LYAFF Flag Playbook

Strategies for a winning season

7 on 7 ag football plays
for youth and adults
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Wristband Interactive
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TableofContents
AdditionalTools
UnderstandingthePlaybookLegend
PlayerAcronymsandLineups
FullColorPlays
Practice
Drills

OffensiveDrills

PassingDrills

CatchingDrills

RouteRunningDrills

BallCarryingDrills

QBMobilityDrills

DefensiveDrills

InterceptionDrills

CoverageDrills

PursuitDrills

BlitzingDrills
OffensePlayerDescriptions/Responsibilities

Center

Quarterback

Runningback

Fullback

WideReceiver
OffenseSkillsandFundamentals

Blocking

Runningtheball

Catchingtheball

Throwingtheball

RouteRunning(RouteTree)
EffectivePlayCalling

Useofmisdirection

Bootleg

Playaction

Settingupthedefense
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FinalNotes
DefensePlayerDescriptions/Responsibilities

Safety

Cornerback

Linebacker

Defensiveend
Defenseskillsandfundamentals

FlagPulling

BackPeddling

Blitzing
SelectingaDefense

ManonMan

Zone
TipstorunSuccessfulDefense
UsingWristbandInteractive
UsingFlipbooks
Top10tipsforsuccessfulseason

7ManPlaybook
Strategiesforasuccessfulseason

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Thisplaybookhashundredsofcolorcodedplaysforbothoffenseanddefense.Notethatthedefensiveplaysareattheendofthe
playbook.

UnderstandingthePlaybook

OffensiveTips
1.Eachplayerisassignedaspecificcolor.Theavoidconfusion,eachplayers
shouldremainthesamecolorthroughoutthegame(orforatleastanentire
drive)
2.Asmallnotchattheendofaplayersroutemeansblock(ifitsallowedin
yourleague).
3.Asmallnotchduringaplayersroutemeansblock/delay,thenrunyourroute.
4.Asmallfootballindicateswhoiscarryingtheball.Iftheballchangeshands,
youmayseemorethanoneball.
5.SmallnotchfromtheQBslineisaFAKEhandoff.
6.Ablackdottedlinemeansaplayerisinmotionorjetmotion.Blackdotted
linesarealsousedtoindicateaprimaryreceiverorpitchplay.
7.Areddottedlinemeansapassbehindthelineofscrimmageordoublepass.
8.IftheQBisrollingout,youwilltypicallyseealittleballattheendofhisline.IfyouseenoballwiththeQB,
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theyarestandinginthepocketandpassing.
9.AdottedlinebetweentheQBandthecenterindicatesashotgunformation.IftheQisattachedtothe
center,itsastandardundercentersnap.
10.Ifthereisnorouteforyourplayer,stayhomeandblock.Asmallnotchatthebeginningyourroute
meansthatthereisaslightdelay/block,priortorunningtheroute.Assignacolortoeachplayerfortheentire
game.Ifthereisasubstitution,thenewplayergetsthecoloroftheplayerleavingthefield.
11.Note:Someoffensiveplaysshowthetwolinemenasgreyplayers.Astheprogramdeveloped,webegan
makingeachoftheplayersdifferentcolors,onegrey,onelightblue.Thisisbecausemanyleagueshave
eligiblelinemen.

DefensiveTips:
1.Eachplayerisassignedaspecificcolor.
2.Biggreybubblesindicatedefensivezones.
3.Ifaplayerleaveshisbubble(zone),heisnolongerresponsiblefor
thatarea.Ifaplayerisin,orattachedto,azone,heisresponsibleforthat
areathroughouttheplay.
3.Arrowsattheendoftherouteindicateblitz.
4.AnXattheendofarouteindicatesmantomancoverage.
5.Anotchattheendofarouteindicatesabumpnrun(ifitislegalinyour
league).
*NotethatdefensiveplaysareattheendoftheoffensiveplaysinthisEbook.

TypicalplayersandassociatedacronymsNote:Someplayersmaybeabsent,dependingyourleaguetype.

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Practice
Mostteamsareonlyabletoputinacouplehoursofpracticeeachweek,ifthat.Coverasmanythingsasyou
caninpracticewithoutskippingthefundamentals.Youshouldplanoutyourpractices,justasyoudoagame.
Priortopractice,makealistofitemsthatyouwanttoaddress.
Whatyouteachwillvaryfromweektoweekbasedonwhatyourteamstruggledwithintheirlastgameor
whattheplayersneedtobepreparedforthenextweek.Thelistcanrangefromcatchingballstoflagpulling.
Ifyourteamstruggledwithcoverage,thenteacheveryaspectofcoverage,frombackpeddlingtointercepting
theball.

Practiceshouldbefunandengagingforyourplayers,neverdullorboring.Fillyourpracticeswithgamesand
drillsthatnotonlysharpenskills,butalsokeeptheminterestedandfocusedonthetaskathand.
Repetitionisakeycomponenttobecominggoodatanythinginlife.Itisnodifferentinflagfootball.Focuson
fundamentalsandpracticecatching,throwing,flagpulling,coverage,routerunning,blitzing,andhandoffs
regularly.Theplayerswillgetakickoutofit!Practiceplentyofingamesituationslikeextrapoints,4thand
longs,andtwominuteoffenses.
OffensiveDrills

PassingDrills
Drill1Thisistheeasiestandmostcommonpassingdrill.
LineyourQBupwithalineofreceiversontheleftorrightsideoftheQB.Havethereceiversrunroutesatthe
sametimeandtheQBthrowtooneofthem.YoucanaddaDBintothemixtomakeitinteresting.
Drill2Thisdrillhelpswithaccuracyanddecisionmaking.
Havetworeceiverslineup5yardsapartand10yardsawayfromtheQB.Placeonedefenderinbetweenthe
receivers.HaveyourQBthreadtheneedleandkeeptheballoutofthedefendersreach.
CatchingDrills
Drill1Thisdrillhelpsreceiverscatchunexpectedorerrantthrows.
HavetheWRlineup10yardsawayfromtheQBwiththeWR'sbacktotheQB.Assoonasyousaygo,theQB
willthrowtheballattheWRandtheWRshouldturnaroundandcatchtheball.TheWRwillhavenoidea
wheretheballisgoingtobeuntilthelastsecond.TheWRshouldreactquicklyandsnagtheballoutofthe
air.

