Flood (5v5 flag football play)
Three routes attack one side at separate depths: Z vertical, Y on a corner and C in the flat. The teaching read starts with the corner, then the flat, with the deep route available if the safety leaves it.
New to these terms? Flood · Trips · Go · Corner · Flat · Safety · Zone · Cover 1 · full glossary
When to call Flood
Against zone defenses, especially when the defense keeps one deep safety in the middle.
Who gets the ball
- Y on the corner route at 7 yards breaking to the sideline.
- C in the flat underneath if the corner is covered.
- Z deep if the safety bites on the corner.
Coaching points
- Z must run full speed straight down the sideline to push the deep defender back.
- Y breaks at 7 yards, matching the diagram. Too shallow and Y runs into C's area.
- The whole play is on one side, so the QB can look right from the snap without giving much away.
Use the diagram's corner-flat read
Z's vertical threatens the deep defender while Y's corner and C's flat give the quarterback two nearer options. Start the teaching rep with the corner and flat; the vertical is available when the deep defender leaves it. The read list on this page is the call's teaching order, so avoid giving the quarterback a different high-to-low instruction during the same install.
Leave room between the sideline routes
Mark C's flat and Y's 7-yard break, then have Z run through the deep lane. Freeze the rep before the throw and check that each receiver has a separate window. If all three drift toward the same spot, shorten the lesson to the corner and flat. Smash teaches a related short-and-deep sideline decision.
Common mistakes
- The QB locks onto Y and ignores C. Practice the progression out loud: corner, flat, go.
- C releases too slowly. C has to get to the flat before the defender sinks.
What to call next
If the defense overloads the right-side routes, rehearse Q checking the existing X backside post when that lane and throwing distance are available. For a separately called wider deep concept, install Spread Verticals rather than telling X to invent a new post during the game.
Defenses Flood beats
- 1-3-1 Zone: C enters the right flat, Y breaks to a corner near 11 yards and Z releases deep. This three-level attack tests RC and S. Q checks actual coverage and throws only into an available lane; the overload does not guarantee an open receiver.
- Cover 3 Zone (No Rush): C in the flat and Y on the corner route both attack NB's side short to middle. NB can only guard one, and RC is carried deep by Z.
Drills that teach Flood
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 Flood
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