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.
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 gets to 8 yards before breaking across, then runs slightly downhill toward the far sideline.
- 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.
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.