Flag Pull Body Position Drill
Coordination & Body Control
Legend
- player
- cones
- ball
- movement path
How it works
Develop the body control required to position correctly for flag pulls while staying balanced, upright, and legally within bounds.
What you need
- flags
- cones
Your focus
Flag pulling requires defenders to coordinate their lateral movement with precise hand placement to pull flags without committing a penalty. Poor body control during flag pulls often results in arm-tackling tendencies or out-of-bounds plays. Teaching correct body position for pulls makes defenders more effective and cleaner in their technique.
Pair players; the ball carrier walks at half speed while the defender mirrors their movement.
At the coach's signal, the defender coordinates their approach angle and reaches to pull one flag while staying square and balanced.
After each pull attempt, coach evaluates: Did the defender stay upright? Were both feet in bounds? Was the pull clean (no grabbing)?
Run 5 reps at half speed, 5 reps at three-quarter speed; carrier does not evade, focus is entirely on defender body control.
Goal
Success is getting in position for the flag pull while staying balanced and upright, no diving, no lunging, just clean positioning.
Helpful cues
- Stay square to the ball carrier, don't reach with a leaning body
- Pull from the side of the flag, not across the body
- Two feet in bounds when you pull, body control keeps you legal
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Strip it back
Use a stationary ball carrier who stands still while the defender practices pull positioning.
UpLVL it
Add the next challenge
Ball carrier walks at full game speed and takes one juke step before the pull moment.No account needed
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