In the previous article, “Benefits of a Passing Route Tree in Flag Football,”  the advantages of using such a system were discussed. Once it has been determined which passing route tree a team will use, the next step is to implement it into the offense. The goal is to implement it so that the athletes are able to successfully perform the offense with minimal thinking.

Here are a few tips on how to successfully implement a passing route tree into a flag football offense:

Mark the Routes

When teaching players the routes of the passing tree, introduce them using...

To increase the likelihood of coaching a successful defensive team, it is important to coach the fundamentals that are likely to have a bearing on the outcome of the football game. One of these fundamentals is what some call “running to the ball,” but better described as Pursuit Angles. It is never too early to begin instilling this instinct-based skill into your players.

Pursuit angles refer to the angles that each player must take to successful overcome, or intersect, an opponent’s ball carrier. Much like for a quarterback to be successful, he must learn to “lead” his receivers with a...

Implementing a passing tree into your flag football offense can be beneficial for efficiency in performance, but also for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the players.

A passing tree is a standardized numbering system in which set passing routes are pre-arranged into a format which allows for easy learning, memorization, and recollection. While passing trees are flexible and can be adapted to fit any offensive system, they are foundationally the same across the board.

Each of the passing routes used in an offense is assigned a number. For example:

1 – Slant                    4 – Corner

2 – Out                      5 –...

This flag football plays is great to run against teams that are very patient on defense.  Many teams will teach their kids to contain the ends and wait until the ball is handed off before attacking the runner.  This is due to the fact that many coaches like to use a lot of fakes and misdirection when running their offense.  One way we found to effectively attack this defense is mix in a few quick hit run or pass plays.  When teams constantly fake the ball the defense will sit back and watch until a player gets the ball.  The...

In order to make the most effective use of our limited time with our teams, it is imperative that as the coach, we arrive prepared and ready to accomplish our practice goals. One of the ways we can do that is by coming with all the necessary equipment in our coaching gear bag. With all that is occupying our thoughts, it is easy to overlook vital pieces of equipment that are often forgotten until desperately needed.

Here is a list of some of the items that we need to have in our coaching bags:

Mouth Guards

Regardless of age level,...

Buckling down and covering the basics is vital to the success of any football program. When you are teaching youth to play flag football, it is the basic fundamentals that will carry your team to victory.

The difference between flag football and tackle football is well known. While tackle football requires physically bringing the runner to the ground to stop the play, flag football depends on a skill that requires much more dexterity to complete. Grabbing the flag, on either side of the ball carrier’s hips, can be difficult if not done correctly. It is a skill, which if taught...

Coach Hemhauser with Youth Football Online has a great article on how the offensive line and receivers use the wrist coach differently.  Check it out here: http://youthfootballonline.com/play-calling-using-wrist-coaches

Thanks

Set up the Drill:    Divide the youth players into groups of two and have them line up facing each other about ten yards apart (can change distance based on the age of the players).  Each pair will have one football for this drill.   

The Drill:    The player with the football will throw the ball in the air or directly to the player without the ball and yell catch or release.  If “catch” is yelled then the receiver will catch the ball but if release is yelled, the player will bat the ball to the ground. ...

Set up cones for the players to run through that make a running pattern that can be used during flag football games (you can also have the children help you come up with ideas so they understand the running paths better).  Add cones to mark the zone the quarterback must stay in when throwing.  Have the quarterback stand within this zone and throw to each player as they complete the zig-zag run.  Alternate quarterbacks if your team has more than one.  You can also have the player at the end of the line play defense on the...

Section off part of the field using cones (20 yards x 30 yards).  Pick a player to act as the shark.  The minnows will wear flag belts and line up at one end of the grid to start.  If you have enough footballs for each child, hand each minnow a football before starting.  The minnows will then try to run to the other end of the grid and the shark will try to remove their flags.  The last player with flags wins.  Another variation of the game, which is like “Monkey in the Middle”, makes the game...

This flag football play is designed to pull the defense to the right with a fake and create an opening for the runner.  The running back on the left side of the formation will cut toward the right behind the QB.  The QB fakes the hand off.  The running back on the right side will delay, until the fake is complete.  They will then proceed toward to the left just behind the QB and take the hand off.  Depending upon the defense response, the running back will either take it straight up field and extend the run toward the...

What is the best way to beat man to man defense that has incredible speed in flag football?  Any Tips?

The best way to stop man to man defense that has speed is either to out speed them (if you have speedsters) or better yet out smart them with mis-direction plays and decoys.  First thing to do is try to disguise your fast players, so don't come out of the gate with giving your fast players that ball every time.  Try to create mis-matches to provide each player the best chance to get yards.  Misdirection plays, and counters in...

Question:  I have a team of 10 young players, and we play in a 5 on 5 flag football league. How do I teach them a basic football play without the other 5 getting bored? Should I have them doing something else while I work with the 1st group and rotate when they are done?

Our Answer:  We found the best way was to split them up into two groups.  The first group is learning the coaches plays while the other is working on individual skills (drills) or defense.  I usually have one of my other coaches take one of...

Basically, there are two types of parents that put their kids in youth sports: The kind that are at every practice and game rooting on their kids, and the kind that just drop their kids off at the practice field. Depending on the parent type, either can be a pleasant or unpleasant relationship. Regardless, if you're coaching a team its best to get the parents as involved as possible, or at least give them the opportunity to be involved. Positive parent involvement in youth sports promotes better attitudes for the players, and more successful practices and games. Here are 5...

I was recently asked "what defense should I run with 6 year old, 5 on 5 flag football team"?

At this age flag football is still very new to the players.  We try not to over complicate things and make sure the players can accomplish their assignment.  In the younger divisions of 5 on 5 youth flag football, eliminating the big play is the primary goal.  

Staying simple and stopping the long run, we suggested the 3 - 2 defense.  Three players on the line (1 nose guard and 2 ends) - the defensive ends should contain plays run their way, and force them back to the middle (basically...

Here is a quick tip to keep your flag football flags organized and fitted, during your football season.  This will save you time before your flag football games and practices, and eliminate the hassle of refastening and resizing flags each week.