Beat the count
Why it works
The rush is the only defensive job in flag with a fixed head start against it, and almost nobody drills it. Seven yards and a three count is exactly the maths of a game, and a rusher who does not sprint the first two steps has already lost before anybody makes a move.
Run it
8 MINSix rushes each. Eight minutes. Keep score out loud: got there, or hands in the lane, or neither.
Say this
“First two steps, everything you have.”
Seven yards is won at the start and never made up at the end.
“Run at where he will be.”
A quarterback who steps up is a yard closer than the spot you aimed at.
“Hands up at the end.”
If you are not going to get there, take the throwing lane away instead.
Good looks like
- The rusher is at full speed inside two steps, every rep.
- He arrives at the quarterback's chest, not at where the quarterback started.
- On the reps he does not get there, his hands are up in the lane.
- The quarterback starts throwing earlier as the round goes on, which means it is working.
The mistakes
A rolling start, which looks like effort and arrives late every time.
Say: “First two steps, everything you have.”
Aiming at the spot he is standing in, which is behind him by the time you arrive.
Say: “Run at where he will be.”
Running straight past and giving him a clean look, which is worse than not rushing.
Say: “Hands up at the end.”
Move the rush mark to five yards and count to four. Get the sprint habit before you make the maths real.
Put a blocker in, or make the count vary between three and five so the rusher cannot pace himself.