Why Flag Football is a Great Team Sport for Kids

The popularity of flag football has grown rapidly in the United States. According to an article in The New York Times, the number of 6-to-12-year-olds playing flag football increased by 38% to more than 1.5 million between 2016 and 2018. Prior to COVID-19, The Sports & Fitness Industry Association said flag football was seeing an additional 3.2% jump in participation heading into 2020.

So what has driven flag football’s popularity as a youth sport? An article in The Washington Post suggests that more kids may be able to play flag football because flag requires less equipment and is less expensive. For example, a youth football helmets can cost almost $400, while participation in a flag football league could cost a family less than $150 per child.

Also, there is the debate over head injuries and CTE. The Aspen Institute Sports and Society Program has released a white paper in 2018 that says flag football should be the standard way of playing the game for youths until they get to high school in order to minimize the risk of head injuries.

“Kids’ brains are developing,” Ann McKee, director of the Boston University CTE Center in Massachusetts, told The Washington Post in 2016. “Their heads are a larger part of their body, and their necks are not as strong as adults’ necks. So kids may be at a greater risk of head and brain injuries than adults.”

What Makes Flag Football a Great Youth Sport?

i9 Sports says that flag football gives children the option to play football with the same fitness and competitive benefits of tackle football, but with less risk of injury.

In addition to the physical benefits of playing flag football, there are also multiple character-building benefits for children. For instance, i9 Sports cites teamwork, social skills, good sportsmanship, the value of practice, and how to compete.

However, there are a few other create reasons that children should participate in flag football. For example, in these uncertain times when distance learning can lead to anxiety in children, flag football gives them a place where they can get exercise and burn off their restless energy.

Also, although flag football is a fast-paced sport, size, speed, and athletic ability does not matter in flag football. Children learn a variety of offensive and defensive positions and are placed on the field where they can best help their team and develop a sense of self confidence.

Additionally, it does not matter if you are a boy or a girl. Approximately 18% of youth flag football players nationwide are girls, and they often come to the field with a more-advanced skill set.

Is There a Youth Flag Football League Near Me?

Offered as a program through Woodbury Parks & Recreation, Nonnewaug NFL Flag Football will kick off its first season in September 2020. Although it is a new program, it is headed up by a group of parents who have been coaches in other regional NFL Flag and Pop Warner programs.

Nonnewaug NFL Flag Football's mission is to promote fitness and teamwork for boys and girls in grades K-8 through fun and friendly football activities and games. Teams will practice 1-2 evenings per week based on field availability. Games will be played Sundays against other Nonnewaug NFL Flag Football teams under a modified version of NFL Flag Football's rules and guidelines. The program will also follow current State and CDC rules.

Nothing is more fun than being on a team with your classmates. With that in mind, players will be placed on teams based on their grade in school and, if applicable, the school district the athlete lives in. In addition to children who live in Region 14, Nonnewaug Flag Football is open to boys and girls in surrounding communities as well. Team roster sizes will be small to allow all players to receive maximum instruction and playing time.

The deadline to register for Nonnewaug NFL Flag Football is August 21, and practices will most likely begin the following week. The season will run through mid-November.

What Is NFL Flag?

NFL Flag is the largest, most recognized flag football organization in the U.S. Backed by the NFL with an emphasis on football fundamentals and community involvement, NFL Flag is a fun and accessible non-contact program for girls and boys, and empowers youth athletes across the nation.

Learn more about NFL Flag in this video with NFL Flag executive director Izell Reece: