College Flag Football Rules and Scholarship Limits

Flag football is seeing tremendous growth at all age levels, but that also means the rules can differ. International competition typically features 5-on-5 competition. At the college level in the United States, the typical game is 7-on-7. Some of the core rules remain the same, such as flag football being a non-contact sport. Below is a rundown of the key rules for collegiate flag football in the United States, along with the updated NAIA rules as of the 2026 spring season.

• Games feature 7-on-7 competition.
• There are four 12-minute quarters.
• All players wear a belt with two flags, with flags attached to each hip.
• Tackles are made by pulling one of the flags off the belt.
• The standard field size is 40 yards wide by 80 yards long.
• The field is broken down into 20-yard sections, with the 40-yard line acting as midfield.
• The offense is given four downs to cross each 20-yard section to obtain a first down.
• Punting is allowed.
• Teams that score a touchdown can opt to go for one point from the three-yard line or two points from the ten-yard line.
• There are no field goals or point-after kicks.
• The type of blocking witnessed in the men's game is not allowed in women's college flag football and will result in a penalty.

College Flag Football Roster Sizes and Scholarships

The average roster size is about 25 players, but that can vary depending on the governing body. Athletic scholarships are also available, but this also depends on the governing body. Note: these limits are subject to change. Here is a breakdown of the latest scholarship limits for varsity programs, as club teams do not offer athletic scholarships.

• NCAA Division I: Up to 25
• NCAA Division II: Up to 10 (can be distributed across the entire roster)
• NCAA Division III: Athletic scholarships are not permitted
• NAIA: Up to 12
• NJCAA: Up to 15