Spread Verticals (5v5 flag football play)
Three receivers run straight downfield while the center settles in the middle. With only one or two deep defenders, the defense cannot cover three deep routes, so the QB throws to whichever receiver the safety leaves.
When to call Spread Verticals
When the defense crowds the line of scrimmage, or you need a big gain late in a half.
Who gets the ball
- Watch the deep safety. If the safety goes toward X, throw to Y on the seam.
- If the safety stays in the middle, throw to X or Z down the sideline.
- C sits at 6 yards as the check-down if everyone is covered.
Coaching points
- Receivers must run at full speed from the first step. A half-speed vertical is easy to cover.
- Keep at least 5 yards between receivers so one defender cannot cover two.
- The QB should throw the ball out in front so the receiver runs under it.
Common mistakes
- The QB decides before the snap. The read is the safety, and the safety only shows after the snap.
- Receivers look back too early and slow down.
What to call next
When defenders start bailing deep at the snap, call Curl-Flat and throw underneath them.