Flag Football Leagues Teach Kids

Have your children told you of their sentiments that class is boring or school is uninteresting? Have you been worried that they do not learn many values in places outside your home? You may want your kids to enjoy the lessons and benefits of learning, but if this is done in a stereotypical fashion, then you may have to expect that they also grow in stereotypical notion. How about teaching them life’s lessons in different means and entertaining ways? Do they love to watch football? If your children love to play and you would like them to learn at the same time, then having them to participate in NFL Flag Football is one good place for your kids to start.

Lessons in life are best learned in places and events that happen to one’s existence. Whether it is a lesson about tying shoelaces or how to fish, we can observe that the best teacher in teaching people everything they need to know is through experience, and nothing else. Though books, teaching in schools and speculations are helpful in making a person learn of what they can do, but without having to learn of them hands-on, all they have studied will come to naught and become useless. This is why flag football leagues have been created. It was not just made for fun, or for children to spend time doing sports activities, but it is teaching children the values and morals that can be learned in sports, more than any other field.

Although this is football, this does not mean that children will have to bear the pain of playing the said game. We know and we have grown to love football because of the moments where being charged and tackled has given thrill and excitement in the game. Kids can enjoy playing football without getting hurt. In their level of playing, the fun part is the chase where players have to catch the one holding the ball. Flag football leagues in Texas, being the place where the FlagFootball4Fun was first found, set the standards on how to play the game worry-free for parents so that they can encourage their kids to take part and enjoy playing while learning.

This same gaming standard is being followed by flag football leagues in Florida. They make sure that audiences and young players alike enjoy playing the United States’ national sport without the pressure of possible injury. Coaches and teams in this game are giving valuable lessons to children by teaching teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, patience, and obedience in relation to their victory in playing flag football. Furthermore, this game is supporting the drive against drug abuse since young boys and girls are given alternatives or things to do aside from staying home watching TV, being with friends lounging all the time, and spending too much wasted time on the internet. Now who says that playing football is only for big people? It is also for small kids with big potential, since playing football is for all!

Pictured l-r back row:  Coach Troy Sacco, Marc Whitsett, Rikin Tanna, DeAngelo Thephavongsa, Marques Jones, Matthew Martellini, Coach John Martellini.  Pictured l-r front row:  Skyler Sowerwine, Artem Joutshkov, Tyler Files, Eric Robeson, Nicholas Turner (not pictured)

Frisco Flag Team wins Regional Championships

One of our Flagfootball4fun (Formally Sports4allyouth) teams out of Frisco wins the Dallas Regional Championships to advance to the NFL Flag National Championships in Orlando, Fl.

On Sunday, October 24, 2010, the Dallas Cowboys NFL Flag Football Regional Tournament was held at the University of Texas-Arlington Maverick Stadium.  This team, coached by John Martellini and Troy Sacco, won the tournament for boys ages 12-14.  The team is made up of boys from McKinney and Frisco.  They each receive an all expense paid trip (hotel and airfare) to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney World in Orlando, Florida to represent the Dallas Cowboys and play in the national tournament on February 24, 2011.  The team won hands down by their excellent offense and outstanding defense, beating teams from Houston, Austin and Round Rock, in four games with scores of 29-0, 20-0, 29-0 and 27-2.

They will meet teams in the national tournament representing the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals.

Flag Football Tips

Want some great Flag Football Tips? Below are 5 flag football tips that will help your team become more productive and help you win close games!

1. Flag football playbook -
An architect would never attempt to build a house without a blue print or “plans”. Just the same, a team should never show up to a game without good plays or an organized game plan. Make sure you have reliable flag football plays and your teammates have access to it.

2. Pressure the opposing QB -
Even the best QBs play poorly when they get too much pressure. Get in there and get in there fast! Most interceptions are created by excessive defensive pressure. Often times, the slower players are used to rush the QB. Instead, send your fastest and most athletic players after that QB! Speed and agility are needed to really shake things up. Keeping “fresh legs” for BZs is also important, so plan on rotating players every few plays.

3. Turnovers -
Avoiding turnovers is the most critical component of the game. When the game begins, you can assume that your team will get 6 drives (possessions) and your opponent will get 6 drives. If you throw 2 interceptions, they get 8 drives and you get 4. All things equal, this is a tremendous obstacle to over come. Since almost all turnovers are passes, train your QB to be wise. On those low percentages or dangerous throws, don’t force it. Just throw it away!

