High school flag football is fast and tactical. Players can carry a full playbook and adjust at the line. The coaching job is execution: route depth, quarterback timing, disguised coverages and situational football. Many high school programs also play under their state's own rules, so practice exactly the way your games are officiated.
Download the PDFThe 60 minutes at a glance
- 0-10 minDynamic warm-up10 min
- 10-30 minIndividual position work20 min
- 30-45 minTeam period15 min
- 45-55 minSituational scrimmage10 min
- 55-60 minCooldown5 min
Dynamic warm-up: 10 minutes
Movement prep, then sideline leverage at full speed.
- 5-10-5 shuttleSprint 5 yards one way, 10 back the other way and 5 to finish. It builds the change of direction every route and every flag pull uses.
- Sideline leverageThe defender takes an angle that pins the runner on the sideline. The line works like an extra defender.
- Game speed from the first rep.
- Inside-out, every time.
Individual position work: 20 minutes
Passers work through their reads. Receivers work on sideline catches. Defenders work on man coverage and the rush.
- Read 1, 2, 3The quarterback learns to look at receivers in order. First, second, then third. She throws to the first one a coach leaves open.
- Sideline catchReceivers run an out route toward the sideline and make the catch with both feet in bounds.
- Hip pocket man coverageThe defender stays right on the receiver's hip without touching her. When the receiver's hands go up, the defender plays the ball.
- Rush laneThe rusher starts at the rush line and bursts out on the snap. She goes for the quarterback's flag with her hands up to bother the throw.
- Every rep has a coaching point. Fewer reps, better reps.
- No contact in coverage. It is a penalty and it is how injuries happen.
Team period: 15 minutes
Teach new plays against a practice defense. The passer reads the defense and picks a side.
7v7 plays: Mesh (#2), Levels (#8), Smash (#5), Four verticals (#7), Three-deep zone (#13), Two-deep zone (#15).
- Scout team shows the opponent's coverages.
- Quarterback calls the coverage out loud before the throw.
Situational scrimmage: 10 minutes
Red zone, fourth down and two-minute, scored and officiated like a game.
7v7 plays: Flood (#6), Drive (#3), Reverse (#10), Double pass (#11), Man with a free safety (#14).
- Officiate to your state's rules, including the rush and no-run zones.
- Track which concepts score in the red zone.
Cooldown: 5 minutes
Recovery stretching and a short film or stats review.
- Show one clip or one number per position group.
- Set the focus for the next practice.
What to stat at this age
- Every snap at Olympic Level, which adds targets and pass breakups to the box score.
- Season and career totals per athlete, the numbers a college coach asks for.
- Red zone results by play, so the call sheet is built on what actually scores.
Stat the scrimmage in the BreakAway app the same way you stat a game. The how to stat guide covers every button, and the rules page covers rush distance and no-run zones.
Tips for high school players
- Stat every scrimmage, not just games. Practice numbers show who is ready.
- Keep practice under 75 minutes in-season. Fresh legs win late.
- Players looking at college should keep their stat page current.
