Flag Pulling•intermediate•15 min
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.
Sweep Drill (Defense)
DrillDescription
Stopping the sweep is the toughest assignment for a defender in flag football. This drill builds the pursuit angle and edge discipline needed to cut off the ball carrier before they get into open space.
How to run it
- 1
Set up a sweep play: center, QB, RB.
- 2
RB receives the handoff and sweeps wide.
- 3
One or two defenders pursue from inside.
- 4
Defenders must cut off the ball carrier at or before the cone gate.
- 5
Defender pulls the flag before the RB turns upfield.
Points to stress
- Pursue from inside-out — don't overrun toward the sideline.
- Control your feet near the edge — don't lunge.
- Force them to the boundary, then pull the flag.
- Don't try to tackle — go for the flag.