flag football

Flag football

A version of football where players remove a flag from the ball carrier instead of tackling.

Line of scrimmage

The invisible line where the ball is placed before each play (down); both teams must stay behind their side until the play begins.

Snap

The action that starts a play when the center passes the ball back to the quarterback or another player.

Quarterback (QB)

The player who usually receives the snap and leads the offense by passing, handing off, or running the ball.

Receiver

A player whose primary job is to catch passes from the quarterback.

Running back (RB)

A player who usually takes handoffs and runs with the ball.

Flag pull

Removing the ball carrier's flag to end the play.

Incomplete pass

A forward pass that touches the ground before being caught; the ball returns to the previous line of scrimmage for the next down.

Interception

When a defensive player catches a pass intended for the offense, gaining possession for their team.

Down

One of up to four chances the offense has to advance the ball a required distance (a play).

First down

Achieved when the offense advances the ball the required distance within the allowed downs, earning a new set of downs.

Touchdown (TD)

Scoring by crossing the opponent's goal line with the ball or catching the ball in the end zone; worth points (check league rules for exact value).

Safety

When the offense is stopped in their own end zone or commits certain penalties there; results in points for the defense (league rules vary).

Penalty

A rule violation that results in a loss or gain of yardage or replay of the down.

Offside

A penalty when a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the play starts.

Holding

Illegally grabbing an opponent or their equipment to restrict movement; usually a penalty.

Lateral / Lateral pass

A backward or sideways pass that can be thrown at any time and is a live ball if dropped.

Handoff

Directly giving the ball from one player to another, typically from QB to RB.

Game length

Often two halves (e.g., 20 minutes each) or timed quarters; a running clock is common with clock stoppages for timeouts, scores, and injuries.

Timeouts

Teams usually have a limited number of timeouts per half (commonly 2).

Overtime

Formats vary; common method is alternating possessions from a set yard line until a winner emerges.

Passes

Only forward passes

Play ends

Flag pull, ball out of bounds, incomplete pass, touchdown

Penalties

Offsides/moving before snap, illegal pass interference, illegal flag pull