All runners stand spread out in the square with their flag belts on. The two taggers wait outside until the coach says "go".
How to run it
A playful warm-up for the youngest players, all wearing flag belts. Kids practise quick changes of direction, finding space and pulling flags – the basic skill of flag football – with no contact at all.
Set-up
A 20 × 20 m square marked with four discs. Everyone wears a flag belt. Two taggers (red) wait outside the square. A cone just outside the square is the "flag station".
Instructions
- 1All runners stand spread out in the square with their flag belts on. The two taggers wait outside until the coach says "go".
- 2GO! The runners move around the square looking for open space. The taggers run in.
- 3Each tagger picks a runner and chases. The runners keep their eyes up and run away from the taggers.
- 4Tagger 1 pulls a flag at arm's length. The other runner jukes – fakes one way and goes the other.
- 5The runner without a flag goes to the flag station and puts it back on. The taggers hunt on and number 5 cuts inside.
- 6Tagger 2 pulls number 5's flag. Number 1 is back in the game.
- 7Number 5 fetches a new flag. Both taggers work together and pin a runner against the edge of the square.
- 8The runner spins out between them – both taggers miss. Great move!
- 9Whistle: everyone freezes. Count the flags, pick two new taggers and play another round.
Coaching points
- Show how to pull a flag: grab it with the whole hand, pull straight out and hold it up so everyone can see.
- No one may hold on to their own flags or push the tagger away – it is a no-contact game.
- Remind the runners to look up and run into open space, not towards the edge.
- Change taggers often so that everyone gets to chase and everyone gets to escape.
Variations
Easier
Make the square bigger and use only one tagger. Let the youngest walk fast instead of running.
Harder
Shrink the square and use three taggers. A player who loses a flag also becomes a tagger until all flags are gone.
Equipment
- 4 × Markers
- 1 × Cone
Use this drill with your team
Add it to a training in SquadSpace, adjust it to your squad and show it to the players in the app – in 2D or 3D.
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