My son has always loved football. Since he was knee high to a grasshopper, he’d be crashing his toys together in football plays. Naturally as soon as he was old enough, I let him join a youth flag football league. I think flag football for kids is a great way to get kids to be active outdoors. Among the meany benefits of flag football, it encourages exercise, team work, independent practice, and builds self-confidence. This post is brought to you by National Flag Football League.
Great Youth Flag Football League For Busy Families
As a mother of 2 kids, I often wonder how parents with more children manage. I mean I have enough after school practices and music lessons and club activities to juggle with just two children! Families are so busy these days and that is what makes National Flag Football League so perfect for busy families. NFF is on Sundays (in most all locations) and it is only a 2 hour commitment each week.
National Flag Football is structured so that there is one hour of practice, followed by an hour long game. This one day commitment to the league means less driving around time and your child gets practice and play just as much. How nice not to have to rush places after school on weekdays and try to fit in cooking a family dinner too!
Another fabulous benefit of National Flag Football for kids is that multiple age levels and coed siblings can be in the same activity, even if they are on different teams. That is right- flag football is for girls too. Girls who join are placed on a coed team. Ah, the beauty of simplicity!
National Flag Football For Kids Is Great For Learning The Basics
Flag football for kids is a great way to learn the basics of physical team sports as well as the rules of the game and strengthen their football skills. My son was super happy to be playing football and I could relax knowing that my son wouldn’t be hit. Flag football is a great way to learn about the game at a young age and it is safer than tackle football.
Youth flag football games are played in 5 on 5 flag football format. It provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in non-contact, continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork. All games are officiated by certified and trained officials.
Another cool thing about National Flag Football for kids is that it gives them a chance to have structured playtime with kids their age. This is especially nice for areas where kids live further apart and playdates/ playing in the neighborhood is a challenge. Teams are formed by students from the same schools and grade, giving children the opportunity to participate as a team with their classmates.
The bottom line is flag football is fun for kids and a great way to be physically active.
Flag Football Near You
Fall registration is beginning now with safety Return To Play Protocols! Launched in 2006, National Flag Football is the largest NFL Flag Football provider in the country. They have programs located in over 100 different communities and servicing close to 50,000 players annually. If you are looking for a program is designed to educate young people about football while emphasizing participation and sportsmanship, find a league near you at nationalflagfootball.com
If you are located in Tennessee, you can visit the Tennessee Website.
Your child is going to love the jerseys! All participants will receive a reversible National Football League (NFL) Flag Football jersey, representing one of the NFL teams, and flags that are theirs to keep at the completion of the season.
How To Play Flag Football For Kids
Playing flag football with kids can be a fun and engaging activity. Here’s a basic guide for you to get started:
- Gather Equipment: You’ll need flags (either flag belts or flag football flags that attach to a belt), a football suitable for kids, and cones to mark the field boundaries.
- Set Up the Field: Use cones to mark the boundaries and end zones. For younger kids, a smaller field is recommended.
- Divide into Teams: Divide the kids into two teams. The number of players on each team can vary based on the total number of kids playing.
- Explain the Rules: Explain the basic rules of flag football, such as how to score, how to down the ball carrier by pulling their flag, and basic penalties.
- Start the Game: The game begins with a kickoff from one team to the other. The receiving team then tries to advance the ball down the field to score.
- Play the Game: Players can pass, run, and catch the ball just like in regular football, but instead of tackling, defenders must pull the ball carrier’s flag to stop the play.
- Scoring: A touchdown is scored when a player carries the ball into the opposing team’s end zone. After a touchdown, the scoring team can attempt an extra point or two-point conversion.
- End of Game: The game typically consists of two halves of a specified length (e.g., 20 minutes each). The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
- Encourage Sportsmanship: Emphasize the importance of teamwork, fair play, and good sportsmanship throughout the game.
- Have Fun: Most importantly, ensure that everyone is having fun. Modify rules or the game setup as needed to keep the game enjoyable for all skill levels.
Remember, the rules and setup can be adjusted based on the age and skill level of the kids playing. The goal is to create a fun and safe environment for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Did you know that NAIA colleges are adding girls flag football as a Varsity sport in 2021? Even more reason to let your kids get out and play and learn the sport now! Did you play flag football as a child? Do you think your child would enjoy it?
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