Free flag football playbook: 11 plays for 5v5

By the Playwrist team · Rules checked against the NFL FLAG playing rules

This is a free 5v5 flag football playbook of 11 plays, drawn with NFL FLAG 5v5 rules, 9U and up, in mind. Six are medium to deep plays, and three of them are runs. The other five are short passes for when you're close to the end zone or inside a no-run zone. For each play you get a diagram, what every player does, who the QB watches, a backup play to call if the defense stops it, and the most common mistake. Print the page, or choose Save as PDF in your browser's print dialog. You don't need to sign up.

Rules this playbook is built around

Every play here is guided by these NFL FLAG 5v5 rules. Check your own league's version before the season. When this page says "the line", it means the line of scrimmage, where the ball sits before each snap.

• The QB can't run the ball across the line. The QB takes the snap and then throws or hands off.
• Every run starts with a handoff, pitch or lateral behind the line. None of them can happen past the line. The QB's first handoff, pitch or lateral can't go to the center.
• There are two no-run zones on each drive. They are the 5 yards before midfield and the 5 yards before the end zone. If you snap the ball inside one, the play has to be a forward pass that crosses the line.
• After a touchdown, you choose a 1-point try or a 2-point try. The 1-point try is snapped from the 5 yard line and must be a pass. The 2-point try is snapped from the 10 yard line and may be a run or a pass.
• Up to two players can rush the QB. Each one starts at least 7 yards from the line and raises a hand before the snap. The QB has 7 seconds to throw. Once the ball is handed off, every defender may rush.
• Every forward pass has to cross the line. A forward pass caught behind the line is a penalty, so this book has no passes caught behind the line (coaches call those screens).
• Nobody blocks. Players can't block a defender or step into a defender's way on purpose. A player who is moving after the snap stays out of a rusher's way to the QB. A player standing still can stay put, and the rusher goes around. Once the ball crosses the line, teammates near the ball carrier stop moving.
• Up to four players can line up on the line. The QB lines up behind it.

Where the QB stands. Nine plays have the QB a few steps behind the center. Those are the three runs and every quick pass (plays 1 to 4 and 7 to 11). A short snap is easier for young players to catch, and the ball comes out faster. The two longer pass plays (5 and 6) use shotgun, with the QB about 6 yards back, so the QB has more time to see the field. If your QB takes the snap from right under the center, that works too.

Every play fits a 25-yard-wide field with the ball in the middle. Positions: C center, QB quarterback, X left receiver, Z right receiver, Y slot receiver (lined up between the center and X or Z), RB running back. The first words of each play's name tell you how the players line up. For example, Twins Right puts two receivers on the right side, and Single Back has one RB behind the QB.

How to use this playbook

Teaching order. Don't teach all eleven at once. Teach two or three a week, and start with the beginner plays.

Week	Plays
1	1. Stick-Out, 7. Quick Hitches, 8. Slant-Fade
2	2. Sweep Right, 3. Sweep Left, 9. Smash
3	10. Double Out, 11. Dig-Flat
4	4. Reverse Left, 5. Dig-Cross, 6. Post-Go

Calling plays. Number the plays 1 to 11, and keep the same numbers on the wristband, the sideline sheet and in practice. Call the number. The QB repeats it in the huddle, and everyone says their job out loud once.

When to call what. Away from the end zone, start with Stick-Out and Sweep Right. Once the defense starts running right to stop the sweep, call Sweep Left or the Reverse. Near the end zone (the 5 yards before it, and the 1-point try), call plays 7 to 11. In the no-run zone before midfield, any pass play works. Never call a run (plays 2, 3 and 4) inside a no-run zone or on a 1-point try.

Medium to Deep plays (1–6)

1. Spread Right Stick-Out

A beginner play, and the first pass play to teach. The QB watches one defender and throws one of two short passes to the right. The ball should be gone on the QB's second step.

How they line up. X lines up wide left, Y on the right between the center and Z, and Z wide right. All three are on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center.

• Z: Run a quick out, a short route toward the sideline. Take three hard steps to 3 yards, then run straight across toward the right sideline.
• Y: Run 5 yards, then turn to the outside and face the QB. This is the stick. If a rusher lines up in front of you, go around the rusher's outside, then stop at 5 yards.
• C: Snap the ball, go left, out of the rusher's way, and stop at 4 yards.
• X: Run straight down the left side. This pulls that side's defender away.
• QB: Take two steps back and throw.