4. Extra Points -
Since there are no kicking extra points in flag football, the 1 or 2 point conversion is critical. Spend a substantial part of your planning time working on the conversions. If both teams score the same amount of touchdowns, which happens quite often, the deciding factor will often be determined who makes the extra points.

5. Pulling flags -
Every missed flag means 7 more yards for the other team. Make sure you practice grabbing flags. This is often overlooked but very important in stopping your opponent’s offense.

1. Flag football playbook -
An architect would never attempt to build a house without a blue print or “plans”. Just the same, a team should never show up to a game without good plays or an organized game plan. Make sure you have reliable flag football plays and your teammates have access to it.

2. Pressure the opposing QB -
Even the best QBs play poorly when they get too much pressure. Get in there and get in there fast! Most interceptions are created by excessive defensive pressure. Often times, the slower players are used to rush the QB. Instead, send your fastest and most athletic players after that QB! Speed and agility are needed to really shake things up. Keeping “fresh legs” for BZs is also important, so plan on rotating players every few plays.

3. Turnovers -
Avoiding turnovers is the most critical component of the game. When the game begins, you can assume that your team will get 6 drives (possessions) and your opponent will get 6 drives. If you throw 2 interceptions, they get 8 drives and you get 4. All things equal, this is a tremendous obstacle to over come. Since almost all turnovers are passes, train your QB to be wise. On those low percentages or dangerous throws, don’t force it. Just throw it away!

4. Extra Points -
Since there are no kicking extra points in flag football, the 1 or 2 point conversion is critical. Spend a substantial part of your planning time working on the conversions. If both teams score the same amount of touchdowns, which happens quite often, the deciding factor will often be determined who makes the extra points.

5. Pulling flags -
Every missed flag means 7 more yards for the other team. Make sure you practice grabbing flags. This is often overlooked but very important in stopping your opponent’s offense.

10 Core Tips for Coaching Youth Flag Football

he main difference between adult sports and kids’ games is that you should always remember that the kids sports are not as serious and results-oriented as adult games. You, the coach, and the kids should do it more for the fun of it. Aiming for the gold or winning should be a goal as long as you do not cheat or indulge in unfair practices just for the sake of it.

American culture is competitive, but there’s no call to instill in children the mindset that winning is everything. There are also other things to think about, such as sportsmanship and respect for the other players.

Too often, our children are fed the wrong messages by the media. They see players in fisticuffs, yelling and screaming at the referee, and other such actions; they read articles and listen to and watch commentaries that tell them that violence and cheating for the sake of winning are normal and acceptable.

Often the coach must undo, in practice and on the field, what hours of exposure to these messages do to children. Look around you: adults have disorganized the world enough with their selfish attitudes and disingenuous explanations. Do you honestly want to help pass this down to the next generation?

Teach the kids to accept victory with magnanimity and defeat graciously. The old saying “It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how you played the game” should be emphasized. You probably already shake hands with the opposing coaching staff after a game, so try having your members thank the opposing team after the game, no matter who won.

Dissuade them from showboating, but don’t go so far as to totally stop acknowledging the good things individuals do – a little attaboy after a fourth touchdown, or an excellent block, is never out of line. Just don’t promote individuals so much that they start acting like they’re better than their team mates. This is demoralizing and disruptive.

As a coach you should inspire your members to give their best and work well with other team members to achieve the team’s goals. You are a role model for the children under your wing, like it or not. What you do impresses them more powerfully than what you say. So always carry yourself accordingly. Strive to emphasize sportsmanship, character, and trust.

Have a Plan

Always plan and think of your goals for the team. Discuss this with your team members. Take into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of each team member. The ages and sex of the members may vary and this should be carefully analyzed by the coach to maximize advantages and minimize the disadvantages. At their times of growth, not all boys and girls are going to develop at the same way or at the same rate.

Warm Up

Warm-up exercises before playing are very important. Some stretching and muscle exercises must be standard procedure before a game. This will ensure less injuries and more agility on the part of the players. They will become better prepared and stay focused as they move on into the game. It also gives them time to adjust from whatever it was that they were doing before – time to settle into the grove of playing team sports.

