Flag Football Season Checklist: Everything You Need Before Game 1

The season is two weeks out. You've signed up, you've got a roster, and now you need to actually get ready. Whether you're a first-time coach or a parent trying to make sure your kid shows up prepared, this checklist covers everything you need to handle before that first game.

We've organized this by timeline — what to do two weeks out, one week out, and the day before. Print it, screenshot it, or bookmark it. You'll reference it more than once.

Two Weeks Before the Season

Registration and League Logistics

Confirm your registration is complete. This sounds obvious, but incomplete registrations are one of the most common reasons kids miss the first game. Verify that payment has gone through, any required waivers are signed, and your child is on the official roster. Some leagues require additional forms for volunteer coaches — background checks, concussion certifications, or codes of conduct. Handle these now, not the day before.

Get the schedule. Know when and where every practice and game happens for the full season. Put it all in your calendar immediately. Youth flag football fields aren't always at the same location every week, and showing up to the wrong park is a rite of passage nobody wants.

Read the rulebook. If you're coaching, this is mandatory. If you're a parent, it's strongly recommended. Knowing the rules means you understand what's happening on the field and can actually help your kid improve. Each league has its own version — ask the coordinator for the specific rules your league follows. For a quick reference, our rules guide for parents covers the fundamentals across all formats.

Find out what the league provides and what you need to bring. Some leagues supply flag belts, jerseys, and game balls. Others expect you to bring your own. Some provide a team equipment bag with cones, a first aid kit, and extra flags. Ask specifically so you're not scrambling at the first practice.

Equipment for Players

Flag football has one of the lowest equipment costs of any youth sport. Here's what your kid needs:

Cleats. Soccer cleats are fine — most youth flag football players already own a pair from another sport. Football cleats work too. Avoid metal cleats if your league prohibits them (most do). Flat-soled shoes or sneakers are acceptable if cleats aren't available, but cleats make a real difference on grass, especially when it's wet.

Mouthguard. Many leagues require them; even if yours doesn't, it's a good idea. Kids collide accidentally, trip over each other, and fall. A basic boil-and-bite mouthguard costs $5-15 at any sporting goods store. Get one that fits properly — a mouthguard that keeps falling out won't get worn.

Flag belt. Usually provided by the league. If you need to buy one, make sure it matches your league's specifications. Most use a three-flag belt (one on each hip and one in the back) with pop-off flags. The belt should fit snugly — loose belts bunch up and make flags easier to pull accidentally, or harder to pull intentionally.

Football. For practices, you'll want at least one football and ideally two or three. Check your league's size requirements — youth sizes vary by age group. Common sizes are Pee Wee (ages 6-9), Junior (ages 9-12), and Youth/Intermediate (ages 12-14).

Water bottle. Every kid needs their own. Flag football is outdoors, usually in spring or fall, and kids dehydrate faster than they realize. Insulated bottles keep water cold through a full practice in warm weather.

Appropriate clothing. Shorts or athletic pants (nothing with belt loops, pockets, or zippers that can catch on flag belts), a t-shirt or jersey, and athletic socks. No jewelry — most leagues prohibit it for safety. If the league provides jerseys, find out when they'll be distributed.

What you don't need: Helmets, shoulder pads, gloves (some leagues allow receiver gloves, most don't for younger ages), or any other tackle football equipment.

Equipment for Coaches

Cones. A set of 10-20 small disc cones for marking drills, routes, and scrimmage boundaries. They're a few dollars on Amazon and you'll use them at every practice.

Extra flag belts and flags. Flags fall off, get lost, and break. Having 3-4 spare belts and a handful of extra flags saves practice time.

Footballs. At least two game-size balls for practice. Three is better — you can run passing drills with multiple groups simultaneously.

Clipboard or phone. For your playbook, lineup, and notes. Some coaches prefer paper, some use their phone. Whatever you use, have your plays accessible at practice and on game day.

First aid kit. Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, instant cold packs, athletic tape. Most injuries are scraped knees and jammed fingers, but you want to be prepared. Check if your league provides one in the team equipment bag.

Whistle. Useful for getting attention during practice, especially with younger kids. Not strictly necessary, but helpful.

One Week Before the Season

Communication

Send a welcome message to all families. Include: practice and game schedule, what kids should wear and bring, your contact information, and a general overview of what to expect. Keep the tone positive and set expectations clearly — everyone will play, the focus is on fun and development, and you're a volunteer learning too (if applicable).

Identify your assistant coach. If you don't have one yet, ask a parent. You need at least one other adult who can throw a ball, run the opposite side of a scrimmage, and help manage substitutions during games. Two assistants is even better. Coaching alone is significantly harder and less effective.

