Flag football is a game that has been very popular with weekend football players for many years. Instead of tackling a player, the defense needs to pull a flag off of his belt. Once the flag is removed, the play is over.

Flag football can be played with any number of players. However, the most popular number of players is 8 men on each side. With 8 people there are enough players to have a quarterback, receivers, blockers, and even running backs.

Most 8 man flag football plays involve passing the ball. This is because it’s easier to pick up yardage by throwing the ball than by running it. However, there are some great running 8 man flag football plays too.

If a team has a very fast player on offense then the sweep play is a good one to use. This play simply involves lining up three offensive linemen on the line of scrimmage. Three receivers line-up to one side of the formation. Then a running back who is the fastest player lines-up directly behind the quarterback.

Often the defense won’t line-up anyone to the side where there isn’t an offensive player. So, for this play the quarterback will simply toss the ball to the running back on the open side of the field. Since the running back is very fast, he should be able to beat all the players around the end and gain good yardage before he get’s caught.

The offensive line on this play will try to keep the defensive players sealed to the inside of the field. It’s important that the offensive lineman on the side the play is being run to at least gets a push on the defender on the outside of the line.

When the defense begins to line-up a player to the open side of the field, then there is an option play that can be run. This play should be run with a quarterback who has decent speed as well. The quarterback will take the snap and run with the ball to the open side. The running back will run with him but about three yards back. The offensive line will try to seal the defenders to the inside.

When the quarterback gets to the outside, the defender will be forced to try to get the flag from the quarterback or to try to stay with the running back. If the defender goes for the quarterback then the quarterback should pitch the ball to the running back. If the defender stays with the running back then the quarterback should turn up field and run with the ball himself.

Most 8 man flag football plays are passing plays. That’s because passing plays work best and usually pick-up the most yardage. However, running the ball shouldn’t be completely ignored. In 8 man flag football the ball can be run for good yardage and it can also keep the defense from completely focusing on the pass every play.