Thanks for your questions. Most importantly, any defense will benefit from
increased pressure on the QB.  So, whatever your strategy, laser in on "How can
we get the most pressure on the QB?"

If speed (or lack thereof) is the main concern with your team, consider making
your swiftest, most agile players rush the QB.  This seems counter-intuitive, I
know.  Usually those guys will play shutdown Corner.  But the advantage is clear
- if your rush gets to the QB earlier, then your defenders have to cover for
less time.  Shrinking the time of each play will make it easier to mount a real
defense, and it will disrupt your opposing Offense's timing, rhythm, and
confidence.

To complement this philosophy, consider using Zone coverage with the right
people in the right positions.  With smart, slow people, Linebacker and Safety
are usually the best fit.  With quick, not-so-bright people, Cornerback and
Defensive Line are good fits.  So make sure your roster is aligned to your
strategy before you implement it.

As far as formations, it depends on what you're seeing from opposing offenses. 
If you're playing Man coverage, line up head up and rush as many people as they
have in the backfield (including the QB).  You'll always get pressure like that. 
If you're playing Zone, try to conceal your coverage by rolling defenders into
their positions post-snap.  You can practice this outside of the game by setting
cones at the drop points, and having players get that muscle memory of where and how quickly to race to the center of their zone.  Disgusing zones can be a big
competitive advantage, but you have to drill it.  It's very tough to just throw
that into the middle of a game without having worked on it.

I don't know your players' strengths and weaknesses, but I hope you've found some value in these ideas.  Keep us posted on your progress!

Does your team have the same problem? Share your suggestions in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.

Man coverage is the most basic coverage – one defender shadows one receiver, and follows them wherever they go. 

Man Coverage ensures all receivers are accounted for in the secondary, but it can be a big liability if your defenders aren’t clear on how to play it.

Let’s cover just a few of the fundamentals of Man Coverage.

First, ignore the QB.  Seems counter-intuitive, but remember your assignment – Follow the receiver wherever they go.  Your eyes should stay on the receiver at all times.  Inexperienced defenders will sneak a peek at the QB or stare down the QB to see if the pass is coming their way.  Big mistake.  Watch the receiver and react to their movements.

Next, only react to the receiver’s belt.  The receiver can only go where their hips tell them to go.  Inexperienced defenders will bite on head fakes, shoulder dip fakes, stutter steps, and other moves designed to create separation.  But if you watch the receiver’s hips, you can avoid getting fooled by this kind of trickery.

Lastly, make a play for the ball.  Defenders have as much right to catch the football as the receiver. Your job is to break up the pass, so either knock it down or catch it yourself.  Either way, you have to make a play for the ball.  Cut in front of the receiver and attack the ball at its highest point. 

One more trick you may find helpful – and it answers this question. 
“Coach Art, if I’m spending my time locked in on the receiver, reacting to his hip direction, and not looking back at the QB, how can I make a play on the ball?  How do I even know when it’s in the air?” 

Good question.  When a receiver has the ball thrown his way, he’ll look up above your head, spot the ball, and begin to move his hands to catch it.  Also, his eyes will get very big.  When you see these signs, you know the ball is already in the air and on its way to you.  That’s when you need to get your head around, locate the ball in the air, and make a play on the ball at its highest point.

What Man Coverage techniques work best for you? Share your thoughts in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.

**A recording of this script is available on the Winning Flag Football Podcast page or at the following link - Episode 023: Fundamentals of Man Coverage.

This is one way to run a Power Option out of Split Backs.  The Split Backs formation pulls defenders into the middle of the field.  If you have a lot of speed, backs can turn the corner and get upfield with relative ease.

What makes this a "Power" Option is that both Defensive Linemen (DL) are accounted for at the point of attack.  In traditional Option plays in tackle football, the back-side DL is left unblocked.  Some flag football teams find that quick DLs will blow up an Option play behind the line when left unblocked.  "Power" Option allows your team enough time for the play to develop.

Admittedly, this play has a lot of moving parts.  Ironically, Power Option was one of our most successful Option plays because of its slow development. 

1. The QB must take 1-2 steps forward after the snap.  This encourages an inside rush, keeping defenders inside, and also makes room for the Running Back to sprint play-side behind the QB.

2. The real surprise is the Center blocking the back-side rusher.  This block impedes the back-side DL and also freezes the Safety in coverage in the middle of the field.  The Safety's confusion lifts after 1-2 seconds, and the Safety peels off to pursue play-side, but that delay is all you need to get the QB and pitch man in position.

3. The play-side back blocks the DL to the inside.  The DL sees an open path to the QB and often bull rushes the QB at the step up.  The QB then changes direction behind the blocker.  DLs often collide with the blocker in this tangle, so plant your feet, blockers!  It's considered incidental contact if your hands are clasped behind your back and your feet are rooted to the ground.

4. The defense is now trailing the play, pursuing inside out with the Safety and two trailing DLs.  The QB must cut upfield, attack the nearest Safety, and force them to commit to the flag pull.

5. With the nearest Safety locked on the QB and the DLs in trailing positions, the QB pitches to the running back.  The running back is now into the defensive secondary at almost full speed.

The play assumes all things are essentially equal in talent/skill between you and your opponent.  If you are playing against a far more talented team or a much faster defense, stick with plays that are simple to execute.

What Option plays work well for your team? Share your thoughts in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.

In order for a player to learn, the input must be in a "comprehensible" format. In football, jargon can get in the way. Don’t assume that through sheer exposure and repetition that the players will "soak up" the right football-related skills or abilities.

I once had a great opportunity to coach a girl’s flag football team, ages 14-17. I was initially challenged by their lack of basic football knowledge. As we split up the team into sides for practice, I said, "OK, you ladies will play Offense today, and you’ll play Defense." One of them raised her hand and asked, "What’s Defense?" I knew we had a ways to go.

Later that practice, we started route-running drills. Most of the girls were having a tough time of it, not because they were incapable of learning the routes, but because they didn’t understand why it was important.

Then it struck me, a way I could translate this knowledge into more familiar terms for my girls. "How many of you have taken dance classes?" I asked them. Nearly all raised their hands. "Good," I said, "think of this as choreography. It’s just like steps. It's movement, body control." I explained to them that the routes were vital to the success of our passing plays because they allowed proper timing between QB and WR’s, made sure the WR’s ended up in the right spot on the field at the right time, and created more space from the defender for the catch.

I told them: "Now you see why it matters. And I know you can learn the steps, because you’ve each had about 5-10 years of dance lessons, right? So let’s get to work." And, sure enough, many of the girls took to it very quickly and became very capable route-runners.

When coaching youth especially, avoid making your team a "sink or swim" learning environment. Make every effort to demystify football for your young players. Introduce them to jargon the same way you would teach words in a foreign language. Most of all, find the links that make the "football stuff" relevant to the player's life.

What works well for your team? Share your thoughts in the comments box or via Twitter @MyCoachArt, or on Facebook on the "Winning Flag Football" page.