5v5Quick pass
Slant-flat
Slant-flat puts two receivers on the right side and makes one defender choose between them.
Open in the play designerFlag football plays
These flag football plays are sorted by format, so start with the number of players your league puts on the field. Every play has an animated diagram, a job for each player and the read for the quarterback. You can open any of them in the free play designer and print it.
14 plays
5v5 flag football plays
See the 5v5 page for how the format works and which plays to start with.
5v5Beats man
Mesh
Mesh is a crossing play.
Open in the play designer5v5Beats zone
Trips flood
Trips flood lines three receivers up on the right and sends them to three depths on the same side.
Open in the play designer5v5Beats man
Bunch switch
Bunch switch packs X, Y and Z into a tight triangle on the right and sends them in three directions.
Open in the play designer5v5Easy completion
Center delay
Center delay sends X, Y and Z deep and saves the center for last.
Open in the play designer5v5Deep shot
Stack go
Stack go lines Y up directly behind Z on the right.
Open in the play designer5v5First play to teach
Quick hitches
Quick hitches is the first play most new teams should learn.
Open in the play designer5v5Play action
Play-action post
Play-action post starts out looking like a run.
Open in the play designer5v5Run
Jet sweep
The jet sweep gets your fastest player the ball while already running.
Open in the play designer5v5Run
Sweep
The sweep is a plain handoff to Y running wide to the right.
Open in the play designer5v5Trick play
Reverse
The reverse is two handoffs.
Open in the play designer5v5Trick play
Double pass
The double pass is two throws on one play.
Open in the play designer5v5Zone
3-2 zone defense
The 3-2 zone puts three defenders across the short part of the field and two safeties behind them.
Open in the play designer5v5Man
Man defense with a rusher
In this 5v5 flag football defense three players each cover one receiver, one rushes the quarterback from 7 yards, and a safety stays deeper than everyone.
Open in the play designer7 plays
6v6 flag football plays
See the 6v6 page for how the format works and which plays to start with.
6v6Quick pass
Double slants
Double slants puts two slants on each side of a 6v6 spread.
Open in the play designer6v6Beats zone
Smash
Smash pairs a 5-yard hitch with a corner route on each side.
Open in the play designer6v6Beats man
Mesh
Mesh sends H and Y across the field in opposite directions, about a yard apart, 3 to 5 yards past the line.
Open in the play designer6v6Beats zone
Flood
Flood lines up in trips right and sends three receivers to the right side at three depths.
Open in the play designer6v6Run
Jet sweep
The jet sweep is a 6v6 run to the right.
Open in the play designer6v6Deep shot
Hitch and go
Hitch and go is a double move for Z.
Open in the play designer6v6Zone
3-3 zone defense
The 3-3 zone splits the field into six areas.
Open in the play designer11 plays
7v7 flag football plays
See the 7v7 page for how the format works and which plays to start with.
7v7Beats Cover 2
Smash
Smash puts a short hitch and a deep corner route on the same side of the field.
Open in the play designer7v7Beats Cover 3
Four verticals
Four verticals, or 4 verts, sends four receivers straight up the field at the same time.
Open in the play designer7v7Beats zone
Levels
Levels stacks two in-breaking routes on the same side, one at 5 yards and one at 10.
Open in the play designer7v7Quick pass
Bubble screen
The bubble screen is a quick throw to Y near the right sideline with two teammates in front of him.
Open in the play designer7v7Beats man
Mesh
Mesh crosses the two slots a few yards past the line of scrimmage, close enough to touch shoulders.
Open in the play designer7v7Beats zone
Flood
Flood sends three receivers to the right side at three depths.
Open in the play designer7v7Easy completion
Stick
Stick is a 5-yard completion you can call on any down.
Open in the play designer7v7Beats Cover 3
Curl-flat
Curl-flat runs the same two-man combination on both sides.
Open in the play designer7v7Run
Sweep
The sweep is a handoff to F, who runs for the right sideline and turns upfield.
Open in the play designer7v7Zone
Cover 2 defense
Cover 2 is a zone with two safeties splitting the deep field in half and five defenders underneath.
Open in the play designer7v7Zone
Cover 3 defense
Cover 3 puts three defenders deep, each guarding a third of the field, with four more underneath.
Open in the play designerHow many flag football plays does a team need
A first-year team can play a full season with four to six plays. Two quick passes, one run, one deep shot and one play for the goal line will cover most situations.
Add a play only when the team can run the ones it has without a reminder in the huddle. Older teams that practice twice a week can carry 10 to 12. Past that, players start lining up in the wrong spot.
Picking youth flag football plays by age
For 6U and 8U, pick plays where every receiver runs the same route or where the throw is under 7 yards. Quick hitches, slant-flat and center delay are good places to start. At 10U, add plays with a read, such as trips flood or smash, where the quarterback watches one defender.
By 12U and 14U most teams can handle crossing routes, double moves and a trick play or two. The best flag football plays at any age are the ones your quarterback can throw on time, so match the routes to his arm.
Printable flag football plays and wristbands
Each play opens in the free play designer. From there you can change routes, rename the play and print playbook sheets or wristband inserts at no cost.
Flag football wristband plays are easiest to use when each one has a number and a short name. Put six to eight on the band in the largest type that fits, and keep the same numbers all season.
Zone and man defense basics
In a zone, each defender guards an area and breaks on the ball. In man, each defender follows one receiver. Zone is easier to teach and gives up fewer long plays, which is why most young teams start there.
Your play calls depend on which one you see. Against zone, call plays that put two receivers near one defender, like flood or smash. Against man, call crossing routes like mesh or a bunch formation.
Flag football plays FAQ
What are the best flag football plays for a new team?
Quick hitches, slant-flat and a sweep. All three have short throws or a handoff, and every player has one job. Add center delay once the defense starts chasing your receivers deep.
Are these NFL FLAG football plays?
The 5v5 plays are drawn for five players with no linemen and no blocking, which is how NFL FLAG plays. Rules differ from league to league, so check yours before you install a run or a trick play.
Can I print these flag football plays?
Yes. Open a play in the free play designer and print it as a playbook sheet or a wristband insert. Printing is free.
Do the same plays work in 5v5, 6v6 and 7v7?
The ideas carry over, but the spacing changes. Mesh, flood and smash appear in more than one format here, each drawn for that number of players. Use the version that matches your league.
Can the quarterback run in flag football?
In most leagues the quarterback cannot run the ball past the line himself. Some leagues allow it when the defense rushes, so check your league's rules.
Free flag football play designer
Open the play designerDraw your own flag football plays
Start from any play on this page or a blank field. Give each player a route, watch it run, and print it on wristbands. The flag football play designer page shows how it works, and there are more free tools on the football coaching tools page.