Flag football is a competitive and recreational sport that features many of the creative aspects of tackle football without the hard hitting. In flag football, all players are eligible to get involved in the offense and that includes linemen. Designing and executing creative plays can mean the difference between winning and losing late in a close game.
Pass Back to the Quarterback
Trickery can be a huge part of competing in flag football. The pass back to the quarterback can leave the defense completely unaware and unprepared. In this play, the quarterback takes the snap and hands to the running back who rolls to the right side of the field. While the running back looks like he is preparing to run downfield, the quarterback turns to his left and then runs upfield. Under most circumstances, the defense will ignore the quarterback. At the last second, the running back turns to his left and throws a pass to the wide-open quarterback for a touchdown or a big play.
Hook and Trailer
This play has a chance to turn into a touchdown in flag football. In this play the quarterback takes the snap and drops back to pass. The inside receiver runs 10 yards downfield and does a button hook. As he turns around to face the quarterback, the ball is thrown to his midsection. Instead of turning around and running, the receiver pitches the ball back to the running back, who was trailing the play and is now running at full speed. If the running back accepts the pitch cleanly, he has a chance to run explosively through the secondary because he is already at full speed.
Center Pass
Since all linemen are eligible to catch a pass, take advantage of that rule by throwing a pass to your center. The quarterback takes the snap from center and then drops back to pass. The center makes a quick block on the lineman opposite him and then runs straight downfield. He should be uncovered and the quarterback can hit him with a quick pass. He should be able to get 10 to 20 yards before the surprised defense pulls his flag.
Power Sweep
The power sweep is one of the most basic plays in tackle football, but it is almost never run in flag football. Flag football is dominated by passing. If a team executes more than two running plays in a game, it is a shocker. In this play, the running back takes a handoff from the quarterback and runs to his right. The right guard, right tackle and tight end all run to the right and deliver blocks for the running back, who cuts upfield when he gets outside the right hash mark. The defense may be unprepared to stop this basic running play.
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