Flag football 3: Beyond thunderdome

Now I've had time to rethink defense and plan out offense, how to approach this spring season?

Rosters are out and schedules are made, it’s almost time for I9 flag football’s spring season of 5-on-5 featuring 3rd/4th grade players.

The winter season was rough. I chronicled it extensively and unexpectedly decided to ditch the 2-robber defense I was so proud of after a brutal blowout in the bronze medal/consolation round of the tournament when the RPO took it apart.

I’m no Pat Narduzzi, adjustments have been made.

Season 3 is going to be very different in many respects. It’s all me now, and my son, plus another kid who signed up to have me as coach for the next season. My co-coach who introduced me to the defense and mostly called our offense last season is gone, along with his excellent son who was one of our best players. They’re doing soccer. Our other best player is also gone, I don’t know if he’s playing with another team or doing baseball or something.

As far as I know, it’s just me this time, plus these nine boys, and apparently a full hour of practice. I guess that winter season is the real grind where all the veterans play and the practices are shortened to accommodate all the teams and games I9 is putting on.

Hopefully our defense is great and I can teach zone effectively while also teaching the offense. I feel okay there although you never know until you know. The biggest change though might be the offense. I’ve seen a lot of flag football at his grade level now and this is what’s going to make or break us. Here’s my plan…