Double In (7v7 flag football play)
Two receivers run in-routes at different depths, about 10 and 5 yards. The quarterback reads the middle defender and throws to an available window, with the back in the flat as an outlet.
New to these terms? Trips · In · Linebacker · Flat · Check-down · Zone · Middle of the field · Down and distance · full glossary
When to call Double In
Against zone defenses with a defender sitting in the middle of the field, and on third and medium.
Who gets the ball
- Y on the 10-yard dig: throw it if the middle defender comes up toward H.
- H on the 5-yard in underneath Y, if the middle defender drops back with Y.
- R's drawn right flat ends 2 yards behind the line. Use that forward-pass catch point only where your league permits it. NFL FLAG requires a receiving adaptation beyond the line; record and rehearse that change before calling R as the outlet.
Coaching points
- H has a shorter stem than Y. Freeze the practice rep as Y makes the 10-yard break and check that H is available on the separate 5-yard in-route. Rehearse the actual release timing instead of demanding simultaneous breaks from unequal routes.
- X and Z run full speed deep. If they jog, the deep defenders come down and crowd the in-routes.
- C releases to the left flat to keep a defender busy on the weak side.
- Teach the QB to watch one defender: the one in the middle of the field.
Teach two depths before teaching the read
Mark H's short in-route and Y's deeper dig with cones. Run both without a ball and freeze at the inside breaks. If the routes meet at the same depth, one middle defender can cover too much ground. Keep the receivers' landmarks consistent before asking the quarterback to interpret how that defender moves.
Practice a defender who stays between the routes
The middle defender will not always commit clearly up or back. Run a practice rep where the defender holds the throwing lane and the quarterback takes R in the flat. That keeps the read from becoming a forced pass into the middle. Use the Zone Drop drill to give your scout defenders more realistic movement.
Common mistakes
- Y and H break at the same depth. Keep them about 5 yards apart or the concept stops working.
- The QB stares at Y and throws late. If the middle defender drops, go to H right away.
- H drifts upfield across the middle. Keep the in-route flat.
What to call next
Once defenders start jumping the in-routes, go deep with Four Verticals.
Defenses Double In beats
- Cover 3 Zone: Two in-routes break into the middle at about 10 and 5 yards. The hook defender can take only one depth, so Q reads that defender and throws to the other route in front of the deep thirds.
Drills that teach Double In
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.
- Over-the-Shoulder Catch Drill (8 min): Receivers track a reachable pass over the outside shoulder while keeping a clear downfield running lane.
- 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 Double In
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