Coaches Portal - NFL Leagues United SD

Divisional Learning Objectives

It is the mission of NFL Leagues United to provide proper instruction to our young student athletes at each stage of development. As such, NFLLU and its founders have developed the following learning benchmarks for each division. Every child on your team should understand these basic fundamentals by season end.

6v6JV: (at this age we dont expect the athletes to be able to perform these items on a regular basis. However, they should understand them.):
– Name each position on the field and what they do. (WRs need to be called by proper terms… X, Y, Z,…)
– Knowing the proper way to catch a football (the players dont need to be able to catch with their hands at this stage… but know the proper way it should be done)
– Proper way to lineup per position
– Proper way to receive a handoff
– Basic rules of football
– Importance of focus (breaking the huddle, getting set, watching the snap)
– Proper alignment per position (RB split stance, outside WR inside foot forward)
– QB center exchange (under center)

6v6V:
– All 6v6jv concepts
– Be able to catch with hands
– Introduction of working as a team and how doing YOUR job is essential for the success of the team as a whole… everyone plays a part.
– Introduction of the route tree
– Introduction of man vs zone coverage
– Introduction of shotgun snap

5v5: (at this stage, the athletes should not only understand the techniques and concepts, but be able to apply them on a regular basis. Athletes should also begin to hone in on one position)
– 6v6JV and 6v6V techniques and concepts
– Be able to get in and out of the huddle and sub within huddle
– Introduction of no huddle
– Advanced route tree development (ie top of route techniques, depth understanding,…)
– Application of zone coverage
– Introduction of press and off coverages and related techniques
– Introduction of QB reading defense

7v7:
– 6v6JV, 6v6V, and 5v5 concepts
– Advanced WR techniques (clean release off press coverage, route stemming,…)
– Understanding of how to run the route tree based on coverage
– QB understanding of how to use diagnosis of pre-snap defense
– Advanced understanding of different coverages and what each position is doing within that coverage
– Stalk blocking
– Using communication on the field (ie DBs/LBs calling routes within zone “IN”)
– QB drops (3, 5, 7)

8Man:
– 6v6JV, 6v6V, 5v5, and 7v7 concepts and techniques
– Understanding of offensive and defensive line positions and duties
– Line hole and gap knowledge (a, b, c,… 1, 2, 3, …)
– Offensive and defensive line techniques (ie. kick step, punch, swim, rip,…)
– Offensive and defensive alignment
– QB progressions within the pocket

Running a Practice

Most teams are only able to put in a couple hours of practice each week, if that. Cover as many things as you can in practice without skipping the fundamentals. You should plan out your practices, just as you do a game. Prior to practice, make a list of items that you want to address.

What you teach will vary from week to week based on what your team struggled with in their last game or what the players need to be prepared for the next week. The list can range from catching balls to flag pulling. If your team struggled with coverage, then teach every aspect of coverage, from back peddling to intercepting the ball.

Practice should be fun and engaging for your players, never dull or boring. Fill your practices with games and drills that not only sharpen skills, but also keep them interested and focused on the task at hand.

Repetition is a key component to becoming good at anything in life. It is no different in flag football. Focus on fundamentals and practice catching, throwing, flag pulling, coverage, route running, blitzing, and hand‐offs regularly. The players will get a kick out of it! Practice plenty of “in‐game situations” like extra points, 4th and longs, and two minute offenses.

Sample Practice Periods:
Below is a sample of a practice schedule. You may develop a practice schedule that works best and your team.

– Stretch/Warm Up: 10-15min
– Fundamental Work (catching, routes,…): 15-20min
– Position Specific Drills: 15-20min
– Plays (review and installation): 20-25min
(we do not recommend spending all practice on plays as the focus should be on development of skills and not strategy on winning youth games)

Rotations
6v6 divisions
Should have an organized rotation through the positions (ie. clockwise) with the exception of QB. This way our youngest athletes are exposed to all positions.

5v5
At this age players should begin to hone in on one position. Rotation is still encouraged as the best way to perfect a position is to understand what everyone around you is doing even on the other side of the ball

7v7 and 8man
Players should be in the specific positions they either currently play in tackle or will play. Understanding of all positions is encouraged, however, play should remain within their natural positions. Remember, these divisions are meant to prepare the athletes for high school football.

