FDPB Find A Play: NFL Flag I Bone
Coaching an NFL Flag football team can be an eye opening experience. Trust us, we have done it and we hear it from NFL Flag coaches every year. We will get an email or a phone call from an exasperated young coach. It usually goes something like this…”I need some very simple plays that my young flag football offense can execute.“
We calm them down and explain that they are not alone. Almost every flag football coach realizes this once they get on the practice field. Pop Warner and youth tackle football coaches run up against the same thing, in case you were wondering.
Here at FirstDown PlayBook this is why we have a “Youth” and a “Varsity” selection in your “Find A Play” area. We have the line set at around 12 or 13 years old but we understand that only goes so far for drawing “aged based” plays.
“Here at FirstDown PlayBook, we have coached an NFL Flag team and league before. We understand your challenges.”
You may have an 11 year old kid who is ready for JV football and also a developing 13 year old. As a coach, it is your job to look at your roster and decide what your team can do. Hopefully the “your” part was obvious there.
If you look at your team and you have typical 9-10 year olds, as most of you will have, you should keep these things in mind. First, there is no rule against running the football. NFL Flag rules don’t allow you to run the quarterback but sometimes handing the ball off is the best option to get a play started.
Remember, flag pulling is one of the hardest things in flag football. If you get a run play started then at least you have a chance for positive yardage. The run can be a dive or a sweep to your running back. It could be a jet sweep. Keep in mind that since you cannot block, misdirection is your friend in an NFL Flag offense.
There Is Nothing Wrong With Running The Ball With Your NFL Flag Offense
If you do choose to throw the football, consider this. Cut your receivers splits down considerably. Wide splits are not your friend with a young quarterback. A young quarterback’s arm won’t allow you to run these types of plays. Keep the throws short and quick. A pass rush is coming. You should even consider how to get the ball to your Center.
Also think about getting your quarterback moving towards the receiver they are throwing to. Calling up a sprint pass or a bootleg pass gives your quarterback a shorter and easier throw. The play we show you in the video below is a good example of some of this.
More NFL Flag Formations Suggested By NFL Coaches
The FirstDown PlayBook NFL Flag I Bone formation doesn’t even have wide receivers. However, we think it is an excellent way to create the misdirection you need. It also gives your quarterback several throwing options that are within their skill set. The play we feature today is also a bit of a trick play.
If you like this video then please know that FirstDown PlayBook has much more where this came from. You can edit these plays. You can create your own playbooks, wristband sheets and even practice schedules. Here at FirstDown PlayBook, we have coached an NFL Flag team and league before. We understand your challenges. FirstDown PlayBook is an oasis for any NFL Flag coach trying to install a realistic flag football offense.
