New Mexico at a glance
| Governing body | New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Not sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | NMSA § 22-13-31 and § 22-13-31.1 (as amended by Laws 2017, SB 38) |
Does New Mexico require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the New Mexico Activities Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the NMAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
A privately funded league with 11 teams from 6 Albuquerque-area schools launched in September 2026 and is seeking NMAA recognition.
What this means for New Mexico 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 Mexico's youth concussion law: NMSA § 22-13-31 and § 22-13-31.1 (as amended by Laws 2017, SB 38). 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 Mexico 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 New Mexico.
Sources
- New Mexico Activities Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- NMSA § 22-13-31 and § 22-13-31.1 (as amended by Laws 2017, SB 38).
- CDC HEADS UP.