Over-the-Shoulder Catch Drill (youth flag football drill)
Receivers run straight downfield and catch a pass dropping over the outside shoulder without slowing down. Every deep pass in flag football ends this way, and most kids have never practiced it.
Setup
Set three cones in a line, 5 yards in from the sideline, at the line of scrimmage, 7 yards and 14 yards downfield. The receiver (A) lines up 5 yards to the inside of the first cone and runs straight downfield, keeping the cones on the right. The coach or QB (Q) stands 3 yards behind the line and 4 yards to the receiver's left.
How to run it
- The receiver sprints straight downfield.
- At about 8 yards, the receiver turns the head to look over the outside shoulder (the sideline side) without turning the body.
- The thrower drops the ball over that shoulder, 12 to 14 yards downfield.
- The receiver catches with pinkies together, thumbs out, and tucks the ball.
- Jog back up the sideline and hand the ball to the thrower. Switch to the left side after everyone has had 3 turns.
Coaching points
- Keep running at full speed while looking back. Slowing down is what lets the defender catch up.
- Turn the head, not the shoulders. Hips stay pointed downfield.
- Hands go up late, just before the ball arrives, so the arms do not slow the run.
- Look the ball all the way into the hands.
Common mistakes
- Turning the whole body around to face the thrower and stopping.
- Catching with the thumbs together on a ball over the shoulder, which lets it slip through.
- Drifting toward the sideline and running out of bounds.
Make it easier
- Have the receiver jog and use short tosses at 6 to 8 yards.
- Use a smaller or softer ball for younger players.
Make it harder
- Add a defender trailing one step behind.
- Throw to the inside shoulder on some reps, so the receiver has to find the ball.
Used in these practice plans
- 12U Flag Football Practice Plan (8 minutes)