The short answer
Flag football is non-contact. A play ends when a defender pulls the ball carrier's flag, and there are no pads or helmets. Tackle football, usually just called American football, is full contact. A play ends with a tackle, and players wear helmets and shoulder pads. Flag is the Olympic format for LA 2028.
Side-by-side
| Flag football | Tackle football | |
|---|---|---|
| Players per side | 5 (international 5v5) | 11 |
| Contact | None. No tackling or blocking | Full contact: tackling and blocking |
| Play ends when | Flag pulled, out of bounds, or score | Tackle, out of bounds, incomplete pass, or score |
| Equipment | Flag belt, ball, shoes | Helmet, shoulder pads, full kit |
| Field | About 50 × 25 yards plus end zones | 100 × 53⅓ yards plus end zones |
| Cost to start | Low | High (protective gear) |
| Who plays | All ages; men, women, mixed | Mostly older youth and adults |
| Olympic | Yes, LA 2028 | No |
Which should you start with?
Most new players in India start with flag football. You can learn to throw, catch, run routes, and read defences without the cost or injury risk of contact, and it's the format with an Olympic pathway. Tackle football suits players who want the full-contact game and have access to proper equipment and coaching.
In Uttar Pradesh, both run through the same UPAFA system. You register once, choose your discipline, and play through your district.