All passes must be forward and received beyond the line of scrimmage

Only direct handoffs are permitted—there are no laterals or pitches anywhere on the field 

The quarterback has seven-second pass clock to get rid of the ball

The quarterback can’t run with the ball unless it was handed off first

Offensive players must steer clear of the rusher and may not get in his/her way

Any defensive player lined up seven yards off the line of scrimmage is eligible to rush

If the ball is handed off, any defender may rush

Interceptions are returnable (even on extra point attempts)

The ball is dead when it hits the ground, the offensive player’s flag is pulled from their belt, the ball-carrier steps out of bounds, or the ball-carrier’s body—outside of their hands or feet—touches the ground

All offensive flag football penalties result in a loss of down and yardage except for false start

All defensive flag football penalties result in an automatic first down and some are associated with yardage