SAN LEANDRO FLAG
Serving West Alameda County and Beyond!
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
TEAMS
Do I have to live in San Leandro to participate in San Leandro Flag?
Absolutely not! San Leandro Flag primarily serves residents in West Alameda County but is open to everyone.
Is there an added fee for not being a San Leandro Resident?
No. All programs are offered at $200.00 for new players regardless of where you live. Returning players from Fall, Spring or our Female Flag Football camp can register for $150.00.
How many players are on each team?
For the best team experience, our target is 8-10 players per team. We can play with less or more if needed.
How many players are on the field at one time?
All San Leandro Flag games are 5 vs 5.
How many Divisions does San Leandro Flag have?
Four: 6u, 8u, 10u, and possibly 12u and 14u. If there is enough interest for older age groups, we may accommodate additional age groups. Please contact us at support@sanleandroflag.com for older players.
How do I determine the playing age and division for San Leandro Flag players?
Birth year 2017 and 2018: 5-6 years old = 6u
Birth year 2015 and 2016: 7-8 years old = 8u
Birth year 2013 and 2014: 9-10 years old =10u
Birth Year 2011 and 2012: 11-12 years old = 12u
Birth Year 2009 and 2010: 13-14 years old = 14u
The January 1 cutoff date aligns with the age guidelines for NFL Flag Regional and National Tournaments so we will use that as well. Players who have turned 5 this year can still play. Please contact support@sanleandroflag.com for direction on how to register.
What happens if a player ages out prior to the season starting or during the season?
It's not possible. The player's "Playing Age" is determined by their age as of January 1, 2024 which is how NFL Flag organizes their Regional and National Tournaments for Spring. There will be players who have birthdays before the season or during the season, but they will play based on their age as of January 1.
Are there any Divisions based by sex/gender?
Currently, no but our goal is to have an All-Girls option if numbers support it. This would be in addition to our traditional Co-Ed Divisions.
How many teams play in each division?
Our goal is to have 4 teams per division and expand if necessary.
Do teams have to be composed of all boys or all girls?
No. Teams may be composed of all boys, all girls, or coed.
Can an all-girls team play against an all-boys team?
Yes. Divisions are based on age. All-boys, all-girls, and coed teams may be in the same division and play against each other. If numbers support an All-Girls division, they will play against each other exclusively.
Can teams from previous seasons stay together?
Absolutely! As long as players still meet the age requirements for a specific division, they can all stay on the same team, creating a "Legacy" team.
If we're part of a Legacy team and have the same uniform, do we have to buy the jersey again?
Yes. NFL Flag requires a new jersey purchase every season as part of registration.
SEASON
How many games are in the San Leandro Flag season?*
Ten. Nine regular season games and one playoff game.
When does the Fall season start?
Week 1 of the San Leandro Flag Fall League will be August 17, 2024.
When does the season end?
Playoff Week for the San Leandro Fall League will be October 26, 2024.
Where are the games?
Bancroft Middle School on the Turf Soccer Field.
What times are games played?
We have the field reserved from 1-6:30pm. Start times will be 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30. We try to keep game times consistent by division.
How long do games last?
Total game time is approximately 50 minutes. Each game has a 22-minute running clock per half and a 3-minute halftime.
Will teams play more than one game per day?
Ideally, no! We will try to avoid this if possible. If the options are 2 game or a bye week, we may lean toward a bye week.
Are there multiple games being played at once?
Yes. At the Bancroft site, we play 2 games simultaneously. There is room to play a third game if needed.
Are there practices?
Practices are determined by the Head Coach and Coaching Staff for each team. Teams can use any space surrounding the field for practice on Game Day. Teams tend to warm up and practice an hour before the scheduled start time. Most teams also have one practice sometime during the week.
COST
How much does it cost to play San Leandro Flag?
The standard price for all divisions of San Leandro Flag is $200.00.
Returning players from one of our previous programs can register for $150.00 as a Thank You and Loyalty reward.
There is also a Referral Program which benefits new and returning players as we grow the league!
Is there a limit to how many players I can refer?
No. Your code can be used an unlimited amount of times for new players. The refund is only good for up to 6 players max which would cover the total cost of the registration fees ($150.00 for returning players).
Are there other discounts like Early Bird and Sibling discounts?
No. We have standard pricing across all new players with an added discount for all returning players.
Can I register a full team at once?
Theoretically no, but if you're interested in doing that please contact our support team at support@sanleandro.com. We will help facilitate that process.
Can I pay in installments?
There is no installment plan. All registration fees and potential voluntary add on's must be paid in full at the time of registration.
What is included with my registration?
