Drive (5v5 flag football play)
The inside slot runs a shallow cross at 2 yards, and the outside receiver runs a dig at 8 yards right behind it. Both routes attack the same middle defender, so if they step up to cover the shallow cross, the QB throws over the top to the dig, and if they sit deep, the ball goes low.
New to these terms? Twins · Slot receiver · Drag · Wide receiver · Dig · Linebacker · Over the top · Down and distance · full glossary
When to call Drive
Second down and medium, or any time the defense is playing man coverage and the middle of the field is open.
Who gets the ball
- Y on the shallow cross first: if the middle defender stays deep or rushes, throw low to Y.
- X on the dig over the top: if the middle defender steps up to take away Y, throw the dig to X.
- Z on the curl as the third option if the middle is jammed.
Coaching points
- Y crosses at 2 yards, not 4. Staying shallow keeps the dig open above it.
- X reaches the 8-yard break, then crosses near that depth toward the far side, matching the drawn path. Do not climb into deeper coverage or drift into Y's shallow lane.
- The two crossers should stay about 5 yards apart vertically so one defender cannot cover both.
- The QB reads the middle defender low to high: one glance at Y, then throw to X.
Separate the shallow cross from the dig
Put the first landmark near 2 yards for Y and the second near 8 yards for X. Run both routes and freeze as X breaks inside. The quarterback should see two distinct passing windows, not two receivers running toward the same defender. On the next rep, a coach can step toward Y so the quarterback sees the deeper option open.
Use the shallow route while it is still open
The first read is useful because it arrives quickly. Waiting for the dig every time lets short defenders recover and makes the quarterback hold the ball against pressure. If the shallow throw stays covered, confirm the dig's lane before moving to it. Practice the moving catch with Diamond Hands Partner Catch.
Common mistakes
- Y drifts deeper while crossing and crowds the dig. Stay at 2 yards.
- X breaks inside too early at 4 or 5 yards, right into the underneath coverage. Push to 8 before the break.
What to call next
When the defense drops two players into the middle, throw the curl to Z or call Stack Go-Out to attack the sideline.
Defenses Drive beats
- 2-2 Zone (Cover 2): The shallow cross and the dig both attack the short middle, which is the area nobody guards in this defense.
Drills that teach Drive
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.
- QB Rollout Throw Drill (8 min): The QB rolls out to the right along two cones and throws on the run to a receiver breaking toward the sideline.
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 Drive
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