 12-minute quarters with a running clock that will stop at the two-minute warning of each half. This year, there is only one game instead of the three that were played at last season’s Pro Bowl.
Each conference will have 15 offensive and 14 defensive players available to play in the game. There is no kicking or punting in the game so special-teams all-stars will not be needed.
Each drive will start on the offense’s 5-yard line, and the team has four downs to gain 20 yards to reach midfield. The offense will then have four more downs to gain 25 yards to reach the end zone.
As it is in a traditional NFL game, a touchdown is worth six points. However, for conversions, teams can get one point from the 5-yard line or two points from the 10-yard line.
Flag Football Positions
On offense, there is a quarterback, a center, and five receivers, which can be running backs, wide receivers, or tight ends.
After the center snaps the ball, they are eligible to go catch a pass. The center is the only offensive lineman on the field.
MORE: Is Flag Football Going To Be in the Olympics in 2024?
The quarterback is not allowed to directly run the ball after receiving the snap. A QB is allowed to hand it off for another player to run the ball. That other player has the option to give it back to the quarterback, who can then run with it.
The defense has one rusher, who has to start at least seven yards away from the line of scrimmage. The other six players cover the receivers and are considered linebackers, safeties, or defensive backs.
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