Mesh diagram
- 1
X and Y cross close enough to slap hands, which rubs off man coverage. QB throws to whichever crosser comes open, with C as the safe throw.
When to call Mesh
Call mesh when the defense is in man and your receivers are having trouble getting open by themselves. The traffic in the middle does the work for them.
Against zone the cross will not shake anybody loose. Tell X and Y to slow down and settle in the first gap between short defenders once they pass the center.
Mesh: each player's job
QB
Take the snap and watch the spot where X and Y cross. Throw to X coming out of the mesh toward the right side. If X is covered, look to Y going left, then C.
C
Snap, go 6 yards up the middle and turn around at about 5.
X
From the left, run the drag. Push 2 yards upfield, then cross the field to the right at 3 to 4 yards deep. You go under Y at the mesh.
Y
Start in the right slot, go 3 yards upfield and cross to the left, drifting to about 5 yards deep. You go over the top of X, close enough to touch hands.
Z
On the right, run a post. Go about 9 yards, break toward the middle and keep running. That clears the right side for X.
What the quarterback looks at
The QB's eyes go to the mesh point first. In man coverage one defender usually gets caught in traffic, and that crosser pops open a step or two after the cross.
If X has a defender on the hip, look at Y on the other side. If both are covered, C is sitting in the middle at 5 yards.
How to teach Mesh at practice
- 1
Put a cone 3 yards past the line, right over the ball. X and Y jog their routes and slap hands at the cone. Y goes over and X goes under on every rep.
- 2
Speed it up with no defense and have the QB throw to X one stride after the cross.
- 3
Add C and Z, then run the full play against five.
Common mistakes
- X and Y cross 3 yards apart. A wide mesh rubs nobody. They should be able to touch hands.
- Both crossers run at the same depth and collide. Decide once who goes over and never change it.
- A crosser runs into a defender. That is a penalty in most leagues.
Mesh FAQ
What is the mesh concept in flag football?
Two receivers run shallow crossing routes from opposite sides and pass each other within arm's reach. Defenders chasing in man coverage get slowed down by the traffic. A third receiver runs deep to keep the safety out of the middle.
Is mesh legal in leagues that do not allow picks?
Yes, as long as the receivers run their routes and do not hit or screen a defender on purpose. Teach them to cross close to each other and avoid contact.
What age can run mesh in 5v5?
Most teams can run it at 10U. If you coach 8U, start with slant-flat and add mesh later in the season.
More plays: all 5v5 flag football plays. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.