Official-Style 5 vs. 5 Flag: Rusher, Count and No-Run Zones

A 5 vs. 5 game with the main official flag football rules adapted to the schoolyard: rusher line, quarterback time limit and no-run zones before midfield and before the end zone. Students learn to make decisions within a real rulebook.

How to play

1. Explain the rules on the marked field: the rusher starts from a line about 6 m back, the quarterback can't run directly, and in some zones you can only pass (6 min).
2. Slow-motion plays to see each rule in action (4 min).
3. Games on two fields; one player per team counts the quarterback's time out loud (14 min).
4. Break: rules questions and agreed adjustments (3 min).
5. Final period with a new rusher every play (3 min).

Rules

• Only the rusher, starting from the marked line, may pressure the quarterback.
• In no-run zones the offense must pass, not run or hand off.
• No flag guarding, blocking, tackling or charging.
• If the quarterback hasn't thrown by the end of the count, the play is dead on the spot.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: quarterback or rusher with an adjusted start distance and protected zone.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: the timekeeper shows the seconds with their fingers.
• Students who can't run: referee or timekeeper, in charge of calling plays in no-run zones.

Learning goals

• Know official flag football rules.
• Choose between pass, handoff or run based on the rule in force.
• Play with no contact and within the rules.

Equipment for a class of 25

• flag belts: 30
• flag footballs: 3
• pinnies: 30
• cones: 30

Teacher tip

Under official 5 vs. 5 rules the rusher starts 7 yards back and the quarterback has 7 seconds; here they're adapted to the schoolyard. Mark the no-run zones with a different cone color. Common mistake: the rusher jumps early; replay the down without argument.

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