Flag Football Plays - How to Use Misdirection

Flag football is a great game to play. Some people play it for fun once a week or a couple times a month. Other people are on organized teams. If you’re on an organized team then you need plays that your offense can run that will work. Here are three flag football plays that you’ll find work very well on the field during the game.

Some of the best flag football plays involve misdirection or a couple different options for the quarterback to choose. These types of plays work well because often the defensive players in flag football aren’t disciplined enough to stay with their assignments. The defenders want to get to the ball too fast. As a result, the offense can take advantage of this aggressiveness and hit the defense with some big plays.

Fake Toss Left, Boot Right Pass

This first play can be run to either side of the field. Here we are faking it to the left and then going to the right. You will need a running back in the backfield, a receiver lined up alone on the right and another receiver to the left.

At the snap of the ball the running back will sprint to the left. The quarterback will fake the pitch to the left and sprint out right. This misdirection should throw the defense off balance.

As this is happening, the receiver to the right should run a 10 yard out. The receiver to the left should run a seven yard crossing pattern. The QB will have the option of running the ball or throwing it. If the defensive back comes off his man to stop the run, the ball should be passed. If he stays with the receiver, the QB should be able to pick-up decent yardage.

The receiver crossing the middle can also be an option but the QB much be careful since he’ll be throwing back across his body to the middle of the field.

Option Right

This flag football play requires a running back in the backfield. It will be run to the right. The quarterback will run parallel with the line of scrimmage and either keep the ball and run with it or pitch (option) the ball to the running back.

The receiver on the right should block down and seal the end of the line. This will create a two on one with the QB and RB facing the defensive back. If the DB takes the ball then the QB should option the ball to the RB. If the DB takes away the pitch then the QB should keep and run with the ball.

Option Right - Pass

This play builds off the previous play.

There will be a RB in the backfield, a receiver on the right and a receiver on the left.

At the snap of the ball, the QB and RB should begin the play like it’s an option. The receiver on the right will fake like he’s going to block down but he’s going to go deep. So his route will be similar to a slant and go (sometimes called a "Sla-Go").

The receiver on the left will run a straight go route.

The RB in the backfield needs to be aware that his responsibility is to pick-up any rusher who comes free at the QB. This may very well be the DB who is supposed to cover the WR on the right. This will leave the WR wide open but if the QB doesn’t have time to throw then the play won’t work. So the RB needs to start to run parallel with the QB for 2 steps (fake the option) and then he needs to cross in front of the QB and block.

The QB will take four steps to his right (to fake the option) and then drop back five steps to throw the ball. His first read is the WR on the right and his second read is receiver on the left.

Three great flag football plays are "fake toss left, boot right pass", "option right", and "option right – pass". All of these plays can be run to either side of the field. They all offer the QB more than one option and they will also take advantage of an undisciplined flag football defense.

Need More Flag Football Plays?

If you are looking for more flag football plays, be sure to check out Coach Tucker's football blog:

Football Coaching Blog