Football is the most popular sport in America, with millions of people tuning in to college and NFL games, keeping track of their fantasy team, or practicing for the family Thanksgiving game. This popularity trickles down to flag football, a non-contact version of the classic sport. If you love football, there’s no better way to watch a football game than as a referee. One of the keys to success as a sports official is to look the part. So what should you wear to referee flag football?
Typically, flag football referees wear a black cap, a striped black-and-white shirt, black pants, black belt, and black sneakers. Optional gear includes shorter versions of the shirt and pants for hot days, as well as alternative equipment preferences. The standard uniform varies from league to league, with some requiring special shirts or having less formal uniform requirements.
Below you’ll find a list of typical flag football referee gear and an estimated cost for everything you’ll need to get out on the field. If you purchase everything on the list including the optional items, we estimate it will cost you around $200, but this could be higher or lower depending on the exact gear you purchase.We recommend getting your apparel at Ump-Attire.com, where you can save 5% by using the code SILBO5, but you should be able to find similar gear at any sports official apparel store.
Suggested Gear for Refereeing Flag Football:
Apparel:
Adjustable black cap ($11)
Starting off at the top, a cap helps keep you cool on hot days, and protect your eyes on bright ones.
Short-sleeve striped shirt ($20)
The iconic shirt of the football referee; it makes you immediately recognizable from across the field.
Optional: Long-sleeve striped shirt ($33)
Same as the short-sleeved variant, but better for cooler days.
Black pants ($40) and a black belt ($23)
The pants are special-made for football refs, but the belt is the same one that appears in our suggestions for kickball and baseball/softball, making it one of the must-have items for versatility.
Optional: Black shorts ($30)
These are much more comfortable for days in the hot sun. These particular shorts match the styling of the pants featuring a white stripe down the side.
Equipment:
Whistle ($6)
Loud, attention-grabbing, and one of your most powerful tools.
Quick round of calling equipment:
These range from ‘required’ to ‘I wouldn’t ref without it’. They help you run the game and keep everything organized.
Penalty Flag ($6)
Down Indicator ($3)
Stop Watch ($10)
Throw down Bag ($5)
Breakaway Lanyard ($3)
Information Cards ($5)