The basic flag football routes are the Go, Slant, Curl, Out, and Post.
TLDR
Start with five flag football routes: Go, Slant, Curl, Out, and Post. Use the quick reference below to pick a route, then follow each diagram and coaching cue to teach it.
Five flag football routes at a glance
- Go (Fly): Run straight downfield to stretch the defense and threaten a deep pass.
- Slant: Take three steps upfield, then cut toward the middle for a quick throw.
- Curl: Push 5–7 yards, stop, and turn back toward the quarterback for an easy target.
- Out: Push about 5 yards, then cut toward the sideline to attack outside space.
- Post: Push 7–10 yards, then angle toward the goal post to attack deep middle space.
Want the full numbered tree and a printable one-page reference? See the Flag Football Routes Tree. This guide keeps the focus on five routes to teach first, with a diagram and coaching cue for each one below.
Customize and print this route tree as a free PDF for practice. No account is required.
Explore more route guides: the hitch route, the slant route, and the flag route (corner).
Teach the route, then draw the play
Telling players to "just run around and get open" leaves the quarterback guessing. When receivers know their path and break point, they can run it faster and the quarterback knows where to throw. If you are new to coaching, the new flag football coach resource center is a good place to start.
Coach's Tip
Kids forget routes in the huddle. The best way to fix this is to ensure the kids have the plays when they need them so they can look at their routes. Create a Wristband with Their Playbook.
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.
Coaching Cue: "Run straight like a track star. Don't look back for the ball until I yell 'Ball!'"
2. The "Slant" Route
The Concept: Take 3 steps forward, then cut at a 45-degree angle toward the middle of the field. The full teaching page is the slant route.
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.
Coaching Cue: "Three steps up, then aim for the opposite goal post."
3. The "Curl" Route
The Concept: Run 5–7 yards fast, then stop and turn back toward the quarterback. Coaches may call a shorter stop-and-face version a hitch route; use "Curl" for this route to match the numbered route tree.
Why it Works:
- Beats the "Prevent": Defenders are terrified of the "Go" route, so they often backpedal fast. The Curl takes advantage of this cushion.
- Easy Completion: It gives your QB a stationary target, building their confidence.
Coaching Cue: "Run fast like you're going deep, then stop and turn back to the ball."
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.
Coaching Cue: "Run to 5 yards, then make a sharp square turn to the sideline."
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.
Coaching Cue: "Run deep, then break toward the goal post."
The post breaks inside, toward the goal post. The route that breaks the other way — upfield, then about 45 degrees toward the sideline — is the flag route, also called the corner. It is a receiver route. The name comes from the corner of the end zone, not from the flags players wear.
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.
When the cone drill gets stale, the route running and receiving sections of the best flag football drills library have the next progressions.
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 "Curl" 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. No signup is required to draw or print the play.
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