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  3. Flag Pulling

Using the Sideline

Steer the ball carrier toward the sideline so they have less room.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Mark a 10-yard wide channel with one side as the sideline.

Core: Jogs. Beat your own count of clean pulls.

Ages
14 and up
Time
12 min
Players
You and a partner
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Flag belts, cones, partner
Level · skill
Advanced · Flag Pulling

The steps

How it works

  1. Mark a 10-yard wide channel with one side as the sideline.
  2. Stay on their inside shoulder.
  3. Shade them toward the line, then pull a flag.
  4. Do 12 rounds and swap roles.

Coaching point

Inside shoulder, squeeze the space.

Safety: Non-contact: reach for the flag, not the player. No holding, pushing or blocking, and slow down before you get close. Wear a mouthguard in any partner or game drill (and soft headgear if your league requires it). Keep your head up, call for the ball, and give way in traffic.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Flag-reach game: a partner jogs with flags and you reach and pull one flag, with no body contact. Put the flag back and swap.

Challenge

Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own count of clean pulls.

Story

You are a picker plucking one ripe fruit from the tree.

My best

Beat your own count

Beat your own count of clean pulls. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

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