The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association will permit two-flag belts for girls flag football competition in 2026 and require all schools to adopt three-flag belts by 2027. The update follows the distribution of the NFHS Girls Flag Football Rules Books and outlines rules and state association adoptions for the 2026-27 year.
The MPSSAA document, Girls Flag Football State Adoptions 2026-27, establishes the equipment timeline. A two-flag belt will be legal for MPSSAA competition during 2026, while every school must adopt the three-flag belt by 2027.
Girls Flag Football Equipment Transition Timeline
The rules provide a defined transition period for the flag belt requirement. Schools may use a two-flag belt during 2026 competition, but the three-flag belt must be adopted statewide by 2027.
The document is based on the NFHS Girls Flag Football Rules Books, which have been distributed. The announcement does not identify individual teams, coaches or players, and it does not include game results or standings.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The MPSSAA has established a clear equipment transition for girls flag football. The 2026 allowance for two-flag belts gives schools a defined competition standard, while the 2027 deadline sets the point at which all programs must use three-flag belts.
Schools preparing for the 2026 season should account for the permitted belt configuration. The rules adoption provides the available framework for the next stage of girls flag football under MPSSAA competition.
Source: Original report
