When is a flag pull legal?

Question

Accepted Answer

A flag pull is legal only when the ball carrier is in full possession of the ball. Defenders may dive to pull a flag, but can't tackle, hold or run through the ball carrier. Defenders can't strip or pull the ball from the ball carrier at any time (stripping: +5, spot foul, automatic first down). Defenders can't intentionally pull the flag of a player who doesn't have the ball. An illegal flag pull before the receiver has the ball is +5 from the line of scrimmage and an automatic first down. If a ball carrier's flag falls off during the play, they're down immediately; spot the ball where the flag lands. A player who catches or takes the ball with one or no flags on the belt is down at that spot. A sack is a QB flag pull behind the line; spot the ball where the ball was when the flag came off. In the offense's own end zone it's a safety. Defenders must give receivers a free release off the line of scrimmage.