Coach the Coaches Flag Football

Spring 2011

Agility Agility is the ability to change the body's position efficiently, and requires

the integration of isolated movement skills using a combination of balance, coordination, speed, reflexes, strength, endurance, and stamina.

Sports agility is often defined in terms of an individual sport, due to it being an integration of many components each used differently (specific to all of sorts of different sports). Sheppard and Young (2006) defined agility as "a rapid whole body movement with change of velocity or direction in response to a stimulus."

Purpose: Great drills to work on developing quickness and strength. Excellent for warm-up and developing a players listening and direction following skills.

Procedures:

–  Shuttle Runs: Start with 10 yards, the players sprint 10 yards and then jog back, continue increasing the length of the sprint through 30 or 40 yards depending on the age of your players.

–  Pro Agility Drill: In this drill you set up three discs 5 yards apart in a straight line. Have your players start in a three point stance at the middle disc. On the “Go” signal they must power out of their stance and sprint in the direction the coach points (right or left) to the first disc. After reaching the disc they must sprint to the disc on the other end and the turn back and sprint back to the middle disc.

–  One Leg Squats: Have your players perform one leg squats. This should be done in a controlled up and down manner. (2 sets of 25 reps).

–  Vertical Leap: Have your players start in a squatting position. On the “Go” signal they should explode into as high of a vertical leap as they can. 5 to 10 reps are good.

–  Up Downs: Players start with chopping their feet in place as fast as they can. On the coaches “Go” signal they dive and then jump to their feet as fast as they can and continue chopping their feet in a ready position. 15 to 20 reps are a good starting point.

Agility Drills

Maze Drill

Purpose: Great drill to work on footwork and conditioning.

Procedure: The maze drill combines sprint, parallel shuffle, back pedal, and 45 degree drop. Players begin by sprinting to disc #1 and sprinting around it and then they pivot into a shuffle. At disc #2 pivot into a back pedal at a 45 degree angle towards disc #3 while still in a back pedal. Once coming around disc #3, turn and sprint at a 45 degree angle around disc #4 and then go into a shuffle, keep the feet shoulder width apart, "Z" in the knees and chin over the knees. Finish the drill by turning and running a hard five yards to the start

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Flag Pulling

DEFENSE WINS GAMES!

If they can’t score you can’t lose

Good Flag Pulling Skills Are Essential

Keys to Defense

"   Interceptions - Go for the ball!!!

"   Secondary - Keep the receivers in front of you.

"   Swarm to the ball carrier.

"   Get in front of the ball carrier to slow them down. Keep the shoulders square to the runner.

"   Watch runners body (not their head or feet).

"   Stay on your feet – don’t dive when grabbing for flags.

"   Rusher and defenders on the line of scrimmage – put hands in the air when QB passes to try and block the pass. DO NOT hit the QB’s arm if he/she’s released the ball.

"   All defenders should watch the QB’s eyes when he passes.

"   When you see a play is a pass, yell “PASS!!” For a run, yell “SWARM!!”

Sharks and Minnows

Purpose: Great drill to work on flag pulling and conditioning.

Procedure: This is a very easy drill to set up and run and because of the competitive nature you will find that the kids usually give a 100% effort so it makes it great for conditioning.

Set up a square area and call it “The Ocean.” One player is the shark and their job is to pull everyone's flags before they can make it from one end of the zone to the other. The other players (minnows) all line up at on one side of The Ocean. On the coaches command, a snap cadence is recommended, the minnows try to make it from side of The Ocean to the other without getting their flag pulled. Once a minnow’s flag is pulled they become a shark.

Variation: Add multiple sharks.

Be encouraging and supportive of a player who may not be as adept at first.

Flag Pulling

Purpose: Great drill to work on flag pulling, receiving the hand off and running vertically and horizontally.

Procedure: The coach hands off to the offensive player. The offensive player try's to make it through the gauntlet by running as much vertically as possible. Focus on running hard and not looking down or hesitating when flags are pulled on. Defenders should work on getting the proper angle on the runner and getting in front of them. O1 moves to D4 after running. D1 goes to O4, D4 moves into Gauntlet and other D players move up a position in Gauntlet Variation: Cut flags shorter if you have extra flags.

