Flag football defense for 5v5, 6v6 and 7v7

5v5 flag football defense

Start with the 3-2 zone. Three defenders split the short area into thirds and two safeties split the deep half. Nobody chases a receiver out of his zone, which keeps crossing routes from pulling the defense apart.

Man defense with a rusher is the other choice. Each defender takes one receiver, one rushes the quarterback from 7 yards and the safety stays deeper than everyone. It pressures the passer, but one missed assignment is a long gain.

Best defense for flag football 7 on 7

Most 7v7 teams should begin with Cover 3. Three defenders each take a deep third and four play underneath. It is hard to throw deep against, and the open area is the flats.

Cover 2 is the other 7 on 7 flag football defense here. Two safeties each take a deep half and five defenders play the short zones. It is strong against short passes and weak deep down the middle, so teach it second and use it against teams that throw short all game.

6 on 6 flag football defense

The 3-3 zone fits 6v6. It puts three defenders in the short thirds and three in the deep thirds. The field is cut into six areas with one player in each, which makes it quick to teach.

Coaching a flag football zone defense

Zone defenders watch the quarterback and break on the throw. Mark the zones with cones at the first practice and have each player stand in his area while a receiver jogs through. The defender covers him inside the cones and lets him go at the edge.

Spend as much time on flag pulling as on coverage. A zone gives up short catches on purpose. It holds when the nearest defender pulls the flag within a step or two of the catch.