Youth Flag Football

If you are interested in volunteering as a Head Coach or Assistant Coach for the upcoming season, we’d love to have you join our coaching team! Please complete the steps below.

1. Coaching Interest Form

All coaches (Head & Assistant) must complete the pre-season coaching form each season.
Coaches Pre-Season Form:
👉 https://www.cognitoforms.com/TownOfRolesville/PreSeasonFormFlagFootball2026FallSeason

2. Background Check Requirement

To ensure a safe and positive environment for all participants, the Town of Rolesville requires a background check every 12 months for all volunteer coaches.

If this is your first time coaching or it has been one year since your last background check, please complete the screening below:

Background Check Portal:
👉 https://securevolunteer.com/TOWN-OF-ROLESVILLE-PARKS-REC/home

Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your information. Once approved, our staff will automatically receive your clearance status.

PeeWee (Ages 7–8)
Focus: Position Basics, Route Running, and Game Rules
Practice Length: 75 minutes

Junior League (Ages 9–10)
Focus: Game IQ, Play Calling, and Team Communication
Practice Length: 90 minutes

Varsity League (Ages 11–12)
Focus: Competitive Readiness, Leadership, and Tactical Execution
Practice Length: 90 minutes

• Flag Pulling and Shuffling Drill
• Quarterback and Wide Receiver Techniques
• Center Exchange Drill
• Five In One Simple Drills
• Passing Drill for Beginners
• Mobile Quarterback Flag Football Drill
• Four Cone Drill
• Tennis Ball Drill
• Five Ten Five Drill
• Zig Zag Drill
• Circle the Cone Drill
• Turn and Catch Drill
• Transition Drill

7–8 Year Olds (PeeWee Division)

Focus: Building core football skills
Players Should Work Toward:

• Improved throwing mechanics (step, point, throw)
• Catching while moving
• Basic route running (slant, out, go)
• Defensive pursuit and angles
• Pulling flags in space
• Understanding teamwork and player roles
• Introduction to offensive plays/formations

9–10 Year Olds (Junior Division)

Focus: More structure, concepts, and game awareness
Players Should Work Toward:

• Consistent throwing accuracy
• Running multiple routes with proper footwork
• Defensive positioning and reading the play
• Flag pulling from different angles
• Understanding playbooks and executing assignments
• Making adjustments mid-game
• Leadership and communication with teammates

11–12 Year Olds (Varsity Division)

Focus: Advanced skills, strategy, and situational play
Players Should Work Toward:

• Throwing with timing and anticipation
• Double-moves, sharp route cuts, and spacing concepts
• Reading defenses and learning coverage types
• Defensive communication (switching, help angles)
• Zone vs man coverage responsibilities
• Decision-making under pressure
• Increased mental focus, composure, and leadership

All drills require minimal space and no equipment unless noted.

Footwork & Agility

• Cone Ladder (or chalk lines): quick feet, in-out pattern
• 4-Corner Box Drill: sprint → shuffle → backpedal → shuffle
• Figure-8 Runs: improves change of direction
• Mirror Cuts: plant foot and change direction every 3 steps

Throwing Mechanics

(Use a football or any small ball)

• Wall Throws: aim for a target, focus on step-point-throw
• Knee Throws: kneeling to isolate upper-body mechanics
• One-Step Quick Release: throw immediately after one step

Catching Skills

• Self-Toss: toss ball in air, catch with soft hands
• High-Point Drill: toss ball high and catch at max reach
• Reaction Drops: drop ball from chin height, catch before bounce

Flag Pulling Technique

• Shadow Steps: practice shuffle and breakdown stance
• Reach & Rip: practice grabbing hanging towel or flag off a hook
• Angle Breakdowns: sprint 10 yards → breakdown → simulate pull

Speed & Conditioning

• 10-yard Bursts: repeated short sprints
• Backpedal → Sprint Transitions
• 30-second Agility Circuits: shuffle, hop, sprint patterns

Pre-Game Fueling

Great 1–2 hours before activity:

• Peanut butter and banana
• Turkey sandwich
• Yogurt with granola
• Whole-grain crackers + cheese

Avoid:

• Heavy meals
• Sugary drinks
• Fried foods

Smart Hydration Habits

• Drink water throughout the day, not just at practice
• Before activity: 6–8 oz of water
• During activity: small sips every 15 minutes
• After: water + a light snack
  Sports drinks are fine in small amounts for hot days or long activity, but water should be the primary source.

