Run da Ball - The art of the run in flag football

Pass....Pass...Pass.....

Flag Football is all about the wide open, misdirection passing game. So line play can be downright boring and frustrating. This is because you cant use your hands to block. In seven man screen flag football the screen is just what it says, you screen your blocker with your feet. Eight and nine man football is a little different you are able to full extend your arms and block. So you would think that when playing seven man why would you run the ball. The answer is simple, in seven man all defenses are looking for the pass. Some good teams from the start of the game will place Linebackers and safeties directly in most passing lanes. The run will keep them guessing and thinking, and we all know once a defense starts to think and not react it increasing the chances of the offense. So you ask what is the art of the run?. Here you go

The first thing you want to do is get in a two point stance with your feet about shoulder width apart. Placement of the feet is important. Running to the outside to the right you want to place your right foot forward with your left slightly back. This will allow a good seal screen once the play starts to help the runner get a quick jump to the outside. Even two yards matter in Flag Football. If running to the outside then it is left foot forward and right foot back.

The trick to this is when the play starts you have to move with short quick steps and place yourself in front of the oncoming rusher. If you followed the above foot placement then you should be in a position to either bump or limit the penetration of the rusher. Once in front of the rusher use your leverage and weight to guide or turn the blocker in the direction you want. The key here is to keep a slight bend to your stance and move into the blocker.

The greatest thing about the run is this, once the play goes forward and you provide a good block and most times the run will catch the defense off guard. This will open up the next most under used play/weapon on any flag football team. That is the pitch. Always run behind the runner providing an outlet for the pitch. So you can see playing the blocking position is not that bad