Flag football at the youth level is a game designed to get young people playing competitive football without opening them up to the hard hitting that comes with tackling. Some youngsters play flag football before moving on to tackle football because many skills are needed in both games. However, some youngsters stay with flag football because they enjoy the competition and camaraderie.
Schedule
In youth flag football, many teams will practice twice per week in addition to playing a game. Practices will last 60 to 90 minutes and will consist of some conditioning work and working on offensive and defensive plays. Teams usually will start practicing two weeks before their first scrimmage. Flag football teams usually play a regular season of 7 to 9 games followed by a maximum of three playoff games. Playing flag football requires a significant time commitment, but not as much time as is involved in tackle football.
Passing Plays
While teams will pass the ball in youth football, it is far more prevalent in flag football. That's because receivers don't have to worry about getting hit hard when they go over the middle and it's more difficult to establish the run when your opponent doesn't have to tackle you to stop your play. To become proficient with the pass, short pass plays of 8 to 10 yards often are used to get the quarterback used to passing the ball and the receiver used to catching the ball.
Running Plays
Flag football may not involve tackling, but some contact is involved when the offense runs the ball. The offensive linemen must block to open holes for the running backs and while the defensive players may not tackle, they often must catch and stop the runner to pull a flag out of the opponent's waist band. Running drills in practice involve blocking and players mustr learn how to drive their shoulders in their opponents' midsection.
Teamwork
One of the key aspects of flag football is that it gives young players a chance to learn about the concept of teamwork.This is a vital part of football at any level. Players who enjoy being part of a team and working toward a common goal of scoring on offense or stopping your opponent on defense may want to continue to play flag football or move on to tackle football.
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