FLAG FOOTBALL COACHING GUIDE COACH D'S PLAYBOOK Flag football plays for all ages. BY DWIGHT BRASWELL COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2020 by Dwight Braswell. All r ights r e s e r v e d . No part of this p u b l i c a ti o n may be r e p r o d u c e d , d i s t r i b u t e d , or tr a n s m i t t e d in any form or by any means, including p h o t o c o p y i n g , r e c o r d i n g , or other e lectronic or m e c h a n i c a l methods, without the prior written p e r m i s s i o n of the p u b l i s h e r , except in the case of brief quotations e m b o d ie d in critical reviews and certain other n o n c o m m e r c i a l uses permitted by copyright law. WELCOME COACHES First, thank you for taking the time to volunteer as a flag football coach! I remember when my wife first signed me up over 5 years ago. I was upset and nervous at first, but over time I realized what an awesome privilege it is to coach and mentor kids. Not only could I teach them the fundamentals of football, but I could do one even better: teach them the life skills needed to thrive in today’s world. Over the last 5+ years I have created and tweaked several plays that have been very effective with my team. It is now an honor to share these plays with you to help you boost your confidence and be an even more effective coach. I have learned to love this game and the experience of coaching each season, so I look forward to working with you to help you become the best coach you can be. You’ve shown your commitment by volunteering, but now you have taken the extra step of personal development and purchasing tools that will enhance the football experience for everyone. Kudos and here’s to your success! Get some! Coach D PS. I invite you to connect with me across all social media channels as we #EncourageGreatness in each other and the youth of tomorrow. All Rights Reserved PLAYBOOK PURPOSE The purpose of this playbook is to empower coaches with the confidence to run an effective offense with little to no coaching experience. P LA Y B R E A K D O W N Number of the Play: helps when calling plays either with wristbands or in the huddle. I usually recommend: 8 plays for grade PK-1 12 plays for grades 2-3 24 plays for grade 4+ 24 plays fit into the wristband, so they can easily reference the play when getting set. Play Name: RUN or PASS – simple description A - Red: Running Back B - Green: Running Back C - Blue: Wide Receiver Ball - Orange: Center Q - Yellow: Quarterback Star: Getting the ball (1st option – if not open the QB can throw to the open player) BF, AF, CF: F means Fake, so the QB would Fake a handoff then throw to the Star player. Dotted line: Where the pass is thrown. All Rights Reserved FORMATIONS Split-back 2 Running Backs behind the QB • 5-7 yards behind QB (to reach full speed at the line of scrimmage) • 5-7 yards from each other Good for fakes or rush-heavy defense Tight 2 Running Backs on either side of the Center – shoe to shoe C is lined up about 7 yards out Good for fakes and quick handoffs Good for quick slant completions Single-Back 1 Running Back directly behind the QB or off to one side • 5-7 yards behind QB (to reach full speed at the line of scrimmage) Good for fakes then long passes over the defense (over the top) Good for power running or reverses Twins No Backfield - 2 Wide Receivers | Running Backs stacked on one side Good for reverses Good for cross and quick slant routes © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved PLAY BREAKDOWN Trips All Wide Receivers | Running Backs line up on one side. Can be either tight or spread out, depending on the play. Good for throwing off defense (hurry up so they don’t have time to adjust). Good for fakes and trick plays. I All Wide Receivers | Running Backs are lines up tight behind the QB Good for fakes and misdirection plays. Good for throwing off a defense (very uncommon). Good for avoiding the rush. SG (Shotgun) QB is 5-7 yards behind Center. Takes a lot of practice (need a consistent Center). Good for avoiding the rush. Good for passing deep (over the top). Good for getting Running Backs to run full speed. 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved 1 20 P L A Y S © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved TEMPLATES 1. Coaches Kit: equipment I use for every practice (click the link for details and to order get it by your meet & greet) from National Flag Football (code: CoachD) 2. Snacks (I use signup genius) 3. Text templates 4. Welcome email (with videos, Dick's coupon, schedule, field map, and roster) (Subject: Welcome to the Ravens!) 5. Meet & Greet sample schedule 6. Practice sample schedule © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved SNACKS Ask if a parent would be willing to create signup genius for your snack schedule (usually someone knows how to use it...otherwise, here's a video: https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=w.Welcome) Make sure there are no allergies with your team Try to get everyone on the schedule © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved T EX T T E M P L A T E S Welcome Text: Hi Raven Parents! This is Coach D. I just sent you a welcome email with all the details you need prior to our meet and greet on the 16th. I will use this text thread for reminders, practice locations, pics/videos, updates, recaps, etc. Please let me know if you have any questions or need anything. We will be doing about 80% pass plays this season, so have your player start warming up those hands. See you soon! Go Ravens!! Meet & Greet Text: (sent at 9am on meet & greet day) Good morning Jets parents! Quick reminder that today is our meet & greet and first practice. We will meet at the Douglas County High School football field on Field 3 at 11:30 am. We will hand out jerseys and fit your player's flags. We will then have our first practice from 12-1 pm. We will also have a snack and a drink for your player to leave with today and create a signup genius for snacks for each game. Items to bring with you to the field: Mouth guard Water bottle Shorts/pants with NO Pockets Cleats or athletic shoes Gloves Lawn Chairs (feel free to bring umbrellas or canopies to block the sun) Sunscreen See you soon. Go Jets!! Game Day Text: (sent at 9am on game day) Good morning Jets, It's game day!! Our final game of the season. We are playing the Lions today. Meet at Field 3 at 11am for practice before our 12pm game. Please come fully dressed with jersey (dark side - tucked in), flags, mouth guard, gloves, cleats, sunscreen, water, etc. Please be on time as we have lots of drills/plays to work through. See you soon. Go Jets!! -Coach D Picture Day Text: (sent at 9am on picture day) Good morning Jets, It's game day!! We are playing the Ravens today. Remember, we have pictures this week and are scheduled at 12:45pm. Lets meet at 12:35 by Field 1 (where they always set up). They will have order forms ready for you. Please wear dark jerseys. We will practice from 1-2pm before our 2pm game (our game is on Field 2 - SW corner field). I have a game from 12-1 on Field 1, so I will do my best to run over and be in the team picture. Please bring your flags, mouth guard, gloves, cleats, sunscreen, water, etc. Please be on time as we have lots of plays to work through after our pictures. See you soon. Go Jets!! -Coach D © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved ENCOURAGING PLAYERS TO PRACTICE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK If you feel like practicing throughout the week, here are some fun/simple drills... 1. https://youtu.be/d6ueQMQde0E 2. https://youtu.be/F1yjv-8MHwA 3. Agility ladder with cones: (Don't need the ladder - use cans, boxes, etc...see videos...) -Right-Left (step in with right and then left, step out with right and then left) -Grasshopper (both feet in and out) -Bouncy ball -High knees (also with a Tippy Toe version on toes) Then set up 4 cones after the ladder and have them practice cutting. Throw the ball at the end to practice catching with hands and then have them run to avoid you getting his/her flags. Then do the same thing and have them throw the ball and defend you. Have fun! W E L C O M E E M A I L S EN T T O A L L P A R E N T S Good afternoon Flag Football Parents! Coach Randy and I are super excited to be coaching the Ravens this season. We are even more excited to have your awesome player on our team. They are going to have a blast! In this email: • Quick Overview • Drills to get you Ready for the Season • Dick's Sporting Goods coupon • Meet & Greet details • Other important dates • Schedule • Field layout • Roster © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved QUICK OVERVIEW This league is all about teaching your player the fundamentals of football in a safe, fun environment. We will focus on growing as a team as well as learning key principles like sportsmanship, healthy competition, listening, following directions, leadership, hard work and support for others. The league permits playing in the rain and snow, so be prepared to bundle your player up for certain games. If the weather is too severe, they will cancel the game and add an additional game at the end of the season. We will do our best to give everyone the opportunity to play as much as possible in a variety of positions. If we notice a specific area of talent, we will foster that and build upon it. Whether we win or lose our goal is to get out there and make it tons of fun for everyone!! We had our official coaches meeting this week and wanted to give you a few updates all in one place. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please reach out to either Coach Randy or me: Coach Randy (Randy Smith): 303-555-1234 randysmith@gmail.com Coach D (Dwight Braswell): 917-734-5120 dwightbraswell@gmail.com D R I L L S T O G E T Y O U R E A D Y F OR THE SEASON Coach D has created a specialized Flag Football YouTube channel to help players, parents, and coaches prepare for the season. Here are several great drills and warm ups to help your player with endurance, speed, agility, catching, juking, and so much more you can watch and run before we start practices. The videos are made so that you as the parent or even your child can easily run the drills. I hope you find value in them. Youth Flag Football with Coach D © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved DICK'S SPORTING GOODS DISCOUNT Dick's is offering all Flag Football Participants 20% off on Saturday & Sunday 9/15-9/16. Great time to get gloves, cleats, mouth guard, and other items your player might need. Gloves and cleats are not required, just highly recommended. Simply print out the attached coupon. MEET&GREET When: Next Sunday, September 16 (11:30am-12:00pm - followed by our first practice from 12-1pm - NO GAME THIS WEEK) Where: Douglas County High School football field - follow the cars (2842 Front St., Castle Rock, CO 80104) Where on the field: Field 1 (see pic below) - they sometimes switch up the fields last minute, so I will get their early and text you a confirmation of which field W HA T W IL L H A P P E N T H E R E Parents will sign Parent Code of Conduct (attached) Receive jersey and flags - we will fit, cut and duct tape your player's flags (we will pass out any other items you purchased) Practice after a quick intro and