Football library · Plays
5v5 flag football plays
Browse five-player flag concepts and start with a small offense. Open the existing diagrams and coaching guides, then check each call against your league’s exchange, rushing and no-run-zone rules.
Skip to all 46 conceptsMatch the plays to your rules
Library starting settings
Handoffs: allowed. Blocking: off. Center receiving: eligible. Forward catches behind the line: off. Direct QB runs: off.
These are XO starting settings, not a governing body’s certification. Your saved playbook rules may differ. The example below does not apply a league preset or change a diagram; configure your league’s actual rules before using it.
Rules reference: 5v5 non-contact · NFL FLAG rules example
- Under NFL FLAG rules, the snap receiver cannot carry the ball across the line of scrimmage. A covered pass is not permission for a quarterback run.
- Blocking and screening are prohibited. Run actual receiving routes, avoid the rusher, and never teach crossing routes as intentional picks.
- Use Sweep only with a legal exchange and outside no-run zones. Forward passes must be caught beyond the line of scrimmage; a flat route must reach that area before the catch. Teach the league’s pass clock and rush rules before adding pressure.
NFL FLAG rules · Check your current league and age-division amendments. The collection contains concepts for this player count, not a guarantee that every exchange, route or assignment is legal in your competition.
Which plays should I start with?
Start with a small offense that repeats the same decisions. Slant-Flat and Stick teach one-defender reads, Mesh gives you a dependable man-coverage answer, and Sweep makes the defense protect the full width of the field where runs and handoffs are legal.
A practical installation order
- Teach Slant-Flat first so the quarterback learns one defender and two answers.
- Add Stick next and point out that the quarterback is making the same kind of read.
- Install Sweep to make the defense defend the sideline.
- Add Mesh once receivers can maintain spacing while moving across the field.
Read the beginner guide and diagramsLearn about Team Coach wristbandsTeam Coach printing plansBrowse all 46 plays
All 5v5 Flag plays
Curl-Flat
High-low read on the flat defender — outside curl + underneath flat.
basicDive
North-south interior run — back takes the exchange and attacks the first open crease.
basicMesh
Two crossing drags meshing at 5-6 yards with 1 yard of vertical separation.
basicSlant-Flat
High-low on the flat defender — outside slant + flat underneath.
basicSlants
Mirrored quick slants that attack inside leverage on rhythm.
basicSmash
High-low corner-flat combo — outside hitch + corner over the top.
basicSpeed Out
5v5 rush-beater pairing two speed outs with a post clear and backside slant.
basicStick
3rd-down staple — slot sit + flat underneath, clear out over the top.
basicSweep
Wide perimeter run — back takes the exchange and attacks the edge.
basicCounter
Misdirection run — back jab-steps strong, then takes the handoff toward the weak side.
intermediateDraw
Late-developing interior run that sells pass first — back takes a delayed handoff into the open middle.
intermediateDrive
Same-side outside shallow under an inside Dig — a two-level middle stretch.
intermediateFlood
Three receivers stretching ONE side at three depths — Corner deep, Out mid, Flat low.
intermediateFour Verticals
FOUR receivers run vertical — outside Gos + inside Seams. Literally requires four verts.
intermediateI Back All Out
Four-eligible I-back play-action pass that sends both wide receivers deep and distributes the inside routes underneath.
intermediateI Back Cross
I-back crossing pass with two deep routes exchanging sides over paired underneath outlets.
intermediateI Back Fake Reverse
I-back run that keeps the ball with Y while Z sells the reverse coming behind the live path.
intermediateI Back QB Throwback
I-back play action that boots the quarterback right before throwing back across the field.
intermediateI Back RB Choice
Balanced I-back pass that isolates the deep back on a leverage choice in the middle.
intermediateI Formation Play 2
Five-player I-stack pass — center post, paired opposite outs, and a deep hitch from one hidden release column.
intermediateJet Reverse
Multi-handoff misdirection — initial fake one way, reverse runner attacks the vacated side.
