What does 'Flag on the play' mean in an NFL game?

You've probably heard it shouted during a game, but what exactly does "flag on the play" mean in the NFL?

DAZN News explains all.

What is a penalty flag?

For starters, let's begin with the actual penalty flag. It's a small, yellow cloth made of nylon with a sand-attached weight on the bottom that NFL officials usually tuck into their back pockets. The purpose of the weight is so the flag plants onto the field when an official throws it, making it visible to players, coaches, fans in the stadium, and many more watching on television.

What does a flag on the play actually mean?

A flag on the play means that an official has pinpointed that a player has committed a penalty. This could be an offside ruling, a defensive pass interference, roughing the passer, intentional grounding, holding, or a host of other penalties that are spotted.

What happens when there's a flag on the play?

When you see a “flag on the play,” it signals a penalty. Different fouls lead to different yardage penalties. For example, a delay of game and false start penalty results in a five-yard loss. Offensive holding typically costs the team ten yards, while defensive holding brings a five-yard penalty along with an automatic first down.

More serious fouls like roughing the passer typically mean a fifteen-yard penalty and also give the offense a fresh set of downs.

Click this link for more details about other NFL rules and objectives.

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