Flag football positions explained

What are the positions in 7v7 flag football?

On offense: quarterback, center, receivers and running back. On defense: rusher, linebacker, cornerbacks and safety. College women's flag football allows no more than seven players a side, every offensive player except the passer can catch a pass, and only the snapper must be on the line, so the center is a real receiver.

College women's flag football allows no more than seven players a side. Under the college rule books, every offensive player except the passer can catch a pass, and the only player who has to be on the line of scrimmage is the snapper. That makes the center a real receiver, not just the player who snaps. Teams line up their seven in different ways, but 2026 college rosters and camp position groups use the same set of positions.

If you are new to the college game, how to get recruited for flag football walks through every step, from your school list to your first email.

What does each offensive position do?

The quarterback reads coverage and throws the one forward pass allowed each down, from at least 2 yards behind the line. The center snaps and becomes a receiver, receivers win with speed, cuts and hands, and the running back takes handoffs, catches short passes and screens to protect the quarterback.

The quarterback runs the offense. The snap has to be taken at least 2 yards behind the line, a handoff can't go forward, and each play gets one forward pass. Coaches want a quarterback who reads coverage fast, throws on time and keeps the ball away from flag pulls.

The center snaps and then becomes a receiver. Because she starts on the ball, quick release and short, sure catches matter most. Receivers win with speed, sharp cuts and hands. Coaches watch whether you can separate from a defender and catch with someone right on you.

The running back takes handoffs and pitches, catches short passes and helps protect the quarterback. Contact blocking isn't allowed, but the offense can screen: stand in a defender's path without using your body to hit her, and she has to go around you. A back who screens well and catches out of the backfield is easy to use on any play.

What does each defensive position do?

The rusher pressures the quarterback and tries to pull her flag. Linebackers cover the short middle and pull flags on runs and quick passes, cornerbacks cover receivers near the sideline, and the safety plays deep. Coaches judge defenders on flag pulls, sacks, interceptions and pass breakups, since a missed flag is often a touchdown.

The rusher goes after the quarterback. Her job is to make the throw come out early or off target, and to pull the quarterback's flag when she can. Coaches look for a fast first step and the discipline not to run past the play.

Linebackers cover the short middle, read the quarterback's eyes and pull flags on runs and quick passes. Cornerbacks cover receivers near the sideline, and the safety plays deep and keeps everything in front of her. In the back end, coaches want speed to recover, the timing to break up a pass and clean flag pulls in the open field, since a missed flag pull on defense is often a touchdown.

Flag pulls, sacks, interceptions and pass breakups are the defensive stats colleges keep in their box scores, so those are the numbers to track for your position.

Why do college flag football coaches value two-way players?

With seven players a side and small rosters, a player who can go both ways gives a coach more options. A receiver who can cover or a quarterback who can play safety is easier to fit onto a roster. If you play both ways, say so first and send film and stats for both.

With seven players a side and small rosters, a player who can go both ways gives a coach more options. Many college flag players play offense and defense, and coaches say they like athletes who can fill more than one spot. A receiver who can also cover, or a quarterback who can play safety, is easier to fit onto a roster.

If you play both ways, say so in your first line to a coach, and send film and stats for both. List your best position first. Your film for each spot should show the skills that position needs, which what to put in a flag football recruiting video covers clip by clip.

Money follows the roster, too. NCAA Division II allows up to 10.0 athletic scholarships for the sport, and Division III gives none, so see women's flag football scholarships for how aid works at each level.

What measurables do flag football coaches look at?

Flag football has no official target times, so film carries most of the weight, but coaches still test. 2026 college prospect camps listed the 40-yard and 20-yard dash, the 5-10-5 shuttle, the broad jump and the vertical jump, and coaches recheck your height in person. Only send times from timed events.

There are no official target times for flag football, so film carries most of the weight. But coaches still test. At 2026 college prospect camps, the tests listed included the 40-yard dash, the 20-yard dash, the 5-10-5 shuttle (also called the pro agility), the broad jump and the vertical jump. One college coach said camps also record height and wingspan, and that coaches check your height in person. Which events to go to is in college flag football camps and showcases.

Only send a number from a real, timed event, and say where it came from. A clean time from a camp is worth more than a fast time nobody can check.

Which stats should you send for your position?

Send three or four numbers from your latest season that match your position: completions, yards, touchdowns and interceptions thrown for a quarterback, catches and yards for a center or receiver, sacks and hurries for a rusher, and flag pulls, breakups and interceptions for defenders. Say whether they're high school or club stats.

Send three or four numbers that match your position, from your latest season, and say whether they come from a high school or club team. College box scores track these categories, so a coach can compare you with her own players.

Put your position, height and these stats in the first lines of your email, with your film link right after. The recruiting email template shows where each one goes.

How is 5v5 NFL FLAG different from 7v7?

NFL FLAG plays 5v5 on a field 30 yards wide and 70 long, with rushers starting 7 yards back and no quarterback runs across the line. College flag is 7v7 on a field 80 yards between goal lines, with no rush line or quarterback-run limit in the college rule books we checked.

Many girls start in NFL FLAG leagues, which play 5v5. The college game is 7v7 with different rules, so some positions change.

If you come from 5v5, your speed, hands and flag pulling carry over. Expect more players in the passing lanes, a bigger field and rushers who can come right away. Add 7v7 film as soon as you can, and label which format each clip is from.

How REACH helps with flag football positions

REACH lets you list your position as quarterback, center, receiver, running back, rusher, linebacker, cornerback, safety or defensive back, or as a two-way athlete with a primary and a second position. It lists women's college flag football programs at NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and junior college, checks your grades and cost after aid, and drafts each coach email with your position, stats and film link. It does not score athletic fit for flag football, because there are no published standards; your film decides that part. More is on the flag football recruiting page.

Questions

What are the positions in flag football?

In 7v7 women's flag football, the offense has a quarterback, a center, receivers and often a running back. The defense has a rusher, linebackers, cornerbacks and a safety. Many players play both ways.

Can the center catch a pass in flag football?

Yes. Under the college rule books, every offensive player except the passer can catch a pass, including the center. In NFL FLAG 5v5, everyone can catch the pass too.

What do college flag football coaches look for?

Speed, hands, quick cuts and clean flag pulls, plus the ability to play more than one position. Coaches judge most of this on film and recheck height and timed runs at camps. Grades matter too, because aid and admission both depend on them.

Is there a rush line in college flag football?

NFL FLAG 5v5 makes rushers start 7 yards past the line of scrimmage. The college 7v7 rule books we checked in November 2026 set no rush line. Ask your league or college camp which rules it uses.

What position should I play in flag football?

Play where your speed, hands and instincts help the team most, and get film there. Fast players with good hands often play receiver or corner, and players with a quick first step often rush. If you can play two spots, list both for coaches.