The offense tries to reach the end zone. The defense tries to stop it by pulling the ball carrier's flag. Use this example to connect the drawing to what players do.
Line up. A formation tells players where to stand. The line of scrimmage marks where the ball starts.
Start with the snap. The center sends the ball to the quarterback. That starts the assignments.
Run the assignments. Receivers follow their routes while the quarterback chooses a pass or handoff allowed by your rules.
Finish and reset. A catch can lead to a run. A flag pull, boundary or other dead-ball condition ends the play. This example shows the pass; practice the finish separately.
Example: Strong Right · C Left, 5v5. Watch when the ball leaves the passer and where the receivers go.
Player labels:
QB is the quarterback; C is the center. Letters such as X, Y and Z identify receivers.
Lines and arrows:
The dashed line across the field marks the start. Route arrows show where players run.
Ball:
The small football moves from the snap to the pass and receiver.
For children who have not played many team sports, start with the purpose: offense moves the ball toward the end zone; defense tries to stop the ball carrier with a flag pull. A position is the child’s job on this play. Show where to stand and one action before adding names, routes or opponents.
5v5 Strong Right example. QB = quarterback; C = center; X, Y and Z = receivers. Five players: one QB, one center and three receivers. Starting spots are schematic, not measured distances.
Show it, walk it, then try it together
Our 5v5 offense has one quarterback, one center and three receivers. Our 6v6 version adds a running back. On defense, teach a player or a space to cover before adding a position name. These are our coaching examples; formations and league rules vary.
Where do I start? Stand beside the child, face the same direction and walk to their marker.
What do I do first? Demonstrate one action without a defender. Let the child copy it at walking speed.
Where do I finish? Point to the finish, practice your stop signal and return to the starting spot together.
Let children point or demonstrate instead of asking them to explain in front of the group. Repeat a familiar job before rotating; give everyone a supported turn at different roles.
A first job to teach at each position
Position
First job
Words to say
QuarterbackOffense
Receive the snap, then deliver the ball on the called play.
“Get ready for the ball. Catch it. Find your teammate.”
CenterOffense
Start the play with the snap; in our system, then become a short passing option.
“Send the ball. Then go to your spot and look back.”
ReceiverOffense
Follow the assigned path to create a passing option, even when someone else gets the ball.
“Wait for the snap. Follow your path. Show your hands.”
Running backOffense · our 6v6 system
Take the called handoff, or become a short passing option on a pass play.
“Meet the ball. Hold it securely. Follow your path.”
Coverage defenderDefense
Cover the assigned player or area, then respond to the ball carrier.
“Find your person—or your space. Stay ready. Pull the flag, not the clothes.”
SafetyDefense
Start deeper and help protect the space behind the other defenders.
“Start behind your teammates. Watch for someone coming deep. Nobody gets behind you.”
For the center’s receiving role, handoffs and defensive rushing, check your league’s rules. Our base defenses have no designated rusher. A safety is a coverage defender starting deeper, not an extra player.
Choose a shape, watch it run, then use the coaching cue at practice. Start with one route your players can explain and repeat before combining several in a play.
Illustrations show route shapes and timing, not a measured field or a guaranteed completion. Adapt distances to your players and space.
Go Deep
Also called Fly, Streak
Straight down the field as fast as they can go. A straight path to practice before adding a change of direction.
How to run it
Line up on the outside.
Run upfield into your lane without initiating contact.
Keep running. Do not slow down to look for the ball until it is in the air.
Look back over your inside shoulder once you are past everyone.
Say it like this: “Run to the end and do not turn around until I yell.”
Look for: A defender who is slower than the receiver, or one who lines up too close to the line.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the go together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Three hard steps up the field, then cut in at an angle across the middle. The quickest way to get the ball out of the quarterback's hands.
How to run it
Take three quick steps straight up the field.
Plant on your outside foot and cut in at an angle — not sideways, always still going forward.
Look for the ball immediately. It is coming out fast.
Say it like this: “Three steps, then cut across on an angle. The ball is already coming.”
Look for: A defender playing off the line, and any coverage where nobody is standing in the middle.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the slant together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Straight up the field, then a hard cut toward the sideline. Coordinate the cut and throw so the receiver has room before the boundary.
How to run it
Run straight up the field about five yards.
Plant hard on your inside foot.
