Only 3 videos in, already think you're amazing at this. Very clear and well explained and broken down. Considering coaching my daughters flag football team having no experience and your videos are very helpful! Cudos to you Coach D!
Coaching flag is the same as regular football. Minus the line on both sides.. contain the ends for outside runs… usually for corners.. safety’s can’t let anyone get behind them on passes.. and zone defense is king up to 12u or so.. stay in your area and let the play come to you.. if you have a super fast flag puller then ML and run 3-1-2 in 6/6 if you lack the speed in flag pulling run something more like a 4-2 and place the best most aggressive pullers on the line.. they don’t have to get the flag as much as be aggressive and disrupt the play allowing the rest of the team to collapse in and contain the field.. for 6u I actually like 2-4 and blitz the outer safety’s/corners.. they are run support to contain outside runs.. they are bit blitzing to the qb they are blitzing down the sidelines so they can force runs back inside.. this works on 8u teams that run more then they throw.. but a good coach will eat you up with quick passes outside.. you will always get beat 9/10 games by missed flags and bad angles on sweeps.. angle and design around that.. Same are regular football.. force plays to come back to the middle of the field where you don’t have 1 on one matchups you can lose.. everything in flag for younger ages is about keeping the plays inside the bases where you have numbers on your side..
Coach D! I love the Husker D concept. My question is, in 8U, does it make sense to have 3 LBs line up 7 yards from the LOS and send one of them letting the other two settle into a LB/DB position? This as opposed to doing this with the safeties who likely need to be 10+ yards off the ball.
It depends on the offense you’re opposing, but I would make that adjustment for sure for an offense that throws all over the field or loves the deep ball and you want to contain them to short yardage. Good stuff. 🏈🔥
@@CoachD I've been watching your videos and it help me win the Championship back in October and it was my first time ever coaching my son's flag football team! We just made the playoffs in this session and we are going to face a team that throws a good deep ball. The wide receivers run really good routes too. What is the best defense to stop this? The age group is 8-9 year olds! They pass about 70% of the time.
@@therodriguesfamily8137 love this comment - I would go w the Husker as it allows your strong safeties to stay back and watch for the long ball (nothing behind them). Then switch up the rusher to keep the QB guessing. Always shut down their dominant side (draw them to their weak throwing side - to force poor throws). Have the LBs up front watch for fake handoff and then guard the short routes and check downs…hope that helps.
I adjusted to a 2-1-2 last week against a great team. I would even try a 2-3-2 for 7v7. At that age they like to hit the mid range - so I like having 3 in the middle to be able to see more of the field (maybe 7 yards back) but also making sure nothing gets behind your safeties in the back (10-15 yards back - 20 yards back if they are getting beat often).
Hey Coach D, I love your videos. I coach 5/6th graders and we currently play man defense. After watching this video we are going to try zone. We play 5v5 but our league requires one of the defenders to rush (he cant cover). How should I modify your 5v5 zone defense to accommodate this?
Nice - thx for watching, Eric! Try this: Youth Flag Football Tutorial | BEST Defense Formation for 5v5, 6v6, 7v7 | Top Defense Techniques czcams.com/video/SxS7ciqIIDo/video.html Also here’s a video on rushing: czcams.com/video/B7Qga7ujCww/video.html Let me know how it goes! Get some!! 🏈🔥
Do you ever alternate D’s in the middle of the game? My 9 yr olds can’t seem to grasp man on man, but introducing zone may confuse them, and then especially if I alternate during a game.
@@CoachD Ok thanks. I started the season off man to man but am finding I might have made a mistake doing that. This seasons team has too many holes I think.
I have 3 really good defenders, who are fast and good flag pullers. Unfortunately, a lot of the other kids are really weak defenders and its hard to get them up to speed (attention and athletic issues). Have been playing man to man, but not working well. Been thinking of running 3 linebackers and 2 safeties in a zone. Putting my best players at middle LB and safeties and hoping safeties can support the weaker kids on the sides during runs. Any other suggestions?
Yeah - great question here Red. I like to put some of those “weak” defenders upfront and teach them to at least square up w the runner to slow them down and yell BALL BALL BALL when they see a runner go past the line of scrimmage. Then I celebrate the heck out of them when they at least get in the way and execute. That gets them a bit motivated to keep their attention and progress every week. Yeah - man to man with only 3 strong players is tough because that leaves a few of their receivers open and it also can easily pull your best players out of the way to open lanes for big runs and plays. I like the Husker - it provides coverage up front while gives the random blitz and still provides deep coverage. Check out my Defense Playlist with more specific videos to help ramp up your “weak defenders” and strengthen your monsters.
