Flag football is one of the fastest-growing youth sports and is on track to become a college-sanctioned sport. Traditional tackle football involves over 1 million high school student-athletes each year. Our passion for football runs deep, regardless of the format.

While extensive research is being conducted to better understand football safety, the game offers numerous physical and emotional benefits. Here are five significant advantages for kids who play football:

1. Health Benefits**: Football is a fast-paced game that includes a variety of movements. Players run, jump, change direction quickly, and stop and start, which improves cardiovascular health. Practice drills, complex running routes, and defensive techniques promote speed, strength, and stamina, all of which enhance motor skills, especially hand-eye coordination. Additionally, a recent study found that playing football positively affects bone strength. 

2. Teamwork**: Youth football teaches kids accountability, leadership, and the value of positive sportsmanship. Each position has a specific role, and to execute a play successfully, each player must fulfill their responsibilities while working together—skills that are valuable both on and off the field.

3. Discipline**: Learning routes, engaging in repetitive drills, and executing proper techniques require a high level of discipline. Football players consistently practice these aspects, laying the foundation for a strong work ethic that children can carry into their future endeavors. This is one of the greatest benefits of playing football. 

4. Mental Toughness**: Sports are excellent platforms for building mental resilience. Whether dealing with a mistake made on the field or overcoming a significant loss, setbacks are inevitable. To progress, players learn how to persevere. Football offers numerous opportunities to enhance mental toughness, ranging from remaining calm under pressure to focusing on tasks during chaotic situations. 

5. Socialization**: Football helps kids communicate effectively and work well with others. Since no single player can do everything, they must rely on each other, fostering long-lasting friendships. This environment also teaches respect for and effective communication with authority figures, such as coaches, leading to valuable social skills.

Flag football offers many benefits as well, from co-ed leagues to competitive tournaments. Here are five key advantages for kids playing flag football:

1. No Contact**: Flag football is a non-contact sport, meaning tackling, diving, blocking, screening, and fumbling are not allowed. Consequently, players are not required to wear heavy equipment like helmets and shoulder pads, creating a more approachable atmosphere where kids can learn and develop their skills without the risk of physical contact. 

2. Accessibility**: Flag football is an inclusive sport that welcomes many players, including female athletes. In fact, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) plans to launch the first college-sanctioned women’s flag football league in the spring of 2021.

3. Fundamental Skills**: There is a common misconception that flag football doesn’t prepare kids for tackle football, but this is not true. The fundamental skills learned in flag football, including catching, throwing, formations, routes, and defensive techniques, directly transfer to tackle football. For instance, the positioning required for defensive players—squaring up their bodies and aligning their heads and knees—is essential for effective tackling.

4. Easy Commitment**: Many families find it easy to fit flag football into their busy schedules, as most leagues only meet once a week. Typically, teams practice for about 45 minutes before the game, which usually lasts an hour or less. Some competitive leagues may offer more playtime if desired.

5. It’s Fun!**: Simply put, flag football is a blast. With fewer players on the field, there’s increased engagement and a quicker pace of play. Games are fast, competitive, and every drive is crucial, especially in tournaments. It’s reminiscent of playing football in your backyard—why stop the fun?