briefing (1-2 pm) We will also give you your own flags (parents) to take home and practice flag-pulling drills with your player ATTIRE Gym shorts or pants (NO pockets) Fitted mouth guard T-Shirt (they will put on their jersey once received) Cleats or sneakers (no metal cleats) Smile Sunscreen © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved OTHER IMPORTANT DATES Sept 23: First practice and game (11-12pm practice, 12-1pm game) TBD: Picture day (dress for a game) - we will pass out order forms at the meet and greet they are also available on the day. Nov 4: Last game (unless we have a cancellation for weather, in which they will add another game at the end of the season - we will keep you posted). SCHEDULE FIELD LAYOUT © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved T EA M R O S T E R A N D C O N T A C T I N F O © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved MEET & GREET SAMPLE SCHEDULE Arrive 20 mins early and set out jerseys, flags, Duc tape, scissors, sharpies, balls, pump, and cones for your drills (get the Coach’s Kit) First 30 minutes • Hand out equipment - put on jerseys and fit flags • Welcome, rules, expectations, and communication methods • Coaching introduction & style • Get to know each player (30 second pitch on yourself - name, grade, favorite NFL team, one thing you did cool over the summer, seasons playing flag, what are you looking forward to this season?) • Word of the Day (e.g. Leadership, Grit, Teamwork, etc.) & Cheer (1, 2, 3, Team!) 15 minutes • Warm up o (Agility Ladder) https://youtu.be/Buo8BX3_y_w o (Ladder Cut) https://youtu.be/EIpeeBPSLC4 7 minutes • Position breakdown (QB & Center) o Center: https://youtu.be/ichWlnAj5Vo o Quarterback: https://youtu.be/bcvXFvswUac QB/Center ball transfer drill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk4Ig__zz5Q&t=31s) 7 minutes • Position breakdown (RB) RB Breadbasket handoff drill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSR_zvbVENY) 7 minutes (optional) • Position breakdown (WR) - catch with a diamond or pinkies crossed https://youtu.be/kpkIJ13sTJY Quick throwing drill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUufsMzrGbQ&t=14s o Add another drill from the list (4th grade + might add the 5 Passing Routes drill (https://youtu.be/DHVT0R1njzM) 4 minute break 15 minutes • Flag pulling breakdown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfrLXQ3Oob0) • Shuffle pull (https://youtu.be/TX4CLSx79-Y) • Gauntlet (flag pulling) (https://youtu.be/VNGedpcjMU0) • Snake (https://youtu.be/IAzKQJ7-mPE) 5 minutes • Practice breakdown (what did you learn? What was your favorite?) • Cheer & End © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved PRACTICE SAMPLE SCHEDULE Coordinate with other coaches to know EXACTLY who is doing what at the practice. Schedule should be created 48 hours prior to the practice Arrive 20 mins early and set out agility ladder and cones for your drills As players arrive • (Agility Ladder) https://youtu.be/Buo8BX3_y_w 10 minutes • Warm up o (Ladder Cut) https://youtu.be/EIpeeBPSLC4 o Basic warmup in a circle (jumping jacks, stretching, sprints, etc.) o Sharks & minnows o In the circle have one player in the middle and call out a player one by one to “go get that flag.” 15 minutes • Drills (Coaches to decide an area of focus, i.e. flag pulling, passing, etc.) o Shuffle pull (https://youtu.be/TX4CLSx79-Y) o Gauntlet (flag pulling) (https://youtu.be/VNGedpcjMU0) o Centipede (https://youtu.be/IAzKQJ7-mPE) 2- minute break 3- minute (Word of the Day discussion) 25 minutes • Plays o Set up A & B Teams (evenly) o Have them play each other § If just starting, a coach can help set up each play • The goal is for the players to be able to line up and run plays on their own § 3 plays to get a first down or TD (switch) o Coach in the moment (each coach has a focus area – QB, route running, defense, pace of the plays, lining up correctly). 5 minutes • Practice breakdown (what did you learn? What was your favorite? Focus for the week.) • Cheer & End © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved PASSING ROUTE TREE • LOS: Line of Scrimmage • NOTE: My top 5 are bolded 1. Flat: Perfect for the screen pass (many leagues won’t allow a pass behind the LOS, so check your rules and adjust accordingly) 2. Quick Slant: Perfect for short, quick passes in between zone coverages. I use these a ton in my plays 3. Comeback: Outside curl – great for your short passing attack 4. Curl: Perfect for your short passing attack, when they are covering your WRs deep and you need a first down or are close to the endzone. 5. Out: Make sure there is a strong cut here and the ball is thrown near the sideline so the WR can “win the sideline” for big yardage. 6. In: Perfect with a fake handoff, then a quick pass over the middle in between zone coverage. If congested in the middle, lead the WR closer to the sideline. 7. Corner: If the CB (Cornerback) is guarding the WR on the inside, then the Corner is a great way to lose the coverage and “throw your WR open” on the sideline. 8. Post: One of my favorites for deep completions “over the top” of the defense. I would use the Post with a hard cut to “shake” a fast CB and “free up” the WR. 9. Fly: Perfect for the long ball when the defense allows the WR behind them. I usually like to do a fake handoff, then throw to the WR “over the top.” This must be thrown as the WR is in full stride, so they can catch it and continue to run at full speed. © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved PLAYBOOK NOTES © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved PLAYBOOK NOTES © 2020 Dwight Braswell All Rights Reserved
