3 Ways to Make Referee Penalty Flags (2024)

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Co-authored bywikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 27, 2022

1. 1

   Collect the necessary items. Three commonplace items are all you will need to make this flag:

   • Square piece of fabric
   • Rubber bouncing ball about 1 inch (2.5cm) in diameter
   • Rubber band
2. 2

   Lay out the piece of fabric and square with scissors if necessary. Many materials around the house are perfect for making a penalty flag in a pinch. Think about using dish rags, larger fabric samples, and swaths. A cloth napkin is a sure-fire winner, and though any size will work, for the most authentic flag, use either the luncheon or dinner sizes at 13 inches (33.0cm) by 13 inches (33.0cm) and 18 inches (45.7cm) by 18 inches (45.7cm) respectively.

3. 3

   Place the bouncing ball in the middle of the fabric. This ensures that you will have the same amount of cloth on all sides of your flag. Not only will your flag look better, it will also be more aerodynamic. Remember an even placement of weight will allow your flag to be thrown farther and much more accurately.

4. 4

   Pull up all four corners of the fabric. Bring them together and twist the fabric tightly around the bouncing ball. When the ball seems tightly wrapped and secure, pinch the twisted area of fabric shut.

5. 5

   Wrap a rubber band around the fabric. In order to form a sturdier bundle, you may need to wrap the rubber band around the twisted area of fabric several times. This will secure the ball inside of the fabric and keep the flag in one piece.

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   See Also

   Youth Flag Football Programs & Leagues at i9 Sports®Reaction to girls flag football becoming official IHSA sport in Illinois

1. 1

   Collect the necessary items. This design is only slightly more involved; however, the end result will look more authentic. You will need these six items to make this flag:

   • (1) yellow fabric (preferably nylon or cotton)
   • (1) empty 16 fl. oz. plastic bottle
   • (1) funnel
   • (2) 11 inches (27.9cm) latex balloons
   • (1) rubber band
   • 2 oz. fine grain sand
2. 2

   Cut the fabric into squares of the appropriate size. Professional grade flags often are made out of nylon which is light-weight, durable, and weather-resistant. Regulation-sized flags are 15 inch (38.1cm) by 15 inches (38.1cm).

3. 3

   Make a weighted balloon for the flag by filling a balloon with sand. Originally, penalty flags were filled with a wide range of objects like fishing sinkers, lead weights, ball bearings, washers, golf balls, and even BB pellets.^[1] However, sand is universally used today.

   • Place one balloon inside of the other for extra durability. Begin by stretching the first balloon over the narrow end of the funnel. Stretch the second balloon over the first. Remove the double-layered balloon from the funnel and reserve.
   • Fill the bottle with sand by using the funnel. Place the funnel into the open bottle and pour the sand into it. Tap the funnel a few times to make sure all of the sand has gone into the bottle.
   • Inflate the balloon with enough air to make room for the sand. Twist the balloon’s spout shut to keep air from escaping.
   • Stretch the balloon’s spout over the bottle and invert so that the sand falls into the balloon. Untwist the kink in the balloon and allow the sand to fill it. Remove the balloon from the bottle.
   • Let any excess air out of the balloon and tie it shut at the spout. Now, you have a set weight for your flag that is neatly contained.
4. 4

   Place the weighted balloon in the middle of the fabric. Once again, this ensures the same amount of cloth on all sides of your flag, which makes it more aerodynamic. Using sand as a weight will allow your flag to be thrown a considerable distance and with even more accuracy.

5. 5

   Pull up all four corners of the fabric. Bring them together and twist the fabric tightly around the weighted balloon. When the balloon seems tightly wrapped and secure, hold the twisted area of fabric shut.

6. 6

   Wrap a rubber band around the fabric. In order to form a sturdier bundle, you may need to wrap the rubber band around the twisted area of fabric several times.

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1. 1

   Decide what kind of penalty flag you need. Penalty flags can be different colors depending on their use or associated sport.

   • Penalty flags were introduced to American college football in 1941. They were originally white.
   • By 1948, white penalty flags were officially adopted for use in professional games.
   • In 1965, yellow flags became the standard color for NFL, NCAA, high school, and flag football.
   • Red penalty flags were used intermittently in American college games until the mid-1970s.
   • Today, orange penalty flags are used in Canadian football, and yellow penalty flags are used in American football.
   • Coaches will sometimes use a red flag to contest a referee’s yellow penalty flag.
2. 2

   Wear the flag with the excess material in your pocket and the weighted end hanging outside of it. Alternately, you can pull the excess material through the side of your belt leaving the weighted end at the tip of your fingers. With the flag held like this, it is easy to grab.

3. 3

   Test out the flags before the game. Beforehand, toss the flags around to ensure of their aerodynamics and stability. Make sure to become comfortable with it in your grip.

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