Healthy Snacks

• Fruit (apples, oranges, grapes)
• Granola bars (low sugar)
• Pretzels
• String cheese
• Trail mix

Recovery Nutrition

Within 30 minutes after games/practice:

• Chocolate milk
• Protein + carbs (PB&J, yogurt & fruit)
• Hydrate again after leaving the field

Positive Self-Talk

Teach players to replace:

• “I can’t catch.” → “I’m improving my catching every day.”
• “I’m too slow.” → “I get faster each time I practice.”

Handling Mistakes

• Mistakes are part of learning—move to the next play
• Quick reset routine: deep breath → short cue phrase (“Next play”)

Building Confidence

• Celebrate effort, not just success
• Players set simple weekly goals (e.g., “pull 3 flags this game”)
• Encourage leadership moments: calling a play, leading warm-ups

Managing Emotions & Pressure

• Use slow breathing before snaps in stressful moments
• Encourage “team-first” focus to reduce individual pressure

Growth Mindset Tools

• “I’m not good at this… yet”
• Effort + repetition = improvement
• Focus on controllables: attitude, effort, energy

Each age division follows tailored rules that match the skill level and developmental needs of the players. Rulebooks include gameplay structure, field dimensions, pitching rules, scoring, and safety guidelines.

• Flag Football Rulebook (PDF, 302.66 KB)

All participants, players, coaches, parents, and spectators are expected to uphold the values of respect, integrity, and positive behavior. Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in warnings, suspensions, or removal from the league.

Our goal is to create an environment where fun, learning, and character development come first.

Parents and guardians are essential in supporting a positive environment. We expect all spectators to:

• Encourage all players, not just their own
• Respect coaches, umpires, and staff
• Refrain from negative comments or yelling at officials
• Model good sportsmanship at all times
• Follow all park and league rules

Disruptive behavior may lead to removal from the facility or further action.

Coaches serve as role models and leaders within our program. All coaches agree to:

• Prioritize player development, safety, and fun
• Provide positive instruction and feedback
• Follow playing time and rotation guidelines
• Communicate respectfully with officials, players, and parents
• Promote sportsmanship and uphold league rules
• Maintain professionalism at all times

Violations may result in suspension or coaching removal.

As a recreational program, balanced participation is a core value. All players should receive:

• Equal or near-equal playing time
• Opportunities to learn multiple positions (age appropriate)
• A positive and inclusive game-day experience

Competition is encouraged, but not at the expense of player development or fairness.

Equal playing time isn’t optional it’s essential. At this age, and especially in a developmental environment, every child deserves the same opportunity to learn, play, and grow, not just those who may currently be more advanced.

Teams are created through our structured draft process. All players will participate in a preseason evaluation, and coaches will select players for their rosters based on these evaluations. This approach helps ensure balanced, competitive teams across each division.

We do not accommodate friend or buddy requests. All players are placed on teams through our evaluation and draft process to help ensure balanced and competitive rosters across the league.

If your child is unable to attend evaluations, they will still be placed on a team. Players who miss evaluations are marked as “Non-Evaluated” and will be randomly assigned to a roster after all evaluated players have been drafted. This ensures fairness while still providing every player a place to participate.

Non-attendance or non-participation in a program does not entitle a participant to a refund.

Our refund policy for Athletics is as follows:

• 100% Refund
  If the department cancels the athletic league, program, or class.
• Standard Refund Window
  A 100% refund (minus a $5 administrative fee) is available no later than two weeks after the first assigned team practice.
  After the second week of practice, refunds will not be granted.
• Injury Refunds
  If a player is injured during the first two games of the season, a refund may be issued.
  After the second game, no refunds will be provided.

Practices and games will be held primarily Monday–Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays may be used as needed for make-up dates or rescheduled games.