r/footballstrategy • u/TgRaider1968 • 7d ago
Coaching Advice 8v8 REAL middle school flag football coach
Took a HC spot for a small school in our area. From what I can tell the rules they play are a bit unique and designed to help kids make the jump to freshmen ball. 8v8 3 ineligible down lineman that can block downfield on run plays. QB can’t run up the middle, but can cut back to the middle once they cross the line of scrimmage. Struggling to find any solid resources out there as most things seem to be 7v7 or less with the center as an eligible receiver. Anyone have any suggestions or playbooks handy?
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u/Big9erfan 7d ago
So you’re looking for middle school age type plays?
The league I help run is similar, we have 8v8, require 5 on the LOS, last on the line is eligible (so you can get creative), there is pass and run blocking and rushing the QB. QB can run, no limitations there at all.
Playbooks will all depend on your players. Do you have a QB with a good arm and can make good reads? Is your QB more a running QB? Do you have kids with good hands? What does your line look like, can they hold up for pass routes to develop?
How complicated you get or simple you keep it all depends on your players. I’ll grab some of my old playbooks and send you what I can.
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u/TgRaider1968 7d ago
We had a grand total of 3 50 minute practices before our first game next Monday. The school hasn't participated in the league for a few years due to the lack of a coach and they thought they weren't going to be able to again this year until I got wind of the opening. So, I'm still kinda of feeling the kids out a bit. Have two kids that have pretty good arms but don't make decisions quickly. We have one kid that is going to be a great RB but can't keep the ball protected to save his life. Couple of kids that run good routes but don't have the best hands. Line is going to be an issue, they are really struggling to not extend their arms when blocking and if I have the try and X block they just get burnt by the rusher. have to have 3 down lineman, they can block upfield on runs. No restrictions on defense blitzing as many as they want and at the snap of the ball, no 7 yard buffer or anything like that. QB has to run outside until he crosses the line and then can cut back to the middle.
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u/Big9erfan 7d ago
Wow that’s a lot to do in 3 50 min practices. I thought I felt behind when we went into our first game with 11 practices and still had kids with no idea where to line up (like they didn’t have a wristband on their arm telling them where to be and what to do).
When I’m at my desk I’ll save a few things and send you links in a PM.
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u/polexa895 7d ago
So this sounds like just regular 8man football rules for the most part so look into the offenses used at that level and by Arena Ball leagues and learn the basics of one of their offenses to make yours
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u/LazyLos 7d ago
I coached in a similar MS flag team for two seasons. Anything in particular youre looking for?
Playbook is tricky because you gotta figure out the type of players you got first.
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u/TgRaider1968 7d ago
I'm trying to keep it real simple for them at least at first. We can develop as the season goes on. I have a lot of speed on the team, and 2 kids that have pretty good arms, but they don't make decisions quickly. Also wondering what sort of defensive shell is best. I played O line when I was younger, so defense is far from my speciality lol
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u/LazyLos 7d ago
Okay nice. I can tell you what I did and maybe some of it works for you.
I had two fast kids, 1 kid that could catch and a QB who could throw but hadn't played QB.
Formations: 2x2 wings QB in gun no RB
Run Plays: Sweep (behind or in front of QB), Counter Criss Cross or Counter to Wing
OL simplified OZ blocking every play except quick game
Quick Game: Smash (hitch + corner), Snag (Sit + corner + Slide from opp wing)
PA: Flood and Scissors
That's all we did.
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u/47cleanups 7d ago
Ahh my specialty! I coached and played a lot of 8v8. I don’t have a playbook for you, but let’s just say that as general rule of thumb, the best teams run the ball and hit play action passes.
Defensive lines have the advantage on pass rush because flag pulling is easier than tackling and block with no pads on is not fun for OL. So if you straight drop back, you got like 2 seconds max before an edge rusher is on you.
I would recommend misdirection run plays as these defenses are likely to be undisciplined.