The 22nd edition of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual is now available for purchase. The first edition debuted in 1983 and this NIRSA publication is campus recreation’s most trusted standardized code of rules, interpretations, and officials’ mechanics for the sport of flag and touch football!
To see this year’s rules changes and help prepare for your next season, make sure to check out the print and digital options for ordering your rulebook copies today.
Meet the Editorial Board
The NIRSA Flag Football Editorial Board has been established to review and make changes to the next edition of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual, which is edited and updated biannually. The individuals serving on the Editorial Board who worked on the 22nd Edition are listed below:
- Julie Johnson, University of Maryland, Chair
- Matt Beck, Oklahoma State University, Editor
- Kurt Klier, University of Maryland, Editor
- Kaulin Andric, Texas A&M University
- Nick Brigati, RefReps, LLC.
- David Gaskins, NIRSA Life Member
- Josh Hale, University of Texas at Arlington
- Roger Jerez, University of Pennsylvania
- Britton Lyon, Georgia Southern University
- Dave Siegle, University of Michigan
- Hannah Williams, Emory University
- Joe Wise, University of Texas at Austin
During each two-year rules book cycle, the Editorial Board examines, discusses, and drafts potential changes for the benefit of flag football stakeholders: players, officials, coaches, spectators, and administrators. The publication of the 22nd Edition is the culmination of two years of effort. That effort begins anew in preparation for the 23rd Edition with an anticipated publication in 2027. The Board welcomes questions and suggestions for potential future edits.
Dedication
Each edition of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book is dedicated to an individual who has made significant contributions to the sport of flag football. In the summer before a rule book is published, NIRSA opens a call for nominations for individuals who would be deserving of this honor. The editorial board reviews nominations and selects that edition’s recipient in the fall. The 22nd Edition is dedicated to Nicole Green.
Nicole has been instrumental in the development of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book, serving on the Editorial Board at its inception. She was the first Chair of the publication’s Editorial Board. As the first woman to officiate many high-level soccer games, she has been a pioneer in officiating, showcasing her commitment to quality officiating. Her leadership in officiating and in the NIRSA Championship Series has earned her recognition as this year’s dedication recipient.
Sneak peek at the changes
The 22nd Edition features a few changes to the rules and mechanics of flag football. The biggest change this year is that the rules book has been published by Referee Magazine. With this change, a document with just the rules is also available to download for free on the NIRSA website. The deluxe version of the book is available to purchase and includes the rules, case plays, and a mechanics manual.
In the 21st Edition, the Board followed a rule change for NFHS tackle football and removed a yardage penalty in favor of sending penalized players off for one down when players were caught not wearing a flag belt on the previous play. After listening to stakeholder feedback and carefully observing how the change was instituted, the Editorial Board decided to roll back the update from the last cycle and reinstitute the yardage penalty for a failure to wear required equipment.
Other changes this year include clarification around when a play is open following a penalty that negates a change of possession during a co-rec game and a mechanics change for the line judge during punt plays where the ball is snapped close to team A’s goal line.
If you would like to share feedback for consideration in future editions, please submit ideas or suggestions using the NIRSA Flag Football Rule/Mechanic Change Proposal Form.
We look forward to another season of NIRSA flag football!
- If you have any questions about the 22nd edition of the NIRSA Flag & Touch Football Rules Book & Officials’ Manual, please contact NIRSA Flag Football Editorial Board Chair Julie Johnson, Assistant Director, Intramural Sports & Reckord Armory at the University of Maryland.
Julie Johnson is currently Assistant Director, Intramural Sports & Reckord Armory at the University of Maryland and the NIRSA Flag Football Rulebook Editorial Board Chair; you can email her at juliej12@umd.edu.
