The Central Loudoun Youth Football League’s Ultimate Flag Football is a hybrid league blending elements of flag and tackle football into a unique, low-contact approach. The season runs from mid-March to mid-June.

What is Ultimate Flag?

Ultimate Flag is an exciting 8-on-8 football format that blends the best aspects of traditional football—running, passing, blocking, and defense—with the added safety of flag football. Instead of tackling, players are de-flagged, but helmets and shoulder pads are used to provide extra protection against contact.

Why Choose Ultimate Flag?

1. Enhanced Safety with Helmets and Shoulder Pads

Unlike traditional flag football, Ultimate Flag equips athletes with helmets and shoulder pads for added protection. This allows players to enjoy a more physical version of flag football while maintaining safety as a top priority.

2. Comprehensive Skill Development

Ultimate Flag helps players develop key football skills in both offense and defense. Athletes will practice blocking, running, and defensive positioning in a semi-contact environment. This prepares them for future tackle football, giving them a strong foundation while they get used to wearing football gear.

3. Fun and Fast-Paced Gameplay

The 8-on-8 format creates an up-tempo, high-energy game where every player has a role. With 3 linemen and 5 skill players per side, athletes experience a competitive, team-focused game that keeps them engaged and excited to play. There are no ball handling weight restrictions (no red dots). 

4. Inclusive for All Ages and Skill Levels

Open to children in K-8th grade, Ultimate Flag caters to athletes of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned players. With the extra protection of helmets and pads, players can learn the game with confidence and enjoy the sport in a supportive environment.

5. Preparation for Future Football

For athletes considering a transition to tackle football, Ultimate Flag is the perfect stepping stone. Players build confidence while learning the fundamentals of football and gain valuable experience playing with helmets and shoulder pads—all without the risks associated with full-contact tackling.

Team and Game Structure

• Team Size: 16+ athletes per team.
• Opponents: Games will be played against other CLYFL and LYFA teams in the same division.
• Field Size: Half-field setup with two games played simultaneously; the “game field” is 40 yards.
• Game Format: 8-on-8 play with 3 linemen and 5 skill players on both offense and defense.

Gameplay Features

• Blocking and Rushing: Blocking, running, passing, and full defensive play are all incorporated. The key difference from tackle football is that tackling is replaced by de-flagging the opponent.
• Semi-Contact Play: This is not a no-contact program. Semi-contact, including blocking and hand contact, is allowed along the line of scrimmage and within a 10-yard downfield zone.

Schedule and Participation

• Game Day: Games are held on Sundays to avoid conflicts with other spring sports.
• Practice Schedule: Up to 3 practices per week before the season starts, and up to 2 practices per week once games begin. Players are encouraged to attend all scheduled practices to develop fundamentals and learn offensive and defensive schemes, though absences due to other spring sports are understood.
• Playtime: Each player is expected to be on the field for at least half of the game.

Coaching and Safety

• Certified Coaches: All coaches are certified and undergo background checks to ensure a safe and supportive environment for players.
• Safety Equipment: Players use helmets and shoulder pads to ensure additional protection.

• A8 League (8th Grade): $250
• A7 League (7th Grade): $250
• B League (5th-6th Grades): $250
• C League (3rd-4th Grades): $250
• D League (K-2nd Grades): $225

Divisions are based on the child’s current grade in the 2024-2025 school year. 

Players may "play up" one division with an approved request, but no players may "play down." Please register your child in their current division before submitting a request. It is recommended that athletes play within their age/grade group. For more details, refer to the Play Up in Age/Grade Policy found on our website under Documents/Forms. All requests require CLYFL board approval.

During registration, parents will need to provide proof of the child’s age and grade. LCPS ParentVue screenshots or relevant school documents can be submitted during player evaluations or equipment pickup.

Note: Children in high school are not eligible for CLYFL.

Registration Fees Cover:

• Loudoun County field usage fees
• Player insurance
• Game jerseys (players keep their jerseys)
• Equipment rental (helmets, shoulder pads, flag belts) and coaches' training modules
• Certified Medical Trainer for home games
• Game official fees
• Administrative expenses (marketing, website, financial management, IT support, etc.)