Drill2Thishelpsthereceivermakequickdecisionsandimprovecatchingdramatically.
TwoQBsshouldstandnexttoeachother,eachholdingtwoballsandfacingtheWR.TheWRshouldstand5
yardsbackfacingthetwoQBs.Whenyougivethesignal,thefirstQBshouldthrowtheball.Assoonasthe
balltouchestheWRshand,theotherQBshouldthrowtheball.Repeatuntilalltheballsarethrown.

RouteRunningDrills
Thebestwaytoimproverouterunningistopractice,practice,practice.Atfirst,breakitdownandgohalf
speed,focusinginonthereceiver'sbreaks.Donotthrowanyballsuntiltheroutesarerunproperly.Oncethe
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playersroutesarecrisp,startthrowingballstothem.Haveacontesttoseewhichplayerrunsthebest
routesandtheywillallcompeteandstriveforperfection!Thebestreceiverofalltime,JerryRice,wasnotthe
fastest,tallest,orthebestjumperinthegame.Hedid,however,runcrispdisciplineroutesthatsethimapart
fromalltheothers.
BallCarryingDrills
Drill1Thisdrillhelpstheballcarriergetbetteratcuttingandjuking.
Setupanobstaclecoursewithcones.Tellyourballcarriertorunandjukewhentheyreacheachcone.You
canalsousespinsorbackstepsinplaceofjukes.
Drill2Thisdrillhelpstheballcarrierbeatdefendersinopenspace.
Setupa5x7yardsquarewithcones.Placeadefenderinthemiddle.Haveyourballcarriergooneonone
withadefender.Seeiftherunnercanmakeittotheotherendwithoutgettingcaught.
QBMobilityDrills
Drill1ThisdrillteachesQBmobilityfromanacceleratedblitz.
HavetheQBlineupinshotgunbehindtheC.TheCshouldsnaptheballandruna7stephook.Havea
defenderblitztheQB,starting3yardscloserthantheusualblitzlocation.TheQBshouldavoidtheblitzas
bestaspossiblebeforehittingtheCastheCturnsandlooksfortheball.
Drill2ThisdrillshowstheQBwhyvisionisimportant.
HavetheQBlineupinshotgunbehindtheC.HaveadefenderblitztheQBfromtheusualDBpositionfrom
differentangles.TheQBshouldeludethedefendersfor5secondsbeforetheythrowtheball.
DefensiveDrills

FlagPullingDrills
Drill1Thisisagoodflagpullingandvisiondrill.
Setupa10x10yardsquare.Putallyourplayersinthemiddleofthesquare.Whenyougivethesignal,each
playermustpulltheotherplayersflagswhiledodgingotherstryingtopulltheirownflag.Lastplayerstanding
wins.ThisisFUN!
Drill2Thisisagreatdrillfortakinganglesandpullingflags.

Setupa15x15yardtrianglewithcones.Havetwosetsoflines,oneoneachbottomcorner.Onesideisthe
ballcarrier,theothertheflagpuller.Whenyougivethesignal,theballcarriershouldsprinttowardsthepoint
ofthetrianglewhiletheflagpullercutstheballcarrieroffbeforetheyreacheithertopcone.

InterceptionDrills

Drill1ThisdrillhelpstheDBmakeaplayoffatippedball.

Haveadefenderlineup5yardsfromtheQB.Haveanotherdefenderlineup3yardsbehindthefirst
defender.HavetheQBthrowahighballtothefirstdefender.Thefirstdefendershouldthen"tip"theball
backwards.Theseconddefenderthenmakesanattempttointercepttheball.
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Drill2Thisdrillhelpsteachreceivershowto"jump"routesandstealtheball.
HaveaWRlineup10yardsawayfromtheQB.ThedefendershouldlineuptwoyardsbehindtheWRand1
yardoffsetleftorright.Onyoursignal,theQBshouldthrowtheballandthedefendershouldthen"jump"the
ball,cuttingthereceiveroffandinterceptingtheballinstride.

CoverageDrills
Drill1Thisdrillhelpsteachreactionandfootwork.
AWRandadefendershouldfaceeachother,standing1yardapart.TheWRshouldthenshuffleleft,right,
forwards,andbackwards.ThedefendershouldstickwiththeWR,matchingtheireverymove.Itisalso
importantthatthebarrierof1yardstaysthesamethroughoutthewholedrill.

Drill2Thisdrillteacheshowtomakeupspeedandcatchplayersfrombehind.
AWRfacesdownfield.ThedefenderlinesupdirectlybehindtheWRsotheyarebacktoback.Onyour
signal,thereceiverwillrunstraightforward.ThedefenderthenhastoturnaroundandcatchuptotheWR
beforetheballisthrownbytheQB.

PursuitDrills
Drill1Thisdrillhelpsteachyourteamproperanglesofpursuit.
Haveyourdefenselineupintheirbasedefense.Yourfasterplayersshouldlineupasclosetothesidelineas
theycanbeforegoingoutofbounds.Onyourcommand,haveaRBtakeahandoffandrunacrosstheLOS
towardstheendzone,givinghimaslightheadstart.Oncehehascrossed5yardsbeyondthelineof
scrimmage,thedefensecanbegintochasehim.Everydefensiveplayerneedstopursuetheoffenseplayer
aggressively.Thisteachespursuitskillandteamflagpullingconcepts.

