Kids have fun, stay fit, and learn new skills in flag football at the Y.
Flag football is a game that involves running, passing, and catching a ball on a field with flags. Played by two teams of five to seven players each, it’s fast, fun and easy to learn.
Partnership with NFL FLAG
Starting Fall 2025, the YMCA of Western North Carolina is proud to partner with NFL FLAG, the largest and most established youth flag football league in the United States. With over 765,000 athletes in 2,000+ leagues nationwide, NFL FLAG offers a fun, no-contact way to build fundamental football skills, teamwork, and confidence in a safe, welcoming environment.
This partnership brings our community access to a high-quality program trusted across all 50 states, along with opportunities for regional and national participation. Families can look forward to an organized, family-friendly league that emphasizes skill-building, sportsmanship, and fun.
We’re thrilled to offer NFL FLAG to our community and give more youth the opportunity to discover a lifelong love for active play, teamwork, and the foundations of healthy living.
Benefits of flag football
Playing flag football will benefit your child's physical, mental, and social health. Here's how:
- Improves cardiovascular health: Flag football is a high-intensity sport that requires constant movement, sprinting, and changing direction. It can increase your child's heart rate, blood circulation and oxygen delivery.
- Strengthens muscles and bones: Flag football works your child's whole body, especially their arms, legs, and core. It can improve their balance, coordination and flexibility. It can also develop and maintain their muscle tone and bone density.
- Boosts mental health: Flag football is not only physical, it’s mental. It challenges your child to think strategically, react quickly, and focus on the game. It also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones that improve their mood and reduce stress.
- Enhances social wellness: Flag football is a social sport that allows your child to interact with other players, make new friends, and enjoy a sense of community. It’s a friendly and inclusive sport that welcomes people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
- Develops skills and values: Flag football teaches your child valuable skills and values that they can use in other aspects of life. They can learn how to communicate effectively, work as a team, respect others, cope with failure, handle pressure, and be a leader.
Flag Football FAQ
Flag Football season varies slightly by location and age group. In general there are two seasons. Spring typically begins in March and the Fall season begins in September.
Flag football participants are grouped in ages.
Leagues available for ages:
5-7, 8-10, and 11-13
The program director will determine whether your child can play in a different age group. Contact them directly to see if we can accommodate your request. If you don't have their contact information, email us or call the business office at 828-251-5910.
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Team assignment will determine practice day and time.
- For ages 5-13, practice happens one evening a week (Tuesday-Friday), with games held on Saturday mornings. Times vary depending on your location.
Depending on the location where you registered, practices and games will take place as close as possible to a YMCA center in Buncombe or Henderson county.
Most games are on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Teams will be based on age, preferred gender, playing experience, coach availability, and practice time availability. We’ll honor as many requests as we can, but requests are not guaranteed. If your request isn’t granted, we’ll work with you to try to come up with a solution that fits your needs and the fairness of the program.
Team assignments will be received by registered participants approximately a week before your start date.
If you have not received your team assignment information a week prior to the start date, please contact us to confirm registration. Our programs operate with limited staff and volunteers, so please allow time for us to reach out.
To confirm registration, check your email for confirmation from YMCA of Western North Carolina or an email from: [email protected].
If you do not find a confirmation email, please call 828-251-5910 or email us.
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Ages 5-10 will use a pee wee-size ball
Ages 11-13 will use a junior-size ball
Yes, financial assistance is available to qualified households thanks to generous donors to our annual campaign. Fill out this form to apply. And remember, Y members get early registration and discounted rates for youth sports.
Financial assistance for flag football
Please click here to read our policy on program registration, credits, refunds, and closings related to inclement weather.
For most locations, parents will be automatically enrolled in our weather alert system. You will be notified by phone and email any time a game or practice is canceled due to weather.
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All YMCA membership types get discounts on programs such as group swim lessons and youth sports. Members also receive early access when program registration opens.