Rush 2-2 Zone (Cover 2): a 5v5 flag football defense
Two safeties split the deep field in half, two corners take the short sidelines, and one defender rushes. It takes away the long ball and the quick outs, and gives up the short middle on purpose. Use it when the other team's best play is a deep throw.
Each defender's job
- R (rusher) starts more than 7 yards off the line, a step to one side of the center, and rushes the quarterback's flag at the snap.
- LC and RC (corners) line up 5 yards deep, just outside the wide receivers. They own the short sideline and turn every run back inside toward help.
- LS and RS (safeties) start 12 yards deep, each splitting their half of the field. Nothing gets behind you on your half.
Reads and keys
- Corners: if your receiver runs deep, let them go to the safety and look for the next route into the flat.
- Safeties: read the two receivers on your side. Stay over the deeper one.
- Everyone: the hole is the short middle. When the center catches it there, the nearest corner and the rusher close fast.
- Rusher: on a quick throw, turn and chase. You're the closest defender to a center catching a hitch.
Coaching points
- Safeties start deep and stay deep. A safety who creeps up on short routes turns this into a defense with no deep help.
- Corners squeeze the receiver to the sideline. The sideline is an extra defender: use it.
- Accept short gains in the middle and pull the flag right away. Cover 2 wins by making the offense string together short plays.
- Communicate the deep handoff: the corner shouts "deep!" as the receiver runs past.
When to call it
Late in a half, on long yardage, or against a team with a fast receiver who keeps beating you deep. If they move the ball with short middle throws, go back to the rush 3-1.
For youth teams
Good for older youth teams. Younger safeties tend to drift forward, so give them a cone at 12 yards and tell them to start behind it every snap.
Rules check
IFAF (5v5, 7v7 and beach)
The rusher has to start more than 7 yards off the line to cross it at the snap (R 7-1-4-e) and can signal a blitz by raising a hand (R 7-1-4-d), which gives right of way when rushing straight at the quarterback (R 2-2-6). The corners start within 7 yards, so they stay behind the line until a handoff, fake handoff or pass (R 7-1-4-f).
NFL FLAG and other rulebooks
NFL FLAG uses a 7-yard rush line, and any defender may rush once the ball is handed off or pitched. How many players may rush varies by division, so check your league's rulebook.
Rule numbers refer to the IFAF International Flag Football Rules 2023, the current edition. Test yourself on the rushing rules with the free rules quiz.
Know what the defense is doing
Every play in the free library lists the coverage it beats. Build your playbook in the free play maker and print wristband cards for game day.