Scissors (7v7 flag football play)
The outside receiver runs a post and the left slot runs a corner, crossing at different depths. The quarterback reads the deep coverage and keeps short options available when both deeper routes are covered.
New to these terms? Doubles · Shotgun · Wide receiver · Post · Slot receiver · Corner · Cover 1 · Safety · full glossary
When to call Scissors
Against a single deep safety or man-to-man, when the defense is crowding the short routes.
Who gets the ball
- Y on the corner toward the left sideline, if the deep defender follows X.
- X on the post into the middle, if the deep defender stays wide with Y.
- If the deeper routes stay covered, check C's 4-yard hook when its lane is available. R's drawn flat 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
- X breaks first at about 8 yards and Y breaks at about 10. The later break keeps them apart.
- At the crossing point, Y passes behind X. Settle this in practice so they never collide.
- On the right, H runs a hitch and Z runs an out. Those are the quick answers if the rush comes early.
- R's drawn right flat ends 2 yards behind the line. It is a forward-pass outlet only where the league permits that catch point. Under NFL FLAG, record and rehearse a receiving adaptation beyond the line first; keep C's short hook available as the printed pressure option.
Keep the crossing point open
Walk X to the earlier post break and Y to the later corner break. Freeze where the routes cross: the receivers should have separate timing and enough room to continue without contact. Add defenders only after players can repeat that spacing. Crossing routes can challenge coverage communication; receivers cannot manufacture separation by blocking.
Test the shorter answer as well as the deep read
Give the quarterback a practice rep where a safety holds the corner and another defender protects the post. C's hook and the short routes on the right then matter. If pressure arrives before the deeper breaks, choose an available short throw. The QB Rollout Throw drill can help a quarterback reset the throwing angle while staying behind the line.
Common mistakes
- The two receivers break at the same depth and run into each other.
- The QB throws the corner too far inside. Aim it toward the sideline so the defender cannot reach it.
What to call next
When the deep safety starts sitting on the crossing point, call Four Verticals and throw the seam.
Defenses Scissors beats
- Cover 2 Zone: Y's corner route breaks behind the left flat defender toward the sideline while X's post splits the two safeties. The left safety cannot take both.
- Man-to-Man (Cover 0): X's post and Y's corner change their relative positions at different depths. LC and LN retain their assignments and need separate pursuit paths. Q reads actual separation; the routes do not require defender contact.
Drills that teach Scissors
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.
- 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 Scissors
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