Washington at a glance
| Governing body | Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | Zackery Lystedt Law, RCW 28A.600.190 (see also RCW 4.24.660) |
Does Washington require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the WIAA website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The WIAA sanctioned girls flag football in April 2025, and the first state championships were played in February 2026 as a winter sport.
What this means for Washington 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 Washington's youth concussion law: Zackery Lystedt Law, RCW 28A.600.190 (see also RCW 4.24.660). 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 Washington 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 Washington, or find a flag football league in Washington.
Sources
- Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- Zackery Lystedt Law, RCW 28A.600.190 (see also RCW 4.24.660).
- CDC HEADS UP.