What to watch. Watch the defender outside Y. If that defender follows Z toward the sideline, throw to Y. If the defender stays inside with Y, throw to Z.

Backup play. If that defender starts covering both short throws, call Twins Right Post-Go. It uses the same side, but Y and Z both run deep, behind that defender.

Common mistake. Z turns toward the sideline too early, while still on the line. Take three full steps first so the catch happens past the line. A pass caught behind the line is a penalty and costs the down.

2. Single Back Sweep Right

A beginner run. The QB hands the ball to the RB, who runs toward the right sideline and then turns up the field. Don't call it in a no-run zone or on a 1-point try. Once your team runs it well, teach Sweep Left too, so the defense can't just wait on the right side.

How they line up. X lines up wide left and Z wide right, both on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center. The RB lines up behind the QB and off to the left, about 4 yards to the side and 2 yards deeper than the QB.

• RB: At the snap, run to the right, just behind the QB. Take the handoff without slowing down and keep running toward the right sideline. Then turn straight up the field, outside the defender on that side. Make one cut, then run hard.
• QB: Take the snap and turn to your right. Hold the ball out and hand it to the RB as the RB runs past behind you. Then pretend to pass. Stay behind the line.
• Z: Run a post. Go 6 yards, then angle in toward the middle at full speed. Never slow down or turn to face a defender. When the RB crosses the line, stop where you are and let the RB run around you.
• X: Run straight down the left side.
• C: Snap the ball, go left and stop at 4 yards.
• Everyone: Nobody blocks or stops in front of a defender. Once the RB crosses the line, players near the RB stop moving. Don't run alongside the RB.

What to watch. The RB watches the defender on the right side and runs outside that defender. After the handoff, every defender can rush from anywhere, so the RB has to be at full speed when the ball arrives.

Backup play. If the defender on the right stays wide and waits for the sweep, call Strong Right Dig-Flat. It goes to the same side, but Z cuts inside that defender. If the whole defense races to the right to chase the RB, call Single Back Reverse Left.

Common mistake. The RB cuts back to the middle. After the handoff the defense runs to the middle, so the open space is near the sideline.

3. Single Back Sweep Left

A beginner run. This is Sweep Right flipped to the left side. Call it when the defense starts moving to the right to stop Sweep Right. Don't call it in a no-run zone or on a 1-point try.

How they line up. X lines up wide left and Z wide right, both on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center. The RB lines up behind the QB and off to the right, about 4 yards to the side and 2 yards deeper than the QB.

• RB: At the snap, run to the left, just behind the QB. Take the handoff without slowing down and keep running toward the left sideline. Then turn straight up the field, outside the defender on that side. Make one cut, then run hard.
• QB: Take the snap and turn to your left. Hold the ball out and hand it to the RB as the RB runs past behind you. Then pretend to pass. Stay behind the line.
• X: Run a post. Go 6 yards, then angle in toward the middle at full speed. Never slow down or turn to face a defender. When the RB crosses the line, stop where you are and let the RB run around you.
• Z: Run straight down the right side.
• C: Snap the ball, go right and stop at 4 yards.
• Everyone: Nobody blocks or stops in front of a defender. Once the RB crosses the line, players near the RB stop moving. Don't run alongside the RB.

What to watch. The RB watches the defender on the left side and runs outside that defender. After the handoff, every defender can rush from anywhere, so the RB has to be at full speed when the ball arrives.

Backup play. If the defender on the left stays wide and waits for the sweep, call Twins Left Dig-Cross. Y starts on the left and cuts across inside that defender.

Common mistake. The RB cuts back to the middle. After the handoff the defense runs to the middle, so the open space is near the sideline.

4. Single Back Reverse Left

An intermediate run that starts exactly like Sweep Right. The RB runs the sweep to the right, then hands the ball to Z, who is running back the other way behind the line. Z takes it up the left side. Call it after Sweep Right has worked a few times and the whole defense races to the right at the snap. Don't call it in a no-run zone or on a 1-point try.

How they line up. It's the same as Sweep Right. X lines up wide left and Z wide right, both on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center. The RB lines up behind the QB and off to the left, about 4 yards to the side and 2 yards deeper than the QB.