Offensive Drills

Passing Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This is the easiest and most common passing drill.
Line your QB up with a line of receivers on the left or right side of the QB. Have the receivers run routes at the same time and the QB throw to one of them. You can add a DB into the mix to make it interesting.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill helps with accuracy and decision making.
Have two receivers line up 5 yards apart and 10 yards away from the QB. Place one defender in between the receivers. Have your QB “thread the needle” and keep the ball out of the defenders reach.

Catching Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps receivers catch unexpected or errant throws.
Have the WR line up 10 yards away from the QB with the WR’s back to the QB. As soon as you say go, the QB will throw the ball at the WR and the WR should turn around and catch the ball. The WR will have no idea where the ball is going to be until the last second. The WR should react quickly and snag the ball out of the air.

Drill 2 ‐ This helps the receiver make quick decisions and improve catching dramatically.
Two QBs should stand next to each other, each holding two balls and facing the WR. The WR should stand 5 yards back facing the two QBs. When you give the signal, the first QB should throw the ball. As soon as the ball touches the WR’s hand, the other QB should throw the ball. Repeat until all the balls are thrown.

Route Running Drills

The best way to improve route running is to practice, practice, practice. At first, break it down and go half speed, focusing in on the receiver’s breaks. Do not throw any balls until the routes are run properly. Once the player’s routes are “crisp”, start throwing balls to them.

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps with quick feet and change of direction for getting in and out of breaks.
Set up 4 cones in a row, 3-5 yards apart. One by one, have each player run to the first cone, chop their feet around the cone and come back to the original starting cone… chop their feet around the original cone then head to the second cone… chop their feet around the second cone… then come back to the original starting cone. Do this until all of the cones have been run through. Key techniques in this drill are to stay balanced and centered around the cones with a quick burst out.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill helps with quick feet and change of direction for getting in and out of breaks.
Set up 4 cones in a T shape (one at the bottom and 3 across the top. distance from bottom to top should be 7-10 yards). One at a time, each player will start at the bottom cone and run to the center cone at the top, decelerate 1-2 yards prior to reaching the center cone, and cutting to the designated outer cone. Key techniques in this drill are deceleration prior to the center cone (ultimate goal is to reduce the distance needed to decelerate by sinking and make a sharp cut), cut off of the opposite foot of the direction you are cutting, and snapping your head around out of the cut. Stemming can also be added into the drill.

Drill 3 ‐ Snap Downs, This drill helps with stop and start quickness.
Set up 3 cones in a row (5-7 yards apart each). One at a time, each player will run to the first cone and “snap down” by quickly decelerating on the front foot then immediately accelerating through the last cone. Target outcomes: to decelerate from full speed to full stop on one step, then back up to full speed at quickly as possible.

Ball Carrying Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps the ball carrier get better at cutting and juking.
Set up an obstacle course with cones. Tell your ball carrier to run and juke when they reach each cone. You can also use spins or back steps in place of jukes.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill helps the ball carrier beat defenders in open space.
Set up a 5 x 7 yard square with cones. Place a defender in the middle. Have your ball carrier go one‐on‐one with a defender. See if the runner can make it to the other end without getting caught.

QB Mobility Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill teaches QB mobility from an accelerated blitz.
Have the QB line up in shotgun behind the C. The C should snap the ball and run a 7 step hook. Have a defender blitz the QB, starting 3 yards closer than the usual blitz location. The QB should avoid the blitz as best as possible before hitting the C as the C turns and looks for the ball.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill shows the QB why vision is important.
Have the QB line up in shotgun behind the C. Have a defender blitz the QB from the usual DB position from different angles. The QB should “elude” the defenders for 5 seconds before they throw the ball.

Defensive Drills

Flag Pulling Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This is a good flag pulling and vision drill.
Set up a 10 x10 yard square. Put all your players in the middle of the square. When you give the signal, each player must pull the other players flags while dodging others trying to pull their own flag. Last player standing wins. This is FUN!

Drill 2 ‐ This is a great drill for taking angles and pulling flags.
Set up a 15 x 15 yard triangle with cones. Have two sets of lines, one on each bottom corner. One side is the ball carrier, the other the flag puller. When you give the signal, the ball carrier should sprint towards the point of the triangle while the flag puller cuts the ball carrier off before they reach either top cone.

