Maryland at a glance
| Governing body | Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Md. Code, Educ. § 7-433 |
Does Maryland require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the MPSSAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The MPSSAA plays girls flag football in the fall under NFHS rules with state adoptions, starting in 2026-27, and its first state championships are set for November 17, 2026.
What this means for Maryland 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 Maryland's youth concussion law: Md. Code, Educ. § 7-433. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland, or find a flag football league in Maryland.
Sources
- Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- Md. Code, Educ. § 7-433.
- CDC HEADS UP.