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 $275.00 for new players regardless of where you live. Returning players from Fall, Spring or our Female Flag Football camp can register for $225.00. Promo Code Required.
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?
Our goal is to have at least four teams competing in each of these divisions: K/1, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7, 8+. These may vary based on a variety of factors.
How do I determine the playing age and division for San Leandro Flag players?
We are moving from Age-Based Divisions to Grade-Based Divisions (GBD) so playing age shouldn't be as confusing.
NOTE: FOR NFL Flag Regional Tournaments, divisions are based by age, not grade.
Are there any Divisions based by sex/gender?
We had our first All-Girls Team (AGT) in Fall 2024 and expanded to 2 AGTs in Spring 2025. For Fall 2025 we are happy to announce our firm commitment to an All-Girls Division! All girls registering in grades 4-7 will be placed into an All Girls Division pool. From there, we will construct rosters based on the number players registered. Each roster will be mixed-age and talent balanced. Our goal is to have the most competitive games we can every weekend with girls playing against girls. All girls in the AGD will also be allowed to play on a Co-Ed team for only the cost of the second jersey ($30-$45).
How many teams play in each division?
We need a minimum of 4 teams per division. We can comfortably accommodate 6 and up to as many as 8 which we did for the Spring 2025 season.
Can an all-girls team play against an all-boys team?
In the past, yes. With the All-Girls Division scheduled to launch in Fall 2025, our commitment is to not have All Girls Teams playing against All Boys or Co-Ed Teams.
Can teams from previous seasons stay together?
Our Competition Committee is creating a policy which would limit the number of players that can be rolled over season after season. Our goal is to have competitively balanced divisions where each team has a chance to win every week. In addition to familiarity on the field, we also believe that camaraderie and friendships matter for players and families. We are working to find the best balance for players, families, and the league.
If you're staying on the same team, do you have to buy another jersey?
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. We have expanded our season to also include an Open Field session on Uniform Distribution Day plus a Preseason Week. Our Fall 2025 calendar includes the option to have a 2-week playoff format as well.
When does the Fall season start?
Week 1 of the San Leandro Flag Fall League will be August 2, 2025 (Open Field and Uniform Distribution).
When does the season end?
Playoff Week for the San Leandro Fall League will be November 1 and possibly also on November 8. This has yet to be decided because we don't know how many teams and how many divisions we will have.
Where are the games?
Bancroft Middle School on the Turf Soccer Field.
What times are games played?
We have the field reserved from 1:00pm - 7:00pm. Games are subject to change but they are currently at 1:30, 3:00, 4:30 and 6:00pm.
How long do games last?
Total game time is approximately 50 minutes. Each game has a 22-minute running clock per half and a 2-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 can play 2 or 3 games simultaneously.
Are there practices?
Practices are determined by the Head Coach and Coaching Staff for each team, not by the league. All practices are strongly recommended but ultimately optional. In our current model, teams have 30 minutes on the field before their game starts. Most teams also hold additional practices during the week. You must check with your coaching staff about that.
COST
How much does it cost to play San Leandro Flag?
The standard price for all divisions of San Leandro Flag is $275.00.
Returning players from one of our previous programs can register for $225.00 as a Thank You and Loyalty reward.
Are there other discounts like Early Bird and Sibling discounts?
No. We have standard pricing across all new players and 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?
15-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 that do not 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)
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Reversable NFL Flag Performance Shorts (no pockets)
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Standard NFL Flag Shorts (no pockets)
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Mouthguard (A mouthguard is required, but the NFL Flag mouthguards are of lower quality than you can find elsewhere.)
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Performance Socks
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Performance Sleeves
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Franklin NFL Flag Team-Specific Gloves
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NFL Flag Team-Specific Headbands
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NFL Flag Footballs
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 do not order a specific uniform. Just include the items and sizes you want. Once every player is assigned to a team, we'll order the uniform-specific items for each player. 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 our Registration Page for grant programs.
COACHES
Who coaches the San Leandro Flag teams?
Coaches are not provided by the League. 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 Team (GDOT) 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 Head 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?
Head Coaches who have never been a Head Coach in our league will receive a $250 stipend for the season. Returning Head Coaches are allowed to have one of their children play for free. Please email support@sanleandroflag.com to get your Head Coaching Promo Code.
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 (the spot), and only after reaching their spot 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.
