Youth Flag Football Format Comparison Chart
Side-by-side comparison of 5v5, 6v6, and 7v7 flag football formats — field sizes, down structures, rushing rules, PAT distances, and age group recommendations on one printable page.
Download Free PDFIf you've coached or watched flag football in more than one league, you've probably noticed that the rules aren't always the same. A 5v5 NFL FLAG game plays differently from a 7v7 school program, and not just because of the player count. The field dimensions, down structure, rushing rules, and even the extra point distances can all vary between formats.
This comparison chart puts the key differences side by side so you can see exactly how each format works at a glance.
What's Included
A single-page reference covering the five most common youth flag football formats:
| 5v5 Standard | 5v5 Air-It-Out | 6v6 | 7v7 Boys | 7v7 Girls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players per side | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Typical field size | 30×70 yds | 30×70 yds | 30-40×70-80 yds | 40×80 yds | 40×80 yds |
| End zones | 10 yds | 10 yds | 10 yds | 10 yds | 10 yds |
| Downs to midfield | 4 | 4 | 4 (varies) | 4 | 4 |
| Downs to score | 3 | 3 | 3-4 (varies) | 3-4 | 3-4 |
| Rushing allowed | Yes (with restrictions) | No | Yes (with restrictions) | Yes (varies) | Yes (varies) |
| QB can run | After handoff only | No | After handoff only | Varies | Varies |
| All players eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Varies (center may not be) | Varies (center may not be) |
| 1-pt PAT distance | 5-yard line | 5-yard line | 5-yard line | 5-yard line | 5-yard line |
| 2-pt PAT distance | 10-yard line | 10-yard line | 10-yard line | 10-12 yard line | 10-12 yard line |
| No-run zones | Yes (5 yds from midfield & end zone) | All plays are pass plays | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Typical age groups | 5-14 | 8-14 | 6-14 | 11-18 | 11-18 |
Note: Specific rules vary by league. Always check your local league's rulebook for the exact rules in effect. The above reflects common configurations used by NFL FLAG, USA Football, and similar organizations.
Why This Matters
Understanding your format affects everything — play design, practice planning, stat tracking, and even roster management. A 5v5 Air-It-Out team doesn't need to practice handoff drills. A 7v7 team needs to prepare for zone coverage schemes that simply don't exist in 5v5. Knowing the format means you can focus practice time on the skills that actually matter for your league.
How to Use It
Download and print the chart. Keep it with your coaching materials for quick reference. If you're new to a format, pair this chart with our detailed format breakdown for a deeper explanation of how each version of the game plays.
StatHawk is free on the App Store.