Missouri at a glance
| Governing body | Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Not sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act, RSMo § 167.765 |
Does Missouri require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Missouri State High School Activities Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the MSHSAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
MSHSAA members voted girls flag football an emerging sport in 2025, and it becomes provisionally interscholastic for 2026-27.
What this means for Missouri 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 Missouri's youth concussion law: Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act, RSMo § 167.765. 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 Missouri 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 Missouri.
Sources
- Missouri State High School Activities Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- Interscholastic Youth Sports Brain Injury Prevention Act, RSMo § 167.765.
- CDC HEADS UP.