Keep It Simple

Remember to make your demonstrations of the skills or techniques simple for the kids to follow. Don’t try to cram too much information in one session. Demonstrations should not look complicated or time-consuming. Nor should they be boring; if you notice your team members’ attentions wandering while you’re talking, it’s time to either take a different tack on the subject or go do something else.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Practice ensures mastery of techniques and skills. It also helps boost the kid’s confidence as they become more familiar with certain moves.

Be Flexible

Always be ready with alternatives should your main plans falter. Maybe doing something differently at that time is the order of the day.

Get Yourself an Assistant

Generals have lots of staff. The President has a whole Cabinet full of them. You’re a general of sorts too, aren’t you? Why don’t you have even one?

You’re not superhuman. It helps if you have someone help you do your job as coach. This would leave you free to concentrate on your players since you wouldn’t have to think about setting the equipment up at the same time. It can also be a lifesaver in emergencies to have another adult around.

Show Respect for Your Players

Don’t be too dictatorial. Be sensitive to the children’s limitations and emotions. Even if they look up to you for guidance and support, you must value their opinions and understand your players’ different personalities. Never humiliate a player publicly. Never corner a player until he or she has no option but to go through you.

If you’re explaining a play, ask them questions like, “What’s the reason for this?” or “Is there anything we should watch out for when trying this out?” The fact that you’re asking them reinforces their self-esteem and makes them feel like they’re an important part of your football team.

Maintain Discipline

Agree on the rules for discipline. Setting this early can lead to a more organized practice not just for one meeting but for the rest of the season. Earn and engage the kid’s respect so they will stay focused on the game and not engage in disruptive activities. If one team is practicing plays, the other players can be doing drills while waiting for their turn. This keeps everyone busy and prevents boredom. Have the assistant supervise one group while you coach the other.

Learn to Differentiate between Normal Roughhousing and Malicious Behavior

There’s no hard and fast rule to this, but call the member aside and talk to them if you feel it’s necessary. Don’t use exercise as a punitive measure. Benching them is more effective, as this deprives them of the chance to participate in the activity that they’re supposed to be engaging in.

Following these tips will assist you in creating a positive coaching environment for your team.

Flag Football Positions

Flag football is a game which offers a wide array of positions for players to enjoy. If you have a strong arm, you might wish to give the quarterback position a try. If you’re skilled at running around people and have quick reflexes, then running back might be the spot for you. Whatever your skill, there’s a little something for everyone on the flag football field.

In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at all of the possible flag football positions.

We’ll examine their responsibilities, advantages, disadvantages and whether or not any special rules apply. By the time you’re done reading this, you’ll hopefully have a good idea of which fantasy football position is best suited for you.

Quarterback – Regardless of the size of the flag football team, there will always be a quarterback present. They either receive the ball by having it snapped to them by the center, or they simply have the ball in their hands to begin the play (especially with smaller teams).

The quarterback will often start the play by yelling “Hike.” When they receive the ball, they may drop back several steps and begin to scan the field for open receivers. They might also elect to hand or pitch the ball to the halfback or even run with it themselves.

The quarterback must think fast, as the opposing team may send pass rushers to try and “sack” the quarterback by pulling his or her flag. They must also be accurate, as wild passes can result in costly interceptions for the offense.

Quarterback is certainly the most challenging flag football position, as it requires quick thinking, accuracy and a strong arm. In many cases, the quarterback will also call the plays for the offense.

Halfback (or Running Back) – The halfback normally begins the play lined up behind the quarterback. When the ball is hiked, the halfback may receive a hand-off or pitch and try to advance the ball down the field. They might also be called upon to stay back and protect the quarterback by blocking, or they might be sent out to act as a receiver. The halfback position requires a multi-dimensional player who can do many things on the football field.

Wide Receiver (or Wideout) – Wide receivers line up on the line of scrimmage to begin the play. When the ball is hiked, they will run down the field in a predetermined passing route. Receivers and quarterbacks who have worked together will develop a sense of timing, allowing the quarterback to know where the receiver will be on the field at any given time.

If another receiver catches the ball, or if the play goes to the halfback, the receiver will be called upon to block opposing players. Depending on the rules, this may either involve direct contact (usually limited to the chest) or simply getting in their way and impeding their progress towards the ball carrier.

Offensive Lineman – The duty of the offensive linemen is to protect the quarterback and buy him or her time to find an open receiver. They will also try to create holes for the halfback to run through. In some flag football leagues, offensive linemen may block with their hands, while other leagues do not allow contact. On smaller flag football teams, the offensive lineman position does not usually exist.

