Massachusetts at a glance
| Governing body | Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Not sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | M.G.L. c. 111, § 222 |
Does Massachusetts require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the MIAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
Supporters filed a new application with the MIAA on October 1, 2026, after an earlier one was rejected.
What this means for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts' youth concussion law: M.G.L. c. 111, § 222. 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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts.
Sources
- Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- M.G.L. c. 111, § 222.
- CDC HEADS UP.