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Flag football basics

Six short lessons for the volunteer coach: how a play starts, the rush count, zone and man-to-man defense, pulling flags, and why plays have numbers. Free, all of them.

• FreeHow a play startsThe line, the hike, being set
• FreeThe rush countWhy the rusher counts before chasing
• FreeZone defenseGuard a spot, not a player
• FreeMan-to-manFollow one receiver everywhere
• FreePulling flagsFlags are the tackle
• FreeCalling plays by numberWhy every play has a number

Flag football words, explained

The words kids hear at practice, in plain language.

QB (quarterback)

The player who starts every play: she hikes the ball to herself, then throws it or hands it off. In most flag leagues the QB cannot run past the line with the ball.

Center

In some leagues, a player who snaps the ball back to the QB. In Coachtella's standard 5 on 5 there is no center: the QB hikes it to herself.

Snap

Starting the play. The QB hikes the ball to herself, and the play starts the moment the ball moves.

Line of scrimmage

The line where the ball sits before the hike. Nobody crosses it until the ball moves.

Sideline

The line along the side of the field. Step on it or past it and you are out of bounds.

Route

The path a receiver runs: a number of steps, then a cut or a turn.

Slant

Run a few steps straight, then cut at an angle toward the middle of the field.

Curl

Run straight, stop, turn back toward the QB and come back to the ball.

Flat

Run sideways toward the sideline, close to the line. A quick, short throw.

Handoff

The QB hands the ball to a runner instead of throwing it. It happens behind the line.

Pump fake

The QB pretends to throw without letting go, so defenders move the wrong way.

Defense

The other team. They stop the play by pulling the ball carrier's flag, or by catching or knocking down the throw.

Flags

Every player wears a belt with flags. Pulling a flag is the tackle: the play stops where the flag came off.

Rusher

The one defender allowed to chase the QB, after counting out loud first. The count gives the offense time to set up.

Zone defense

Each defender guards an area of the field instead of one player.

Man-to-man

Each defender follows one receiver everywhere they go.

Crossers

Receivers who run across the field. They are hard for man-to-man defenders to follow through traffic.

Scrimmage

A practice game: offense against defense, running real plays.