Rules

Flag guarding: what's legal and what isn't

Updated November 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The runner can dodge, but she can't protect her flags. That's flag guarding.

Flag guarding (illegal)

• A stiff arm.
• Dropping a hand, elbow, shoulder or head over the flags.
• Covering the flags with the ball or the jersey.

Jumping and hurdling

In NFL FLAG a runner may not jump, leap or hurdle to avoid a pull. It isn't a yardage penalty: the play is blown dead and the ball is spotted where she left the ground. IFAF counts jumping and diving to avoid a pull as flag guarding.

Legal

• Spinning, jump cuts, juking, changing speed.
• Keeping the ball tucked high, away from the belt.

Penalty (NFL FLAG): 5 yards from the spot of the foul and loss of down.