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  3. Flag Pulling

Zone Defense Pulls

Guard an area, react when a catch is made in it, and pull the flag fast.

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

Set up

Two defenders each guard one half of a 15-yard area.

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

Ages
14 and up
Time
15 min
Players
You and 4 partners
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Flag belts, cones, flag football, 4 partners
Level · skill
Advanced · Flag Pulling

The steps

How it works

  1. Two defenders each guard one half of a 15-yard area.
  2. A passer throws to receivers moving through the zones.
  3. Close on the catch in your zone and pull a flag.
  4. Play 12 plays and swap roles.

Coaching point

Own your zone, close fast.

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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