Flag guarding is when the runner uses her hand, arm or the ball, with contact, to stop a defender from pulling her flag or belt. Under NFHS rules it's a 10-yard penalty, signal 38. 9-2-2
Contact makes it a foul
Flag guarding can only happen if there's contact between the runner and the defender. Swinging an arm that never touches anyone isn't flag guarding. 9-2-2
What else the runner can't do
- 1Grab a teammate. 9-2-2a
- 2Stiff-arm. She can't extend her hands or arms to ward off an opponent. 9-2-2b
- 3Flag guard. Hands, arms or the ball, with contact, keeping a defender off the flag. 9-2-2c
The penalty
Flag guarding is 10 yards. The referee shows signal 38. 9-2 PENALTY
Flag guarding
The runner can't use her hand, arm or the ball to fight off a defender.
Flag guarding needs contact between the runner and the defender. No contact, no foul.
See it in the full rules video: Flag football rules explained for beginners →
Every foul, illustrated.
Rule 9 in Girls Flag Football, Illustrated draws each foul with its referee signal and yardage, under the 2026–27 NFHS rules.
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.
