The New High School Sport: Girls Flag Football
Written by Melina A. ‘27
A new high school sport is on the rise across California: girls’ flag football. This sport is especially growing locally here in the Bay Area. Should SJND, a school that’s never had a football team, create a team of our own?
The California Interscholastic Federation, which governs statewide high school sports for both public and private schools, officially recognizes girls’ flag football as a high school sport. Flag football runs similar to tackle football yet is played seven-on-seven and comes with many of its own positives.
It enables girls who have been interested in football an opportunity to participate in a sport which has mostly been exclusively played by boys.
This is not the only major positive this sport acquires. There is no doubt the classic game of tackle football is one of the most dangerous high school sports, with the most common injuries being concussions and sprains. But, girl’s flag football, played with flags tied around the waist, limits the amount of injuries caused by tackles and trips. Also, flag football is played in a short forty minutes, unlike a game of classic football, which can be played in upwards of sixty minutes.
Though this sport has many great factors, it is important to mention its negative aspects. Currently flag football is a fall sport, which coincides with SJND’s girls’ sports of golf, tennis, cross country, and the popular indoor volleyball season. The other negative is, similar to tennis and soccer, flag football would need to practice and play off campus since there is no field for this sport located on or near the SJND campus.
Some students have already shown interest in the sport. Kiana Jennings, a freshman here at SJND, states “Yes, I would be interested in playing flag football. I don’t think I could play tackle football due to the safety risks, so flag would be a good option instead. I have always been interested in football, but it definitely increased after the P.E football unit we had here at SJND.” Kiana is not the only student who said the P.E football lesson peaked their interest. Cordy Finney added, “I think it [flag football] would be fun, since I really enjoyed the unit in P.E. I also think it would help gain strength and agility.”
However, both shared their concerns on the field space and playing season. Kiana, who also plays indoor volleyball in the fall, mentioned “It is not ideal that it is a fall sport, but I would still join the team if the sport turns out as exciting and enjoyable as I imagine it being.”
Even students who don’t wish to play flag football are excited for the possibility of the sport. Ella Schwartz says, “I’m not really interested in flag football, but I have some friends who are. I would want to support them and see them succeed.” Ash Lazo similarly stated, “If flag football would come to SJND, I would consider playing but even if I choose not to play, I’d want to support my friends. I also feel like it would be so fun to watch, since in the past when I’ve played I found it exciting.”
With girls’ flag football on the rise, it might just be the perfect time for SJND to start a team of its own. There is no doubt that it would bring excitement, team spirit, and maybe even a few victories along the way.
