Quick pass
Slant-flat
Slant-flat puts two receivers on the right side and makes one defender choose between them.
Open in the play designer5v5 flag football plays
5v5 flag football plays have to work with four receivers and no linemen. This page has passes, runs, trick plays and two defenses drawn for 5 on 5, each with an animated diagram and a job for every player. NFL FLAG uses the 5v5 format.
8 plays
5v5 pass plays
Beats man
Mesh
Mesh is a crossing play.
Open in the play designerBeats 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 designerBeats 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 designerEasy completion
Center delay
Center delay sends X, Y and Z deep and saves the center for last.
Open in the play designerDeep shot
Stack go
Stack go lines Y up directly behind Z on the right.
Open in the play designerFirst play to teach
Quick hitches
Quick hitches is the first play most new teams should learn.
Open in the play designerPlay action
Play-action post
Play-action post starts out looking like a run.
Open in the play designer2 plays
5v5 defenses
Zone
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 designerMan
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 designerWhat makes 5 on 5 flag football plays different
There are no linemen. The center snaps the ball and then runs a route, and in most leagues he is eligible to catch a pass. Four players can go out on every play, and the quarterback has nobody protecting him.
The defense usually sends one rusher from 7 yards back, so the ball has to come out fast. Most 5v5 plays here have a throw that is ready in about two seconds, with the center as a safe option in the middle.
Best 5v5 flag football plays to start with
Start with quick hitches. Everybody runs 5 yards and turns around, and the quarterback throws to whoever has the most room. Add slant-flat next, which teaches the quarterback to read one defender.
Center delay is the third play to teach. The receivers clear out deep, the center counts one-Mississippi and slips out underneath. Add the sweep as your run and you have four plays that will carry a first season.
Beating man and zone in 5v5
Against man coverage, call mesh or bunch switch. Both make defenders run into traffic. Against a 3-2 zone, call trips flood, which puts three receivers on one side at three depths.
When the defense starts jumping short routes, call stack go or the play-action post for a deep shot. The reverse and the double pass are there for one or two calls a game.
5v5 flag football plays as a PDF or wristband
Open any 5v5 play in the free play designer and download it as a PDF. You can get one play on a card, several plays on a playbook sheet, or wristband inserts cut to size.
5v5 flag football plays FAQ
Is there a 5 on 5 flag football play that always works?
No. Every play has a defense that stops it. A better plan is to pair two plays that start the same way. Run the sweep until the defense steps up, then call the play-action post, which fakes the same handoff.
How many plays does a 5v5 flag football team need?
A new team can get by with four. Teams that have played together for a season or two usually carry eight to ten.
Can the center catch a pass in 5v5 flag football?
In most leagues, yes. The center becomes an eligible receiver once he snaps the ball. Center delay is built on this.
What is the best defense in 5 on 5 flag football?
Most young teams should start with a 3-2 zone. Three defenders cover the short area and two safeties split the deep half. Move to man defense with a rusher when your defenders can stay with a receiver.
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.