Coaching IFAF 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

This plan is written for 7v7. Run the same blocks 5 a side, and use 5v5 plays in the team period.

• Full practice plan: High school
• Drills by skill and age
• 5v5 plays

Positions in 5v5, and what each player does

Carry 7 to 10 players so everyone rests and everyone plays. Rotate quarterback and center in practice: every player should know both.

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.Non-contact, decided by right of way

   The rule: No contact. Who had the spot first, or the path, decides who is at fault. Illegal contact costs 10 yards. The offense also loses the down. Against the defense, it is also a first down.

   Fouls are judged by who had the right to the spot and the path. Teach receivers to hold their line and defenders to take a path that does not cross into a runner.

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

   IFAF R2-13; R9-1-1

2. 2.Any defender 7 yards off can rush

   The rule: Any defender more than 7 yards back may rush. Up to 2 may signal as blitzers and get the right of way. The rest wait for a handoff, fake handoff or pass. The passer has 7 seconds.

   Up to 2 can raise a hand as blitzers. The rest wait for a handoff, a fake or a pass. Your quarterback has a short clock. Teach her to throw on time.

   Watch: Logging a sackHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:41)

   IFAF R2-2-6; R7-1-4d-f; R7-1-3g

3. 3.No jumping, no diving

   The rule: No jumping or diving: 5 yards and the down. Dipping is fine. Spinning is fine unless your flags fly up.

   Both are fouls. Dips are fine, and spins are fine as long as the flags do not lift. Coach low, controlled cuts.

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

   IFAF R2-12-3 to 6; R9-2-2b

4. 4.Flag guarding includes a hand toward the defender

   The rule: Covering your flags or reaching a hand toward the defender. Penalty: 5 yards and the down.

   Covering the flags or reaching out toward a defender is a foul. Teach ball carriers to keep arms close and moving.

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

   IFAF R2-12-2; R9-2-2c

5. 5.Midfield counts once

   The rule: 4 downs. Midfield is the only line to gain. Crossing it earns a first down only once per drive.

   Midfield is the only first down, and it counts once a drive. Losing yards and crossing it again earns nothing.

   From a real gameDesert Ridge Coyotes vs Rosemont RockersScore 0-01st half4th and 20 to midfieldBall on own 5

   On 4th down from its own 5, Desert Ridge threw 25 yards to the opponent's 20. That crossed midfield.

   Under IFAF rules, midfield is the only first-down line. One throw earned a fresh set of downs to score.

   Watch: Moving the ballHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:36)

   IFAF R2-1-6; R5-1-1a

6. 6.No kicks of any kind

   The rule: No. Kicking is not allowed at all. Kicking the ball on purpose costs 5 yards and the down.

   No punts. A failed series hands the ball over, and the new offense starts at its own 5.

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

   IFAF R2-9-6; R6-1-1

7. 7.No-run zones at both ends

   The rule: The 5 yards in front of each goal line. If you snap on or inside the 5, you must throw a forward pass. Running there costs 5 yards and the down.

   A snap on or inside the 5 must be a forward pass play. Practice red zone passing from the 5 and from the 10.

   From a real gameBay City Blaze vs Northshore StormScore 14-192nd half3rd and goalBall on opp 3

   Trailing 19-14, Bay City had 3rd down at the opponent's 3. In IFAF play, any snap on or inside the 5 must be a pass play.

   Bay City threw for the touchdown and took a 20-19 lead.

   Watch: Logging a rushHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:40)

   IFAF R2-1-4; R7-1-3f

8. 8.The quarterback stays behind the line

   The rule: Any number of handoffs behind the line. Backward passes only before the ball crosses it. One forward pass per down, from behind the line. The quarterback can't run past the line unless the ball comes back.

   She can cross only if the ball comes back to her. One forward pass a down, and backward passes only before the ball crosses the line.

   Watch: Logging a rushHow to stat it in BreakAway (0:40)

   IFAF R7-1-3e; R7-1-5; R7-2-1; R7-3-1

9. 9.A fumble stays yours

   The rule: The play ends once the ball touches the ground or a teammate touches it. The fumbling team keeps it there. If the player who fumbled, or an opponent, catches it first, play goes on.

   A dropped ball stops the play once it lands or a teammate touches it, and your team keeps it. If the player who dropped it, or an opponent, catches it first, play goes on. Teach everyone to play until the whistle.

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

   IFAF R7-2-4

10. 10.A big lead runs the clock, not the game

    The rule: No rule ends the game early. Lead by 30 or more when the two-minute notice comes, and the clock runs. That lasts for the rest of the half.

    There is no game-ending mercy rule; a 30-point lead at the two-minute notice runs the clock. Keep your starters sharp to the end.

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

    IFAF R3-2-6

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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