Flag American Football
Flag football: a no-contact version of American football where, instead of tackling, defenders pull one of the flags on the ball carrier's belt. Students learn an invasion game and work on strategy, passing and teamwork.
How to play
- Use cones to mark two 30×15 m fields with a 5 m end zone at each end, and form teams of 6 (2 min).
- Each player wears a flag belt with one flag on each hip (1 min).
- Practice passing the foam football with a partner and pulling flags without the ball (4 min).
- Game: the offense tries to get the ball into the end zone by running or passing; the play ends when a defender pulls a flag from the ball carrier.
- Each team gets four downs to score; if they don't, the other team takes over from that spot. Touchdown = 6 points (12 min).
- Switch opponents halfway through, then cool down and collect flag belts (3 min).
Rules
- Safety: no tackling, pushing or holding.
- No guarding your flags with your hands (flag guarding).
- Only one forward pass per play.
- The player who pulls a flag holds it up and shouts "Flag!" to stop the play.
Variations
Easier
Short field and no forward passes, only lateral passes.
Standard
Modified rules with four downs and one forward pass.
Harder
Each team huddles to plan a play before every down.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: permanent quarterback with a 2 m protected zone.
- Students with touch sensitivity: long flags that come off easily without touching the player.
- Lower skill: on offense, a player who hasn't touched the ball yet must get the first pass.
Learning goals
- Learn a new invasion game.
- Work on strategy and teamwork.
- Play without contact while respecting opponents.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Foam footballs: 4
- Flag belts: 25
- Cones: 16
Teacher tip
Teach the rules by playing, not with a long talk. Have the offense call out which down they're on.
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