Pull the flag
Ready when: Catching at three heights (b1) done.
What you are learning
Stopping a runner the flag football way: get in front of them, slow down with short steps before you reach them, pull a flag and hold it up high. A flag pull takes the place of a tackle, so there is no contact.
Words on this card Flag, Flag pull, Down
- Flag
- A belt with two strips of cloth hanging at the hips. Pulling one off stops the ball carrier.
- Flag pull
- Taking a flag off the ball carrier; it takes the place of a tackle.
- Down
- One play, from the snap until the ball carrier's flag is pulled or the pass falls.
Set up
Belts with two flags each, a small marked area.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Walk toward a runner who is walking, and get in front of their path.
- A few steps before, take short steps and bend the knees.
- Reach for a flag at the hip, pull it off and hold it up high.
Your part while they practise
Run the game; swap defenders every round.
Step by step
- Get in front of the runner.
- Slow down with short steps before you reach them.
- Pull a flag and hold it up.
- Walking first, then jogging, then zig-zag runs.
How much: 10 pulls, 3 rounds 8 min a session 3 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Flag tag
Keep your own flags and pull others'; the most flags at the end wins.
Who plays: 3 or more players, each against everyone; you referee.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Everyone wears two flags inside a marked area
- On "go", try to pull other players' flags while keeping your own
- A player with no flags left helps you watch for fouls
- Play for 2 minutes, then return the flags. 3 rounds
- Fair play
- A grown-up plays walking only.
- Points
- 1 point for each flag pulled and held up; 1 point for each of your own flags still on at the end.
- Fouls
- Give one of your pulled flags back
- Pushing, holding or grabbing a player instead of the flag
- Guarding your own flags with a hand
- Leaving the marked area
- Winning
- The most points after 3 rounds.
- 3 points for 1 star
- 5 points for 2 stars
- 8 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
One flag.
Smaller space.
What you will see, and what to say
- the defender overruns the carrier
Slow down before you reach
Short steps, knees bent. - the flag is not shown
Hold it up high
So everyone knows the play is over.
Self-check
6 of 10 pulls take a flag cleanly.
Stop and get a coach when
Two players collide.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains flag pulling, body control.
awiseathlete.com/sports/flag-football/flag-football-b3