Drill2Thisdrillhelpsteachdefendershowto"sniff"outaplay.
Lineupacenter,aQBinshotgun,andtwoRBsinwishbone.Lineuponedefender7yardsback.Oncethe
centersnapstheball,thetwoRBsshouldruntowardstheirnearestsideline.TheQBshouldthenpurposely
staredowntheRBhewantstohit.ThedefendershouldbewatchingtheQBandthenshuffleparallelwiththe
LOStowardstheRBtheQBiseyeing.TheQBshouldthenthrowthepassandthedefendershouldburst
towardtheRBasheisreceivingtheball.ThedefendershouldthencuttheRBoffandpulltheflagbeforethe
RBcangainpositiveyards.Repeatthisoverandover.Eachtime,theQBshouldmakeitlessobviouswhich
RBheistargeting.

BlitzingDrills(Blitzer=BZ)
Drill1ThisdrillhelpsreducethetimeittakestosacktheQB.
HavetheBZattacktheQBliketheywouldinaregulargamebutadd3moreyardsontothedesignated
blitzinglocation.HavetheBZblitzfromthisnewspotonyourcommand.CounttofiveandiftheQBisnot
sacked,thentheQBwins.ButiftheBZgetsthesack,thentheBZwins.Withthisaddedyardageandtime
pressure,yourBZshouldhavemoreurgencyandfocuswhenblitzing.

Drill2ThisdrillhelpssimulateWRscrossingthroughtheBZpathtotheQB.
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TheBZshouldlineupintheirnormallocation.StrategicallyplaceconesintheBZpath.Onyourwhistle,have
theBZattacktheQBwithoutknockingoveranycones.TheBZshoulddodgetheconesandstillbeabletoget
totheQBina5secondwindow.
OffensePlayerDescriptions/Responsibilities
Center(C)
TheClinesupovertheball.TheCsmainresponsibilityistogivecleansnapstotheQB.Also,theCisbasically
areceiverandcancatchballs.Mostofthetime,Csareoverlookedbythedefenseandcanbeusedasa
dangerousweapon.TheCcanbeverysuccessfulinshortyardageandredzonesituations.TheCshouldtryto
keepalowprofileduringgamesandthenexposethedefensewhenitmattersthemost.Note:Aneligible
centeristhemostdangerousreceiveronthefield.
Quarterback(QB)
TheQBlinesupdirectlybehindthecenter,facingtheopposingteam'sendzone.TheQBcanlineupintwo
differentspots,eitherundercenter(directlybehindthecenter)orinshotgun(35yardsbehindthecenter).
TheQBistheoffensivecaptainandtheleaderoftheoffense.TherearethreemajorthingsthatyourQB
shouldbeabletodo:
1.Protecttheball.Turnovers(interceptions)aredetrimentaltoanoffense.
2.Throwaccurately.Accuracyismoreimportantthanarmstrength.
3.Havemobility.QBshouldhavetheabilitytoscrambleandeludetheBZs.
It'sfineifyourQBdoesn'thaveallthreeofthesequalities,buttwooutofthreewouldbehelpful.Youshould
warmupwiththeQBbeforetheybeginthrowinginthegame.RemindyourQBthatifthereceiversaren't
open,tothrowtheballaway.Awasteddownismuchbetterthanaturnover.
RunningBack(RB)
Therunningbackcanlineupinmultiplelocationsbutalmostalwayslinesupinthebackfield.Herearesome
formationsyourRBcansetupin:
1. The"I"formation1yardbehindtheQB.
2. Wishbone1yardbehindtheQBbutoffset2yardsfromtheball
3. SpreadlineduplikeaWR.
TheRB'smainresponsibilitiesare:makingpositiveyardswhenrunningtheball,helpingsetupthepass,and
catchingoutofthebackfield.YourRBshouldneverbeafraidofdefendersandshouldalwaysrunforward,
nevermovinglaterallyorbackwards.TheRBneedstoshowquicknessandvision."Powerrunningisnot
reallyanoptionwiththenoblockingrulessoyourRBshouldbehavelikeajackrabbit,notarhino.Also,the
RBneedstobeabletododgedefendersinopenspacewithvirtuallynocontact.Loweringtheshoulder,stiff
arming,andhurdlingarenotappropriatewaysto"shed"defenders.Jukes,spinmoves,andbackstepsarethe
bestoptions.
FullBack(FB)
TheFBisbasicallythesameasaRBexceptthattheFBlinesupbetweentheQBandRB.TheFBhasno
blockingdutiesandshouldbeconsideredasanotherRB.
35

WideReceiver(WR)
WRscanlineupanywhereontheLOS.TheWR'sprimaryresponsibilityistocatchtheballforpositive
yardage.Ideally,theWRshouldcatchtheballinstride,butshouldalsobeabletocatchalargearrayof
imperfectpassesincludinghighpasses,lowpasses,andpassesbehindtheWR.TheWRshouldalsobequick
enoughtobeatcoverageandgetopen.IfyourWR'saren'tparticularlyfast,youcanworkaroundthiswith
crisprouterunningtechniquesthatwillallowthemtoeludetheDBsandgetopen.
OffenseBasicSkillsandFundamentals
Beforeyouteachyourplayersanythingelse,startwiththebasicfundamentals.Workonsnappingtheball,
performingcleanhandoffs,fakehandoffs,playaction,pitches,shortpassesandbasicrouterunning.Giveat
least40%ofyourpracticeandpregamewarmupstofundamentalroutines.Otherwise,youwillbe
hauntedwithmishandoffs,badsnaps,andRBscrashingintoeachotherinthebackfield.Hereareafewflag
footballfundamentals:

