3-3 zone defense diagram
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Three defenders cover the short thirds and three cover the deep thirds. Simple to teach and hard to throw deep against.
When to call 3-3 zone defense
Use it as your base defense. It holds up against a team with one fast receiver, because nobody has to cover him alone.
Its weak spots are the seams between zones and the sideline area 8 to 12 yards deep, between the short and deep defenders. If a team keeps completing passes there, line the short defenders up a couple of yards deeper.
3-3 zone defense: each defender's job
Left short
Start 4 or 5 yards off the line on the left side. Cover the short left third out to the sideline. Take the first receiver who comes into your area and let him go when he leaves it.
Middle short
Start 4 or 5 yards deep over the center. Watch for the center's hitch, slants and crossers coming from either side.
Right short
Cover the short right third. Stay wide enough to reach a flat route or a quick out before the receiver turns upfield.
Left deep
Start 10 to 12 yards deep on the left. Stay deeper than the deepest receiver in your third. Nobody catches a ball behind you.
Middle deep
Start 12 yards deep in the middle of the field. Watch the quarterback and stay behind every post and seam route. You are the last defender.
Right deep
Start 10 to 12 yards deep on the right. When a receiver runs a go route up your sideline, turn and run with him and stay on top.
What the defense watches
Short defenders watch the quarterback's eyes and feel for receivers entering their area. They back up a few steps at the snap, then break forward on short throws. In the diagram they handle the hitch by Z, the out by Y, the slant by H and the hitch by C.
Deep defenders back up at the snap and keep every receiver in front of them. If two receivers come deep into one third, the deep defender plays between them and breaks when the ball is in the air. Against trips, slide the short defenders one step toward the three-receiver side.
How to teach 3-3 zone defense at practice
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Mark the six zones with cones and walk each player to a spot. Have them point to the edges of their area.
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Send one receiver through the zones at a jog. Each defender calls out when the receiver enters his area and when he leaves.
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Add a quarterback. Defenders back up at the snap, watch his eyes and break when he throws.
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Run plays against it. Start with hitches and slants, then flood, which puts the most stress on one side.
Common mistakes
- A defender follows a receiver out of his zone. Stop the play and walk him back to his cones.
- Deep defenders creep forward to help on short passes. Give them a rule that they stay behind the 10-yard cone until the ball is thrown.
- Nobody talks. Have defenders call out crossers so the next zone knows a receiver is coming.
3-3 zone defense FAQ
What is the best 6 on 6 flag football defense?
For most youth teams it is a 3-3 zone. It is easy to teach, it protects against the deep pass and it does not depend on one defender winning a matchup.
How do you beat a 3-3 zone in 6v6 flag football?
Offenses put two receivers in one defender's area. Smash does it with a hitch and a corner route, and flood does it with three routes on one side.
Can you rush the quarterback from a 3-3 zone?
Yes. Most leagues let a defender rush from 7 yards back. Line the middle short defender up at 7 yards and send him. Check your league's rules on the rush.
Plays on this site drawn against 3-3 zone defense: Smash.
More plays: all 6v6 flag football plays, easy plays, flag football defenses. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.