Flag Pulling
Flag Pulling Drills for flag football coaches
Practice drills focused on flag pulling technique and defensive pursuit angles for flag football.
Flag pulling is the one skill every defensive player must master in flag football — there are no tackles to fall back on. The best defenders combine quick lateral footwork with explosive hand speed to strip flags cleanly without grabbing jerseys. These drills train players to close on the ball carrier at the right angle, time their grab as the runner plants and cuts, and avoid the common mistake of reaching past the flag. Whether you are coaching beginners learning to go low or experienced players cleaning up technique under pressure, these reps build the habits that win games on defense.
1v1 Flag Pulling Angles
Offense runs straight ahead at full speed while a defender cuts across on an angle to get in front of the ball carrier and pull their flag — high-rep, fast-paced.
Open drill page →Angle of Pursuit
Ball carrier runs toward the sideline at an angle — defenders must cut them off using the correct pursuit angle, not chasing from behind.
Open drill page →Sweep Drill (Defense)
Offense runs a sweep left or right — defender must pursue from inside-out, cut off the ball carrier near the edge, and pull the flag before they turn upfield.
Open drill page →