• QB: Take the snap and turn to your right. Hand the ball to the RB as the RB runs past behind you, just like Sweep Right. Then pretend to pass. Stay behind the line.
• RB: Run the sweep to the right at full speed and take the handoff. As Z comes toward you, hand the ball to Z. Then keep running toward the right sideline as if you still have it. Stay behind the line.
• Z: At the snap, take a few steps back toward the QB, then run to the left, behind the line. Pass just in front of the RB, on the side closer to the line, and take the ball as you go by. Keep running left behind the line, then turn straight up the field on the left side.
• X: Run straight down the left side at full speed. When Z crosses the line, stop where you are and let Z run around you.
• C: Snap the ball, go right and stop at 4 yards. This helps make the defense think it's a sweep to the right.
• Everyone: Nobody blocks or stops in front of a defender. Once Z crosses the line, players near Z stop moving. Don't run alongside Z.

What to watch. Z watches the defender on the left side. If that defender chased the sweep, run straight up the field. If the defender stayed on the left, get outside that defender before you turn up. After the first handoff every defender can rush from anywhere, so both handoffs have to be quick.

Backup play. If the defender on the left stays on the left side and doesn't chase the sweep, go back to Sweep Right. That defender is now too far away to help on the right.

Common mistake. The RB slows down to hand the ball to Z. Then the defense can tell it isn't a sweep. The RB runs full speed, just like Sweep Right, and Z takes the ball on the way past.

5. Twins Left Dig-Cross

An intermediate play. Two receivers run across the field in opposite directions, one 8 yards deep and one 12 yards deep. Call it on second or third down with about 3 to 6 yards to go, when each defender is following one receiver around the field. Coaches call that man-to-man.

How they line up. X lines up wide left, and Y lines up on the left between X and the center. Both are on the line. Z lines up wide right. The QB stands in shotgun, about 6 yards behind the center.

• Y: Run 8 yards up, then cut across the field from left to right. If a rusher lines up in front of you, go around the rusher's outside first.
• Z: Run 12 yards up, then cut across the field from right to left. This is the dig. Y and Z pass each other 4 yards apart, and neither one runs into a defender.
• C: Snap the ball, go right and stop at 4 yards. If the rushers get close fast, the QB throws to you.
• X: Run straight down the left side. This pulls that side's defender away.
• QB: Take three steps back and throw.

Both receivers are past the rushers' starting line, 7 yards deep, before they turn. So neither one runs across a rusher's way to the QB.

What to watch. Watch the defender in the middle. If that defender comes up to cover Y, throw to Z behind. If the defender backs up to cover Z, throw to Y in front.

Backup play. If the defense keeps two defenders in the middle to stop both crossers, call Twins Right Post-Go. The deep pass down the sideline is open.

Common mistake. Y and Z cross at the same depth and get in each other's way. Y always cuts at 8 yards and Z at 12.

6. Twins Right Post-Go

An intermediate play, and the deep pass in this book. Z runs straight down the sideline and Y angles in toward the middle. Call it when the deepest defender moves up to stop short passes.

How they line up. Y lines up on the right between the center and Z, and Z lines up wide right. Both are on the line. X lines up wide left. The QB stands in shotgun, about 6 yards behind the center.

• Z: Run straight up the right sideline as fast as you can.
• Y: Run 10 yards, then angle in toward the middle of the field. This is the post. If a rusher lines up in front of you, go around the rusher's outside first.
• X: Run 5 yards, then cut out toward the left sideline.
• C: Snap the ball, go left and stop at 4 yards.
• QB: Take the snap, then take three steps back while you look toward Y's post in the middle. Looking there first can pull the deepest defender toward Y. Then set your feet and throw early. Put the ball out in front of Z and toward the sideline, where only Z can catch it. For 9U and 10U, aim 12 to 15 yards past the line, not 20, and let Z run under it.

What to watch. Watch the deepest defender. If that defender stays in the middle, throw to Z down the sideline. If the defender moves toward Z, throw to Y. If nobody is open deep, throw to X, then to the center.

Backup play. If the deepest defender backs up and stays deep, call Twins Left Dig-Cross. Its receivers cross in front of that defender.

