New York at a glance
| Governing body | New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | N.Y. Education Law § 305(42) |
Does New York require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the New York State Public High School Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the NYSPHSAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The NYSPHSAA made girls flag football an emerging sport in 2023 after a 2022 pilot, and has held a state championship each spring since 2024.
What this means for New York 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 York's youth concussion law: N.Y. Education Law § 305(42). 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 York 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 York, or find a flag football league in New York.
Sources
- New York State Public High School Athletic Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- N.Y. Education Law § 305(42).
- CDC HEADS UP.