Coaching Illinois girls' high school flag football

Your first practice: 60 minutes

Use the same 5 blocks every week. The full plan has the drills, coaching points and a free PDF.

1. 10 minWarm-up
2. 20 minSkill stations
3. 15 minTeam period
4. 10 minScrimmage
5. 5 minCooldown

• Full practice plan: High school
• Drills by skill and age
• 7v7 plays

Positions in 7v7, and what each player does

Carry 10 to 14 players. Plan substitutions by series so every player gets real snaps on offense and defense.

What to teach first

1. 1

   Flag pulling

   Pursuit angles and leverage: force the runner back inside to help, then pull. Track missed pulls every practice.

2. 2

   Route basics

   Releases, depth and the break. Teach how each route changes against man and zone.

3. 3

   Snap and handoff

   Shotgun snap to a target, mesh point on handoffs, and one run play that looks like your best pass play.

4. 4

   No-contact habits

   Know exactly what your ruleset allows for blocking and contact, and coach to the line. Flag guarding and illegal contact are drive-killers.

10 rules that change how you coach

In our words, with the rulebook section to check. Your league can change some of these, so confirm with your league before the first game.

1. 1.A full-size field

   The rule: NFHS field 3: 100 yards between the goal lines, 53 1/3 wide.

   100 yards between the goal lines and 53 1/3 wide. That is a lot of grass for seven players: condition for it and teach deep coverage early.

   Watch: Marking the yardageHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:38)

   IHSA item 1NFHS diagrams #3

2. 2.Two flags, one on each hip

   The rule: 2 pop-up flags, one on each hip. Each flag is at least 15.5 by 1.5 inches.

   Pop-up belts with a flag on each side. Teach defenders to pull the near hip.

   Watch: Logging a flag pullHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:44)

   IHSA manual Legal FlagsIHSA item 10

3. 3.Every snap from the middle

   The rule: Not yet. Illinois says it may be a year away. Every snap comes from the middle of the field.

   No hash marks yet, so your formations never change by field side. Keep your playbook symmetrical.

   Watch: Marking the yardageHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:38)

   IHSA item 12NFHS 4-1-2

4. 4.No field goals

   The rule: None. No goal posts, no tee and no field goals.

   No tee and no place kicks, so 4th down is a play or a punt.

   Watch: Punting on 4th downHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:26)

   IHSA items 5, 7, 19

5. 5.Coin toss 10 minutes early

   The rule: 10 minutes before kickoff. It may happen off the field before warm-ups.

   Captains may toss off the field before warm-ups. Know your choice before you walk out.

   Watch: Changing possessionHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:31)

   IHSA manual Game Procedure 2

6. 6.A 6-minute halftime

   The rule: 6 minutes. Both coaches and tournament staff may agree to change it.

   Short. Have your two adjustments written down before the half ends.

   Watch: Calling halftimeHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:29)

   IHSA item 16IHSA manual Clock Procedures 2

7. 7.Overtime is one try each

   The rule: One try each: 1 point from the 3 or 2 from the 10. The toss winner picks offense or defense first, or which end. The manual also sends ties to NFHS overtime rules, but the book has none. From the 2025-26 list: the visitor calls the toss. An interception ends the play. There is 1 timeout per team each period.

   1 point from the 3 or 2 from the 10, and an interception ends the down. Practice both tries every week.

   Watch: Logging the extra pointHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:39)

   IHSA manual Clock Procedures 8; VIII.DNFHS 3-1-1 NOTEIHSA item 13

8. 8.30 points runs the clock

   The rule: A lead of 30 or more during the 3rd or 4th quarter starts a running clock. It runs for the rest of the game.

   A 30-point lead in the second half keeps the clock running. Use it to play your whole roster.

   Watch: Calling halftimeHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:29)

   IHSA manual Clock Procedures 9

9. 9.Tries from the 3 or the 10

   The rule: Touchdown: 6. On the try, you pick 1 point from the 3 or 2 from the 10. Field goals (3) and kicked tries (1) count only where the state allows them. Then the other team starts at its 14. A team still behind may keep the ball instead. It gets 4th down at its own 20.

   Go for 1 from the 3 or 2 from the 10. A team still behind after its try may keep the ball. Plan that call before the game.

   From a real gameDesert Ridge Coyotes vs Rosemont RockersScore 26-33Q4Try from 10 (2-point try)Ball on opp 10

   Late in the 4th quarter, Desert Ridge scored to trail 33-26. It went for 2 and made it, cutting the gap to 33-28.

   In Illinois play, a 2-point try is snapped from the 10. A 1-point try is snapped from the 3.

   Watch: Logging the extra pointHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:39)

   NFHS 8-1; 8-3-1, 8-3-3, 8-3-9; 8-4-1

10. 10.Flag guarding is 10 yards

    The rule: Using the hands, arms or ball to stop a flag pull. It only counts if there is contact. Penalty: 10 yards. You keep the down.

    It counts when hands, arms or the ball cause contact to stop a pull. Teach ball carriers to run with arms in.

    Watch: Logging a penaltyHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:32)

    NFHS 9-2-2b, c; Penalty summary; 10-1-6; Points of Emphasis

For your level

Game-day checklist

• A flag belt and flags for every player, plus spares, in a color that does not match anyone's shorts.
• Mouth guards, water and a first aid kit.
• Game balls in the size your ruleset sets for this age.
• Your roster with jersey numbers, and who starts at quarterback and center.
• A short play sheet: three or four plays, one for the goal line, one for the try.
• A quick word with the other coach and the official on the rules you are playing.
• Someone to stat the game in the BreakAway app. Families follow along, and every player gets a stat card.
• Eligibility, uniforms and the belt style your association requires.
• Your plan for overtime and the mercy rule under your rules.

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