In this episode, I sit down with Team USA Women’s National Team quarterback Akemi Higa, one of the brightest young stars in flag football and a rising leader on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Akemi shares her incredible journey from growing up in Hawaii to moving to Las Vegas in pursuit of greater opportunities in flag football—a decision that ultimately helped her earn a spot as QB1 for Team USA.
We dive deep into much more than her story…
🏈 In this episode we discuss:
How Akemi developed into an elite quarterback
The sacrifices her family made to help her chase her dream
The biggest differences between youth, high school, and Team USA flag football
How elite quarterbacks study film and recognize defensive tendencies
Reading defenses before and after the snap
Quarterback mechanics unique to flag football
Why leadership isn’t always about being the loudest player
What it was like competing for a spot on Team USA
Summer Series, Canada, and preparing for international competition
The future of women’s flag football leading into the 2028 Olympics
Akemi also breaks down actual game film from one of her biggest high school playoff games, explaining her thought process before the snap, how she manipulated defenders with her eyes, and why timing is everything in elite flag football.
Whether you’re a quarterback, coach, parent, or simply a fan of the fastest-growing sport in the world, you’ll come away with valuable insight into what it takes to compete at the highest level.
👍 If you enjoy conversations with the biggest names in flag football, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of Flags on Fire.
#FlagFootball #TeamUSA #AkemiHiga #Olympics2028 #Quarterback #WomensFlagFootball #USAFootball #FootballIQ #QBTraining #FlagFootballPodcast #FlagsOnFire #GirlsFlagFootball #OlympicFlagFootball #FootballCoaching #FilmStudy
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