North Carolina at a glance
| Governing body | North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act (S.L. 2011-147), now G.S. 115C-407.57 |
Does North Carolina require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the NCHSAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The NCHSAA voted in May 2026 to sanction girls flag football for 2026-27, played in the fall under NFHS rules.
What this means for North Carolina 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 North Carolina's youth concussion law: Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act (S.L. 2011-147), now G.S. 115C-407.57. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina, or find a flag football league in North Carolina.
Sources
- North Carolina 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.
- Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act (S.L. 2011-147), now G.S. 115C-407.57.
- CDC HEADS UP.