--- title: "Flag Football Routes: Route Tree, Depths & Drill" description: "Flag football routes are the set paths receivers run: slant, out, curl, post, corner, go and more. Get depths, a numbered route tree and a route-running drill." url: "https://www.coachboard.app/library/flag-football/routes" sport: "Flag Football" category: "Drill" level: "beginner" dateModified: "2026-09-24" --- # Flag Football Routes — Flag Football Drill Flag football routes are the fixed paths a receiver runs after the snap, such as the slant, out, curl, post and go, each with a set depth and break so the quarterback knows exactly where the ball goes. Every pass play in flag football is just a combination of a few routes. With no blocking and a rusher coming after the snap, the quarterback has only a few seconds to throw, so receivers who break at the same depth every rep are worth more than receivers who are simply fast. The core set is short: slant, out, curl, post, corner, go, flat, drag (or cross) and wheel. On a 5v5 field that is 30 yards wide with a 50-yard field of play between the end zones, most of these routes live inside 10 yards, so the teaching is all about crisp stems, sharp breaks and catching with the hands away from the body. ## Objective Teach every receiver the core flag football routes at consistent depths, and give the offense a numbered route tree so plays can be called in one word in the huddle. ## Setup - **Area:** Half of a 5v5 field (about 30 x 25 yards), cones at 3, 5 and 10 yards from a line of scrimmage - **Players:** 4–10 players: one quarterback (a coach works well) and two lines of receivers - **Equipment:** 4–6 balls, 8–10 cones, Flag belts (optional for this drill) - **Duration:** 10–15 minutes - **Level:** beginner (U8+) ## How it works 1. **Teach the stance and the stem** — Receivers line up on the line of scrimmage in a two-point stance, outside foot back, weight on the front foot. The stem is the straight vertical run before the break: every route starts by attacking straight upfield so the defender cannot read the route from the first two steps. 2. **Run the quick routes at 3 yards** — Flat: 1–2 yards upfield, then flatten to the sideline. Slant: three hard steps, then cut inside at about 45 degrees. Drag: angle inside immediately and cross the field at 2–3 yards deep, sitting down in open grass. Coach the plant foot on every break (outside foot to go inside, inside foot to go outside). 3. **Run the intermediate routes at 5 yards** — Out: stem 5 yards, plant, and break flat to the sideline. Curl: stem 5–6 yards, stop, and turn back inside toward the QB, working back a step to the ball. For young groups, mark the break point with a cone so the depth becomes muscle memory. 4. **Run the deep routes at 8–10 yards** — Post: stem 8 yards, then break at 45 degrees toward the middle of the end zone. Corner: stem 8 yards, then break at 45 degrees toward the back pylon. Go: sprint straight up the sideline without slowing. Wheel: start like a flat, then turn upfield along the sideline, ideal from the backfield or a slot. 5. **Add the catch and the tuck** — The QB throws on the break. Receivers show two hands with thumbs together above the chest, index fingers together below it, catch away from the body, and tuck the ball before turning upfield. Switch lines so everyone runs from both sides. ## Coaching points - Sell every stem at full speed; a receiver who slows down before the break tells the defender which route is coming. - Break at the called depth every time, because in a timing offense the QB throws to a spot, not to a player. - Look for the ball out of the break, head first, then hands, never the other way round. - Against zone, sit down in the open space between defenders; against man coverage, keep running away from your defender. ## Variations - **Numbered route tree** — Number the routes so a play call is a three-digit code read from left to right, one digit per receiver: 1 flat, 2 slant, 3 comeback, 4 curl, 5 out, 6 dig, 7 corner, 8 post, 9 go. In this classic tree odd numbers break to the sideline and even numbers break inside, though programs number their trees differently, so settle one version for your team. - **Route on air to live defender** — Once depths are consistent, add one defender playing loose man coverage at 5 yards. The receiver has to win with the stem and the break rather than just running a shape, and the QB practises throwing away from the defender's leverage. ## Build it in Coach Board Draw your route tree once in Coach Board on the flag football field: one receiver at the line and nine arrows fanning out at the right depths, each labelled with its number. Then build each play on its own board by placing your receivers and drawing their routes, animate the play so kids see who breaks first, and share the link so players learn the tree on their phones before practice. [Flag Football coaching app](https://www.coachboard.app/sports/flag-football) · [Start 14-day free trial, no card](https://my.coachboard.app) ## FAQ ### What are the basic routes in flag football? The basic flag football routes are the slant, out, curl, post, corner, go, flat, drag and wheel. Most youth teams can build a full playbook from these nine. Quick routes like the slant and flat beat the rush, while the post, corner and go stretch the defense vertically. ### How deep should flag football routes be? Most flag football routes break at 3, 5 or 8–10 yards. Quick routes like the slant and drag break at about 3 yards, outs and curls at around 5, and posts and corners at 8–10. Adjust down for younger players, but keep each route at the same depth every rep. ### What is a route tree in flag football? A route tree is a numbered set of routes every receiver learns, so a play can be called with numbers instead of long descriptions. In the classic tree, 1 is the flat and 9 is the go, with odd numbers breaking outside and even numbers breaking inside. Numbering varies by program. ## Related - https://www.coachboard.app/library/flag-football/5v5-plays.md - https://www.coachboard.app/library/flag-football/formations.md - https://www.coachboard.app/library/flag-football/practice-plan.md --- [Flag Football coaching app](https://www.coachboard.app/sports/flag-football) · Animate and share this drill with your team: https://my.coachboard.app