Blocking
Blocking(orscreening)rulesvaryfromleaguetoleague.Inmostyouthflagfootballleagues,therulesfor
blockingareprettysensitive.Tokeepitclean,haveyourplayersrunuptothedefender,STOP,thenplacehis
handsbehindhisback.Youshouldntactuallyblockortouchthedefender(unlessyourleagueallowsit),but
creatingalittleseparationforoneortwosecondsisusuallyokwiththereferee.Becarefulnottoshadow
block.Shadowblockingiswhenateammate/blockerrunsdownthefieldparallelwiththerunner,preventing
thedefenseaccesstotherunnersflags.Thisisapenaltyinsomeleagues.
RunningtheBall
Therearethreesimplestepstorunningtheball:
1.Theballcarriershouldkeeptheirbodylowtotheground.Flagslowtothegroundarehardertopull.
2.Theballcarriershouldkeeptheirarmsup.Theyshouldneverswingorslapawaydefender'shands.This
willresultinaflagguarding,auniversalpenaltyinflagfootball.
3.Theballcarriershouldrunfastandbeelusive.Encourageyourplaystojuke,cut,spin,backstep,andduck
pastdefenders.Remindthemtonevergobackwardsormakecontactwithdefenders.
CatchingtheBall
Therearejustafewstepsinbecomingagreatreceiver.
1.Theplayershouldalwayskeeptheireyeontheballandwatchitintotheirhands.Concentrationiskey.
DoNOTbescaredoftheball.Areceiverwhoisnervousorflinchesismorelikelytogethurtthanaplayerwho
keepshiseyeontheball.Dontrununtilyoucatchtheball!
2.Thereceivershouldalwayscatchwiththeirhandsawayfromtheirbody.Teachyourplayerstonot"TRex"
andavoidkeepingtheirarmstuckedintootight.Extendthearmstowardstheballandcatchitwithyour
hands,notyourbody.
3.Handplacementwhentheballisthrownatthechestorhigher,theplayershouldspreadtheirfingers
outwardswiththeirpalmsfacingtheballandthetwothumbstouchingoneanother.Whentheballisthrown
low,thereceivershouldplacetheirhandswiththeirpalmsfacingtheskyandtheirpinkiestouching.
4.Thereceivershouldneverattacktheballbutabsorbit.Catchingshouldlooknaturalandsmooth.
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ThrowingtheBall
Placingtheballexactlywhereyouwantitcantakeyearsofpractice.EvenPROsmakebadthrows.Herearea
fewtechniquesandthrowingmechanicsplayersshouldknowbeforeplayingQB.
1.Theplayer'sbodyshouldbeparallelwiththesideline,neverfacingupfield.
2.Thepassermustmakesurethattheirfeetaren'ttoocloseortoofarapart.Theirfeetshouldbeslightly
widerthantheirhips.
3.Thepassershouldgriptheballtowardstheendorthenoseoftheball.Theyshouldnevergripitinthe
middle.TheQBspinkie,ring,andmiddlefingersshouldrestonthegripswhilethethumbandpointerfingers
griptheactualnose.
4.Thepassershouldgriptheballattheirchest,neverbelowthesternumorabovethechin.Thearmsshould
bebentwiththeirelbowsfacingtheground.Thisallowsforafasterrelease.
5.Thepassershouldneverdroptheirthrowingarmbeforepassing.Themotionshouldlooklikeaslingshot,
notawindmill.
6.Thefirstmotion.Whenthepasserfindsanopenreceiveranddecidestothrow,theywillperformthefirst
passingmotion.Thepassershouldraisetheirelbow,makingitparalleltotheground.
7.Thepassershouldnowloadtheball,pullingitfromthechestandplacingitbehindtheirheadquickly.This
shouldbedoneinaquickwipingmotion,likeawindshieldwipergoingfullspeed.Also,thepasser'sotherarm
shouldbebentandparalleltothegroundwiththeirnonpassinghandpointingtowardthesideline.
Simultaneously,thepassershouldshifthisweightbackwards,leaningonhisbackfoot.
8.Nowthattheballisloaded,theQBcanfire.Todothis,thepasserrollstheelbow,bringingtheballoverhis
shoulderpassinghisear,andflingstheballforwardtothereceiver.Whiletheballismovingforward,the
passer'sweightshouldbetoo.Whilethepassersarmiscomingforward,theirotherarmshoulddroptotheir
side.
9.Thepassershouldreleasetheballbeforetheirarmiscompletelystraight.Whenreleasingtheball,they
shouldflicktheirwrist,givingtheballaspiralalongwithaddedvelocity.Thepassershouldnowbeleaning
forwardwithalltheirweightontheirfrontfootwhiletheirbacklegliftsslightlyoffthegroundatthepointof
release.Theballshouldrollsmoothlyoffthefingertips,creatingtherequiredtouchforaspiral.
10.Thepassermustfollowthroughtheirpass.Todothis,theyshouldswingtheirarmtowardtheiropposite
hip.Passingtheballandswingingthearmshouldbedoneinonemotion.Thepassershouldalwaysfollow
through.
Themotionsofapassshouldbedoneinlessthantwoseconds,fromraisingtheelbowtoswingingthearm.
RouteRunning
Routerunningisagreatskillforallplayerstolearn.Itisalsoagreatneutralizerforplayersthatarentvery
fast.ThegoalofrouterunningistoseparateaWRfromaDBsotheWRcangetopenforapass.
Thereareafewkeystobecomingagreatrouterunner:
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1.FootworkReceiversneedcleanfootworkcomingoutofbreaks.
2.GreatvisionThereceivershouldalwayslookforawaytobreakfree.
3.DeceptionThereceivershouldalwaysbedeceptivetotheirdefender.Thisincludesmaskingtheirtrue
speed,beingabletotrickadefenderintojumpingrouteswhentheballisn'tthere,andmakingtheirdefender
believethey'regoingonewaythenbreaktheotherway.
4.DisciplineReceivershouldruncrisproutesexactlyastheyweredrawnup.Cuthardateachturnanddo
nottakeshortcuts.Forexample,ona5nin,therunnershouldrunup5yardsandcutin90degrees.
PrecisionrouterunningwillallowtheWRtoseparatefromtheLBandallowtheQBtomakeasafepass.
Below,isaroutetreethatyourentireteamshouldmemorize.Itsagreattoolforrunningwarmroutesin
practice,butitsalsoniceforcallingindividualhotroutesfromthelinescrimmage.Noticethatodd
numbersgotowardsthecenterofthefieldandevennumbersgotowardsthesidelines.Thesamerulesapply
nomatterwhatsideofthefieldyouarerunningfrom.Forexample:A4routerunfromtheleftsideofthe
QBwouldbea10yardoutalso,buttotheleftsidelinenottheright.A3routerunfromtherightsideof
thequarterbackwouldbeaquickslant,runningfromtherighttoleft,towardsthecenterofthefield.

