Cover a receiver
Ready when: Pull the flag (b3) done.
What you are learning
Marking a receiver: backpedalling, turning the hips to run with them, and staying between the receiver and the ball so you can knock the pass down or catch it, without ever touching the receiver.
Words on this card Down, Receiver, Route, Plant, Man defence, Interception, Backpedal
- Down
- One play, from the snap until the ball carrier's flag is pulled or the pass falls.
- Receiver
- A player who runs to catch a pass.
- Route
- The path a receiver runs to get free for a pass.
- Plant
- Pushing hard off one foot to change direction sharply.
- Man defence
- Each defender stays with one attacker.
- Interception
- A defender catching a pass meant for an attacker.
- Backpedal
- Running backwards with small steps while watching the play.
Show it first for the one teaching
- Stand facing the receiver, a few steps away, knees bent.
- Backpedal with small steps as they come forward.
- When they cut, turn the hips and sprint with them.
- Watch both the receiver and the thrower; reach for the ball, not the player.
Your part while they practise
Be the thrower; throw slowly at first.
Step by step
- Backpedal, turn the hips and sprint.
- Stay with a receiver on a set route.
- One against one: stay between the ball and the receiver.
- Knock the ball down or catch it, never touching the receiver.
How much: 6 rounds each 12 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Pick it off
A point to the defender for every pass knocked down or caught.
Who plays: a receiver against a defender; you throw.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- The receiver runs a route; the defender marks them
- You throw to the receiver
- The defender tries to knock the ball down or catch it
- 10 passes, then swap
- Fair play
- A grown-up defender starts 3 yards further back.
- Points
- The defender scores 1 point for a pass knocked down and 3 for an interception; the receiver scores 1 point for each catch.
- Fouls
- The receiver scores 2 points
- The defender touches or holds the receiver
- The defender turns the back to the ball and runs into the receiver
- Winning
- More points after 10 passes each way.
- 2 points for 1 star
- 4 points for 2 stars
- 6 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
A set route, slow.
A free route and a quick throw.
What you will see, and what to say
- the defender turns the back to the ball
See ball and player
Keep both in view. - the defender runs into the receiver
Play the ball, not the body
Reach for the ball.
Self-check
3 of 10 passes knocked down or caught.
Stop and get a coach when
Two players collide going for the ball.
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 pass defence, footwork, reading the thrower.
Intermediate is done when the child runs a few plays with a team.
awiseathlete.com/sports/flag-football/flag-football-i4