Iowa at a glance
| Governing body | Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Not sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Iowa Code § 280.13C |
Does Iowa require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the IGHSAU website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
Schools play in district leagues such as the Des Moines Public Schools league. The IGHSAU does not list flag football among its sanctioned sports.
What this means for Iowa 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 Iowa's youth concussion law: Iowa Code § 280.13C. 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 Iowa 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.
- Ready to play? find a flag football league in Iowa.
Sources
- Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- Iowa Code § 280.13C.
- CDC HEADS UP.