Completely Dominate Opposing Offenses With An Explosive Pass Rush

Reading time: 3 – 4 minutes

Flag football is largely about the passing game and defending the pass.  The best teams usually have quarterbacks and receivers that have practiced and played together quite a bit.  They’ve worked on timing, route running, and multiple pass concepts.  The QB knows where receivers will be, and the receivers know when to look for the ball.

With that being said, obviously all teams don’t fit this exemplary description.  Some teams don’t practice.  Those are the same teams that usually get blown out 50-0.  If you want to win games, you have to practice.  But this article isn’t about practice.  This article is about taking over flag football games on defense.

The Most Important Aspect of Flag Football Defense is a Good Pass Rush

As previously mentioned, most teams look to pass the ball first, and hope to be able to complete enough passes to get them to the endzone.  So what’s the best way to disrupt the passing game?  Pressure the quarterback!  Throw him off.  Mess up the opponent’s timing.  Get in his head.  Make him run to the bench crying like you just stole his lunch money.  Of course this is easier said than done, everything is — but the bottom line is you have learn how to pressure the QB to be successful on defense.

The biggest mistake new teams make is putting their best players and athletes in coverage.  I’ll reiterate.  The biggest mistake new teams make is putting their best players and athletes in coverage.

Usually the common idea is to put your fastest and most skilled player at the safety position.  This is understandable from a strictly logical perspective; the safety is the last line of defense, and a mistake made by a safety usually results in a touchdown.  I am in no way downplaying the importance of the safety position.  I am however telling you that if you can get to the QB fast enough, it will significantly relieve the pressure put on your safeties.

Ingredients for a Quarterback’s Nightmare

• Put your fastest and quickest players up front to rush. They should be players with the speed and quickness to react, beat blocks, and close the gap fast.
• Force the QB to his non-throwing side.  Alternatively, if there is an obvious play side read such as trips formations, rush from angles that force him away from his receivers.  Even if he’s lucky enough to get the ball away, it will be an extremely difficult throw.
• When rushing directly at a QB, get those hands up and in his face to possibly bat a ball, make him alter his throwing motion, or at the very least, disrupt his line of sight.  You’d be surprised at how effective this is, especially for shorter QBs.
• Make sure that your rushers are excellent at pulling flags.  Do flag pulling drills where they are in chasing situations.
• Have your rushers run quickness and agility drills, as mentioned previously here at Illegal Motion.

A relentless pass rush will get inside a quarterbacks head.  It will make him make mistakes and force him to get rid of the ball before he’s ready. And finally, it will lead to turnovers, and eventually more points for your team.