Sound NFL Flag Football Defense On FirstDown PlayBook
FirstDown PlayBook knows that when you put your hand up to coach an NFL Flag football team you are no different than most football coaches. You almost immediately think of calling plays and of course touchdown plays. The revelation comes sooner than later that you better coach defense too. Knowing how to coach a sound NFL Flag defense is not as simple as “You cover him and you cover her.”
You don’t know what formation your opponent is going to line up in. Your flag football defense has to be sound and that means you have to have rules. Granted these rules might be for you if your players are really young but you still need them to run a sound NFL Flag defense.
This 5v5 Flag Football Defenses will be called with three digits:
- The first digit is the number of rushers to the Quarterback.
- The second digit is the number intermediate to deep coverage defenders.
- The third digit is the number of deep coverage defenders.
Man Coverage Defenses will be called “Man” and tagged with any pressure if necessary.
FLAG FOOTBALL DEFENSE: Man Coverage
Make the strength call as the offense breaks the huddle or it can be set prior to.
The Mike Linebacker will rush the passer.
The other Linebackers will cover the Center and the back man to man.
The Defensive Backs will cover the two Wide Receivers man to man.
With This Flag Football Defense VS a Bunch Set, a Linebacker will take the point.
FirstDown PlayBook Flag Football Defense Player Assignments
MIKE LINEBACKER:
- Adhere to the rules of your league for your depth on the snap of the ball.
- Example: Your restraining line is 5 years, then be behind that line.
- Align on or near the Center prior to the snap.
- Rush the Quarterback and defend any run that shows up on your way to the Quarterback.
LEFT & RIGHT LINEBACKERS:
- Man Coverage on the Center or the back, whoever is closest to you.
- If possible, align at the same depth as the other Linebackers to disguise who is rushing the Quarterback.
- Your alignment should be close enough to your man to play tight man coverage.
- If the ball breaks the line of scrimmage on a run, leave your man and pursue the ball carrier.
Are You Setting Up Your Flag Football Plays or Just Calling Plays?
DEFENSIVE BACKS:
- Align over the widest receiver to your side (exclude the back & Center).
- Alignment depth should be dictated by skill and match-ups.
- Align slightly inside of your man and take away the inside route first.
- If the ball breaks the line of scrimmage on a run, leave your man and pursue the ball carrier.
- With This Flag Football Defense Vs a Bunch set, let a Linebacker take the point.
At some point you will have to defend one or two of the NFL Flag formations you see below. If you want to run these formations or defend them… Tap on any one of the tiles below to visit the article describing that formation. After reading the article then go join FirstDown PlayBook and get busy coaching your NFL Flag team with the best playbook and flag football wrist sheets available!
