🏈 Teaching the Fundamentals of Flag Football

For many kids, flag football may be their first experience with the sport or any organized athletics. The goal of a short season isn’t to cover every detail, but to teach players the core fundamentals of the game.

📚 Basic Concepts to Teach

• 🔄 The Center/Quarterback Exchange

• 🏃‍♂️ The Proper “Ready” Stance

• 🤝 The Quarterback/Running Back Exchange

• 🏈 How to Carry the Football

• 🎯 How to Properly Throw the Football

• ✋ How to Properly Catch the Football

• 🚧 Flag Pulling & Basic Defensive Concepts

🔄 The Center-Quarterback Exchange

The QB must position hands under the center for the snap. Without a clean exchange, the play is dead ❌. QBs should:

• Get close to the center 🤲

• Bend knees, hands ready ✋

• Practice before every game 🔁

🤲 Under-Center Snap

• 2-point stance: feet shoulder-width, knees bent, elbows on knees, head up 👀

• Grip: thumb knuckle between lace & stripe

• Turn hand inward, deliver sideways ➡️

• Ages 5–6 may use side snap 👶

 

Excellent video on teaching the fundamentals of the Center/Quarterback Exchange and shotgun snap

 

🎯 Shotgun Snap

• Same stance/grip as above

• Flick wrist to send ball back 🎯

• One- or two-hand snap depending on size ✋✋

⚡ Proper Stance Prior to the Snap

• 2-Point Stance: Feet shoulder-width, hands on knees, slight bend 💪

• Receiver Stance: One leg back, knees bent, ready to explode 🚀

🏃 Running the Football

For young players, ball handling can be tough. Show proper hand-off & carry technique.

🤝 QB/RB Exchange – The “Pocket”

Top Half:

• Inside elbow up ➕ palm down ✋
  Bottom Half:

• Outside elbow down ➕ palm up 🤲

• Fingers pointing at QB 👉

Receiving:

• Secure with both hands instantly 👐

• Eyes on target lane 👀

 

🛡️ Carrying the Football

• Index finger on tip, rest of hand on ball

• Supported by wrist & forearm 💪

• Held close to side 🔒

• Firm grip always ✊

• ❌ No “showboating” — secure the ball first

🎯 Throwing the Football

1. Grip: Fingers on laces, thumb under, light fingertip hold 🤲

2. Body Position: Sideways to target, pivot foot toward 🎯

3. Ball Near Ear: Ready to release ⚡

4. Wind Back: Arm behind ear 🔄

5. Throw Motion: Half-circle, follow through 👊

6. Release: Fingertips last, spiral spin 🌀

 

🏃‍♂️ QB Drop-Backs

1. Turn sideways after snap 🔄

2. First step = powerful reach 🚀

3. Middle = crossover steps ↔️

4. Final = plant & balance ⚖️

5. Keep eyes downfield 👀

✋ Catching the Football

1. Hands out — not body traps ❌

2. High ball = triangle hands 🔺

3. Low ball = pinkies together 🤲

4. Over shoulder = pinkies/elbows together 🎯

5. Eyes on ball always 👀

6. Tuck & secure immediately 🔒

🏃‍♀️ Running Good Pass Routes

Every route has 4️⃣ parts:

1. Start: Explosive release ⚡

2. Stem: Push defender’s outside shoulder ↗️

3. Break: Sharp cut, stay low 🔻

4. Burst: Create separation 🚀

💡 Teach teamwork: even if you’re not the target, your route matters!

🛡️ Defense

“Defense wins games.” 🏆 Practice defense as much as offense.

🎯 Flag Grabbing (Tackling Equivalent)

• Get in front of ball carrier 🏃

• Avoid lunging with one hand ❌

• Controlled, balanced position ⚖️

 

🏃‍♂️ Breaking Down

• Short, choppy steps 👣

• Stay low, balanced ⚡

• Eyes on belly button 👀

• Arms out for balance ✋

✂️ Flag Pull Technique

1. Sprint to ball carrier 🏃

2. Break down 👣

3. Grab flag at top 🎯

4. Pull with force 💪

🐝 Swarming the Ball

• All defenders rally 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

• More players = more chances 🔑

• Surround & corner runner ➡️⬆️⬇️⬅️