Center – A special offensive lineman, the center is responsible for snapping the ball to the quarterback in larger flag football leagues. The center must have quick reflexes, for as soon as they snap the ball, they must raise up and take on a charging pass rusher to protect the quarterback.

Pass Rushers – The pass rushers are defensive players who line up across from the quarterback or the offensive line. When the ball is snapped, they rush forward and attempt to grab the flag of the quarterback in the offensive backfield. Even if they are unsuccessful, they provide a valuable service to the defense by hurrying the quarterback and keeping him or her from having to much time to find a target.

If the ball is being run by a halfback, the pass rushers will also try to reach the ball-carrier as soon as possible and pull their flag. While some teams designate leftover players as their pass rushers, the smart flag football strategy is to place some of your more athletic players on the line to create a smothering pass rush.

Defensive Backs – While the pass rushers line up near the line of scrimmage, the defensive backs are positioned to cover the rest of the field. They will either play man-to-man or zone coverage.

In man-to-man coverage, each defensive back is assigned an offensive player to cover. Regardless of where that player goes, the defensive back will follow. In a zone defense, the player covers a certain area of the field, shadowing any offensive player who enters his area of responsibility.

If it’s a running play, the defensive backs will swarm towards the ball-carrier and attempt to pull their flag. If it’s a pass, they will attempt to either bat the ball away or interject themselves and go for an interception.

Flag Football Plays – How to Use Misdirection

Flag football is a great game to play. Some people play it for fun once a week or a couple times a month. Other people are on organized teams. If you’re on an organized team then you need plays that your offense can run that will work. Here are three flag football plays that you’ll find work very well on the field during the game.

Some of the best flag football plays involve misdirection or a couple different options for the quarterback to choose. These types of plays work well because often the defensive players in flag football aren’t disciplined enough to stay with their assignments. The defenders want to get to the ball too fast. As a result, the offense can take advantage of this aggressiveness and hit the defense with some big plays.

Fake Toss Left, Boot Right Pass

This first play can be run to either side of the field. Here we are faking it to the left and then going to the right. You will need a running back in the backfield, a receiver lined up alone on the right and another receiver to the left.

At the snap of the ball the running back will sprint to the left. The quarterback will fake the pitch to the left and sprint out right. This misdirection should throw the defense off balance.

As this is happening, the receiver to the right should run a 10 yard out. The receiver to the left should run a seven yard crossing pattern. The QB will have the option of running the ball or throwing it. If the defensive back comes off his man to stop the run, the ball should be passed. If he stays with the receiver, the QB should be able to pick-up decent yardage.

The receiver crossing the middle can also be an option but the QB much be careful since he’ll be throwing back across his body to the middle of the field.

Option Right

This flag football play requires a running back in the backfield. It will be run to the right. The quarterback will run parallel with the line of scrimmage and either keep the ball and run with it or pitch (option) the ball to the running back.

The receiver on the right should block down and seal the end of the line. This will create a two on one with the QB and RB facing the defensive back. If the DB takes the ball then the QB should option the ball to the RB. If the DB takes away the pitch then the QB should keep and run with the ball.

Option Right – Pass

This play builds off the previous play.

There will be a RB in the backfield, a receiver on the right and a receiver on the left.

At the snap of the ball, the QB and RB should begin the play like it’s an option. The receiver on the right will fake like he’s going to block down but he’s going to go deep. So his route will be similar to a slant and go (sometimes called a “Sla-Go”).

The receiver on the left will run a straight go route.

The RB in the backfield needs to be aware that his responsibility is to pick-up any rusher who comes free at the QB. This may very well be the DB who is supposed to cover the WR on the right. This will leave the WR wide open but if the QB doesn’t have time to throw then the play won’t work. So the RB needs to start to run parallel with the QB for 2 steps (fake the option) and then he needs to cross in front of the QB and block.

The QB will take four steps to his right (to fake the option) and then drop back five steps to throw the ball. His first read is the WR on the right and his second read is receiver on the left.

Three great flag football plays are “fake toss left, boot right pass”, “option right”, and “option right – pass”. All of these plays can be run to either side of the field. They all offer the QB more than one option and they will also take advantage of an undisciplined flag football defense.