District of Columbia at a glance
| Governing body | District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011, D.C. Code § 7-2871.01 et seq. |
Does District of Columbia require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the District of Columbia State Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the DCSAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
DCSAA sanctioned girls flag football as a state championship sport beginning in 2026-27, replacing its invitational. No sanctioned state final has been held yet.
What this means for District of Columbia leagues
- No statewide rule applies, so your league decides. If you require headgear, name a minimum rating, such as Virginia Tech 4 or 5 stars, and put it in your rulebook.
- Follow District of Columbia's youth concussion law: Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011, D.C. Code § 7-2871.01 et seq.. Read the official text for who it covers and what it requires.
- Build your protocol from the youth flag football concussion protocol guide, and train coaches with CDC HEADS UP.
What this means for District of Columbia parents
- Ask your league or school whether it requires headgear. If you buy it anyway, compare models in the Virginia Tech headgear ratings.
- No headgear prevents concussions. Learn what to do from the CDC HEADS UP page on responding to a concussion, and talk to your child's doctor about any head injury.
- See girls high school flag football teams in District of Columbia, or find a flag football league in District of Columbia.
Sources
- District of Columbia State Athletic Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- Athletic Concussion Protection Act of 2011, D.C. Code § 7-2871.01 et seq..
- CDC HEADS UP.