New Jersey at a glance
| Governing body | New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | P.L. 2010, c. 94 (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 et seq.) |
Does New Jersey require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the NJSIAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The NJSIAA approved girls flag football in May 2026 under NFHS rules, after a 2022 start backed by the Jets, Giants and Eagles.
What this means for New Jersey 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 New Jersey's youth concussion law: P.L. 2010, c. 94 (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey, or find a flag football league in New Jersey.
Sources
- New Jersey State 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.
- P.L. 2010, c. 94 (N.J.S.A. 18A:40-41.1 et seq.).
- CDC HEADS UP.