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Misdirection
Misdirectionisthesinglemosteffectivewaytobeatadefense.Misdirectionistheartofmakingadefense
thinkaplayisgoingoneway,whenitisactuallygoingtheother.Thekeytosuccessfulmisdirectionisfreezing
thedefenseforoneortwosecondsandthenattackingtheoppositesidetheythinkyouareattacking.Pull
themonewayandgotheother.
Bootleg
Abootlegisaformofplayactionthatallowsthequarterbacktofakeahandoffandthenscrambleoutsideof
thepocket.Thebootlegopensupthesecondaryandallowsthequarterbacktolocatehisreceiverwhile
scramblingoutofthepocket.Generallythequarterbackshouldscrambletothesidethatfavorshisthrowing
arm.
Playaction
Playactionisafakehandoffdesignedtomakethedefensethinktheplayisarun.Itwillgenerallypullthe
defenseuptothelineofscrimmage,creatingvulnerabilitiesinthesecondaryortheflats.Playactionisa
greatoptionforthrowingthelongerpassesandcreatingconfusionwithinadefense.Thefakehandoffalso
takesafewsecondstomatureanditallowsthereceiverstogetfurtherdownthefieldbythetimetheballis
thrown.
Settingupthedefense
Letsassumeyouhaveaplaybookfilledwitheasy,yeteffectiveplaysandagoodsystemfornamingyourplays.
Nowyouneedtoknowwhichplaystouseandcallindifferentsituations.Youcanstartoffthegamethree
ways:
1.Usingtheruntosetupthepass.
2.Usingthepasstosetuptherun.
3.Going"westcoast"andusingtheshortpasstosetupthelongballandtherunatthesametime.
Youshouldfeelthedefenseout:Whatschemedotheyuse?Aretheyagoodpassingdefense,running
defense,orboth?DotheyhaveafastBZ?Youcanusuallyanswerthesequestionsinthefirsttwoplays.Trya
runningplaythenapassingplayorviceversa.Thatleavesyouwithtwomoredownstoattacktheirweak
spots.IftheyhaveexceptionalcoverageskillsandkeepyourQBfromcompletingapass,runtheball.Iftheir
CBsaregreatflagpullers,runrightupthemiddle.Suckthedefensein,thenstrikedeepwithaplayaction
pass.
Useheightasanadvantage.IfoneofyourWRsisconsiderablytallerthantheirdefender,throwajumpball
rightoverthedefender'shead.Trytofindtheholesinthedefense.Findaspotwherenoonecoversand
attackit.Findbadhabitsandtechniquesfromdefendersandexploitthem.IfaCBhaspoorspeed,sendyour
WRonastreak.Ifthedefensetakespoorangles,runasweepandburnitupthesideline.
FinalNotes:

