Pulling flags is about angles, not speed. The defender who takes the right line beats the defender who runs hard but late.
Equipment needed: Flag belts for both players, a ball.
Setup: Ball carrier 15 yards downfield. Defender starts at a 45-degree angle, not directly behind.
How to run it:
- Ball carrier runs straight, full speed.
- Defender runs at an angle that intercepts the carrier’s path, not where they currently are.
- Both hands reach for the flag — never one. One hand can be blocked easily.
- Repeat six times each side.
What to look for: The pursuit angle should be a triangle, not a straight line behind. If the defender ends up trailing, they took the wrong angle.
Variation: Add a cut by the ball carrier. Defender has to adjust the angle mid-run. Builds the habit of reading hips, not feet.