Breaking Barriers: Unified Flag Football

Like a flight attendant getting ready for take-off, Donna Schneider got her team ready for the new season. She held up a white belt strap over her head and showed the group how to buckle in the ends. As she demonstrated, her audience, the unified football team–a brand new addition to BHS Athletics– got suited up with their belts.

“Remember no pushing and no tackling, just pop the flag off,” said Schneider.

The team is made up of students from the BHS Life Skills classroom and is part of Section 1 Athletics. Their schedule includes a kickoff at Giants stadium, six games (home and away) and a tournament.

The first practice, which took place on the new turf field at BHS, was on a gorgeous fall day. Sun shining, puffy white Simpsons-like clouds overhead.

“The field is soft like a pillow,” said Angelica.

Sarah Barnes, a Life Skills teacher with a football background–her son played football for BHS and college football–has some serious football intelligence. Coach Rob Daly, a crew of teachers from the Life Skills classroom and BHS Student athlete volunteers helped her run through a series of drills to get the students familiar with the equipment and the rules of the game.

The group practiced popping the flag and playing keep away from the defender. Then they moved onto running drills–including one on one open field drill–which worked on running speed, angle pursuit, and the ball carrier’s evasive skills.

“OK team, Dom got six flags. I don’t know who has beaten that today!” said Schneider.

“Kaitlin, grab the flag,” said Joe.

“Good job Christopher!” said Denise Galgano, a teacher.

“No tackling!” reminder Schneider.

“Get it Justin,” said Angelica as she clapped.

“Ready set.. uh oh..false start! Nice try, run with your hand out to get the flag!” said Galgano.

There are so many benefits to flag football for students, from physical (running, throwing) to cognitive (understanding rules and structure) to social (teamwork, friendship and sportsmanship) to emotional(confidence and resilience). But today the main benefit was being outside on the first week of school in perfect conditions on the brand new field.