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COACHING & FOOTBALL KNOWLEDGE

Coach's
Playbook

How we coach, practice, and build players. Written for our volunteer coaches — worth a read for every player and parent.

Coach working with young players at practice, Catalina mountains in the distance
FUNDAMENTALS FIRST
LEAGUE PHILOSOPHY

Playing Time

This is a recreational league. We want teams to compete — but not at the expense of playing time. It doesn't have to be perfectly equal, but every player should have the opportunity to contribute.

PRACTICE

How to Structure It

Always have a practice plan. Spend the first half on fundamentals — catching, flag pulling, center exchange, footwork. Spend the second half on plays, formations, and defensive concepts.

Always finish with something active and fun. Flag-pulling competitions are a great way to end practice and keep kids excited to come back.

  • 6U & 8U — 60 to 90 minutes
  • 10U and up — 90 to 120 minutes
EQUIPMENT

What You Need

  • Footballs — PeeWee size for 6U and 8U, Junior size for 10U and up. Ask parents to bring a football if the team runs short.
  • Flags — popper-style. Every player receives a league set with their uniform; many kids already own a pair they can bring to practice.
Coach kneeling in the huddle walking the team through the play card
THE HUDDLE
GAME MANAGEMENT

Coaches on the Field

  • 6U — one offensive and one defensive coach on the field
  • 8U, 10U, Girls 10–12U — one offensive coach on the field
  • 12U, 14U, Girls 12–14U — no coaches on the field

Coaches on the field must step off before the snap.

SAMPLE SESSION

A First Practice Plan

A 90-minute early-season practice, minute by minute:

00:00–00:10Dynamic warm-up — A-skips, high knees, karaoke, frog jumps, short sprints
00:10–00:20Hands drills — focus on catching
00:20–00:30Center exchange — snaps under center and shotgun
00:30–00:40QB-to-RB handoff drill
00:40–00:50Teach two routes — slant and curl
00:50–01:05Routes with a QB — run routes off the snap, start evaluating quarterbacks
01:05–01:20Defensive footwork — backpedal, side shuffle, chop feet, breakdown
01:20–01:30Fun flag-pulling drill — sharks and minnows
DEVELOPMENT

What Players Learn, Level by Level

Where we aim each age group by season's end — and what the next level looks like.

6U & 8U
  • Have fun
  • Line up correctly
  • Basic handoffs and flag pulling
  • Throwing and catching, with growing consistency
  • Execute 4–6 plays
10U
  • Improved throwing and catching
  • Intro to man and zone defense
  • Basic route tree
  • Situational awareness
  • Execute 4–6 plays and flip directions
  • Some adjustments at the line
12U & 14U
  • Full route tree
  • Advanced moves — spin, juke
  • Offensive concepts — mesh, flood, smash
  • Man and zone defensive schemes
  • Execute 8–12 plays and flip them
  • Audibles and quick adjustments at the line
ROUTES

The Route Tree

Every passing offense starts here — nine routes, one number each. Call the number, run the route.

NFL Flag Tucson route tree — nine numbered routes from flat to go Download the route tree →
TOOLS & RESOURCES

Keep Learning

For drawing up plays, we recommend PlayMaker X — on the web and the App Store. YouTube is full of great flag football drills worth stealing for practice. Two resources we follow for drills, concepts, and coaching ideas:

First Down Training → DH Flag Football → The full NFL Flag rulebook →
PARENT COMMUNICATION

Team Management with GameChanger

You don't have to run your team through a group text. NFL Flag Tucson syncs rosters and schedules with the free GameChanger app from Dick's Sporting Goods — it's optional, but we highly recommend it. The app imports your players and game schedule automatically, handles team and individual messages, and lets you schedule practices and other events.

  1. Download and install the GameChanger app.
  2. Log in with the same email address you used to sign up as a coach.
  3. Tap the plus sign in the upper-right corner.
  4. Select Import Sports Connect.
  5. Select your team and tap Import.
  6. Tell your parents to download GameChanger and log in with the email they used at registration — and to turn on notifications.
GameChanger app screen with the Import Sports Connect option circled

Parents who already have a GameChanger account under that email see the team automatically once you import it; everyone else gets an invitation email. Parents can invite grandparents and friends to follow along — you approve each addition in the app. GameChanger also syncs with phone calendars.

FROM THE LEAGUE

We've Got Your Back

Coach Barrie and Coach Marcos are always available to help with practice plans, drills, plays, and strategy — just ask.

Want to coach? Select the volunteer opportunities when you register your player. Head coaches are refunded one free player registration.

Ask a coaching question →

Gameday logistics — where to watch, weather, uniforms, and our league rule adaptations — live in the Gameday Guide.

Register for Fall Season→