Under NFHS flag football rules, the kicking team has to tell the referee it's going to punt before the ball is ready for play. Once it's declared, the team has to kick. 6-1-1
Tell the referee first
A punt must be declared in advance. 6-1-1
- 1Once the punt is declared, the receiving team gets time to substitute.
- 2A declared punt has to be kicked. No fake punts.
- 3The kicking team can change its mind only after a charged time-out, an official's time-out, the end of a period, or a penalty enforcement.
Five seconds to kick
The punter has 5 seconds after receiving the snap to kick. Holding it longer is a 5-yard delay of game. 3-6-2
Everyone on the kicking team has to be set and still before the kick. Movement is a false start. 7-1-9
Once a punt is declared, the kicking team has to kick. It can only change its mind after a time-out, the end of a period or a penalty enforcement.
What happens to the ball after the kick? Read the full punting post →
Every punt rule, illustrated.
Rule 6 in Girls Flag Football, Illustrated has a field diagram of a declared punt, every way the ball can end up, and the referee signal for each one.
Rule references are to the 2026–27 NFHS Flag Football Rules, written here in plain words. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NFHS. Always check your state association's adoptions.
