Playbooks & Drills for Flag Football

Win Contested Catches

Effective flag football offenses are able to complete passes in traffic. The small field size shrinks throwing lanes, forcing QBs to be accurate and requires receivers to make contested catches in tight windows.

Orange = cones; white = players; yellow = receiver.

Drill Description:

This drill trains your receivers to make difficult catches by placing constant distractions in their path. The more you run this drill, the more comfortable they will be making the tough play downfield.

Cone Alignment

  • Set out two parallel sets of cones based on the number of players you have, 7-10 yards apart.
  • Put a single cone at each end about 5 yards wider than the parallel lines.
  • Place a cone at the mid-point at 7 yards for the QB.

Player/Coach Alignment

  • QB: On the QB cone. Needs 2 footballs.
  • Receiver: On one of the end cones.
  • Everyone Else: Standing at each cone on the front line.
  • Coaches: One opposite the QB to shag incompletions; another at the far cone from the receiver to pick up the caught balls they drop.

Player/Coach Assignments

  • QB: Complete passes in the windows between players. One as the receiver goes across on e way, another as the receiver goes the other way.
  • Receiver: Run from end cone to end cone and back, catching a pass each direction from the QB. Must stay between the parallel cones. Tuck and run any caught ball to the next receiver cone, drop the ball there and continue the drill.
  • Everyone Else: Block passes by any means necessary while keeping both feet on the ground. No jumping or moving feet.
  • Coaches: One shags incomplete balls on the far side of the QB. the other picks up the balls left by receivers at the far left cone.

Rotation/Variations

  • Rotation: The receiver moves to the end of the line, the closest player to the receiver starting point moves to the receiver spot, everyone else moves down one cone on the front line.
  • Variations: Keep going down and back until the receiver drops one.

Coaching Points:

This drill gives your players the confidence to complete the toughest passes.

  • Game Speed:
    • Receivers: Run full speed, catch full speed.
    • QB: Active feet, pocket simulation.
  • Catching Fundamentals: Two ways to catch a football.
    • Above the waist = Diamond Hands.
    • Below the waist or over the shoulder = Basket.
  • Catch and Score: When the catch is made, tuck it and get to the next cone.
  • Throw Timing: 2.5 seconds or less. “1…2…Throw!”
    • Have one coach or teammate count out loud.
  • Throw Catchable Balls: Balance of power and accuracy.
  • Throw with anticipation: Lead the receivers between defenders.

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