I’m going to run reverses if I see that. If I have only 3 great defenders I’m running them as a Diamond best player right linebacker (80% of plays run to the left) 2nd best player safety and third right linebacker/corner. I’m playing man on center and sending another kid to rush. I hope that helps, good luck buddy
Give this one a try and possibly drop back the CBs and Safety (3, 4, and 5) another 3-5-even 10 yards. Then you can work on containment and stopping the deep ball. czcams.com/video/SxS7ciqIIDo/video.html
Quick question coach. I coach in a 4v4 league. What defensive formation would you prefer? A zone or man coverage? I had a game last week and it was hard to stop the run. I mainly played man. Thanks.
So if they run the draw at the 1st grade level, I’m still not seeing how to stop it. The QB dropping back and holding the ball for 6-7 seconds is a killer.
Great question and thx for reaching out. I like the 4-1 formation in this situation, but you also have to teach the kids to stay home and watch the BALL - a 1st grade QB won’t likely launch it down the field so it’s a pretty good chance it will be a handoff or short completion. I like to ensure my front 4 are incredible at flag pulling so nothing slips through. I’d run these 2 rapid reps flag pulling drills at the next practice: czcams.com/video/MnJtJ3g1ESw/video.html
Only 3 videos in, already think you're amazing at this. Very clear and well explained and broken down. Considering coaching my daughters flag football team having no experience and your videos are very helpful! Cudos to you Coach D!
Wow, one of the best comments I’ve seen - thx for this.
Oh yes, defense formations!!! Thanks and cheers from France coach D!
Love hearing from you! Thx - glad it’s what you need.
Aloha Coach D, liking the formation for the defense. Especially for the different age groups. Mahalo
Thx, Jashua!
Swiss U13/U16 Coach here! You are amazing!!!
Thx! Love this. I appreciate the shoutout. 🏈🔥Get some out there!
Thank you for the knowledgeable. I play football a long time but coaching flag is much different. Thank you for your time
It’s my pleasure! Let me know if I can ever support you on anything specific. Get some!! 🏈🔥
Coaching flag is the same as regular football. Minus the line on both sides.. contain the ends for outside runs… usually for corners.. safety’s can’t let anyone get behind them on passes.. and zone defense is king up to 12u or so.. stay in your area and let the play come to you.. if you have a super fast flag puller then ML and run 3-1-2 in 6/6 if you lack the speed in flag pulling run something more like a 4-2 and place the best most aggressive pullers on the line.. they don’t have to get the flag as much as be aggressive and disrupt the play allowing the rest of the team to collapse in and contain the field.. for 6u I actually like 2-4 and blitz the outer safety’s/corners.. they are run support to contain outside runs.. they are bit blitzing to the qb they are blitzing down the sidelines so they can force runs back inside.. this works on 8u teams that run more then they throw.. but a good coach will eat you up with quick passes outside.. you will always get beat 9/10 games by missed flags and bad angles on sweeps.. angle and design around that..
Same are regular football.. force plays to come back to the middle of the field where you don’t have 1 on one matchups you can lose.. everything in flag for younger ages is about keeping the plays inside the bases where you have numbers on your side..
Great info!
Thx a ton! Glad you are getting a lot out of it.
Coach D! I love the Husker D concept. My question is, in 8U, does it make sense to have 3 LBs line up 7 yards from the LOS and send one of them letting the other two settle into a LB/DB position? This as opposed to doing this with the safeties who likely need to be 10+ yards off the ball.
It depends on the offense you’re opposing, but I would make that adjustment for sure for an offense that throws all over the field or loves the deep ball and you want to contain them to short yardage. Good stuff. 🏈🔥
Wow, this video is great.
I appreciate that Chris! Get some!! 🔥🏈
@@CoachD I've been watching your videos and it help me win the Championship back in October and it was my first time ever coaching my son's flag football team! We just made the playoffs in this session and we are going to face a team that throws a good deep ball. The wide receivers run really good routes too. What is the best defense to stop this? The age group is 8-9 year olds! They pass about 70% of the time.
@@therodriguesfamily8137 love this comment - I would go w the Husker as it allows your strong safeties to stay back and watch for the long ball (nothing behind them). Then switch up the rusher to keep the QB guessing. Always shut down their dominant side (draw them to their weak throwing side - to force poor throws).
Have the LBs up front watch for fake handoff and then guard the short routes and check downs…hope that helps.
Great video !!!Would you do 4 up front and 3 in the back in a 12U 7v7 league ?
