American football

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What’s new in American football

Coach’s playbook: GB coach Jason Scott on American football

Paul 6 min read

Matchday: East Kilbride Pirates, with chair Amanda McDonald

Paul 4.33 min read

Mythbusting: stop getting American football wrong

Paul 7.22 min read

Rookie to rulemaker: referee Jim Briggs on 40 years in the game

Paul 5.05 min read

Join the Boom

Join the Boom

The UK is enjoying a flag football boom. The non-contact version of American Football is now played in more than 600 schools, and each year the primary school crowned the nation’s best goes on to represent the nation at the NFL Flag Championships in the USA.
Hidden History

Hidden History

If you think the surge in interest in Gridiron is a new trend in the UK, think again. Many teams, including the Cambridgeshire Cats, Birmingham Bulls, East Kilbride Pirates, Ipswich Cardinals, London Olympians and the Merseyside Nighthawks, were formed almost 40 years ago.
Did You Know?

Did You Know?

After making its only appearance at the Olympic Games in 1932, the sport will make its return at the LA Games in 2028. The great news is that Flag Football’s induction as an Olympic Sport has allowed the British American Football Association (BAFA) to secure funding to further grow the sport on these shores.
Party Time

Party Time

Popular among American Football fans is the pastime of “tailgating”. This cherished tradition sees supporters gathering in car parks hours before a game, generating a vibrant party atmosphere and a welcoming pre-game vibe with pop-up BBQs, shared drinks, games, and music.
Game for All

Game for All

American Football’s vast range of playing positions means it can be enjoyed regardless of physical size or athletic ability. Great arm? Try quarterback. Small and fast? Running back’s for you. Strategic thinker? Linebacker. Big and strong? Defensive end. And if all you want to do is kick, kick, kick, you’re a punter in the making.

Get started

Jason Scott, GB Men’s coach, talks us through the five bits of kit you need to make your mark in American Football.

More kit and equipment advice

Alpha Menace 4 Shark Cleats

£49.55 to £59.46

Buy

Adidas AdiZero 13 Receiver Gloves

£44.99

Buy

Schutt Protech Tri Varsity Girdle

£50-£60

Buy

Battle Oxygen Convertible Mouthguard

£15.99

Buy

Underarmour Coldgear Baselater

£24.97-£50

Buy

Pay it back

“The sport has completely changed my life, and all I want to do now is give back as much as possible"
Phoebe Schecter Great Britain Women’s national team

Dreams into reality

“I think many kids over in the UK look at us as role models, hopefully I can show there is a pathway to getting into the NFL”

Travis Clayton Offensive tackle, Buffalo Bills, from Basingtoke

Grassroots American football

News & events
Community
Learn the basics

American football

BAFA medic Beverley Analuwa on playing American football safely

Drills

Throwing with Mark Brunell

1:43

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Defending with Bryan Schwartz

1:24

Up next

Receiving with Reggie Barlow

1:00

Up next

Throwing with Mark Brunell

Go further in American football

Join a Club

Want to play American Football? Whether you want to try the fast-growing Flag Football or you’d rather pad up for full contact, you can discover all avenues available for men, women, and children by clicking here
Become a Coach

Want to help develop Britain’s next great American Football star? The British American Football Coaches Association (BAFCA) offers coaching courses in both Flag and Contact Football. Click here to find out more
Volunteer

Volunteers are the unsung heroes helping to grow the sport in the UK. The British American Football Referees’ Association (BAFRA) offer training courses and mentorship, while there are opportunities in admin, management, IT, and safeguarding. Click here to find out more
Spread the word

Flag Football is thriving at primary education level, with over 600 participating schools in the NFL Flag programme. If you’re a teacher (or a pupil) who’d like to find out more about the free programme that includes staff training and a starter pack including 10 balls and 30 flag belts, click here to find out more