Flag football is a fast game. Quarterbacks have seven seconds to get rid of the ball. This can be an eternity for defenses trying to cover receivers as they run free downfield.

Rushing the quarterback is a must. Shortening the time QBs have to throw can force mistakes, creating opportunities for your defense to make game-changing plays.

As you prepare your team for the upcoming season, coaching this skill should be part of your daily practice plan. I developed a drill called the Box and One drill that can be found in the NFL FLAG powered by USA Football Drills Library, and it is a great way to teach this skill. I usually run this drill at the end of practice each day because it is competitive and fun to finish practice on a high note. This drill also helps your QBs develop their scrambling abilities.  

Start by setting up a 10- to 15-yard square with discs or cones. Your rusher can set his or her starting point anywhere seven yards from the front line of the square. Have your QB first line up with ball in hand at the front of the square, facing the rusher to simulate an under center snap.

On the coach’s command or whistle, the rusher attempts to pull the QB’s flag. The QB must avoid the rusher inside the square while maintaining proper ball security and be ready to pass. The coach counts down from seven until the whistle blows at zero or when the rusher pulls the flag. To simulate a shotgun snap, simply move your QB’s starting point back four to six yards from the front of the square.

Finally, add in your center to create gameday simulation. You can sub in other players for your QB to keep pace with the defense and the different rushers getting practice. Make sure each rusher has sufficient time to recover before the next rep for the best results.

Focus on coaching points that matter most to you when your players are rushing the passer. Here are a few:

• Have your players rush toward the QB’s throwing shoulder. This forces them to either throw over your rusher or to release the ball moving toward their less dominant side creating a more difficult pass.
• Teach your players to come under control by buzzing their feet once they are within striking distance of pulling the flag.
• Have them focus on ball movement on the snap instead of sound to minimize penalties caused by hard counts.
• Consider blitzing or faking the rush altogether to create doubt in the offense’s mind and generate opportunities for big plays on defense.
• Emphasize the importance of a good rush by practicing and teaching this skill daily. Change up the seven seconds to three or four to create a sense of urgency.

A veteran football coach on the youth and high school levels, Tom LaNeve has worked 15 years with the Baltimore Ravens as the club’s youth football consultant, coaching and helping develop Ravens Rookies Kid’s Club clinics and Women’s Fan Club clinics. A member of USA Football’s Flag Football Committee and Heads Up Football Master Trainer, he also has worked with the NFL, NFL Europe, NFL China, American Youth Football and All Pro Dads.