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Welcome to the official website of the Muslim Football
League.
This article can now be found at:
http://www.footballtimes.org/Article.asp?ID=126
(with much better graphics and explanation)
Flag-Football Optimized Zone Defense (7 on 7)
Most flag (fag) football is played in a 7 versus 7 format.
I will assume this in the description of this defensive scheme. Although
there is no place for flag football in our league, a lot of people are
asking about this. So here is what I have found to be the best defensive
strategy for 7-7 flag football. Yes, I have played in this format at bigtime
schools, Michigan, Toledo, Wayne State, UM Flint, and various semi-pro
leagues.
INTRO: Defense is the best
part about football. Everyone loves offense and wants to be a "star",
but it's defense that wins championships, and defense that wins Mud and
Slush Bowls. If you don't love defense, please EXIT
now!
In flag football, it is extremely crucial that everyone
swarms to the ball. Why? If the first person misses or doesn't pull
the
flag, the others have to pull it. Defense in flag football is very tight
and exact. There is a lot of room to screw up. Make sure you have everyone
pulling the flag. Don't assume that the first guy there will always get
the flag.
Defense:
In this scheme, the cornerbacks (CB) are playing short zone coverage.
While the safeties (S) are playing deep zone. The linebacker (L)
in this situation is extremely crucial and is playing a modified
zone. The defensive line (X) is rushing the QB. Rush like mad!
In this scheme, everyone's role is as important as everyone
else's. Everyone has to know what to do in each situation. Especially
in flag football. It's not about size and strength, it's about speed
and intelligence. Do they know who to
cover
and when? Read to find out.
Corners:
Corners have to guard the short zone. That means if the wide receiver
is in the zone, cover him. If a motion comes to your side, cover it.
If the quarterback decides to sneak to your side, cover him. Your job
is to contain the QB if he likes to take off running. It's a very difficult
job, but stay short and stay on your side. If a player you are covering
goes to the middle, leave him for the linebacker. If your player goes
deep, let the safeties deal with him.
D-Line:
Rush the QB like mad. The linebacker (L) may also line up with you and
pretend to rush, but will ultmately drop back to cover the QB or any
lineman that release for a pass. The linebacker
may blitz, consult with safety. Switch the D-line players often if you
have subs. Their job is tiring, and having fresh legs is wonderful.
Every
two downs, is optimal for subbing D-line players. Being fast and fresh
is the key. No O-line or QB will be able to take this type of punishing
pressure down after down. Let them get tired, not you.
Linebacker:
Watch the QB and don't let him run. Roll to the right when he does, and
cut off all running lanes. In flag football, QBs love running, and if
no one is watching, the QB will get a lot of yards on you. The Linebacker
will also have to pick up offensive linemen that go out for a pass. Danger:
The QB may fake a run out to one side, drawing the linebacker with him,
and then an offensive lineman releases for a pass on the other side. The
safety will have to be watching this, and run up to make the play. Linebackers
and safeties have to know their positions, coordinate and talk to each
other. The game will be won or lost by the play of the Linebackers and
Safety.
Safety:
The Safeties in this coverage have to cover deep routes. The CBs will
cover short routes out in teh flats, while the linebacker covers short
middle. The safeties have to cover deep. If a wide receiver is getting
open deep, the safety on that side covers. Never let an player get
behind you. Keep them all in front of you. Watch the QBs eyes to know
where he is looking. If the QB goes for a run, don't bite hard until
he crosses the line of scrimmage and is committed to running. Then
go after him. If an offensive lineman goes out, the linebacker will
cover him short, while teh safety picks him up deep. If the linebacker
sees a nice blitz opportunity, he can tell a cornerback to
blitz, while
he picks up the slack. If a corner blitzes, the linebacker covers
the
now open wide receiver short, and safety covers him deep. Can a safety
blitz? Sure, because he is the extra guy, but be careful in zone.
Let the other safety know, so he can watch both sides.
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