Flag Football Belts

One of the factors that makes flag football so different from contact football involves "the belt," which is a required piece of equipment for all of the members of the team (except the center and two offensive guards). The flags attached to these belts must be of regulation size, as they are essential to a substantial amount of the game's action. Taking a flag stops a play, in much the same way as a tackle stops play in contact football.

Players must tuck in their shirts so that the shirt does not interfere with the defensive team's ability to take possession of the flag. A runner cannot guard the flag by protecting the belt with his or her arms or uniform. Such actions as swinging a hand or an arm to avoid having the flag taken are not allowed.

Taking the Flag

As soon as a defensive player takes the flag from an offensive player who is in possession of the ball, the play ends. The defensive player must drop the flag on the ground immediately after pulling the flag. Many flag football belts are designed with velcro or clips which enable the player to re-fasten the pulled flag back on his or her belt in seconds.

Flag football belts range in price from under five dollars to more than 12 times that amount, depending on the number of flags on the belt and the materials used. They can be purchased both locally and online, and potential players should be sure to find out which types of flag belts are acceptable to the team or league in which they will be participating.

Because of flag football belts, even very young children can play football with little chance of injury. The exercise and fun they experience can lead to a lifetime of activity without the pressures of many other sports.