Dagger (7v7 flag football play)
The right slot runs a seam while the outside receiver breaks inside at 12 yards behind the underneath coverage. The seam, dig and short center route give the quarterback options at different depths.
New to these terms? Doubles · Shotgun · Slot receiver · Seam · Wide receiver · Underneath · Dig · Zone · full glossary
When to call Dagger
Against zone defenses with one deep safety, and when you need 10 or more yards.
Who gets the ball
- H on the seam: throw it right away if no safety is deep over H.
- Z on the 12-yard dig into the space H clears out.
- If the deeper routes stay covered, check C at 4 yards when its lane is available. R's drawn swing ends 2 yards behind the line and is not a legal NFL FLAG forward-pass catch point. Other 7v7 rules vary; record and rehearse a catch beyond the line before using R under NFL FLAG.
Coaching points
- H must run the seam at full speed. If H slows down, the safety stays home and the dig is covered.
- Z runs hard to 12 yards before breaking inside, so the break comes behind the underneath defenders.
- The QB holds the ball a count longer than on short passes. This throw needs time, so call it when the rush is slow.
- On the left, X curls and Y drags. R's drawn left swing ends 2 yards behind the line. Use that forward-pass catch point only if your league permits it; under NFL FLAG, record and rehearse an adaptation beyond the line before treating R as an outlet. C at 4 yards remains the printed pressure option.
Check the seam and dig at the same moment
Have H run the seam while Z works to the dig landmark. Freeze when Z breaks inside: the routes should threaten different depths and H should still be moving. Show the quarterback the underneath defender as well as the safety. A seam can move the deep coverage without removing a defender waiting in the dig's throwing lane.
Do not wait for the dig against immediate pressure
Dagger needs more time than a quick flat or hitch. When the rush reaches the quarterback before Z's break, practice the short outlet and choose a quicker concept for that matchup. Double In provides another two-depth middle read, but it also needs timing; judge both by the time your quarterback actually has.
Common mistakes
- Z cuts the dig short and breaks at 8 yards, right into the underneath defenders.
- The QB throws the dig before Z clears the underneath defenders. Wait until Z crosses H's seam.
What to call next
When the safety starts sitting on the dig, call Post Wheel to beat that safety deep.
Defenses Dagger beats
- Cover 3 Zone: H runs the seam and pulls the deep middle defender, and Z runs a 12-yard dig right behind the hook defender into the space that is left.
Drills that teach Dagger
Run these in the practice before you install it, so the kids already own the pieces.
- Route Tree on Cones (9 min): Three lines of receivers run three basic routes off cones: a slant, an out and a curl.
- Diamond Hands Partner Catch (7 min): Partners face each other and play catch while practicing the two hand shapes every receiver needs: a diamond for balls at the chest and above, pinkies together for balls below the belly.
- Two-Line Passing Warm-Up (7 min): Two lines face each other and throw across, and every passer follows the throw to the back of the other line.
Practice gear: league-compatible Flag belts and the league's specified youth size football. Optional wristband cards help players find a numbered call. These are Amazon search links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Plays that pair with Dagger
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