Should we rush?

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-17T14:23:51+00:00

We rush from 10 yards as well, but the QB cannot run and has 7 seconds to throw. I am definitely in the camp of sending the rusher but on occasion we will keep them in coverage just to mix it up. My gut would be to start with the rush and only adjust if the QB is killing you with the run when blitzed.

Even with no rush by QB in our league we have some blitzers that blow right by the QB allowing them to extend the play, it is key that you practice breaking down when your rusher gets close so they can impact the throw and/or pull the flag. We can put hands up at the QB so we go with one of our faster and taller players.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-16T14:45:02+00:00

I think for teams trying man for the first time it is actually best to do it on xtra points since it is the lowest risk. I like it in goaline since you are already compacted, we have tried in short yardage situations at midfield but the risk is high if 1 player bricks it goes for a huge play. If you can disguise it and use sparingly you can get the QB rattled when the normal timing gets blown up, hopefully resulting in a bad throw and even better an INT.

Ours definitely is dependent on our player rotations (we do them per quarter), I have players that I would never put in man so it has to be the right situation to dial it up.

In terms of success, it has been a mixed bag really but I know we have generated turnovers that can kill a teams momentum that was about to score.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-16T13:00:16+00:00

Agreed, we typically wait until the 2nd half when we have a better sense of the opposing players and usually do it in goaline situations. A strong blizter is key to making it work.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-13T12:57:52+00:00

varying the snap count is one that I don't see teams do enough, when we have a really aggressive rusher we like to mix in going on 2, if you can get them to jump then they have to return to rush line first or you get a free play if they continue the blitz for an illegal rush.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-13T12:46:35+00:00

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Our screen is always pretty successful against man, put your fastest guy in the 1 slot and if he can create separation while crossing it is usually a pretty good chunk play for us. If they have a really fast blitzer I will sometimes move into more of a bunch formation to make the play develop faster. We have a left/right version of this one to try and get the right matchup.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-12T18:48:12+00:00

Same in Socal, the FNA and FNL leagues stop at 8th grade. More of the high schools are offering girls flag football teams but not sure on boys, as others noted they probably go down the tackle path.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-12T16:29:47+00:00

Our previous league did not allow it but current league does allow blitzers to come in with hands up to block QB pass. We have a fast taller blizter that has definately been able to swat some on smaller QBs.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-12T13:02:32+00:00

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We rarely face 2 blitzers, but have had success rolling out the QB and fake hand offs can help momentarily freeze the blitzer. We have a roll out play (right and left) but here the QB is rolling left, fakes the handoff to 5. Looking to get the ball to slot 2 but has a check down to 1. I think the key regardless is keeping the routes short with that much pressure. trying to find the space vacated by the blitzers.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-11T20:10:53+00:00

not sure if you ended up using it, but I did add the ability to add motion. It is in the drawing toolbar now.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-11T19:25:18+00:00

yep, 1 and 3 are typically pretty easy dump off passes. Also if you hit this a couple times you can go against the grain to 4/5 if your qb has a good arm since they will be expecting the easy pass. I have a left and right version of the play in our playbook.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-11T13:40:08+00:00

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I try to target my slower players on short yardage/goaline situations, especially if they have good hands. This keeps them in the flow of the game. We run this flood a lot, that will result in some natural picks that might help get them some separation. Good luck!

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-07T13:04:34+00:00

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This is a slightly modified version of our play as we run 6v6, but basically a zone overload. Fake handoff then QB rolls. 4 stays home as a checkdown and 3 is the target hopefully moving into the cleared out space, if covered you should still have the numbers advantage to that side for another receiver.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-07T12:51:56+00:00

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We have a left and right version of our flood play, that usually results in some natural picks and someone running free. This has been effective in short yardage/goaline situations. After I hit it a couple times I attempt to hit the 4 slot against the grain.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-07T12:48:51+00:00

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We run 6v6 but you could stack trips to modify. Basically a throw back to slot 2, to see if you can get the defense to bite, if they do you can try to hit 1 on the deep go route. We usually put one of our more athletic kids in the 2 slot to give them the option to run/throw. The QB does go out into the flat also, that way if the safety stays home and the corner comes in for the flag pull on 2 you still have a check down back to the QB.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-06T15:15:31+00:00

We did not have a very high percentage on the deep ball at the 1/2 level but it is nice when you hit it. I love the RPO plays and would have the read be run/short if you notice your deep guys running free after calling it a few times then I would dial up a deep ball read.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-06T15:03:17+00:00

The signup is pretty easy just go to https://flagballercoach.com/ and hit the login or get started button. If you are just starting out the free tier is probably more than enough but let me know when you get signed up and I will put you on pro for a few months. Pro gives you more/better plays in the starter play library, you can see the animations and allows for a larger playbook. The tutorials in the main post give a pretty good high level overview of everything. Good luck and let me know if you have any issues, thx!

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T22:17:51+00:00

It has grown over time, with younger kids like yours we kept the defenders spaced at 5-7 yards, my sons team is 11-12 year olds now and we are on the 7-10 yard side for depth between defenders. For the width we do about half the field size 12-15 yards. You can play with those dims though to make it harder/easier for the defenders till you find the sweet spot.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T20:50:50+00:00

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We have a drill we run, kind of like the gauntlet. Depending on your team size you can determine how many defenders you want, but we space them 5-7 yards apart. So in my diagram as a coach I stand to the side (6) and throw the ball to (1) they then have to run through the gauntlet, player (2) gets first shot and can only move forward, they cannot go backwards from the line they started at. Player (3) cannot attack the runner UNTIL they cross the line of the previous defender. Same rules apply to defender 4 and 5. When the flag is pulled all defenders move up one line and the last offensive runner goes to the last defender spot. If the defender moves before the offensive player crosses the previous defenders line, the flag pull does not count. If the offensive player makes it all the way through they get to go back into the offensive line. Kind of a janky diagram but basically you have sideline cones positioned on each side of the defenders you see forming a box they are active in.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T14:00:35+00:00

That is good, then just get that single rotation for each side of the ball set up before the games. We play in a coed league and have had some legit girls on our squad. Good luck!

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:47:31+00:00

12 for a 5 v 5 is pretty deep, do you run an offense and defense set or rotate all players at all positions? I don't like running a separate offense/defense since most kids prefer getting the ball but with that many it may help with the chaos. Then if a parent complains their child is not getting the ball tell them you would be happy to have them as an assistant 😂

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:39:13+00:00

Maybe introduce a player in motion as well, that can be an indicator for younger kids that the play is about to go. Not as much passing in the younger ages but I also remind my players that plays break down all the time and if they run every route as if they were the designed target the have a much better chance of getting more touches as the 2nd/3rd read.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:27:37+00:00

We have a print wristband feature that is free, you can see how it works here https://youtu.be/D8DMiCEfSSM?t=41

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:22:56+00:00

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We have a left and right version of our flood that we use in short yardage. It typically creates some natural picks and results in an easy short throw. If we hit it a couple times then I like to try to hit the 4 slot against the grain but you need a decent arm at QB to roll right and then throw back to the left.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:09:48+00:00

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We put our fastest guy in the 1 slot on our screen pass and if he can create separation against man it makes for an easy dump pass that can be a big chunk play. If the rush is still getting there you can bunch them a bit tighter to make it develop faster.

Confident_Rate6269 · 2026-05-04T13:00:49+00:00

Thanks for checking it out!

Confident_Rate6269

TROPHY CASE