When my son signed up for flag football, I didn’t really know what to expect. As I wrote recently in another article, he and his twin sister had played youth soccer, so I had learned about the gear required for that sport. I knew enough to be able to pick out football cleats as opposed to soccer cleats anyway. Beyond that, I had a lot to learn.
The first thing I learned was that flag football does not necessarily require the same gear as tackle football. In fact, the coaches told the parents that we could skip the pads entirely if we wanted, because there wasn’t much contact in youth flag football. Tackling was strictly forbidden, and the coaches acted as quarterbacks, so play was much safer at this young age. Still some athletic gear was suggested and even required in order to play. Here are the items you will commonly need to buy if your child plays flag football.
Cleats
Even though your child will not likely need pads, they will probably need a pair of cleats. As in soccer, cleats give them traction on the field and help prevent them from sliding on the grass. Football cleats actually give extra traction because of the toe cleat at the front of the shoe. This can help your child take off faster, especially on a muddy field.
When choosing cleats, make sure you get football cleats and not soccer or baseball cleats. Football cleats will always have a toe cleat at the front of the shoe. You can choose either high or low top cleats depending on what your child likes to wear. Many kids outgrow their cleats before they are worn out, so you may be able to find secondhand cleats for a bargain if you ask your friends with older kids.
Mouth guards
The one non-negotiable item on my son’s flag football league was a mouth guard. No one could step onto the field without one. Mouth guards can help protect the teeth. They also decrease the risk of damage to the cheeks, gums and tongue. If you have dental issues, such as an irregular bite or braces, you should ask your dentist for a specially fitted mouth guard.
If you do not have any dental issues, you may be able to wear a mouth guard off the shelf. These are sold with sporting goods and come in a range of sizes. Make sure to follow the directions to fit the mouth guard to your child’s teeth. This usually involved dipping the guard in boiling water to soften the plastic, then having your child bite gently on the device for a few minutes as it hardens and forms to the shape of their teeth and palate.
Take my advice, if you are buying mouth guards at the store, purchase more than one. Shaping the mouth guard can be a little tricky, so you could end up throwing one away before you get it right. Also, you’ll want at least one spare in your vehicle at all times, because mouth guards are very easy to misplace, and chances are, your child won’t be allowed to play if he shows up at a game without one.
Football
It can be hard for young kids to get their hands around a full size football. Adult size footballs are also heavy and difficult for kids to throw. Fortunately, footballs come in a variety of sizes. Make sure and ask your coach before you purchase a ball, and then get the right size for your child to practice at home.
More by Tavia:
Best Gear for Soccer Moms
How to Choose Athletic Gear for Youth Soccer
Football Camp Safety in the Summer Heat
Tavia worked as a naturalist and recreation specialist at an Oklahoma lake during her college years. She enjoys using what she learned as an outdoor educator in her work with children today.
Reference:
- sports.yahoo.com/news/best-gear-soccer-moms-203000302–spt.html
- sports.yahoo.com/news/choose-athletic-gear-youth-soccer-062200111–sow.html
- sports.yahoo.com/news/football-camp-safety-summer-heat-064000504–spt.html