1.ProtecttheballAtanyleveloffootball,includingthePROS,turnoversalmostalwaysdeterminethefinal
outcomeofagame.
Considerthisscenario.TeamAplaysTeamBandthematchupisperfect.Allathletesandcoacheshavethe
sameskilllevel:
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TeamA:Gets7drives(attemptstoscore)
TeamB:Gets3drives(attemptstoscore)
Whowilltypicallywinthisgame?TeamA,right?
WellthisiswhathappensifTeamBthrows2interceptions.TheyhavetwolessdrivesandTeamAgetstwo
moredrivesaswingof4drives.
Ifyouwanttowintoughgames,youMUSTwintheturnoverratio!
Sincetherearenofumblesinflagfootball,turnovers(interceptions)willalmostalwayscomefromyourQB.
PullyourQBasideandtrainhimthatanincompletionorasackismuchbetterthanthrowinganinterception.
Havehimpracticethrowingtheballawayifcoverageistight.Neverbecarelesswiththeball!Protectingit
shouldbeyourmainpriority.
2.Extrapointsmakingyourextrapointsarethesecondmostimportantaspectofrunningasuccessful
offense.Haveaspecificplaninplaceforyourextrapoints.Manycoaches/playersblowthisoffas
unimportant,butIhavefoundthat40%offlagfootballgamesaredeterminedby4pointsorless.Thisis
usuallybecauseoneteammadetheirextrapointsandtheotherteamdidnt.Forexample,bothteamsmay
scorethreetouchdowns,butthedifferenceistheextrapointtries(2218).
3.Rhythmisanimportantpartofanoffense.Trytochaintogetheragoodsetofpositiveplaysstartingwith
easierplaystobuildconfidenceintheoffense,especiallyintheearlydrivesofthegame.
4.Donotbeafraidtothrowinatrickplayeveryonceinawhile.Thiskeepsthingsexcitingforyourteamand
willusuallyresultinabigplay.
5.UseONEplaytosetupanother.Forexample,runa5noutafewtimesandthrowashortpasstoyour
receivernearthesideline.NowtheDBthinksyouwilldoitagainsoheislikelytomakeamoveonthenext
ballthrown.AfteryourWRrunsa5nout,haveyourQBpumptheballthenlobitdeepforthetouchdown.
6.Operateoutofshotgunasmuchaspossible.Itaddsanother35yardsfortheBZtorun.
7.Remember,everyplayerwillbringadifferentskillorgifttothetable.Makesureyouplaytoeachplayers
skills.Ifyouplaytotheirskills,theywillobviouslyplaybetter.Aguywhoisreallyfastbutcantcatchwell
mightbeaRB.ThereallysmartplayerthatissomewhatslowmightbeagoodQB.
Defensivepositionsandresponsibilities
Safety(SSorFS)
Inasinglesafetyset,thesafetyshouldlineupdirectlyovertheball1015yardsfromtheLOS.Thesafety's
primaryresponsibilityistomakesurenooffensiveplayergetsbehindhimandtheplayalwaysstaysinfrontof
him.Sincethesafetyisthelastlineofdefense,theyshouldhavesolidflagpullingskillstopreventbigplays
and/ortouchdowns.Thesafetymustbewillingtofightforjumpballsandbeaggressiveenoughtochase
downRBsthathaveescapedthefirstlinesofdefense.Intheeventthatthereare2safeties,thefieldissplitin
halfcreatingarightsideandaleftside.Safetiesshouldbefast,alert,andhavegoodhandsforinterceptingor
swattingdownballs.
DesignatedZonesThesafetyshouldcoverthewholefield15yardsfromtheLOSandback.
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Cornerback(CB)
TheCBshouldlineup35yardsfromtheLOS,dependingonthespeedofthereceiver.Theirinsideshoulder
shouldlineupwiththefarthestWR'soutsidefootinordertokeeptheplaytotheinside.TheCBsprimary
responsibilityistocontainthesidelinesandmakesuretheplaystaysinside.Thismainlyincludespass
coveragebutalsosomerunstopping.TheCBneedstohavecoverage,backpeddling,andflagpullingskills.
TheCBmustbeabletoholddownzonesandalsoplaymancoverage.TheCBmustbewillingto
swat/interceptballsandchasedownballcarriers.YourCBsshouldbefast.Agoodsetofhandsdoesnthurt
either!
DesignatedZonesEachCBhasazoneontheirrespectedside.ThezonesrangefromtheLOSandback15
yards.Thezones,whichareontherightandleftsidesofthefield,shouldonlyreachabout7yardswide.
LineBacker(LB)
TheLBshouldlineupdirectlyovertheball7yardsfromtheLOS.TheLBhastwoprimaryresponsibilities,run
stoppingandpasscoverage.TheLBmusthavegreatvisionandtakeefficientangleswhenchasingdownthe
ballcarriers.TheLBalsoneedstohavegreatreflexesanddecisionmakingskills.TheLBiscoveringthemost
commonweakspotonthedefense,thecenterofthefield.Forpasscoverage,theLBshouldkeeptheireyeon
receiverscrossingthroughthemiddleofthefieldinadditiontokeepinganeyeontheQB.TheLBisoneof
themainweaponsinshuttingdowntherunninggame.GoodflagpullingskillswillhelpintheLBposition.
DesignatedZonesTheLBzoneisfromtheLOSback15yards.Thezoneislocatedinthemiddleofthe
defense.TheLB'szoneshouldreachacrossthefieldwitheachsideendingwheretheCB'szonestarts.When
aDTisinthelineup,theLB'szoneispushedback5yards.
DefensiveTackle(DT)
TheDTshouldlineupdirectlyovertheball23yardsfromtheLOS.TheDTshouldberunstopperfirst,pass
defendersecond.TheDTresponsibilitiesincludepenetratingtheLOSandstoppingtheRB.Thebackfieldmay
becrowdedsoiftheDTcan'treachtheballcarrier,heshouldchasehimtoadefensiveplayerwhocanpullthe
flag.Iftheballisnothandedoff,theDTshoulddropintoazoneandshutdownpotentialpassrouteslikeflats
andscreens.TheDTdoesnothavetobefast,butsolidflagpullingskillsareimportant.
DesignatedZonesTheDT'szoneislocatedalongtheLOSontherightorleftside,andshouldonlybeabout3
to5yardsdeep.
DefensiveEnds(DE)
TheDEsprimaryresponsibilityittoSTAYHOMEandprotectagainstsweeps,reverses,screenpasses,orflat
routes.Heshouldalsoavoidlettingaballcarriergetaroundhimontheoutsideorsidelinepartofthefield.
TheDEshouldalwaysbeattherunnertothesideline,forcinghimbacktotheinsideofthefieldwhereother
defenderscanhelpout.Thisplayershouldbefastandalsoagoodflagpuller.
Defensiveskillsandfundamentals
FlagPulling

