    Flag football

  Flag football began in the 1940s on military bases, where members of the military used it for recreation and exercise. Flag football is played worldwide, and the International Flag Football Federation is the national governing body for flag football. Origin

  Flag football is a fun way to play football, without the risk of injury due to hard tackles and roughhousing. Whereas in tackle football a play doesn't end until a player is tackled, flag football is gentler. Players wear belts that have breakaway flags attached to them. To make a tackle, a player must simply pull the ball carrier's flag from his belt. When a flag is successfully pulled, the play is whistled dead at the spot of the flag pull. Playing the game

  Typically, seven players are on the field per team. Unlike tackle football, little physical contact is experienced in flag football. Players can block, but only by shuffling their feet and standing in the way of a defender; hands and arms cannot be used. Offensive players aren't allowed to use their hands to guard their flags from defenders, nor can they try to bull-rush a defender -- they must instead run around him. Fumbles aren't turnovers. If the ball is dropped, it's dead at the spot of the fumble. Otherwise, the game resembles normal football. Playing the Game

  A team has four attempts to complete a first down, which is equivalent to ten yards. A team’s objective is to continue to achieve first downs until a touchdown is scored.  Flag football games consist of four quarters of 10 minutes each. There is a two-minute break between the first and second quarters and the third and fourth quarters. There is a five-minute "halftime" break after the second quarter. Teams are granted two time outs in each half. Playing the game

  A flag football field measures 35 yards across and 60 yards long. End zones are 10 feet deep, making the entire football field 80 yards long. Teams consist of at least six players each and at most 14 players. Playing the game

  A play must begin with the center "snapping" the ball to the quarterback. This can be via a traditional football snap from between the center's legs, or simply handing the ball off. Unlike in pro football, if the center or quarterbacks drop the ball during the ball exchange, the play is ruled dead; it is not a fumble.  A catch must be made with at least one foot in bounds. Playing the game

  There are no fumbles. If a ball is dropped, the play is ruled dead.  Players may block others, but they cannot use their hands. To block, they must place their hands behind their backs and simply move in the way of a defender. They cannot physically block a defender-- they can only divert him and give the offensive ball carrier an extra second or two to make a play. Rules

  Touchdowns are worth six points. Extra-point attempts, not kicks, can be tried after a touchdown from the 5-yard line. A two-point conversion attempt can be tried from the 10-yard line after a touchdown instead of the extra-point attempt. A safety counts for two points. There are no field goals in flag football.  If a female scores a touch down it will be worth 8 points. Rules

  Delay of game: a 5-yard penalty. (25 seconds)  Unsportsmanlike conduct: a 15-yard penalty.  Covering flags from opponents: a 10-yard penalty.  Penalties are called at the discretion of the referee or other officials. Penalties