intermediateLevels
Two inside-breakers at two levels — low In (6-8) + high Dig (12-14).
intermediateSnag
Three-receiver triangle — slot snag + outside corner + back flat.
intermediateSplit Back All Out
Four-eligible split-back pass with every receiver releasing after the backfield fake.
intermediateSplit Back Boot Left Ladder
Play-action boot left with a layered left-side ladder and a deep throwback route from the receiver side.
intermediateSplit Back Boot Right Cross
Boot-right play-action pass with two routes crossing above the center and short outlets to both sides.
intermediateSplit Back Boot Right Wheel
Boot-right play-action pass pairing a backfield wheel with a vertical clear, short out, and backside return route.
intermediateSplit Back End Around
Split-back end-around: the receiver takes the direct handoff across the formation while both backs and the center clear vertically.
intermediateSplit Back Lead
Split Back Lead — the right back takes the handoff left while the left back crosses right on a full-speed fake.
intermediateSplit Back Trail
Split Back Trail — the left back trails the crossing fake, takes the handoff, and attacks the right edge.
intermediateStrong Boot Left Cross
Strong-set boot left with paired deep crossers and low outlets moving with the quarterback.
intermediateStrong Boot Right Ladder
Strong-set boot right with a short back release, two right-side levels, and a ladder return route outside.
intermediateStrong Oppo
Strong-set play-action pass that sends the back opposite the initial alignment and stretches the secondary at three depths.
intermediateStrong QB Choice
Strong-set play-action choice that moves the quarterback and gives him layered pass-or-run answers.
intermediateStrong RB Choice
Strong-set option pass centered on Y reading leverage after the play-action look.
intermediateStrong Reverse Fake
Strong-set misdirection run: X sells the reverse path while the offset back keeps the live handoff on the original flow.
intermediateStrong X Under
Strong-set crossing pass that brings X underneath while the other eligibles clear above it.
intermediateDagger
Same-side inside Seam clears for the outside Dig — a modern NFL shot play.
advancedDouble Reverse
Three-exchange misdirection — the ball changes direction twice before the final edge run.
advancedFlea Flicker
Trick play — back/WR pitches ball back to QB after fake rush, deep throw off run-action.
advancedI Back Left Reverse
I-back two-exchange reverse finishing to the left with X as the final carrier.
advancedI Back RB Pass
I-back halfback pass: QB gives to Y, who moves right and throws to the layered route distribution.
advancedI Back Right Reverse
I-back two-exchange reverse finishing to the right with Z as the final carrier.
advancedSplit Back Reverse
Two-exchange split-back reverse: the receiver takes the first handoff left, then gives to the opposite back returning right.
advancedStrong Reverse
Strong-set two-exchange reverse: Y takes the first handoff, then gives to X coming back across the formation.
advancedY-Cross
Inside receiver (Y/slot) runs a deep crosser at 14-16 yds + deep clear + flat outlet.
advanced
Find your football format
Choose the matching collection for starter guidance, diagrams and rules context. Player count and the ruleset both matter.
7-on-7 passing / touch
XO has a 7v7 Touch editor format, but no dedicated passing-tournament library collection. The 7v7 Flag collection is not a tournament-ready substitute.
For example, USA Football’s 7on7 passing rules prohibit running plays and use a four-second release clock. Plan a passing progression within your event’s clock, and confirm center eligibility and permitted contact before adapting a concept.
8v8 and other formats
There is currently no dedicated 8v8 editor preset or library collection. The editor offers 4v4 Flag, but the library has no dedicated 4v4 collection either. Eight-player tackle and 8v8 flag are separate games; removing players from an 11-player diagram does not establish a legal formation.
Check your association’s field dimensions, line/back alignment, eligible receivers and blocking rules. Nebraska’s eight-player tackle differences illustrate the changes, but are not an 8v8 flag rulebook or a universal state standard.
46 5v5 Flag concepts. Library content uses the shared catalog. Open a concept for its diagram and assignments; check the rules context above before installing it.