There are loads of sports to coach and one of the growing ones is flag football. It’s exciting to watch, but coaching is another matter and you may have just been hit by the nerves. As a first-time coach, your goal is to not only teach the fundamentals of the game but to also ensure your team is scoring those coveted touchdowns. TDs often make or break a team, so let’s look at how you can get more of them.
Understanding the Basics
You can’t teach anything if you don’t have the rules locked down (sorry!). Unlike traditional tackle football, flag football is a non-contact sport, with players “tackling” opponents by pulling their flags rather than bringing them to the ground. The game often features a smaller field and a reduced number of players per team. Some people think that they know the basics but it’s only when they really know that they unlock secrets.
Developing Offensive Strategies
You can’t win games if you can’t score. Ensuring your team has a balanced offensive strategy is vital. This means that you’re not overly reliant on either passing or running plays. Each strategy has its merits, and a good mix can keep the opposing team guessing. Remember that there are no universal ‘best’ strategies because then every team would use them. Get the team in for some offense drills and watch your team improve.
Building Effective Plays
Your playbook is your team’s bible on the field. Create a potent mix of plays that can be employed in different scenarios. Assemble a selection of pass and run plays that you can call upon. Think about your team and the type of plays that would suit them. You may have a super speedy player to utilize, for example.
Improving Skills and Techniques
The execution of plays depends on the individual skills and techniques of your players. Focus on passing accuracy, timing, route running, and receiving techniques. Even in flag football, ball handling is important. Players should be comfortable catching the ball, avoiding defenders, and running with the ball. These skills are honed through practice drills and repetition.
Developing Team Chemistry
A team that plays together wins together. Foster an environment where players can communicate effectively, coordinating their actions seamlessly. Building trust among your players is crucial, as it encourages teamwork and helps develop a cohesive unit that can execute plays with precision.
Game-Day Preparation
The team arrives and they’re all drinking pop and eating chocolate – probably not the best prep for a big game. Ensure your team is warmed up and ready to go, both physically and mentally. Focus on any last-minute adjustments to plays and strategies, and stress the importance of in-game flexibility. Additionally, emphasize the need to adapt to the flow of the game and to make quick decisions under pressure.
You feel fine and then you wake up in the middle of the night before the game. It’s natural to feel nervous – the parents can be just as stressful to deal with as kids. But by following these guidelines, you can set your team on the path to scoring more touchdowns and, most importantly, to enjoying the game of flag football to its fullest.