Whenpullingflags,thedefensiveplayermustremembersixthings:
1.Keeptheireyesontheballcarrier'sbellybutton.Theballcarrierwilltryto"juke"theflagpullerwithquick
movementsfromthehead,arms,legs,andhips,buttheirbellyisn'tgoinganywheresotheplayershould
alwaysfocusontherunnersbelly.
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2.Thedefensiveplayermustberelaxedandloose,nevertense.Keepbentkneesandbereadytolungeinany
direction.
3.Theflagpullermustbetheaggressor.Heshouldneverbackdownfromtheballcarrierandshouldwaitfor
therunnertocometohim.
4.Theplayershouldneverplantonefootandreachfortheflag.Heshouldalwayskeepashufflewithhisfeet
andbepreparedtolungeiftherunnerquicklychangesdirections.
5.Theflagpullershouldalwaysusetwohandswhengoingafterflags.Thisisthebesttechniqueandit
doublesthechanceofasuccessfulflagpull.
6.Theflagpullershouldneveryankaflagoff.Instead,theplayershouldsqueezetheflagandlettheball
carrierrunoutoftheirownflags.Thisreducesthechanceofmissingflags.
BackPeddling
Backpeddling,ahelpfuldefensiveskill,iseasytoteachanditwillbecomenaturaltoplayersoncetheylearn
thetechnique.Backpeddlingisrunningbackwardssoyoucancoverthereceiverandwatchthequarterback
atthesametime.Thereareafewsimplestepstobecomeagreatbackpeddler:
1.Thedefensiveplayer'sbodyshouldalwaysstaylowtothegroundinasquattingpositionwiththe
defender'sweightforward,standingontheballsoftheirfeet.Thisnotonlyhelpskeepbalancebutmakesthe
defenderaloadedspring,readytopounceonanyballsthatcometheirway.
2.Thedefender'sarmsshouldbepumping.Thishelpswithbalanceandalsomakesthewholemotion
smootherandlessawkward.Themotionofbackpeddlingshouldlookclean.
3.Thedefendershouldalwayskeeptheirfeetlowtotheground,almostdraggingthem.Thisalsohelpsthe
defenderchangedirectionsandbreakquickly.Whenthebackpeddlerraisestheirfeettoohighofftheground,
itmakesthemlessexplosiveandhaveslowerreactiontime.
4.Whenstartingtobackpeddle,thedefendershouldnevermake"falsesteps"orturnhishipstheopposite
waythereceiverisgoing.
5.Thedefendershouldalwayskeeptheirheadup,neverlookingdownattheirfeetorthereceiver'sfeet.This
makesthebackpeddlermoreawareoftheirsurroundingsandputstheminabetterpositiontomakeaplay.
Blitzing
Blitzingisthemostvitalpartofsuccessfulflagfootballdefense.Aneffectiveblitzingplanwillshutdownany
offense.TheBZistheanchorofthedefenseandhisperformancewilloftendeterminetheoutcomeofeach
play,eventhegame!SackingorhurryingtheQBistheprimarygoal.ApressuredQBwillmakemistakes.
Mistakesleadtobigplaysforthedefense.TheBZisalsothemainrunstopperbecausetheBZwillbeinthe
backfieldbeforeanyoneelse.

Hereareafewsimplestepsforblitzing:
1.TheBZshouldalwayslineupbehindthedesignatedblitzingspot(ifthereisone)andtwoyardstotheleftso
thatwhenheblitzes,itpushestheQBontohisbackfootwhichwillcauseforcedorinaccuratepasses.
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2.TheBZneedstosprinttowardstheQBeverytime,never"halfspeed".TheBZshouldslowdownoncethey
areinthebackfieldtoavoidoverpursuingtheplay.SubtheBZoutwithfreshlegsoftensincetheywillget
tired.
3.TheBZshouldalwayskeeptheirlefthanduptoswatawaytheballasitleavestheQB'shand(assumingthe
QBisrighthandedandispassing).TheBZshouldneverhittheQB'sthrowingarmorhand.Italsoallowsthe
QBagreatchancetoescape.TheBZsrighthandshouldbedownreachingfortheQB'sflag.
4.TheBZshouldneverjumpintheairtodistracttheQB.ThisjustwastestimewhentheBZcouldbesacking
theQB.TheBZshouldbeoneofyourfastestplayersontheteamandalsobeagoodflagpuller.
SelectingaDefense