Common mistake. The QB holds the ball, waiting for Z to get open. If the deepest defender is even with Z when your third step lands, throw to Y or X instead.

Near the end zone and no-run zone plays (7–11)

These five are quick, short passes, and the QB stands a few steps behind the center on all of them. Every route in the drawings ends within 7½ yards of the line, so the plays fit inside the end zone when you snap from the 5 yard line. They work in the no-run zone before midfield too.

7. Single Back Quick Hitches

A beginner play for when you're near the end zone or in a no-run zone. Four players run short, stop and turn back to the QB. Teach it first for the no-run zones. Call it anytime the defenders are playing far back from your receivers.

How they line up. X lines up wide left and Z wide right, both on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center. The RB stands next to the QB on the right, about 4 yards away.

• X, Z: Run 4 yards hard, stop, and turn back to the QB. This is a hitch.
• C: Snap the ball, go left, out of the rusher's way, and stop at 4 yards, just left of the ball.
• RB: Go out to the right first, then run straight up to 4 yards, between the center and Z.
• QB: Take two steps back and throw.

What to watch. Pick a side before the snap. Choose the side with fewer defenders, or the side where the defender is playing farthest back. Throw to the player with the most room in front of them.

Coaching point. From the 5 yard line, stop the hitches on the goal line, about 5 yards, not at 4. A catch at 4 yards leaves you on the 1 yard line, and you've used a down. Before midfield, stop them just past the midfield line.

Backup play. If defenders move up close to the short receivers, call Spread Right Smash. It starts the same way and sends a receiver deeper, behind them.

Common mistake. The RB cuts inside toward the QB, which is where the rusher runs. Go out to the right first, then straight up.

8. Twins Right Slant-Fade

A beginner play for when you're near the end zone, and the quickest throw in the book. Y cuts inside and Z runs to the corner behind. Call it when two defenders raise their hands to rush the QB.

How they line up. Y lines up on the right between the center and Z, and Z lines up wide right. Both are on the line. X lines up wide left. The QB stands a few steps behind the center.

• Y: Take three hard steps up the field, then angle inside. This is the slant. Stop a few steps outside the ball. If a rusher lines up in front of you, go around the rusher's outside, and cut inside only after the rusher has gone by. Never run into a rusher.
• Z: Run toward the back right corner of the end zone. This is the fade. Before midfield, keep running. The drawing stops at 7½ yards so it fits any end zone.
• C: Snap the ball, go left and stop at 4 yards.
• X: Run 4 yards, then cut out toward the left sideline.
• QB: Take three steps back and throw the slant as your third step lands.

What to watch. Watch the defender in front of Y. If that defender stays outside or backs up, throw the slant. If the defender moves inside early to take it, throw the fade to Z.

Backup play. If the defense keeps sitting inside on the slant, call Twins Left Double Out next. It throws toward the sideline instead.

Common mistake. Y drifts into the middle in front of the QB, which is where the rusher runs. Stop the slant a few steps outside the ball.

9. Spread Right Smash

An intermediate play for when you're near the end zone. Z runs short and turns back, and Y runs to the corner behind Z, so one defender has to pick one of them. Call it when the defender outside Z stays close to the line.

How they line up. Y lines up on the right between the center and Z. Z lines up wide right and X wide left. All three are on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center.

• Z: Run 3 to 4 yards, stop, and turn back to the QB.
• Y: Run 4 yards, then break toward the back right corner of the end zone, behind Z. Run past the defender outside Z, never into that defender. If the defender is in your way, go around.
• C: Snap the ball, go left and stop at 4 yards.
• X: Run to the back left corner. This pulls that side's defender away.
• QB: Take two steps back. Look at Z first.

What to watch. Watch the defender outside Z. If that defender stays close on Z, throw to Y in the corner. If the defender backs up, throw to Z. If both are covered, throw to the center. Before midfield, Y and X keep running.

Backup play. If the defense starts waiting back in the corner, go back to Single Back Quick Hitches. The short throw will be open.

Common mistake. Y runs straight across toward the sideline. Y should finish deep in the corner, behind Z.

10. Twins Left Double Out

An intermediate play for when you're near the end zone. Two receivers cut out toward the left sideline, one short and one deeper. Call it when most defenders are bunched in the middle of the field.