Cut flat toward the sideline and keep your eyes on the quarterback.
Say it like this: “Get to the cone, plant, and run to the sideline.”
Look for: A defender lined up inside the receiver, and zone coverage that leaves the sideline open.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the out together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
The mirror of an out — up the field, then a hard cut toward the middle. More room to run after the catch, and more traffic to run into.
How to run it
Run straight up the field about five yards.
Plant hard on your outside foot.
Cut flat across the middle and expect the ball right away.
Say it like this: “Get to the cone, plant, and run across the middle.”
Look for: A defender guarding the sideline, and any coverage with nobody sitting underneath.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the in together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Run up the field, stop, and turn back toward the quarterback. The route that beats a defender who keeps backing up.
How to run it
Run straight up the field like you are running a go route — sell it.
Stop, and turn back to face the quarterback.
Come back a step toward the ball. Never wait for it standing still.
Say it like this: “Run hard, stop, spin around and come back to the ball.”
Look for: A defender who turns and runs with the receiver, and zone coverage that drops deep.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the curl together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Up the field, then an angled break toward the middle. Named for the goalpost, which is what the receiver runs at.
How to run it
Run hard straight up the field, at least seven or eight yards.
Plant on your outside foot and break at an angle toward the middle.
Keep running deep. Look for the ball over your inside shoulder.
Say it like this: “Run at the defender, then take off at an angle for the middle.”
Look for: Man coverage with no help in the middle, and a defender who bites toward the sideline.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the post together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
The opposite of a post — up the field, then an angled break out toward the corner. Away from every defender in the middle.
How to run it
Run hard straight up the field, at least seven or eight yards.
Plant on your inside foot and break at an angle toward the corner.
Keep going. The ball is thrown out where only you can get it.
Say it like this: “Run at the defender, then take off at an angle for the corner.”
Look for: A defender guarding the middle, and any coverage with one deep safety.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the corner together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Run deep like a go route, then break back down toward the sideline. Hard to defend and hard to throw — worth teaching once the basics land.
How to run it
Sprint up the field and make the defender turn and run.
Stop, and break back down at an angle toward the sideline.
Come back to meet the ball. Do not drift.
Say it like this: “Make them run, then stop and come back toward the sideline.”
Look for: A defender who has turned their back and is sprinting downfield.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the comeback together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Drag Short
Also called Shallow cross
Straight across the field just past the line, from one side to the other. Keep the path shallow and clear of other receivers.
How to run it
Take one step up the field so you are not running sideways at the snap.
Run flat all the way across, past everybody.
Keep your eyes on the quarterback the whole way.
Say it like this: “Run across the field and keep looking at the quarterback.”
Look for: A defender following a receiver across the field; maintain separation without screening.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the drag together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Start flat toward the sideline like a short route, then turn and run straight up it. The route that punishes a defender for jumping the flat.
How to run it
Run flat toward the sideline, like you are catching a short one.
As the defender comes up, turn and run straight up the sideline.
Look back over your outside shoulder.
Say it like this: “Sell the short one, then turn and run up the line.”
Look for: A defender who commits to the short route.
Try it at practice
Use cones to mark the start, any changes of direction, and the finish shown above. Walk the wheel together, then take turns receiving and passing. Add speed when the path and timing are clear.
Teach the movement before the ball changes hands. Start with Strong Right, send Z on a smooth sweep to the left, and choose exactly where the quarterback hands off.
Our illustrated walkthrough covers switching Pass to Run, placing the exchange, adding the quarterback’s approach, and pausing the preview to teach the handoff.
These explanations teach the concepts. Your league's current rulebook determines what is allowed, even if another league uses the same number of players.
Before the first game, confirm
Players per side and minimum attendance; downs and turnovers; rushing and pass clocks; quarterback runs and handoffs; no-run zones; contact and screening; scoring and equipment.
Guidance reviewed October 17, 2026. Confirm local amendments with your organizer.
How does flag football work?
The offense tries to move the ball into the end zone; the defense tries to stop it. A snap starts each play. Pulling the ball carrier's flag ends their run instead of a tackle. Out-of-bounds, incomplete passes and other dead-ball situations also stop play. Your league defines the exact conditions.
How big is a youth flag football field?
Use the field dimensions and markings your league supplies. End zones, the line to gain and any no-run zones matter more than memorizing one field size. At practice, use cones to make those boundaries visible and explain which direction the offense is going.