ManDefense
Mandefenseiscoveragewhereeverydefensivebackisassignedtoaparticularplayer.Insteadofbeing
responsibleforacertainarea(zone),theyareresponsibleforanoffensiveplayernomatterwherehegoeson
thefield.
IfaWRgetsawayfromthedefender,thereisusuallynobackupsupportfromanyotherplayers.Inmost
cases,theCBsaretheonesthatplaymantomanbutsafetiesandLBscantoo.Whendefendersplayman
defense,thedefendermustchoosetheappropriatedistancefromtheWRpriortothesnap.IftheWRis
fasterthanthedefender,thenthedefenderneedstogivetheWRagoodcushionofspace.Ifthedefender
linesuptooclosetotheWR,thechancesofgettingbeatrightoffthelineareveryhigh.IftheWRisslower
thenthedefender,thenthedefendercangivetheWRasmallercushion.Whensettingupyourplayersin
mandefense,trytolineupyourdefenderssotheyareequalinheight,speed,andskilloftheoffensiveplayer
theyareguarding.Tobesuccessfulatman,followthesesteps:
1.Thedefenderneedstohavegoodbackpeddlingskills.
2.Thedefendermustknowwhentoturnhishipsandrunwiththereceiver.Turningwiththereceiver
meansthedefendercomesoutoftheirbackpeddleandtransitionsintoaforwardsprinttofollowtheir
receiver.TheCBshouldalwaysbeontheirreceiver'ship.Playingontheinsidehip(hipclosesttotheball)is
moreriskybutcanyieldbigresults.Playingontheoutsidehip(thehipclosertotheendzone)issaferbecause
youkeeptheplayinfrontofyou.
3.Thedefenderneedstobeaggressiveenoughtoswatawayballsorinterceptiftheopportunityisright.
4.NeverlookattheQB.Keepyoureyesonyourreceiverswaist.
5.Giveasecondeffort.Evenifthereceivercatchestheball,thedefenderneedstogofortheflag.
ZoneDefense
Unlikemandefensewhereyouhavetocoveraspecificreceiver,zonedefenseisguardingaspecificarea.If
receiversenteryour"zone"orarea,youareresponsibleforthemaslongastheyareinyourzone.Sometimes
youmighthaveseveralreceiversinyourzone,sobeready.Inzonedefense,itsokandrecommendedtolook
attheQB(unlikeinmancoverage).Hereareafewtipsforplayingzonedefense:
1.Thedefenderalwaysneedstohavethereceiversinfrontofthem.Thedefendercan'tmakeaplaywhen
thereceiversarebehindthem.
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2.Thedefendershouldtrytostayinthemiddleoftheirzoneandtrynottomovetooclosetoanyedge.
3.Thedefendershouldalwaysbepreparedtocovermultiplereceiversatonetimeandstayinthemiddleof
thereceiversifthereismorethanoneinyourzone.
4.Thesafetyshouldalwaystrytoassistifazonegetsoverloaded.
5.Oncetheballhasbeenpassedtoareceiver,thedefendersarefreetoattacktheballbutshouldalwaysbe
waryofcutbacks.
TipstorunSuccessfulDefense
Thereareseveralstepstorunningasuccessfuldefense.Withalittlepractice,yourteamcanmasterthese
steps:
1.Yourteamneedstohavegoodcommunicationandteamwork.
2.Yourteamshouldalwaysbelookingforanopportunity,frombadpassestotippedballs.Gooddefense
createsoffense!
3.Yourdefenseisonlyasgoodasyourflagpulling.Youshouldpracticeflagpullingregularly.
4.Agooddefenseplaystheirtougheston3rdand4thdowns,thelasttwominutes,andduringfinalgames.
Makesureyourteamisreadytostopthebigplays.
5.Makesureyouhaveagoodrotation.Atireddefenderisavulnerabledefender.
6.Makesureyourplayersattacktheballandteamtackle(pullflagstogether).Nevergiveuponaplay.

Top10tipsforasuccessfulseason
1.Flagfootballplaybookanarchitectwouldneverattempttobuildahousewithoutablueprintor"plans".
Justthesame,ateamshouldnevershowuptoagamewithoutgoodplaysoranorganizedgameplan.Make
sureyouhavereliableflagfootballplaysandyourteammateshaveaccesstoit.
2.Wristbandshavingyourflagfootballplaybook"portable"isalsoimportant.Determinewhatyourtop
playsareandtransferthemtoyourwristband.Notonlywillthishelptohurryupoffense,butitalsoreduces
timeinthehuddle.
3.PressuretheopposingQBEventhebestQBsplaypoorlywhentheygettoomuchpressure.Getinthere
andgetintherefast!Mostinterceptionsarecreatedbyexcessivedefensivepressure.Oftentimes,the
slowerplayersareusedtorushtheQB.Instead,sendyourfastestandmostathleticplayersafterthatQB!
Speedandagilityareneededtoreallyshakethingsup.Keeping"freshlegs"forBZsisalsoimportant,soplan
onrotatingplayerseveryfewplays.
4.Pitchtheball!Inmostflagfootballleagues,afumbleisadeadball.Becauseofthis,pitchingtheballisa
MUST.Theriskrewardcontinuumisoutstandinginyourfavorandyourteamshouldtakefulladvantageof
this.Flippingtheballisateamconceptandeveryoneshouldbethinking"flip".Justbesurethatyourplayers
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knowthattheycanonlyflipitbehindthem.Thechanceofyouturningashortyardageplayintoatouchdown
faroutweighsthepossibilityofaturnover.
5.LearntheRouteTreeMakesurethateveryplayerontheteamlearnstheroutetree.Itsagreattool
forrunningwarmroutesinpractice,butitsalsoniceforcallingindividualhotroutesfromtheline
scrimmage.
6.PlaytoyourtalentsAllplayershavedifferentskillsandattributes.Someplayershavetheabilitytothink
throughcomplexsituationsandreactwellontheirfeet.Otherplayershavegreathands,goodspeed,oran
uncannyabilitytopullflags.Putyourplayerswheretheyarelikelytoperformbest.
7.TurnoversAvoidingturnoversisthemostcriticalcomponentofthegame.Whenthegamebegins,you
canassumethatyourteamwillget6drives(possessions)andyouropponentwillget6drives.Ifyouthrow2
interceptions,theyget8drivesandyouget4.Allthingsequal,thisisatremendousobstacletoovercome.
Sincealmostallturnoversarepasses,trainyourQBtobewise.Onthoselowpercentagesordangerous
throws,don'tforceit.Justthrowitaway!
8.ExtraPointsSpendasubstantialpartofyourplanningtimeworkingontheconversions.Ifbothteams
scorethesameamountoftouchdowns,whichhappensquiteoften,thedecidingfactorwilloftenbe
determinedwhomakestheextrapoints.
9.MisdirectionMisdirectionisthesinglemosteffectivewaytobeatadefense.Misdirectionistheartof
makingadefensethinkaplayisgoingonewaywhen,infact,itsgoingtheother.Thekeytosuccessful
misdirectionistofreezethedefenseforoneortwoseconds,thenattacktheoppositesidetheythinkyouare
attacking.Pullthemonewayandthengotheother.
10.PullingflagsEverymissedflagmeans5to7moreyardsfortheotherteam.Makesureyoupractice
grabbingflags.Thisisoftenoverlookedbutveryimportantinstoppingyouropponent'soffense.
Wethankyouforyourpurchaseandwewishyouthebestofluckwithyourseason!
Sincerely,

Management
WristbandInteractive,LLC

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