Flag Football Equipment Guide: Everything Your Team Needs
Setting up a flag football team and not sure what gear you need? This complete flag football equipment guide covers every item from flag belts and footballs to uniforms and first aid kits. Whether you're coaching youth rec, NFL FLAG, or girls high school flag football, here's exactly what to buy and what to budget.
Flag football is the fastest-growing youth sport in the country, and for good reason. It's more accessible than tackle, safer for younger players, and the flag football equipment list is shorter and more affordable. But if you're setting up a team or league for the first time, you still need to know what to buy. This guide breaks down every piece of flag football gear your team needs, what's essential versus nice-to-have, and how much it all costs.
Whether you're running a rec league, coaching NFL FLAG, or starting a girls flag football program at the high school level, the core equipment is the same. We'll walk through flag belts, footballs, cones, mouthguards, cleats, uniforms, and everything else that belongs in your coaching bag. A quick note: we don't sell flags, footballs, or cones. Secondslide specializes in one thing on this list: custom flag football uniforms. For everything else, we'll point you in the right direction so you can get your team on the field without overspending.
Flag Football Equipment Checklist
Everything your team needs to get on the field, from essential gear to helpful extras.
Flag Belts and Flags Essential
Flag belts are the single most important piece of flag football equipment. You'll choose between triple-flag and dual-flag styles, and between sonic-pop belts (the NFL FLAG standard) and Velcro-release belts. Sonic-pop belts pop off cleanly with a pull, while Velcro belts are cheaper but can slow down play. Buy one belt per player plus 4 to 6 extras for replacements since flags go missing constantly. Budget $4 to $8 per belt. For a team, grab a full set of 20 to 24. NFL FLAG official belts, SKLZ, and Franklin all make solid options. Make sure you're buying the right size: youth belts fit waists 22 to 32 inches, adult belts run 28 to 42 inches.
Footballs Essential
Match the ball to your players' age group: Pee Wee (size 5) for ages 6 to 9, Junior (size 6) for ages 9 to 12, and Youth or Official (size 7 to 9) for ages 12 and up. Composite leather and rubber balls both work for flag football since there's less emphasis on grip than in tackle. You'll want 3 to 5 balls for practice and 1 to 2 designated game balls. Budget $15 to $30 per ball. Wilson, Nike, and Under Armour all make quality options. If you're running an NFL FLAG program, check their approved ball list since sanctioned play requires specific models.
Cones and Field Markers Essential
You'll use cones for everything: end zones, sidelines, first-down markers, and practice drill stations. Flat disc cones work best for field boundaries because players won't trip over them. Taller cones are better for marking drill stations and agility courses. Plan on 20 to 40 disc cones and 8 to 12 tall cones per field. A set of 50 disc cones runs $10 to $20. For a more permanent setup, portable field marking paint lets you lay down proper lines without maintaining a full field. If you're sharing a park or rec space, cones are your best friend for quick setup and teardown.
Uniforms (Jerseys and Shorts) Essential
Every team needs matching jerseys with numbers for player identification. This is important for flag football: jerseys should be fitted, not baggy. Loose fabric gives defenders something to grab instead of the flags, which causes penalties and slows down the game. Look for moisture-wicking polyester that keeps players cool during summer practices. Shorts should have no pockets since flag belts can snag on them. This is the one piece of equipment Secondslide handles. We make custom sublimated flag football jerseys with full-color designs, team logos, and player numbers. No minimums and fast turnaround so your team is ready for game day.
Mouthguards Essential
Most leagues require mouthguards, and they're strongly recommended even when the rules don't mandate them. A basic boil-and-bite mouthguard from any sporting goods store works fine. They cost $3 to $10 per player. Some leagues require specific colors like clear or team-colored, so check your rules before buying in bulk. Pro tip: stock 5 to 10 extras in your coaching bag because players will forget theirs constantly.
Cleats
Molded rubber cleats are the standard for flag football. Metal cleats are never allowed. Soccer cleats or multi-sport cleats both work great. Players typically provide their own, so communicate cleat requirements to parents before the season starts. For younger kids playing on softer fields, athletic shoes with good traction can work in a pinch, but real cleats make a noticeable difference in cutting and speed.
Coaching Gear
A whistle, clipboard or play wristband, stopwatch (or your phone timer), and a coaching bag to carry everything. Play wristbands worn on the forearm with interchangeable play cards are popular at every level from youth rec to high school. A small portable whiteboard for diagramming plays during timeouts is helpful but not essential. You can put together a solid coaching kit for $20 to $50.
First Aid Kit Essential
Every team needs a basic first aid kit at every practice and game. Stock it with band-aids, antiseptic wipes, instant cold packs, athletic tape, and a printed emergency contact list for every player. Many leagues actually require a first aid kit to be present on the sideline. A pre-made sports first aid kit runs $15 to $30. Restock it after every season and check expiration dates on cold packs and antiseptic.
Practice Pinnies or Scrimmage Vests
Mesh pinnies in two colors make it easy to split the team for practice scrimmages without wearing out your game jerseys. At $3 to $5 per pinnie, a set of 12 to 16 covers most teams and costs a fraction of buying two sets of practice jerseys. Reversible pinnies give you even more flexibility. Buy the durable mesh kind, not the ultra-thin disposable ones, because these will get heavy use all season.
Water Bottles and Hydration
Hydration matters, especially during summer and early fall practices when flag football seasons kick off. A 5-gallon cooler with cups is the budget option for the sideline. Individual squeeze bottles ($5 to $10 each) are more hygienic and easier to manage. Many teams add a branded team water bottle to the uniform order as a nice touch that players actually use all year.
