Is Flag Football Safe? Headgear and Injuries

Is flag football safe? A parent's guide to headgear and head injuries

Flag football has no tackling, but players still collide and fall. A study of US emergency room data from 2014 to 2023 estimated 22,666 injuries to female flag football players, mostly sprains, strains and fractures. Headgear can reduce head impact forces but does not prevent concussions. Know the signs, and ask your league about its rules.

Published November 5, 2026. Talk to your child's doctor about any injury or health question.

What injuries happen in flag football?

Most are not head injuries. In the Balachandran et al., "The Current State of American Flag Football Injuries Among Female Athletes", Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, August 2025, strains and sprains were the most common diagnosis (30.2%) and fractures second (20.8%). Concussions were third, at 8.0% of cases, and the finger was the most injured body part (22.6%). Players ages 11 to 20 accounted for 71.1% of injuries. The data come from emergency room visits, so they miss injuries treated at home or by a family doctor.

Does my kid need flag football headgear?

Only if your league or state requires it, and most do not. As of November 5, 2026, Georgia high school play is the only statewide requirement we found. Many families buy it anyway. If you do, choose a 4 or 5-star model from the Virginia Tech flag football headgear ratings, and check your state's headgear rule.

What should you look for in headgear?

A Virginia Tech rating of 4 or 5 stars, or 5 stars if your rule requires it.
A fit that sits level and does not shift when your child shakes their head.
Coverage your league allows. A halo leaves the crown open; a full cap covers it.
Something your child will actually wear. Comfort matters more than a small score difference.

What does the CDC say about concussions in youth sports?

Read it from the source. The CDC's HEADS UP page on responding to a concussion explains what to do when one is suspected, and the HEADS UP program covers signs and recovery. We link to the CDC rather than summarize it, so you always get the current guidance.

What should you ask your league?

Do you require headgear, and what rating?
Have your coaches taken concussion training, such as CDC HEADS UP?
Who decides when a player sits out after a hit to the head, and who clears them to return?
Is there a first aid kit and an emergency plan at every field?
How will you tell me if my child is hurt?

Still choosing a program? Find a flag football league near you and ask these questions before you register.

In short

Most flag football injuries are sprains, strains and fractures, not head injuries.
Headgear is required only where your state or league says so. If you buy it, pick 4 or 5 Virginia Tech stars.
No headgear prevents concussions. Learn the signs from CDC HEADS UP and talk to your doctor.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Q01Is flag football safer than tackle football?+

Flag football removes tackling and blocking, which are the main sources of contact in tackle football. Players still run into each other and fall, so injuries happen. For your child's risk, talk to their doctor and ask your league how it handles head injuries.

Q02At what age do kids start wearing flag football headgear?+

There is no set age. Where headgear is required, the rule usually covers every player in that program. Where it is optional, families decide. Pick a size from the maker's chart and a Virginia Tech rated model.

Q03What happens if my child gets hit in the head at a flag football game?+

If a coach or official suspects a concussion, your child should come out of the game and not return that day. They return only after a licensed health care provider clears them in writing. Follow your doctor's advice and the CDC HEADS UP guidance.