Flag Pulling, Swarm Drill #1

Purpose: Great drill to work on flag pulling and getting your defense programmed to swarm the flag.

Procedure: Set up your players in two or three rows (depending on your defensive plan will be set up and how many players you have) all facing in the direction of the coach. There should be 5 to 8 feet between each player. The coach holds a football, when he points the football left the players move left, points right they move right. Puts his arm back to pass they move back. When the coach yells “Swarm,” all the players swarm the coach and everyone must touch him/her with one hand.

A secondary aspect to this drill is to have a player act as QB. Have a snapper hike the ball to the QB. When the QB falls back to pass the coach calls out “swarm,” the defensive players swarm the QB and pull his/her flag. The QB should scramble to avoid the defense. This can also be done with a rusher/rushers from 7 yards back, so the players can get the feel of rushing and the rushing rule.

Rusher (7 yards back) D ● D ● D ●

D ● ● D

●

Coach/Quarterback

Flag Pulling, Swarm Drill #2

Purpose: Great drill for learning to swarm to the ball carrier. Also good for Snapper, QB, and Running Back with a spin move.

Procedure: Set up discs in a square, approximately 7 - 10 yards apart.

Have 4 to 5 players on defense and spaced throughout the area inside the square as if in defensive positions. Have 3 offensive players, a center/snapper, quarterback and running back, positioned just outside the square, using the line between two discs as a line of scrimmage.

Upon calling the snap cadence, execute a snap to the QB, with the QB then handing the ball off to the Running Back. The Running Back runs into the square whereupon the defense “swarms” him/her and pulls the running back’s flag. The Running Back avoids the defenders with spin moves and jukes.

▲ ▲ D ●

D ● ● D

₪ D ● ● D

▲- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -▲ Snapper ●

Quarterback ●

Running Back ●

Pass Coverage Drill

Purpose: Great drill to work on covering the receiver one on one.

Procedure: From the back pedal go into a shuffle for two to three steps to get the knees turned in order to be able to run with the receiver.

Turn both feet at a 45-degree angle to the inside and go into a shuffle or slide step.

Defensive back breaks on the ball on the release from the quarterback or coach.

Purpose: Great drill to work on getting your defensive backs to break on the ball.

Procedure: Be sure the defensive back doesn't anticipate the throw. Stay on the back pedal until the receiver breaks and the quarterback or coach throws the football.

Post and Break Drill

Purpose: Great drill to teach defensive back to read, react, and break to the ball vs. cover the zone.

Procedure: Form two lines or work with just 3 players at a time. Have Receiver run a vertical route. The Free Safety back pedals and then reacts by breaking to the route being thrown to. Continue to spread out receivers as the defensive back gains ball reaction and confidence.

Having the coach act as QB is recommended when players have not yet developed their accuracy skills.

Read and React Drill

5

10

15

20

7

3-2 Zone

5

10

15

20

7

2-3 Zone

5

10

15

20

7

2-1-2 Zone

5

10

15

20

7

5 Zone

5

10

15

20

7

2-1-2 Defense

5

10

15

20

7

2-2-1 Defense

5

10

15

20

7

1-1-3 Defense

5

10

15

20

7

Spread 2-3 Defense

5

10

15

20

7

3-2 Defense

5

10

15

20

7

2-3 Defense

Offense

Offense is all about attack, assault, and surprise…

The offense must have the ability to force the defense into mistakes and then exploit these errors. You should and, at times must, take chances if you are to surprise the defense. AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION

Purpose: Great drill to work on running back cutting and change of direction skills. Great for conditioning.

Procedure: Set up discs a line of discs appropriately spaced to allow room to run, but that are tight enough simulate a game situation where the defenders would be swarming. Set up multiple lines of discs depending on the number of players you have. This is run as a relay race to keep it moving fast.

The first player in each line will run around each disc and then come back around each disc to the beginning of his or her line. They will then hand off the ball to the next player in line and return to the back of the line. Key points - make sure running backs switch the football to the arm nearest the sideline. Players should cut on the outside foot and make sure they don't cross legs when changing direction.

Progression: Have players backpedal through discs and/or make spin move periodically.

Running Back Cut Drill

Pass Patterns

Purpose: Great drill to work on receiver routes and quarterback/receiver timing.