How many downs does the offense get?
A down is one attempt to advance the ball. Check how many attempts your league allows, where a new set is earned, and what happens when a team falls short. For example, NFL FLAG describes four downs to cross midfield and three to score afterward; that is one rule set, not a rule for every 5v5 or 6v6 game.
How does scoring work in flag football?
A touchdown is commonly worth six points, followed by a conversion attempt. Confirm your league's conversion distances, point values, safety rules and whether interceptions can be returned. Walk through the scoring area before the first game.
What counts as a legal flag pull?
Aim for the flag, not the player's clothing or body. Do not hold or push a runner to make the pull. Your league defines where the ball is spotted, what happens when a flag falls off, and whether diving or jumping is allowed.
What is flag guarding?
Flag guarding means preventing access to a flag with a hand, arm or the ball. Teach players to keep their flags accessible rather than swatting a defender's hand away. Check your league's wording and penalty enforcement.
What is a no-run zone?
Some leagues mark areas where a running play is not allowed; others change or omit them by division. Confirm their locations, when they apply, and what counts as a legal pass. Do not assume that a handoff or a short toss satisfies the rule.
Can the quarterback run with the ball?
Ask your league whether the player taking the snap may run across the line of scrimmage, and what changes after a handoff or backward pass. The answer cannot be inferred from the number of players on the field.
How does the pass rush work?
Check who may rush, where they must start, whether they must declare, and whether a count or pass clock applies. Also ask what changes after a handoff. Teach those rules before adding a rusher to practice; there is no single rush distance or number of rushers for every league.
Is blocking allowed in flag football?
Do not assume that non-contact screening is allowed. NFL FLAG prohibits blocking and screening. Other formats have their own restrictions, so check your rulebook before teaching either. Receivers should create space with routes, not by deliberately obstructing a defender.
What happens on a fumble?
Many youth formats stop play when the ball hits the ground rather than allowing a scramble to recover it. Check the rules for dropped snaps, backward passes, fumbles and the next spot. Teach players to stop on the whistle instead of assuming the ball is live.
Formations
A formation is just where everyone stands before the snap. Each one below links to a play that uses it.
Trips
Three receivers on the same side. Give each a distinct path and enough spacing to avoid crowding the same throwing lane.
The running back lines up directly behind the quarterback. Signals a run, so it works best once you have made the defense worry about your passing game.
Team size is a format, not an age milestone. A team of 11-year-olds might play 6v6, switch to 5v5 when players are absent, or use 4v4 with fewer players. For games, agree any change with the organizer and opponent under your competition's rules.
4v4
Fewer players, fewer assignments
For a low-personnel practice, keep the snap, a passer and two receiving options. Walk through who is doing each job instead of asking one child to cover two missing roles.
An extra receiver or back adds an option, not an obligation to add complexity. Give that player a clear assignment that does not crowd an existing route.
Keep your snap and one familiar passing concept. Remove an optional route, spread the remaining players into clear lanes, and walk through every assignment again. Check that the intended receiver and ball target are still present. On defense, reassign coverage responsibilities rather than silently leaving a gap.
Add complexity by readiness
New to the game: teach the snap, one assignment and one route at a time. Walk it before adding pace.
Ready to combine: pair familiar routes and give the quarterback a first option and a backup.
Ready to adjust: introduce a defender and ask players to explain what space is available. Change one thing at a time.
These are coaching suggestions, not age brackets or competition rules.
A starting plan for practice
Use this outline as a starting point and adjust to your players, time and league rules.
Set up together. Count players, check equipment, mark boundaries, and explain the rules you will use.
Practice starting and stopping. Demonstrate the snap and a controlled flag pull, with no grabbing clothing or pushing. Rotate jobs.
Teach one route. Pick a shape in the route explorer. Use its cue, walk it, and add a throw.
Practice the checkdown. C moves into open space to either side beyond the line of scrimmage. In 6v6, RB starts behind the quarterback and releases to the opposite side. Find someone open; a short completion is a success.
Put it in a play. Have each player point to their starting position and explain their job. Walk through together before adding defense.
Finish with a plan. Ask what was clear and what needs another try. Save the play you want to revisit in your playbook.
A quick route where the receiver takes a few steps forward then cuts diagonally toward the middle of the field. A short option when the passing lane is open.