Designate a team parent. This is the parent who handles non-coaching logistics: snack rotation, group communication, end-of-season party planning, and anything else that isn't about what happens on the field. Having someone else own these tasks lets you focus on coaching. The Oconee County coaching manual specifically recommends this as one of the first things a new coach should set up.

Practice Prep

Plan your first two practices. Don't wing it. Map out what you'll cover, how long each segment will take, and what drills you'll run. A simple structure: 10-minute warm-up, 15-20 minutes of skill drills, 15-20 minutes of plays, 10-minute scrimmage. For specific drill ideas, our drills guide has options organized by skill.

Learn 3-5 basic plays. You do not need a complex playbook. Three passing plays and a running play (if your format allows it) is enough for the entire season at younger age levels. Walk yourself through each play so you can teach it clearly. Our coaching guide for beginners includes a starter playbook.

Visit the practice field. Know where it is, where to park, and what the field looks like. Is it lined? Does it have goals or landmarks you can use as boundaries? Is there shade for water breaks? This five-minute visit prevents logistical confusion on day one.

Player Prep (for Parents)

Break in the cleats. Don't send your kid to the first practice in brand new cleats. Have them wear them around the house or yard for a few days to avoid blisters.

Practice the basics at home. If your kid has never thrown or caught a football, spend 15 minutes in the backyard playing catch. They don't need to be good — they just need to not be surprised by the shape of the ball. Flag football uses a different ball than what they might be used to from playing catch with a Nerf.

Talk about what to expect. For kids who haven't played organized sports before, the structure of practice (listening to a coach, running drills, waiting your turn) can be unfamiliar. Let them know there will be a coach, other kids, and they'll learn new things. Normalize that it's okay to not know what they're doing at first.

The Day Before Game 1

For Coaches

Finalize your starting lineup and substitution plan. Know who's playing which position on the first series and when you'll rotate. Write it down. In the chaos of a first game, you will forget if it's not written down.

Review your play calls. Run through your plays mentally. Know which play you'll call first. Having a plan for your opening sequence — even if it's just "Play 1, Play 2, Play 3" — gives you confidence and keeps you from freezing when the referee says "ready."

Pack your coaching bag. Cones, extra flags, footballs, clipboard with plays and lineup, first aid kit, whistle, water. Do this the night before, not the morning of.

Check the weather. Youth flag football happens rain or shine in most leagues. Know what's coming so you can dress appropriately and remind parents to prepare their kids. Hot and sunny? Sunscreen and extra water. Cold? Layers that don't restrict movement. Rain? Everything takes longer and the ball gets slippery — adjust your expectations.

For Parents

Pack the bag. Cleats, mouthguard, water bottle, flag belt (if not league-provided), sunscreen, a change of clothes (kids will get dirty and possibly wet). Bring a camp chair for yourself — you'll be standing and sitting for 45-60 minutes.

Arrive 15-20 minutes early. For the first game, you want time to find the field, park, get your kid checked in, and let them warm up with the team. Rushing in at game time means your kid starts stressed and behind.

Manage your own expectations. The first game will be messy. Kids will run the wrong routes, forget the plays, and look confused. This is completely normal. Your child is learning a new sport with new teammates and a new coach. Improvement comes fast — by game three or four, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Quick-Reference Checklist

Player equipment:

• Cleats (soccer or football, no metal)
• Mouthguard
• Flag belt (if not league-provided)
• Water bottle
• Athletic clothing (no pockets, zippers, or jewelry)

Coach equipment:

• 10-20 disc cones
• 2-3 footballs (correct size for age group)
• Extra flag belts and flags (3-4 spare)
• Clipboard with plays and lineup
• First aid kit
• Whistle

Administrative:

• Registration confirmed and paid
• Waivers and background checks completed
• Full season schedule in calendar
• Rulebook downloaded and read
• Parent communication sent
• Assistant coach identified
• Team parent designated

Preparation:

• First two practices planned
• 3-5 plays learned and ready to teach
• Practice and game fields visited
• Weather checked before each event

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Related Resources

• First-Time Coach Quick Reference Card — one-page printable with scoring, penalties, and key terms
• Free Stat Sheets — printable sheets for every format
• How to Coach Flag Football with No Experience — the full coaching survival guide
• Flag Football Positions Explained — what every position does

Once the season starts, StatHawk tracks every play, computes stats automatically, and generates shareable postgame summaries — so you can focus on the game instead of the clipboard. Sign up for early access.