Third Down Flag Football Plays 3 plays with diagrams
On third down the job is a completion that reaches the line to gain, not a big play. These plays give the quarterback two or three receivers at different depths, and each one names third down in its own notes.
Quick list: Mesh (5v5), Snag (5v5), Double In (7v7).
Mesh (5 on 5)
When to call it: Against man-to-man coverage, and on third down when you need 5 yards.
X crosses near 4 yards and Y crosses the other way near 6 yards, while the center settles at 7 yards. The separated crossing routes test man coverage without permitting blocking or intentional contact.
Snag (5 on 5)
When to call it: Second and third down when you need 5 to 8 yards, especially against man or a two-deep zone on that side.
Three receivers to the same side run three levels: a corner route breaking deep, a snag route that stops at 5 yards and turns toward the QB, and a short check-down underneath. The three routes form a triangle against two defenders, so the QB reads the extra defender and throws to whichever level they leave open.
Double In (7 on 7)
When to call it: Against zone defenses with a defender sitting in the middle of the field, and on third and medium.
Two receivers run in-routes at different depths, about 10 and 5 yards. The quarterback reads the middle defender and throws to an available window, with the back in the flat as an outlet.
Coaching the third down call
- Know the distance first. Call the play whose first read breaks at or just past the line to gain.
- Rehearse the second read. Defenses crowd the first receiver on third down, so the completion often goes to the next one.
- If you still have fourth down to use, a catch that gets most of the yards keeps the next call easy.
Plays for other situations
- Short Yardage Flag Football Plays (6)
- Long Yardage Flag Football Plays (4)
- Red Zone Flag Football Plays (3)
- Plays against zone defense and plays against man-to-man
Put your situation calls on one card: print them as a wristband playbook.