• March 1st, 2025 – Registration Closes
• March 8th, 2025 – Player Evaluations
• March 15th, 2025 – Equipment Handout
• Week of March 17th, 2025 – Practices Start
• March 19th, 2025 – Parent Meeting (via Zoom)
• March 30th, 2025 – Week 1 Games
• April 6th, 2025 – Week 2 Games
• April 12-20th, 2025 – Spring Break (No games/practices)
• April 27th, 2025 – Week 3 Games
• May 4th, 2025 – Week 4 Games
• May 11th, 2025 – Week 5 Games
• May 18th, 2025 – Week 6 Games
• May 24-26th, 2025 – Memorial Day Weekend (No games/practices)
• June 1st, 2025 – Playoffs: Round 1*
• June 8th, 2025 – Championship Games**

* Only teams that win these games will advance to the next round of the playoffs. Teams may be subject to playing double-headers on this date. More information will be given once the game schedule is finalized.
** Teams may be subject to playing double-headers on this date. More information will be given once the game schedule is finalized.

League-Issued Equipment:
CLYFL will provide the following equipment, which must be returned at the end of the season:

• Helmet
• Shoulder pads
• Flags

Players will also receive a ​​​​game jersey (this is yours to keep)

Player-Supplied Equipment:
Players are responsible for providing the following items:

• Mouthguard
• Shorts without pockets
• Football cleats
• Practice jersey (Needed for practices).

You can find these items at Dick's Sporting Goods, Play It Again Sports, or Amazon. You can also visit our SquadLocker store for CLYFL gear.

Optional Equipment:

• Visors: If used, visors must be clear.
• Gloves

Players in all divisions are required to submit a current athletic physical to participate. Athletic physicals are valid for the calendar year (January - December) for CLYFL.

• Physicals submitted for the Fall 2024 season will NOT be accepted for Spring 2025. It must be a current physical dated after January 1, 2025.

CLYFL maintains a tracking file to record valid physicals that carry over from Ultimate Flag to Fall Tackle.

Submitting Completed Forms: Completed forms can be submitted via the following methods:

• Email to safety@clyfl.org (preferred method)
• CLYFL player evaluations
• Equipment pick-up

Please make your 2025 athletic physical appointments early with your medical provider. We encourage you not to wait until the last minute before the start of practice to complete the athletic physical.

CLYFL asks that you have your medical provider fill out the league-provided form (see link below), as there is a section at the bottom of the form for the physician to recommend whether the player is cleared to participate in football activities.

Important: If you do not submit a current athletic physical form for your child by the first day of practice, your child will not be able to participate. The player will only be permitted to observe practice until a completed form is submitted to the Director of Safety at safety@clyfl.org.

Date:  March 8, 2025

Location:  TBD 

Time Blocks:  

• D & C League:   10am - 11am
• B League:  11am - 12pm
• A7 League: 12pm - 1pm
• A8 League:   1pm - 2pm

Players must bring cleats, athletic attire, and water for evaluations.

All players must check in at the CLYFL event table upon arrival.  A league representative will verify their information and provide an evaluation bib.  Players will then proceed to the field for assessment after the check-in process. 

Please bring proof of age and grade. You can show an LCPS ParentVue screenshot, a student ID for the current academic year, or other school document stating their grade.  If you do provide a copy of a birth certificate, you will also need to show proof of grade.  CLYFL only needs to see documents, not keep them.  You can also email copies to our Director of Registration at registration@clyfl.org.

Date:  March 15, 2025 

Location:   

Dominion Energy
620 Sycolin Road 
Leesburg VA  20175

Time Blocks:   

• D & C League:  10am - 11am
• B League:  11am - 12pm
• A7 League: 12pm - 1pm
• A8 League:  1pm -2 pm

If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Equipment at equipment@clyfl.org. 

A full refund will be issued for requests made up until 02/28/2025. A 50% refund will be available until the child is placed on a team. Once the child has been assigned to a team, no refunds will be provided unless extraordinary circumstances prevent the child's participation in CLYFL. Requests for refunds under such circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

All refund requests must be submitted via email to registration@clyfl.org.

• For program-related questions, email the Director of Ultimate Flag at flag@clyfl.org.
• For registration-related inquiries, email the Director of Registration at registration@clyfl.org.