Thank you to every parent and volunteer stepping up to coach this season. Coaching youth flag football is about more than winning. It's a chance to teach teamwork, sportsmanship and confidence. These are the guidelines every Englewood coach follows.

Rosters and playing time

Teams have a maximum of 12 players, with 6 on offense and 6 on defense. Every player gets a starting position on offense or defense, with no exceptions. Everyone plays and everyone sits. Playing a child won't lose you a game, but not playing them hurts the confidence of players and parents and the morale of the whole team.

Know the rules

Read the rules closely before the first game. Most problems on game night can be avoided when coaches know the rules well. Start with our rules page, which covers the full rule book.

On the sideline

  • Communicate. Keep parents and players up to date and deal with concerns early.
  • Own your sideline. Only two coaches are allowed on the sideline. You're responsible for keeping your parents and fans in the viewing area, at least 5 yards off the field.
  • Mouthpieces. Encourage every player to wear one. Players with braces must wear one.
  • No sideline flag pulling. Players who aren't in the game shouldn't be pulling flags on the sideline, especially with younger kids.
  • Flag guarding and off-ball flag pulls. Teach players not to guard their flags and not to pull flags off players without the ball. Repeated off-ball pulls will be penalized.

Working with referees

Our adult referees are trained high school football officials, and our teen referees are high school football players. You may politely ask for clarification on a call, and referees will correct mistakes, but arguing with officials isn't allowed. All calls are final.

A coaching checklist

  1. Remember your role. Teach life skills, teamwork and character, not just plays.
  2. Keep it fun. Kids who enjoy practice keep coming back.
  3. Teach the basics. Keep instructions simple and give lots of reps.
  4. Plan your practices. Warm up, run skill drills, play small-sided games, and avoid long periods of standing around.
  5. Build teamwork. Create a team culture of support and working together.
  6. Model sportsmanship. Respect opponents, referees and teammates, on and off the field.
  7. Be patient. Every child develops at their own pace. Give constructive feedback and plenty of encouragement.
  8. Put safety first. Make sure players have the right gear and know proper technique.
  9. Involve parents and celebrate wins, big and small.
  10. Reflect and adjust. Check on individual and team progress and stay open to new coaching ideas.

Free resources from NFL FLAG

NFL FLAG offers free tools to help you plan practices:

Their rules and playbooks are written for national 5-on-5 play. We play 6 on 6 under our own home field rules, with no pitches or laterals and any number of rushers from 7 yards back. Adjust plays to fit, and check our rules when the two differ.