/ Why this drill
What it teaches.
Two defenders are better than one — but only if they work together. Sideline Funnel teaches the most important defensive concept in flag football: forcing the runner toward help. The inside defender takes away the cutback, the outside defender takes away the corner, and the runner has nowhere to go.
/ How to run it
Step by step.
- Two defenders, one ball carrier. Set up at the LOS, with the carrier 15 yards from the sideline.
- Defender 1 (inside) lines up between the carrier and the field's middle.
- Defender 2 (outside) lines up between the carrier and the sideline.
- On go, the carrier tries to reach the sideline cone 15 yards downfield.
- Defender 1 shadows the carrier with inside leverage — never letting the carrier cut back to the middle.
- Defender 2 closes the angle to the sideline, forcing the carrier to commit.
- The carrier should run out of room before reaching the cone.
/ Coaching points
What to watch for.
- Defender 1's job is to take away the cutback, not to make the flag pull.
- Defender 2 is the closer. They take the angle and end the play.
- Talk to each other — 'I got inside!' 'I got outside!'
- Don't both jump on the same side of the runner — that's how cutbacks happen.
/ Variations
Progress the drill.
Reverse it
Force the runner toward the middle instead of the sideline. Two outside defenders.
Three defenders
Add a deep safety as a fail-safe. Models real game defense.
Add a blocker
Carrier has a blocker to peel off Defender 1. Tests defenders' improvisation.
/ Common mistakes
Where it goes wrong.
- Both defenders crossing — leaves a cutback lane.
- Defender 1 trying to make the pull — leaves the cutback open.
- Defender 2 over-pursuing — runner cuts back inside for a big gain.
- No communication — they end up tackling each other instead of the runner.