Flag Football comes in many styles shapes and forms.  There are competitive - contact leagues, to professional leagues all the way down to youth leagues.  Each Area of the country seems to have their own set of rules and regulations based upon the Flag Football Organizations.

Reviewing some of the Flag Football Styles and Rules we can see the different levels of competition and flag football styles that are available. These differences are also widely different among the many Flag Football Organizations.

There are Professional Flag Football Teams and Flag Football Leagues

These Professional Flag Football Teams and Leagues mainly play the game with rules associated with regular Football rules.  The players are paid and cash incentives and rewards are given both teams with extra bonus for the winning teams. These professional Flag football teams are sponsored and compete in major tournaments that offer large cash prizes. One league that runs a Professional League is the

Flag Football also has a there own World Cup, in the same fashion as Soccer.  Teams must qualify at local and regional tournaments.  The organization that runs the World Cup for Flag Football  is the IFFF  International Flag Football Association.

There are 3 distinct divisions:

8 man ineligible, 7 man No contact, 4 man no contact

The rules for each of these divisions is slightly different.

 In the Flag Football 8 man ineligible division three Lineman are allowed to make contact and block, but are not eligible to receive a pass.  This is closely related to the NFL and College Football rules. The fields are shortened to 80- yards and many of the Standard football rules apply.

Flag Football 7 man No Contact division does not allow blocking of any kind. All members of the team are able to go out and receive a forward pass.  This version of Flag Football is closely related to the intramural version played in High schools, Colleges and local recreational leagues. It is also the version in which most coed and women’s teams participate.

Flag Football 4 man no contact is the most modified of the Standard Football Rules.  Only 4 players on offense and 4 players on defense are on the field at one time.  No contact is allowed, no blocking.  This is the version that is often seen on TV with Professional NFL players playing a simple game.  It offers high scoring and less likelihood of any injuries.

United States Flag & Touch Football League known as USFTL runs a Flag Football Organization that spans several geographical areas. There Flag Football Organization has sponsored leagues in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Ohio & Virginia.

There Divisions Include:

9-Man Flag Football Ineligible Lineman

8-Man Flag Football Ineligible Lineman

Flag Football Ineligible Lineman Masters (35 & Over)

8-Man Flag Football  (Everyone Eligible)
8-Man Flag Football  Masters Flag (35 & Over)

7-Man Screen Flag Football

7-Man Screen Masters Flag Football (35 & Over)
8-Man Co-Ed Flag Football

7-Man Touch Football
8-Woman Flag Football

4 On 4 Flag Football

4 On 4 Masters Flag Football (35 & Over)

5 On 5 Flag Football
Youth Flag Football Leagues

The divisions are also broken down into skill levels or class divisions. These Flag Football divisions are normally classified as Level A, Level B & Level C.  Level A Flag football is the top and most competitive.

The A.F.T.F.L or American Flag and Touch Football  League claims to be the largest Flag Football league in the world. They mainly compete in 9 man and 8 man flag football style game play.  The have participants from up and down the east coast. 

The AFTFL also sponsors the FlagBowl, which is a teams from across the US come to play in a massive Double elimination Flag Football Tournament.  The 2005 Flag Football Tournament was held in Dallas, Texas at Texas Stadium. This tournament featured the

4–man divisions and the 5-man divisions. Over 103 teams participated in the event.  Fox News even covered the event.

Another Organization for Flag Football is the USFFL or United States Flag Football League. This Organization participates mainly in the state of North Carolina.

 Let it Fly is a 4 on 4 competitive Tournament Flag Football Organization that offers cash prizes to its winners. This is a Non Contact Flag Football with specific rules.

 No contact allowed between players, no blocking allowed, teams start off at the five yard line and attempt to gain a first down by crossing mid field in three or less plays or score. Once they cross the mid field line they have an additional 3 plays to score.  This style of Flag Football play is very offensive mined and is a great for the spectators or Fans Of Flag Football.

United States Flag Football Association known as the USFFA was founded in 1976 and is one of the older Flag Football Organizations in the country. They have modified and adjusted over the years, and now pretty much stick to 8-man eligible contact but no down field blocking.  Players and Teams from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia & West Virginia make up this Flag Football Organization.  The USFFA holds its annual “national championship” tournament the first week in December.  This league has the most competitive teams in their Division A Group, and the National Champion Team is usually comprised of former College and Pro Athletes. 

The Virginia Flag Football Association known as the VFFA has been in existence since 1977. It is a charter member of the USFFA, and the Virginia Flag Football Teams have dominated the National Championship Titles for many years of the USFFA’s exsistance.

There are many Flag Football Organizations around the country catering to the skill levels and competitiveness of an individual.  You can search the Internet or call your local parks & recreation department to find out more information about the flag football association in your local community.