It’s time to gear up for playoffs

With most of the intramural flag football teams on a bye this week, I thought this would be a good day to take a time-out and look at the nightly touchdown fest that goes on at the Intramural Field every fall quarter.

Teams have probably noticed that the regular season has been cut down to only three games from the usual four.

This could present some challenges in scheduling, I thought. UCLA Recreation Competitive Sports Coordinator Adam Pruett explained that, because of significant budget cuts to the intramural program, they have had to cut a week of regular season to keep fees low.

The $40 fee charged to every intramural sports participant, Pruett said, covers only about a week’s worth of flag football games. But, for Pruett, the explanation is simple:

“They cut us big time.”

The standard of having a .500 record or more still applies, so 2-1 and 1-1-1 teams will most likely earn a playoff berth. Teams with 1-2 records, Pruett added, may have enough to get into the playoffs with a favorable score differential.

I’m not too worried about the system of making the playoffs, however, as my team has a 2-1 mark with some reasonably sportsmanlike conduct.

And with my colleagues and I on the “DB Sports” flag football team already locked in the playoffs, I could probably offer some advice, albeit particular to playing my speciality: offensive line.

1. Fake snaps

The key to success for any flag football team is catching the defense off guard. What better way to catch the defense biting than saying “Hike” without moving the ball? This plan usually fails miserably because fake snaps tend to catch the offense off guard as well.

2. Laterals

These are a low-risk alternative to stiff-arming, especially since there is no fumbling.

Since you can’t smash a would-be tackler (in this case, a flag-puller) to the ground, then why not toss the ball to a teammate? Just be sure your teammate is not ahead of you, and the defense has not surrounded him.

3. Containment

Rather than going all out and trying to pull a quick quarterback’s flag, just keep the pocket around him and the pressure on. Forcing a bad pass will be a lot more worthwhile than pushing their quarterback back a couple yards.

Also, containing the quarterback forces the blockers to say with you, and they cannot drop out on a flat. If you can force a bad throw and swallow up three blockers … well, let’s just say you’re on the path to being the Brian Price of the Intramural field.

4. Quarterback option

Having a simple playbook will probably remind you of Herman Boone’s great adage: “I run six plays split veer. It’s like Novocaine. Just give it time, it always works.”

That said, if you can’t perfect the “split veer,” just make it simple and have your quarterback roll out with the option to run, throw deep or get a dump-off to your big tight end.

5. Coaching

If you’re really serious about winning, look for the team you’re going to be playing next and find their tendencies. At the very least, you can dominate the first half.

Also, have some semblance of a lineup and a couple audibles that you can call out from the line or offense or defense. Organization is the key when it comes to shutting down a fast team, and you will need to appoint a coach to organize these things.

These little suggestions should be helpful for the flag football playoffs, which start next week. So practice hard and hold extra film sessions because it’s playoff time.

If you’re growing a playoff beard, e-mail Mashhood at fmashhood@media.ucla.edu.

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