1.1To prevent the ball carrier from advancing, an opponent must pull off 1 or 2 flags without preventing the ball carrier to move forward. The ball is declared dead at this point. Once the defender has removed a flag, they are to remain in place hold the flag up for the officials to confirm the play has stopped and return the flag to the ball carrier. If a defensive player does not immediately return the flag back to the ball carrier, the official will issue a warning to the captain of the team at fault. If the situation repeats itself, no matter which player is involved, the official will issue an objectionable conduct penalty.
1.2Defensive players are not allowed to pull an opponent's flag prior to them gaining possession- or touching the ball with the intent of gaining possession. This is known as an Illegal Flag Pull penalty. If a flag is pulled early and:
The ball is caught, the penalty results in an automatic first down 5-yards from where the ball is caught.
The ball is not caught, the penalty results in an automatic first down 5-yards from the line of scrimmage.
1.3The officials will whistle the play dead when they see that a defensive player has removed (flagged) 1 of the flags of the ball carrier. If a ball carrier does not have all his or her flags, the player is eligible to receive the ball, however, they cannot advance it. If a ball carrier's flag is moved out of position by a defender in an attempt to flag them the play will be allowed to continue. Players wearing belted flags must ensure that they are not too loose and cannot move around easily.
1.4An eligible pass receiver who loses a flag at anytime can still receive a forward pass, but the ball will be declared dead at the point of reception. Players winding flags on belts will be warned the first time, next time removed from the game.
1.5A player who flags an opponent that does not cause a stoppage of play must release the flag immediately or else they will be penalized for illegal flag pull. But if the play is stopped on the flag pull, the player must hand the flag back to the player.