The 5 Essential Routes: A Guide for Youth Flag Football
Every youth flag football team needs these 5 routes: the Go (straight deep), Slant (3 steps then cut 45° to middle), Hitch (run 5-7 yards then stop), Out (5 yards then 90° to sideline), and Post (deep then angle to goal post). Master these and you can build any offense.
Stop Drawing Lines in the Dirt
The biggest mistake new coaches make is telling their players to "just run around and get open."
In flag football, structure is speed. If your players know exactly where to run, they play faster. If your Quarterback knows exactly where the receiver will be, they throw accurately.
You don't need the full NFL route tree. You only need these 5 Essential Routes to build a championship offense.
1. The "Go" (or Fly) Route
The Concept: The receiver runs in a straight line down the field as fast as they can.
Why it Works:
- Stretches the Defense: It forces the safeties to back up, creating open space underneath for your other players.
- The Deep Ball: If your receiver is faster than their defender, it's an easy touchdown.
2. The "Slant" Route
The Concept: Take 3 steps forward, then cut at a 45-degree angle toward the middle of the field.
Why it Works:
- The Bread & Butter: This is the most common route in flag football. It crosses the face of the defender, putting the receiver between the defender and the Quarterback.
- Yards After Catch (YAC): Because the receiver catches the ball while running at full speed, they can often split the defense for a big gain.
3. The "Hitch" (or Stop) Route
The Concept: Run 5-7 yards fast, then slam on the brakes and turn around to face the Quarterback.
Why it Works:
- Beats the "Prevent": Defenders are terrified of the "Go" route, so they often backpedal fast. The Hitch takes advantage of this cushion.
- Easy Completion: It gives your QB a stationary target, building their confidence.
4. The "Out" Route
The Concept: Run 5 yards straight, then make a sharp 90-degree turn toward the sideline (out of bounds).
Why it Works:
- Safety: If the QB misses the throw, the ball sails out of bounds. It's almost impossible to intercept.
- Clock Management: In older leagues, getting out of bounds stops the clock.
5. The "Post" Route
The Concept: Run 7-10 yards deep, then angle toward the goal post (the middle of the field).
Why it Works:
- The Home Run: This is your big play. It attacks the deep middle of the field. If the safety bites on a shallow route, the Post is wide open for a touchdown.
How to Teach These Routes (The Cone Drill)
Do not just explain routes on a whiteboard. Kids need to run them physically to learn them.
- Set up Cones: Place cones at the "break points" (where they turn).
- Walk Through: Have players walk the route first. Emphasize the "sharp cut" at the cone.
- Remove the Cones: Once they get it, take the cones away and have them run it on air.
Put It All Together
Now that you know the routes, you need to combine them into plays. A "Slant" works best when it's paired with a "Hitch" on the other side.
Use our flag football play designer to drag and drop these exact routes onto a digital field. You can color-code them (Red for Slant, Blue for Go) and print them out for your next practice.