Interception Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps the DB “make a play” off a tipped ball.
Have a defender line up 5 yards from the QB. Have another defender line up 3 yards behind the first defender. Have the QB throw a high ball to the first defender. The first defender should then “tip” the ball backwards. The second defender then makes an attempt to intercept the ball.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill helps teach receivers how to “jump” routes and steal the ball.
Have a WR line up 10 yards away from the QB. The defender should line up two yards behind the WR and 1 yard offset left or right. On your signal, the QB should throw the ball and the defender should then “jump” the ball, cutting the receiver off and intercepting the ball in stride.

Coverage Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps teach reaction and foot work.
A WR and a defender should face each other, standing 1 yard apart. The WR should then shuffle left, right, forwards, and backwards. The defender should stick with the WR, matching their every move. It is also important that the barrier of 1 yard stays the same throughout the whole drill.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill teaches how to make up speed and catch players from behind.
A WR faces down field. The defender lines up directly behind the WR so they are back to back. On your signal, the receiver will run straight forward. The defender then has to turn around and catch up to the WR before the ball is thrown by the QB.

Pursuit Drills

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps teach your team proper angles of pursuit.
Have your defense line up in their base zone defense. Place WR at various points on the field (at least 1 in each swing zone). These WR will not move, they are only there to catch the ball in place and serve as a reference point. At the snap of the ball, the defense will drop into their designated zone and on release of the ball, attack their responsible shoulder. All players should properly break down in front of the receiver and chop their feet until all defensive players have arrived. Note: In standard zone concepts, run side corner will alway have outside containment, backside corner takes away the cutback lane, and backside safety has last man responsibility.

Drill 2 ‐ Snake. This drill helps teach your team proper angles of pursuit.
Have 6 of your defenders line up 3×3 7-10 yards apart spread evenly across the width of your playing field. You will have one ball carrier lined up in the middle of the field. When the ball carrier crosses the line of scrimmage (at a point of their choosing), the D must take work together and take their defensive pursuit angles to stop the ball carrier. Once the ball carrier is down they go to the first position on defense and the last position on defense takes a turn running the ball.

Drill 3 ‐ This drill helps teach defenders how to “sniff” out a play.
Line up a center, a QB in shotgun, and two RBs in wishbone. Line up one defender 7 yards back. Once the center snaps the ball, the two RBs should run towards their nearest side line. The QB should then purposely stare down the RB he wants to hit. The defender should be watching the QB and then shuffle parallel with the LOS towards the RB the QB is eyeing. The QB should then throw the pass and the defender should burst toward the RB as he is receiving the ball. The defender should then cut the RB off and pull the flag before the RB can gain positive yards. Repeat this over and over. Each time, the QB should make it less obvious which RB he is targeting.

Blitzing Drills (Blitzer = BZ)

Drill 1 ‐ This drill helps reduce the time it takes to sack the QB.
Have the BZ attack the QB like they would in a regular game but add 3 more yards on to the designated blitzing location. Have the BZ blitz from this new spot on your command. Count to five and if the QB is not sacked, then the QB wins. But if the BZ gets the sack, then the BZ wins. With this added yardage and time pressure, your BZ should have more urgency and focus when blitzing.

Drill 2 ‐ This drill helps simulate WRs crossing through the BZ path to the QB.
The BZ should line up in their normal location. Strategically place cones in the BZ path. On your whistle, have the BZ attack the QB without knocking over any cones. The BZ should dodge the cones and still be able to get to the QB in a 5 second window. Key outcomes: Blitzer should navigate the traffic with as little slowing or deviation as possible.

Preparing and Running Game Day

Just as with practice, game day begins with proper communication with your parents. Prior to arriving, you should have any needed parent volunteers identified (sticks, stats, snacks,…). Game time, field location, and arrival time should be confirmed at the final practice of the week. Your parents should be notified as soon as possible of any changes in the schedule.

Please keep your team organized at the playing facilities and obey all rules set forth for that site.

All paperwork should be ready and turned in prior to game start to ensure on time starts.

Game Objectives
The mission of NFL Leagues United is to develop our young athletes into successful student athletes at the next level. As such, game day is just as important of a learning experience as practice. Players should be in a similar rotation as described in the Running a Practice section related to your division. Players should be able to apply the skills and techniques applicable to each division. It is your job as the coach to put your young athletes in position to apply and develop these skills in a game time situation.

NFLLU is not about winning the prize at the end of the season… it is about our kids knowing more about the game at the end of their season than they came in with.

Playbooks

Route Tree

Documents

NFL Leagues United HQ

NFL Leagues United San Diego

Legal