Pennsylvania at a glance
| Governing body | Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Safety in Youth Sports Act, Act 101 of 2011 (24 P.S. §§ 5321 to 5323) |
Does Pennsylvania require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the PIAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The PIAA approved girls flag football in September 2024 and took over the sport in July 2025.
What this means for Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's youth concussion law: Safety in Youth Sports Act, Act 101 of 2011 (24 P.S. §§ 5321 to 5323). 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, or find a flag football league in Pennsylvania.
Sources
- Pennsylvania 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.
- Safety in Youth Sports Act, Act 101 of 2011 (24 P.S. §§ 5321 to 5323).
- CDC HEADS UP.