Flag football will be an Olympic sport at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, one of the biggest steps toward the global growth of American football as a whole, both in the full-pads format and in flag.
But do you really know what flag football is and how it differs from the traditional version played in the NFL? In this article, you’ll find the key information you need to finally understand what the sport is all about.
Basic Rules of Flag Football
Flag football is played on a reduced field measuring 35 yards wide and 70 yards long, including two 10-yard end zones. The ball is always centralized for the snap, unlike in the NFL, where there are two hashes. In the Olympic format, the game features five players on offense and five on defense, though other variations exist with more players.
The foundation of the game is the same as traditional American football: the offense tries to score a touchdown, while the defense tries to stop them. From there, however, the gameplay changes significantly. The main difference is the minimal contact. To end a play, a defender must pull one of the flags attached to the ball carrier’s waist. Physical tackling is not allowed.
The game’s flow is also different. In the NFL, teams get four downs to gain 10 yards. In flag football, teams also get four attempts, but to reach the midfield line first. If they succeed, they earn a new set of downs to reach the end zone. There are no field goals, the only way to score is by reaching the end zone with possession of the ball. The defense can also score with a safety or an interception returned for a touchdown.
After each touchdown, teams can choose to attempt a one or two-point conversion. For a one-point try, the ball is placed at the five-yard line; for a two-point attempt, it’s placed at the 10-yard line. It’s important to note that running is not allowed within the final five yards before midfield or the end zone.
A typical offensive formation includes a quarterback, three receivers, and a snapper, who is also eligible as a receiver. On defense, the most common setup features one rusher and four defensive backs, though teams can send up to two designated rushers. Games are played in two halves, with each half lasting 10-25 minutes depending on the tournament.
Will There Be NFL Players in the USA Olympic Team?
NFL team owners unanimously approved allowing NFL athletes to compete for a spot on the U.S. flag football team for the Olympics, meaning we could indeed see NFL stars on the field.
NFL owners have now officially approved a resolution to allow their players to participate in flag football in the 2028 Summer Olympics — 32-0. No surprise, but significant.
The NFL’s version of The Dream Team is coming. pic.twitter.com/UiqQ2HwrsI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 20, 2025
However, the physical profile required for flag football may prevent some players from making the roster. Flag is a sport that emphasizes agility and body mobility over physical strength. A player like Lamar Jackson, with his light frame, speed, and quickness, would be a great fit. Similarly, Xavier Worthy has all the physical tools to compete at a high level in the sport.
It’s also important to highlight that while some strategies may resemble traditional football, flag football allows for entirely different dynamics. For example, there’s a rule requiring the quarterback to throw the ball within seven seconds, but this rule no longer applies if a backward pass is made behind the line of scrimmage.
Because of that, many teams run plays with two or even three quarterbacks involved, starting with receivers dropping back to receive lateral passes until one of them gets open. These backward passes are only allowed before the first forward pass is thrown, meaning lateral passes are no longer permitted once the offense crosses the line of scrimmage.
This leads offenses to prioritize players with similar skill sets. Ideally, all or most can both throw and catch the ball. To run the ball, all it takes is for a second player to touch the ball after the snap, making the game extremely fast-paced and entertaining.
Given the unique rules and unfamiliar flow of the game, it’s likely that while some NFL players will make the team, the core will consist of athletes who already specialize in flag football, out of respect for the sport and its players. Still, it’s crucial to have NFL names involved to represent the sport and turn the Olympic stage into a powerful platform for the global growth of American football.
Darrell Doucette III, quarterback of the USA national flag football team, says flag football players “deserve their opportunity” to play for Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Games 👀 pic.twitter.com/XDvvVo7aHt
— ESPN (@espn) May 26, 2025
The NFL now has a real opportunity to reach countries where the sport isn’t yet popular, and flag football is the most accessible version to introduce worldwide. No matter how the roster ends up being built, this is the greatest opportunity football has ever had to break out of its own bubble and truly become a global game.