What We Handle: Custom Flag Football Uniforms
We covered a lot of equipment above, and we'll be straight with you: Secondslide doesn't sell flags, footballs, or cones. What we do better than anyone is custom flag football uniforms.
Our sublimated jerseys feature full-color custom designs with unlimited colors, your team logo, player names, and numbers baked directly into the fabric. The designs won't crack, peel, or fade like screen printing. More importantly for flag football, our jerseys are cut with a fitted athletic fit. Baggy jerseys give defenders something to grab besides the flags, which leads to penalties and frustration. A properly fitted jersey keeps the game clean and fast.
Every jersey is made with moisture-wicking polyester that handles summer heat and those early fall practices when it's still 85 degrees at 5pm. We offer matching shorts and can outfit boys and girls flag football programs with appropriate fit options for each.
There are no minimum orders. Whether you need jerseys for 8 players or an entire league with 20 teams in different color sets, we handle it. For leagues where parents pay for their own uniforms, we can set up a team store where families order and pay online. Everything ships directly to them.
And if your program needs help covering the cost of both equipment and uniforms, check out our sports fundraising options. Spirit wear stores are an easy way to raise money for a new flag football program without asking parents for even more out of pocket.
Why Teams Choose Secondslide for Uniforms
Fully Custom Designs
Full-color sublimated jerseys with your team colors, logo, player names, and numbers. No limits on design complexity.
Built for Flag Football
Fitted athletic cuts that won't interfere with flag pulling. Moisture-wicking polyester keeps players cool through summer games.
Fast Turnaround
Quick production and delivery so your team has uniforms before the first whistle. No waiting months for custom orders.
No Minimums
Order for 8 players or 80. No minimum order requirements, so small teams and large leagues both get the same pricing and service.
Boys & Girls Programs
Uniforms for boys and girls flag football programs with fit options designed for each. Growing girls programs are a specialty.
League-Ready
Uniforms that meet NFL FLAG standards and rec league requirements. Numbered jerseys with professional quality your players will be proud to wear.
Flag Football Equipment Budget Breakdown
What a new team or league should expect to spend on gear.
| Item | Budget | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Flag Belts (set of 24) | $100 | $200 |
| Footballs (4 balls) | $60 | $120 |
| Cones and Markers | $15 | $30 |
| Uniforms (15 players) | $300 | $675 |
| Mouthguards (15 players) | $45 | $150 |
| Coaching Gear | $20 | $50 |
| First Aid Kit | $15 | $30 |
| Total Per Team | ~$555 | ~$1,255 |
Your actual costs depend on league requirements, team size, and how much you want to invest upfront. Youth rec leagues can absolutely get started on the budget end of these ranges. NFL FLAG programs and high school teams will tend toward the premium side, especially for equipment that needs to meet certification standards.
The biggest variable on this list is uniforms. Basic screen-printed t-shirts with iron-on numbers are the cheapest option, but they look worn out after a few washes. Custom sublimated jerseys cost more upfront but last multiple seasons and give your team a professional look from day one. Custom team uniforms from Secondslide are priced competitively with no minimums, so even small teams get the same quality as large programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do you need for flag football?
Every flag football team needs flag belts (the most important piece), footballs sized for the age group, cones or field markers, mouthguards, cleats with rubber molded studs, and matching uniforms with numbers. Beyond those essentials, coaching gear like a whistle and play wristband, a first aid kit, and practice pinnies round out the full equipment list. Flag belts are the core of the game, so invest in quality belts that release cleanly and hold up over a full season.
How much does flag football equipment cost per team?
A full flag football equipment setup for a team of 15 players typically costs $555 to $1,255 depending on quality. Flag belts run $100 to $200 for a full set, footballs are $15 to $30 each, cones cost $15 to $30, and mouthguards are $3 to $10 per player. Uniforms are the biggest variable, ranging from $20 to $45 per player depending on whether you choose basic screen-printed tees or custom sublimated jerseys.
What is the difference between NFL FLAG equipment and rec league equipment?
NFL FLAG programs require specific equipment including sonic-pop flag belts, approved footballs, and uniform standards that meet their certification. Rec leagues are more flexible and generally allow any style of flag belt, standard footballs, and basic team jerseys with numbers. Both need the same core gear: flag belts, footballs, cones, mouthguards, and uniforms. The main difference is that NFL FLAG gear must meet their specific standards, while rec leagues let you choose based on budget and preference.
Do girls flag football teams need different equipment?
Girls flag football teams use the same core equipment: flag belts, footballs, cones, mouthguards, and cleats. The main difference is uniform fit, where many programs offer girls-cut jerseys with tailored sizing. Girls flag football is now a sanctioned high school sport in over 20 states and growing fast, especially after its inclusion as an Olympic sport. Everything in this equipment guide applies equally to girls programs.
Where can I buy flag football equipment in bulk for a league?
For flags, footballs, cones, and general equipment, sporting goods stores like DICK'S or online retailers offer solid bulk pricing options. For uniforms specifically, Secondslide handles custom flag football uniforms with fully sublimated designs, no order minimums, and fast turnaround. We outfit both individual teams and entire leagues with consistent branding across multiple color sets.
What size football should flag football players use?
Football sizes break down by age: Pee Wee (size 5) for ages 6 to 9, Junior (size 6) for ages 9 to 12, and Youth or Official (size 7 to 9) for ages 12 and up. Composite leather and rubber balls both work well for flag football since grip is less critical than in tackle. Rubber balls are more affordable and hold up better in wet conditions. Check your league rules since NFL FLAG programs specify approved ball sizes and types for sanctioned play.
Get Custom Flag Football Uniforms for Your Team
We handle the uniforms so you can focus on coaching. Get a free quote on custom flag football jerseys with no minimums and fast turnaround.