Mesh diagram
- 1
H and Y cross in the middle of the field, shoulder to shoulder. Against man one of them comes open. Against zone they sit down in the first open window.
When to call Mesh
Call it when defenders are following your receivers across the formation or lining up nose to nose. Those are signs of man coverage.
Mesh is also useful on third and short and near the goal line, where there is little room for deep routes.
Mesh: each player's job
QB
Look at H coming from left to right. Throw to him as he clears the crossing point, or to Y going the other way if H is covered.
C
Hitch at 5 yards and stay there. The crossers run underneath you, so do not back up into them.
X
Take your defender deep with a go route up the left sideline.
Z
Run a post from wide right, breaking inside at about 10 yards. It pulls the safety help away from the crossers.
Y
Start in the right slot, go up 3 or 4 yards and cross to the left, climbing to 5. You pass over the top of H.
H
The quarterback looks to you first. From the left slot, go up 2 or 3 yards and cross to the right under Y.
F
Swing to the right. If the defender on your side chases H, you are open outside.
What the quarterback looks at
The quarterback follows H across the field. Against man, H's defender has to get through the traffic where the slots cross, and H usually comes out a step ahead. Hit him on the move so he can turn upfield.
If a defender is waiting for H on the right, look back to Y on the left. Against zone, both slots stop in the first open space past the crossing point and face the quarterback.
How to teach Mesh at practice
- 1
Put a cone 3 yards past the line over the ball. H and Y jog their routes and pass the cone on opposite sides, shoulder to shoulder.
- 2
Set the rule that Y always goes over and H always goes under.
- 3
Add two defenders in man coverage, then the quarterback and the other routes. Last, show the slots how to sit down against zone.
Common mistakes
- The slots cross 3 yards apart and the defenders run straight through the gap. They should be close enough to slap hands.
- Both slots run at the same depth and collide. Y is over at about 4 yards and H is under at about 3.
- A crosser keeps running into a zone defender. Teach him to stop in the open window.
Mesh FAQ
Is mesh a pick play?
Receivers are allowed to run their routes close together. They may not run into a defender on purpose, so coach your slots to keep running and check how your league calls it.
Does the mesh concept work against zone?
Yes, with one change. The crossers settle in open space between defenders, and the quarterback throws to the one who is uncovered.
How far apart should the crossing routes be?
About one yard of depth apart and close enough to touch as they pass.
More plays: all 7v7 flag football plays. Draw your own in the flag football play designer.