Flag Football Leagues for Kids in LA and Orange County

9/10/13 - By Martha Hall

So your little Peyton Manning is eager to strut his or her stuff on a 100 yard field, but you're not quite ready for helmets, shoulder pads, and -- yikes! -- the tackling part. Not to worry. Flag football  is an extra-curricular activity that offers the challenge, strategy, running, and "plays" that the other rough-and-tumble football has to offer, without the impact. And (yea!) you don't have to rent all that gear. Read on for a round-up of flag football opportunities and leagues in your neck of the field.

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Many area recreation centers offer Flag Football in the fall and spring. Check out the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, or your county rec. department for current and future offerings. Registration fees for programs at both rec centers and private facilities range from free to $150 (unless otherwise noted).

Note: All leagues and programs listed here are open to boys and girls. All players must wear mouth guards. Other gear (for example, football cleats or specific color shorts) are sometimes required as well.

Westside

Boys and Girls Club of Venice
Field Location: Mark Twain Middle School
2224 Walgrove Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
310.390.4477
Ages 7-13
This great 5-on-5 program gets your kid pumped and primed, and feeling a part of something special.

Youth Flag Football League - Malibu
Malibu Bluffs Park
24250 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
310.456.2489 x363
Grades K-5
Flag football with an ocean view - what more could a player (or parent spectator) want? Practices are once per week, and games are on Wednesdays.

NFL FLag Football
Playa Vista Sports Park
John H. Henschel Soccer Field
13196 W. Bluff Creek Dr.
Los Angeles, CA  90094
310.871.9171
Ages 5-17
Registration for spring opens in fall.
Official NFL Flag belts and reversible jerseys make this league feel like the real deal. Practices are held one hour before Sunday games. Register before February for reduced rate.

Eastside

City of Compton - Youth Flag Football
Register at one of six Compton parks
Ages 5-14 (must show birth certificate or school ID)
The goal here is to make sure every player gets ample playing time and feels a part of the team. All games are played on Saturdays.

Youth Activities League (YAL) - City of Industry
Offered at Rimgrove Park, Martin Park, San Angelo Park, and Bassett Park
Ages 7-15
The City of Industry Sheriff's Department Youth Activities League along with the LA County Department of Recreation and Parks bring this free and popular program to area youth. Check Flag Football Page for registration details.

South Bay and Long Beach

Beach Cities Sports Youth Flag Football
Most games played at Mira Costa High School Stadium, Manhattan Beach
310.243.6155
Ages 5-12 (Special Future Stars program offered for 5 year olds)
Must show proof of age (birth certificate). No exceptions.
$250, plus $20 for pants (yours to keep)
Fall and spring sessions offered
There must be something to this program; registration fills, and waiting lists form to accommodate the 700+ kids who play each season.

City of Long Beach Youth Sports Program
Offered at various Long Beach parks. Call to see if program is offered near you.
562.570.1707
Ages 5-14
You get what you pay for, but free (no cost) is a beautiful thing with the City of Long Beach flag football (and other) programs.

The Valleys

i9 Sports
Programs in Simi Valley, Westlake Village and Woodland Hills
Ages 4-12
Registration for seven-week session
805.732.2535
i9 offers a safe and well-organized program in several Valley locations. Jerseys and belts are distributed on opening day.

Orange County

Friday Night Lights (FNL) - Youth Flag Football
Programs throughout Orange County including Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Newport Beach, Murrieta/Temecula and Carlsbad
714.897.3438
Spring League registration begins in November
As the largest non-profit flag football league in the country, it's no wonder FNL welcomes more than 8,000 players annually. Register early! Both the fall and spring leagues fill up quickly.

i9 Sports
Programs in Irvine and Laguna Hills
949.475.2949
Ages 5-14
See Registration page for more information.
Practices are held before the games in this league, meaning you only need to make a one day per week commitment. All team members get ample playing time.


Originally published September 19, 2012