How they line up. X lines up wide left, and Y lines up on the left between X and the center. Both are on the line. Z lines up wide right. The QB stands a few steps behind the center.

• X: Run 2 yards, then cut out toward the left sideline. Take three full steps past the line before you turn.
• Y: Run 5 to 6 yards, then cut out toward the left sideline, above X.
• C: Snap the ball, go right, out of the rusher's way, and run toward the right sideline, 2 yards past the line.
• Z: Run 3 yards, then angle in toward the end zone, staying outside the ball. You are the throw on the other side.
• QB: Take two steps back. Look at X first.

What to watch. Watch the defender near the left sideline. If that defender comes up to X, throw to Y behind. If the defender backs up to cover Y, throw to X. If the left side is covered, look right to Z, then to the center.

Backup play. If the defense starts covering both receivers on the left sideline, call Twins Right Slant-Fade. The slant goes inside, into the space they just left.

Common mistake. X catches the ball on the line or behind it. That's a penalty and costs the down. Take three full steps past the line before turning.

11. Strong Right Dig-Flat

An intermediate play for when you're near the end zone. From the 5 yard line, Z cuts across on the goal line and the RB runs out toward the right sideline in front of Z. One defender has to choose between them.

How they line up. Z lines up wide right and X wide left, both on the line. The QB stands a few steps behind the center. The RB stands on the right, between the QB and Z, about 3½ yards behind the line.

• Z: Run 5 yards, then cut straight across toward the middle. This is the dig. Stop before you reach the ball.
• RB: Run toward the right sideline, 1 to 2 yards past the line. Be a step past the line before you look for the ball. If a rusher lines up on the right, let the rusher go by before you run across the rusher's way to the QB.
• C: Snap the ball, go left and stop at 4 yards.
• X: Run to the back left corner. This pulls that side's defender away. Before midfield, keep running.
• QB: Take two steps back. Look at Z first.

What to watch. Watch the defender in front of Z. If that defender moves out to the RB, throw to Z behind. If the defender stays with Z, throw to the RB. The RB stays 1 to 2 yards deep and Z at 5, so they pass at least 3 yards apart.

Backup play. If the defense drops a second defender in front of Z at the goal line, call Spread Right Smash. Its corner route goes behind the defender near the sideline.

Common mistake. The RB catches the ball on the line. A pass caught behind the line is a penalty, and it doesn't count as the pass a no-run zone needs. Get a step past the line first.

FAQ

Is this flag football playbook really free? Yes. All 11 plays are on this page, and you don't need to sign up. Print it, or choose Save as PDF in your browser's print dialog to keep a copy.

How many plays does a 5v5 flag football team need? Eight to twelve is plenty for a season. Start with two or three beginner plays and add more as your team runs them cleanly. Keep a mix of short and deep throws, plays to both sides of the field, and two or three runs.

Can you run the ball in NFL FLAG 5v5? Yes, with a handoff, pitch or lateral behind the line of scrimmage. The QB can't run it across the line, and the QB's first handoff can't go to the center. At 9U and up you can't run inside the two no-run zones or on a 1-point try. Once the ball is handed off, every defender may rush.

How many players can rush the quarterback in NFL FLAG 5v5? Up to two. Each one starts at least 7 yards from the line and raises a hand before the snap. The QB has 7 seconds to throw, and that clock stops once the ball is handed off.

Which plays are best for beginners? Start with Stick-Out and Quick Hitches for passing, Sweep Right and Sweep Left for running, and Slant-Fade for near the end zone. Each play is marked beginner or intermediate for teams 9U and up.

Build your own plays

These plays are a starting point. Change a route, flip a play to the other side or rename it to fit your team. Every diagram on this page is drawn by Playwrist, an AI-native flag football play designer. You describe a play in plain English or draw it by hand, then print your playbook or wristband cards. Plans with AI include a 7-day free trial: see plans and pricing.

Sources: NFL FLAG playing rules, revision AP03242025: field and no-run zones (Rule IV), scoring and tries (Rule VII), running game and handoffs (Rule X), passing and the pass clock (Rule XI), rushing the passer (Rule XIII), formations (Rule XV), age guidelines (Rule XVIII).

Playwrist isn't affiliated with or endorsed by the NFL, NFL FLAG or any league. Rules summarized from the NFL FLAG playing rules (revision AP03242025); check with your league.