West Virginia at a glance
| Governing body | West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) |
|---|---|
| Girls flag football | Not sanctioned (source) |
| Headgear | No headgear rule found |
| Youth concussion law | W. Va. Code § 18-2-25a |
Does West Virginia require flag football headgear?
We found no statewide flag football headgear rule from the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission as of November 5, 2026. That means we checked and found none, not that headgear is banned. Check the WVSSAC website for the current season, and ask your league, which can set its own rule.
The WVSSAC does not sanction girls flag football yet. Its flag football page describes a spring 2027 girls pilot season run by the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers with WVSSAC support, working toward the 32 schools the WVSSAC requires before it sanctions a new sport.
What this means for West Virginia 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 West Virginia's youth concussion law: W. Va. Code § 18-2-25a. 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia.
Sources
- West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission, checked November 5, 2026.
- Girls flag football status source. See every state on the girls high school flag football by state page.
- W. Va. Code § 18-2-25a.
- CDC HEADS UP.