I adjusted to a 2-1-2 last week against a great team. I would even try a 2-3-2 for 7v7. At that age they like to hit the mid range - so I like having 3 in the middle to be able to see more of the field (maybe 7 yards back) but also making sure nothing gets behind your safeties in the back (10-15 yards back - 20 yards back if they are getting beat often).
Would have liked the video if it wasn't for the Broncos hat 😂 Raider Nation
Ha! Come on, man! Bring it on this year. Going to be a good division. 🐴 ☠️ ⚡️🪓
Suggestions for a k-3, 6v6 formation?
For the younger ages I like going w a strong line of 4 up front then 2 monsters in the back. If they start throwing a ton, then drop one back.
Hey Coach D, I love your videos. I coach 5/6th graders and we currently play man defense. After watching this video we are going to try zone. We play 5v5 but our league requires one of the defenders to rush (he cant cover). How should I modify your 5v5 zone defense to accommodate this?
Nice - thx for watching, Eric! Try this: Youth Flag Football Tutorial | BEST Defense Formation for 5v5, 6v6, 7v7 | Top Defense Techniques
czcams.com/video/SxS7ciqIIDo/video.html
Also here’s a video on rushing: czcams.com/video/B7Qga7ujCww/video.html
Let me know how it goes! Get some!! 🏈🔥
Good stuff, thanks Coach D. I'll try it out and let you know. 👍
Do you ever alternate D’s in the middle of the game? My 9 yr olds can’t seem to grasp man on man, but introducing zone may confuse them, and then especially if I alternate during a game.
I usually go with Zone for the entire game and maybe switch positions if someone is getting burned and needs a break.
@@CoachD Ok thanks. I started the season off man to man but am finding I might have made a mistake doing that. This seasons team has too many holes I think.
I have 3 really good defenders, who are fast and good flag pullers. Unfortunately, a lot of the other kids are really weak defenders and its hard to get them up to speed (attention and athletic issues).
Have been playing man to man, but not working well.
Been thinking of running 3 linebackers and 2 safeties in a zone. Putting my best players at middle LB and safeties and hoping safeties can support the weaker kids on the sides during runs.
Any other suggestions?
Yeah - great question here Red. I like to put some of those “weak” defenders upfront and teach them to at least square up w the runner to slow them down and yell BALL BALL BALL when they see a runner go past the line of scrimmage. Then I celebrate the heck out of them when they at least get in the way and execute. That gets them a bit motivated to keep their attention and progress every week. Yeah - man to man with only 3 strong players is tough because that leaves a few of their receivers open and it also can easily pull your best players out of the way to open lanes for big runs and plays. I like the Husker - it provides coverage up front while gives the random blitz and still provides deep coverage.
Check out my Defense Playlist with more specific videos to help ramp up your “weak defenders” and strengthen your monsters.
I’m going to run reverses if I see that. If I have only 3 great defenders I’m running them as a Diamond best player right linebacker (80% of plays run to the left) 2nd best player safety and third right linebacker/corner. I’m playing man on center and sending another kid to rush. I hope that helps, good luck buddy
Hey coach, what do you recommend for a last play of the game/Hail Mary situation for 6v6 defense
I would drop 4 back with my best flag pullers up just in case they choose to run. No one behind you. Tallest players back deep.
@@CoachD thank you!
Our defense gets torched on deep passes over and over.
We're doing something wrong.
Help, Coach D!
Give this one a try and possibly drop back the CBs and Safety (3, 4, and 5) another 3-5-even 10 yards. Then you can work on containment and stopping the deep ball.
czcams.com/video/SxS7ciqIIDo/video.html
Quick question coach. I coach in a 4v4 league. What defensive formation would you prefer? A zone or man coverage? I had a game last week and it was hard to stop the run. I mainly played man. Thanks.
I would go w zone - 2 front, 2 back. Flag pullers up front, monster speedsters and good hands in the back.
So if they run the draw at the 1st grade level, I’m still not seeing how to stop it. The QB dropping back and holding the ball for 6-7 seconds is a killer.
Great question and thx for reaching out. I like the 4-1 formation in this situation, but you also have to teach the kids to stay home and watch the BALL - a 1st grade QB won’t likely launch it down the field so it’s a pretty good chance it will be a handoff or short completion. I like to ensure my front 4 are incredible at flag pulling so nothing slips through. I’d run these 2 rapid reps flag pulling drills at the next practice:
czcams.com/video/MnJtJ3g1ESw/video.html
Anushka sport club
Thx for watching - hope the videos help!