Flag football facts for kids
A game of flag football being played at the University of Texas at Austin
|
|
| Highest governing body |
|
|---|---|
| First played | Around 1940 in Fort Meade, Maryland, U.S. |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Limited |
| Team members | Two teams of 4-10 players |
| Type |
|
| Equipment | Ball, flag belt |
| Venue | Football field |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Worldwide |
| Olympic | To be first included in 2028 |
| World Games | since 2022 |
Flag football is a fun and safe version of American football or Canadian football. The biggest difference is that there is no tackling. Instead of tackling a player to the ground, the defense pulls a flag off the ball carrier's belt. This is called "deflagging," and it ends the play.
Because there is very little contact, it's a popular sport for all ages. People play it in leagues and for fun all over the world. The main group that manages the sport is the International Federation of American Football (IFAF).
Flag football is so popular that it will be an official sport at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles!
Contents
The History of Flag Football
Flag football got its start in the 1940s during World War II. It was created for American soldiers to play for fun and to stay in shape. The game was designed to be safe so that soldiers wouldn't get hurt while playing. At first, it was called "Touch and Tail football." After the war, it became known as "flag football."
The sport's official birthplace is considered to be Fort Meade, Maryland. By the 1960s, the first national organization, the National Touch Football League, was created in St. Louis, Missouri. The special belts and flags used today were invented by two teachers from Arizona, Porter Wilson and Norman Adams.
How to Play
The rules for flag football can change from league to league, but the main idea is always the same. It follows the rules of American football, but pulling a flag replaces tackling.
The goal is to score points by getting the ball into the other team's end zone. A team has a set number of plays, called "downs," to move the ball down the field. The play stops when a defender pulls one of the flags from the belt of the player carrying the ball.
A typical game has two halves, and teams usually have between 5 and 10 players on the field at once.
Different Ways to Play
.jpg)
One of the coolest things about flag football is that it can be changed to fit the players. There are many different versions of the game:
- Number of Players: Teams can have anywhere from 4 to 9 players on each side.
- Who Plays: There are leagues for boys, girls, and even coed teams where boys and girls play together.
- Field Size: Games can be played on large official football fields or on smaller fields.
- Rules: Some leagues allow kicking and punting, while others don't. Some rules also change whether players on the offensive line can catch passes or if the quarterback is allowed to run with the ball.
The sport can be played on grass, artificial turf, or even on sand at the beach!
Flag Football Around the World
Flag football is a global sport with major competitions that bring together teams from many countries.
The Olympics
The biggest news for the sport is its inclusion in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This was a huge step for flag football. The National Football League (NFL) helped a lot to make this happen. It will be the first time a version of American football is a full medal sport at the Olympics.
World Championships
The International Federation of American Football (IFAF) holds the Flag Football World Championship every two years. This is where the best national teams compete to see who is the world's best.
The World Games
In 2022, flag football was a popular event at the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Alabama. The United States won the men's tournament, and Mexico won the women's tournament. This event helped show the world how exciting flag football is.
Where is Flag Football Played?
While flag football is played worldwide, it is especially popular in North America and the United Kingdom.
In the United States
In the U.S., many organizations help people of all ages play flag football. USA Football is the main governing body. The National Football League runs a popular youth program called NFL Flag, which helps kids learn the game. The sport is also growing in colleges, with many schools now having official women's flag football teams.
In 2023, the NFL changed its all-star game, the Pro Bowl, to feature flag football as the main event.
In Canada
Canada has its own national league called the Canadian Flag Football League (CFFL), which is connected to Football Canada. The CFFL holds a national championship, and the winners get to represent Canada in international games. The sport is also popular in colleges and universities, especially in Quebec.
In the United Kingdom
In the UK, flag football is usually played with five players on each team. The British American Football Association (BAFA) organizes leagues for adults and kids. There are different divisions, and the top teams compete in playoffs to become national champions.
See also
In Spanish: Fútbol bandera para niños
