According to a press release Tuesday from the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Flag Football Rules Committee, eight significant rule changes will be introduced in an attempt to improve one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.
One of the biggest rule changes is an exception to Rule 8-3-9, which will allow the trailing team a chance to retain possession of the ball after a score and extra-point try, similar to an onside kick in tackle football. The trailing team would have a fourth-down at its own 20-yard line to try to gain a new set of downs.
Under previous rules, there were no opportunities for the trailing team to earn an immediate repossession of the ball. The opposing team would automatically begin a new offensive series at its own 14-yard line.
Read on for a look at the eight new flag football revisions from the NFHS for the 2026–27 season. For a full list of rules,
click here.
NFHS approved rule changes for 2026-27
1. The team trailing in score to keep possession of the ball following a try. If it so elects, the trailing team would take possession of the ball, fourth down at its own 20-yard line. Normally, after a try by the scoring team, the opponent receives the ball at its own 14-yard line. This opportunity to retain the ball is an attempt to mirror tackle football, which provides the scoring team the option of an onside kick to retain possession of the ball.
2. Restarting play following a safety. Next year, following a safety, the team whose goal line was involved shall put the ball in play by scrimmage kick from its own 20-yard line. In the first set of rules last year, the team whose goal line was not involved put the ball in play by snap from its own 30-yard line. This change is meant to create a more significant field position advantage while also becoming consistent with tackle football.
3. Beginning in 2026-27, states will have a fourth option for the size of the playing field. In addition to the existing options of 300 x 120 feet, 360 x 120 feet and 360 x 160 feet, the committee approved the additional size of 300 x 160 feet.
4. Instant replay will be offered during state postseason games only.
5. The rules committee continued to support the seven-player game for high school flag football, but a change was made to Rule 1-1-3 stating that each team shall begin the game with seven players, but if a team has no substitutes to replace injured or disqualified players, it may play with no fewer than five.
6. The committee approved a new definition for hurdling as follows: Hurdling is an attempt by a player to jump (hurdle) with one or both feet or knees foremost over an opponent who is contacting the ground with no part of their body except one or both feet.
7. The total number of charged time-outs per half will increase from two to three.
8. A clarification of what cannot be done to the ball that is in player possession now states that a ball in player possession shall not be batted, stripped or attempted to be stripped by punching, striking or grabbing the ball by a player of either team.
Currently, 17 state associations have
sanctioned girls flag football, with six additional states voting on
sanctioning in 2026, and 15 states are involved in independent/pilot
programs at some level. States that have sanctioned the sport for girls
include NFHS member associations in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois,
Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and
Washington. The Louisiana High School Athletic Association will begin
sanctioning the sport in 2027.
The six state associations voting in 2026 include Oregon, Kansas, North Carolina, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Maryland.
State
associations with independent/pilot programs include Delaware, District
of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,
Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas,
Virginia and Wisconsin.
According to
the 2024-25 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, a total of
68,847 girls participated in flag football in 2,736 schools nationwide.