Procedures: Pair up players; a QB and a Receiver. You can also have trios; a Snapper, a QB and a Receiver. When using pairs, have QB take the ball from the ground (this teaches proper use of the hands). The Receiver runs the pattern indicated. The QB throws the ball at the appropriate time. For trios, the only difference is the Snapper hikes the ball to the QB.

Patterns:

Streak: The WR runs 5 Yard Curl: The WR 5 Yard Out: The WR 8 Yard Post: A WR runs straight up the field runs up the field 5 yards, runs up the field 5 yards up field 8 yrds, and cuts as fast as possible stops, and returns back and cuts to the sideline. toward the center of the

towards the QB. field on a 45 degree angle.

Pass Patterns

5 Yard Smash: The WR runs up the field 5 yards

and then turns toward the QB and side shuffles with

body facing the QB.

Streak Out: #1 WR runs a 5-yard out toward the

sideline and WR #2 runs a streak.

Streak Curl: #1 WR runs a streak and #2 WR runs

a 5 yard-curl inside.

Post Out: WR #1 runs a post and WR #2 runs a 5-yard out.

Corner Smash: WR #1 runs a corner and WR

#2 runs a 5-yard smash.

Curl Post Corner: WR #1 runs a 5-yard curl

and WR #2 runs a post.

Twin Curl: WR #1 & WR #2 both run 5-yard curls. This play is used in short-yardage situations.

Ultimate Flag Drill

Purpose: Great drill to work Flag football concepts: passing, catching, defending the pass, and conditioning.

Procedure: This is a fast paced and very competitive drill that the kids love. One of the best conditioning drills for the younger age groups because they enjoy the competition so much. (Coaching Point: Try to make your teams are as even as possible from a skill level and try to make sure that all the players are involved.)

● Use as much of your field area as possible. ● The concept is simple. The team with the ball must pass the ball to teammates without dropping it

while moving towards tan imaginary end zone. ● The player with the football has eight seconds to pass or pitch the ball to a teammate. ● The ball can be passed forward or pitched sideways or backwards only. ● The player with the ball can take only two steps after catching it. ● The offensive players without the ball can move anywhere on the field to get open. ● 6 Points are awarded for a touchdown and after the touchdown the ball goes over to the defensive

team. The ball starts an imaginary 5 yard line, like that of the actual playing field. ● If the ball is dropped or intercepted, the opposing team takes over possession at the point of the

turnover. ● The defenders move about with the offensive players and must either stay at arms length from the

player with the ball or can pull their flag. If the defender pulls an offensive players flag play continues.

Key Points: Make sure all players have opportunities to catch and throw the ball. Make sure the receivers are finding open areas and not bunching.

RB

QB

C

HB Swing Out Pass

QB takes snap and passes to RB on swingout pass

WR WR

RB

QB

C

Quick Pass to WR

QB takes snap and makes quick pass to WR

WR WR

RB

QB

C

Fake HB Swing Out Pass-Center Drag

QB takes snap and fakes pass to RB, then passes to C

WR WR

RB

QB

C

Long Pass to WR

QB takes snap and fakes pass to RB, then makes long pass to WR

WR WR

QB

C

Goal Line - Trips Right Drag

QB takes snap and rolls right then throws to C

RB WR WR

RB

QB

C

Goal Line - Cross

QB takes snap and passes to RB on swingout pass

WR WR 5 Yd Line

Goal Line

QB

C

Center Drag Right

QB takes snap and rolls right then throws to C

RB WR WR

QB

C

Quick Slant

QB takes snap and makes quick pass to WR

RB WR WR

RB

QB

C

Handoff to Center

QB takes snap and hands ball back to C

WR WR

RB

QB

C WR WR

Fake Reverse Pass

QB takes snap and hands off to RB, who then hands off to blue WR. Blue WR stops behind LOS and passes to green WR on right

RB

QB

C WR WR

Reverse

QB takes snap and hands off to RB, who then hands off to blue WR.

RB

QB

C WR WR

Fake End Around Left

QB takes snap and hands off to RB on end around

RB

QB

C WR WR

End Around Left

QB takes snap and hands off to RB on end around

RB QB

C WR WR

Run/Pass Option Right

+ QB takes shotgun snap and hands off to RB. RB looks for open receiver and passes if open.

If no one is open RB runs left.