The NFHS has released a new set of standardized flag football rules for the 2025 season, aimed at aligning gameplay across the country. These are the rules expected to be enforced in California this fall,
though it's likely individual sections will make adjustments. For example, while some states may allow field goals, others still do not.
Below are 15 of the most important rule changes we see that coaches, players, and fans should know heading into the season. For the full list of NFHS rules, you can find them
here.
Below are 15 key rule changes (in no particular order)
New flag football rules changes for 2025 released by the NFHS could benefit dynamic athletes like Orange Lutheran quarterback Makenna Cook. (FILE PHOTO: Paul Rodriguez)
New (2025)
Split into four 12-minute quarters with a running clock.
Old (2024)
Two 24-minute halves.
2. Point after touchdown (PAT)
New
1 point from the 3-yard line.
2 points from the 10-yard line.
Turnovers on PATs result in a dead ball; defense cannot return.
Old
1 point from the 5-yard line.
2 points from the 10-yard line.
Defense could return turnovers for 2 points.
3. Flag guarding/Illegal use of hands
New
Flag guarding is now called "Illegal Use of Hands."
Must involve contact to be penalized.
Results in a 10-yard spot foul with no loss of down.
Old
Any hand/arm movement (even unintentional) restricting flag access was a foul.
Ten-yard live-ball foul with loss of down.
4. Intentional grounding
New
Intentional grounding is a foul that includes loss of down.
Old
No penalty for Intentional grounding.
5. Football color
New
Footballs must be tan in color.
Old
Footballs could be other colors.
6. Start of possession (start of halves, touchbacks)
Now
Possessions start from the 14-yard line after a score or to begin each half
Old
Possessions started at the 20-yard line
7. Blocking rules
New
Screen blocking allowed anywhere on the field.
Must be non-contact.
Old
Blocking only allowed at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Blocking beyond line of scrimmage was illegal.
8. Neutral zone and rush rules
New
Neutral zone is 1 yard off line of scrimmage.
Any defender may line up 1 yard off and legally rush.
Old
No more than two players could rush when quarterback possessed the ball.
Legal rushers had to be 7-plus yards off the line.
9. Timeouts
New
Two timeouts per half with no carryover.
Old
Unused timeouts could be carried over to second half.
10. No-run zone
New
Offenses can run the ball at any time.
Old
There were designated "No-run zones" where the ball could not be advanced by run.
11. Quarterback runs
New
The quarterback can run the ball at any time.
Old
Limit of one quarterback run per set of downs.
12. Punting/kicking
New
Scrimmage kicks are allowed and must be declared.
All players freeze until the kick.
Receiving team may recover a grounded kick but not a muffed kick.
Kicking team cannot recover.
Kicks crossing end zone result in touchback.
Old
No actual punt; change of possession always placed at the 20-yard line.
13. 7-Second Rule
New
There is no 7-second rule for throwing the ball.
Old
Quarterback had to throw within seven seconds.
14. Offensive formation/Snap rules
New
Only the snapper is required to be on the line of scrimmage.
Old
At least four players had to be on the line at the time of the snap.
15. Diving rules
New
Diving is allowed pending no illegal contact.
Old
Diving was not allowed.
