Flag football is a great way to stay active and have some fun! Tournaments are a great way to get involved in the flag football community and meet new people.
These championship events are excellent start-off points for new flag football players, or for those who want to join a more competitive league.
Plus, there’s always something exciting going on in these tournaments – whether you’re rooting for your favorite team or competing yourself.
In this article, we will share the 7 best flag football tournaments that you should check out this year as well as tips on how to make the most out of them!
Top 7 Flag Football Championships To Participate In
1. The American Flag Football League (AFFL)
The AFFL is one of the most popular flag football leagues in the country. They host tournaments all across the United States, so there’s bound to be one near you.
These tournaments are open to all skill levels, so it’s a great way to get involved in the flag football community. Plus, the AFFL offers cash prizes for the winning teams, so there’s some extra incentive to do well.
AFFL is one of the fastest-growing flag football leagues in the world, so you can be sure that their tournaments will be top-notch. It offers youth and women’s competitions, as well as a professional men’s division.
2. NIRSA Play National Flag Football Championships
If you are in college and are looking for a competitive tournament to play in, then this one is for you. The NIRSA Play National Flag Football Championships is open to all university students and college teams across the country.
This tournament is extremely competitive, so it’s perfect for those who want to test their skills against some of the best flag football players in the country. It gives a perfect platform for collegiate athletes to showcase their skills.
In addition to its national championships, NIRSA also holds regional tournaments.
3. NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament Series
This is a 16-regional tournament series that culminates in the NFL Flag Football National Championships. The Regional Tournament Series is open to boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 17.
Not only are these tournaments a great introduction to flag football for kids, but it’s also an opportunity for them to hang out with other like-minded youngsters. And, the best players will even get earn spots at NFL Flag championships competing alongside professional athletes at NFL Pro Bowl games.
4. USFTL National Flag Football Championships
Every year, passionate flag football players from across the United States descend upon Kissimmee, Florida for the USFTL National Championships Flag Football Tournament. The tournament is open to different types of formats such as 4-on-4, 5-on-5, 7-on-7, 8-on-8 & 9-on-9, and includes men’s women’s coed, and youth divisions. You are sure to find a division that suits you.
If you’re looking for a challenge, this flag football event is perfect as it draws in teams from all over the nation. And what’s more, it takes place in the Orlando area – so you can sightsee and play at the same time.
5. USA Flag FFWCT Tournaments
The FFWCT (Flag Football World Championships Tour) is a series of USA Flag tournaments for adult women, men, and coed teams that take place all over the world. With divisions for both genders and all skill levels, these tournaments are perfect for those who want to travel and play flag football.
FFWCT organizes tournaments in different locations every year, so you can be sure to find one near you. They also have an annual World Championships event which is open to teams of all skill levels.
6. IFAF Flag Football World Championship
The IFAF Flag Football World Championships is an international tournament that takes place every two years. It’s open to national teams from all over the world, so it’s a great opportunity to see how flag football is played in different countries, like Spain.
Not only is this tournament a great way to watch some of the best flag football teams in the world compete, but it’s also a great way to meet people from different cultures and learn about their flag football traditions.
7. USA Football One Flag Tournament & Championship
An international event to be held soon in different locations, the One Flag Tournament & Championship is brought to you by USA Football. The tournament is open to national teams from all over the world, so you can come and watch flag football games played in various ways depending on the country.
This is an open competition for ages 7 to all the way to adults, with 14 divisions for both genders and all skill levels. So, this is the perfect opportunity to play some flag football while also traveling the world.
How To Prepare For Flag Football Tournaments?
If you or your child is interested in playing in a flag football tournament, then it’s important to be prepared. Here are some tips on how to get ready for the big day:
Get A Team Together
The most important part of flag football is the team. Without a team, you cannot compete in a tournament. Finding good team players to collaborate with can be challenging.
The team players must be able to work together as a unit and have each other’s back on and off the field. They should also be willing to put in the extra effort to win, as well as be good sportsmanlike conduct.
Get In Shape
Just like any other sport, flag football requires you to be in good shape. This means that you need to have good stamina and endurance, as well as the ability to sprint short distances.
Of course, you don’t need to be a superstar athlete to play flag football, but it helps to be in good shape. This is because the better shape you’re in, the more energy you’ll have on the field, and the less likely you are to get tired.
You can start by doing some basic exercises at home, such as running or jogging, doing some sprints, and even some push-ups and sit-ups. Or, if you want to get serious about it, you can join a local flag football team and start practicing with them.
Learn The Rules
This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s still important. You need to learn the basic rules of flag football before you can start playing in tournaments.
The best way to do this is to find a flag football league near you and join it. This way, you can learn the rules while also getting some experience playing the game.
Also, check out our flag football beginner’s guide!
Work On A Playbook
A playbook is a collection of plays that your team can use during a game. It’s important to have a playbook with receiver route trees and defensive alignments because it gives your team an advantage on the field.
A coach, mentor or experienced teammate should be able to help you develop a good playbook for your team. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can try to create one yourself.
Just make sure that the plays in your playbook are simple and easy to execute, as well as effective.
Strategize Your Gameplay
Great flag football teams aren’t about the best players but the team that works together the best. You need to strategize your gameplay and find ways to outsmart your opponents.
This means you need to be able to think on your feet and make quick decisions. It also helps to study your opponents and their playing style, so you know what to expect from them.
Defense Is As Important As Offense
Many budding flag football players make the mistake of thinking that offense is the only important part of the game. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Defense is just as important as offense, if not more. This is because a good defense can shut down even the best offense. So, if you want to win tournaments, then you need to have a good defense.
To do this, you need to have fast and agile players on your team. You also need to make sure that your players are well-coordinated so they can work together as a unit.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Last but not least, the most important thing you can do to win flag football tournaments is to practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at the game.
You can start by practicing with your team. But, if you really want to step up your game, you can also try to find other teams to practice against. This way, you can get some real experience playing against different opponents.
Of course, you can also practice by yourself. This is a great way to work on your individual skills and learn new plays. The key is to just keep practicing and never give up.
Find Yourself The Best Flag Football Tournament
Once you are ready with your team, you will want to find the best tournament to join. Make sure to do your research and pick a tournament that is well-organized and has a good prize pool.
You can start by checking out local tournaments. You will surely learn a lot by joining these kinds of tournaments. But, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can always try to join national or even international tournaments.
Of course, the bigger the tournament is, the more competition you’ll have to face. But, if you’re confident in your team’s abilities, then go for it. The biggest and best tournaments are always the most fun to compete in.
So, these are some of the things you need to do if you want to win flag football tournaments. Just remember to always practice and never give up. With enough dedication and hard work, you’ll be able to bring home the trophy in no time.
Vance J has played flag football since he was a boy. Since then, he has become a coach and a huge advocate for growing the sport. He loves to write and talk about flag football!