10-week / 10-game San Leandro Flag season, NFL Flag officially licensed reversable jersey, official NFL Flag flags, and player insurance.
Is anything else required to play?
Yes. Every player must wear a mouthguard during competition and shorts or pants cannot have pockets.
Would you recommend anything else for players?
Look great > feel great! Feel great > play great! It is completely optional but many players like to complete their look with additional team specific on-field merchandise.
Can I purchase these Add On's during Registration?
Yes! Here is the full list of additional items you can add to your Registration Order:
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Jersey Lettering (both sides of the reversable jersey) - $15.95
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Reversable NFL Flag Performance Shorts (no pockets) - $19.95
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Standard NFL Flag Shorts (no pockets) - $12.95
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Mouthguard (A mouthguard is required, but the NFL Flag mouthguards are of lower quality than you can find elsewhere.) - $5.00
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Performance Socks - $9.95
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Performance Sleeves - $13.95
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Franklin NFL Flag Team-Specific Gloves - $18.95
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Headbands - $11.99
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NFL Flag Footballs - $25.00
These items can also be purchased at a later date from our NFL Flag Shop. Use the link on our Shop Page to automatically save 15% at checkout!
How do I know which team uniform to order?
You are only ordering items and sizes. Once rosters are finalized and teams (uniforms) are determined, the NFL Flag system automatically pairs your order with your assigned team.
Are there any hidden fees?
There is a $3 service charge for credit cards.
Are there any Registration Assistance Programs available to participate in San Leandro Flag?
Yes! Please check out Every Kids Sports, a program that offers grants to qualifying players to participate in Flag Football.
Locally, we are also accepting SLED Youth Opportunity Scholarships
COACHES
Who coaches the San Leandro Flag teams?
Any parent or guardian can coach a team in any division.
How do I become a coach?
There is a separate Registration Option for Coaches on our Team Pass Registration page.
Are there any other volunteer positions?
Yes. There are three volunteer positions designated for each team: (1) Head Coach, (2) Assistant Coach, and (3) Team Manager. It is only required for Teams to have a head Coach, but it is strongly recommended to recruit and fill the other volunteer positions.
Will the League need other Game Day volunteers?
Potentially. We have a Gameday Operations Staff but as we add more responsibilities on game days, we may recruit volunteers from the parent ranks or other volunteer pools in the community.
What are the requirements to coach?
There is only one. NFL Flag requires all coaches to complete a background check. The background check process is initiated following registration.
Do coaches have to pay out of pocket for the background checks?
No. San Leandro Flag covers the cost of background checks.
Are coaches paid?
This is under consideration for Head Coaches only.
Are there any restrictions or limitations on coaching girls, boys, or coed teams based on sex/gender?
No. Anybody can coach any type of team in any division.
MISC.
How big is the field?
The Bancroft site is 25 x 53 yards which is standard for a One Way field. That means the offense and defense are always traveling the same direction on the field rather than teams going back and forth like a traditional football game.
Are food/or drinks provided?
No. Players should stay hydrated so it is encouraged to bring water or a sports drink. It’s not advised to eat a heavy meal within a couple hours before gametime.
What’s the difference between the NFL Flag Fan Shop and On-Field Merchandise?
The Fan Shop is for NFL Flag and team specific casual attire (hoodies, hats, etc.). On-Field Merchandise is for uniforms and equipment players wear on the field during competition. Use the links below for the San Leandro Flag discounts:
RULES
Is NFL Flag Non-Contact?
Yes and No! By nature, Flag Football is the non-contact version of tackle football. Also by nature, athletes performing various skills necessary for competition in close quarters to each other are going to make contact. With that, there is the potential for contact-related injury. Intentional and/or unsafe contact: (a) is not tolerated, (b) will be penalized, and (c) reoccurring violations are subject to disqualification and suspension.
Can Quarterbacks run the ball?
No. At all age levels, QBs in NFL Flag cannot run the ball.
Can Defenses Blitz?
Yes! Only in the 10u and older divisions. Any player that blitzes (rushes the quarterback) must start the play 7 yards from the line of scrimmage, run in a straight line to where the QB received the snap, and only after crossing the line of scrimmage on their straight path, can deviate to chase/pursue the QB.
What other age-based rule differences are there?
For the 6u division, the defense must play 5 yards from the line of scrimmage and cannot move forward until the QB hands the ball off or throws a pass to another player. We call this the 5-yard Buffer. For the 8u division, there is no 5-yard buffer. Defenses can play at the line of scrimmage but cannot cross the line of scrimmage until the QB hands the ball off or throws a pass to another player.
