Flag football: tactics, strategies and game play
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can develop offensive and defensive plays as a team to play flag football.
Key learning points
- Move: a run is timed to create space to catch the ball from the quarterback to the receiver..
- Move: a blitzer should sprint directly towards the quarterback after the snap to pull the tag before the QB can pass.
- Think: unlike American football, no players are allowed to block the blitzer from tackling the quarterback.
- Feel: using your imagination helps develop creative ways to outwit the opposition.
- Connect: constant communication in defence is needed to enable everyone to know who they are marking.
Keywords
Receiver - a player who runs routes to catch passes from the quarterback and tries to advance the ball without being tagged
Quarterback - the leader of an offensive play who receives the ball from the snap
Blitzer - the nominated defensive player who rushes towards the quarterback with the primary goal of tackling them or forcing a hurried throw
Common misconception
Pupils think the attacking players can block the blitzer so that the quarterback remains able to pass the ball.
In flag football, blocking the blitzer is not allowed. Attackers must avoid physical contact and the quarterback must rely on quick throws and good timing to avoid being tagged by the blitzer.
Teacher tip
Should you wish to extend this topic, you could take the learning cycles from this lesson and turn each one into a lesson.
Equipment
1 bib per pupil, 30+ cones, tag rugby belt per pupil with 2 tags and 10 American footballs.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.The snap starts the play, but who hikes the ball to the quarterback?
Q2.Which sport is flag football a non contact version?
Q3.How many downs have occurred for a turnover to take place?
Q4.Where must the ball be caught to score a touchdown?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Who is responsible for throwing the ball up the pitch to other attackers?
Q2.Which defender would rush up on the quarterback to tag them?
Q3.What is the name of the attacking play whereby an attacker runs straight, then cuts diagonally across the field?
Q4.What are teammates of the quarterback not allowed to do when a blitzer is rushing in flag football?
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Flag football: tactics, strategies and game play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 physical education lesson on: Flag football: tactics, strategies and game play, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 4 physical education lessons from the Invasion games: tactics and strategies in world games unit, dive into the full secondary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.