Play Description
The most straightforward play in the Air Raid 5v5 Flag Football playbook is #12 All Hitches. It’s also one of the most reliably effective plays in all of football.
Using this simple concept, an easy game of pitch and catch between the Quarterback and an uncovered receiver will likely result in a 5 to 10 yard gain every time. Break a tackle or two, and you could turn a five yard hitch route into six points. The magic is in the pre-snap read, throwing to open grass, and securing the catch.
Assignments & Key Reads
As you can see the All Hitches concept is beautiful in its simplicity.
- All Receivers – Run a simple five yard hitch route. Five steps straight down field, plant on their outside foot, and turn inside to face the Quarterback.
- QB – Read the defense pre-snap. Identifies open grass. Deliver the ball to the uncovered receiver. The ball should be out in two seconds or less.
Due to its simplicity and success, All Hitches can be very frustrating for opposing players and coaches. It’s common to hear things like “Move up!”, “Play them tighter!”, “They’re going short again.”, and “You have to make that tackle!”.
When the other sideline gets really animated, you have them. The defense will either overcommit in coverage or lunge for a flag. If they overcommit with overly tight coverage, our scramble drill rules kick in. Both outside receivers run a Hitch & Go, beating them deep. Or, the defender lunges and misses the flag one-on-one. Either one is a big time gain for your team.
Even if they somehow play disciplined defense all game, take the easy 5-10 yards.
All. Day. Long.
Beating the Defense
When calling All Hitches against a zone coverage like Cover 2 or Cover 3. The QB is identifying the most likely target pre-snap by finding the open grass five yards in front of any uncovered receiver. We’re less likely to make this call against Man Coverage or Cover 1.
Beating Cover 2
Against a typical Cover 2 defense, the open grass is likely in the space the Slot (green receiver) is going to fill. If the Linebacker blitzes leaving the whole middle open, the QB can choose either the Slot or the Center (blue receiver).
Beating Cover 3
Here’s a typical Cover 3 alignment against our base formation. As you can see, there’s open grass in front of the two outside receivers. Get the ball out quick. If they can break a 1-on-1 tackle, they may take it to the house.
Beating Cover 1
All Hitches is difficult to un against a Cover 1. Every receiver has a nearby defender. Some space may open up if they bring a blitzer, but throwing windows will still be tight. Try a different play like #13 Three Verts or #21 Deep Cross.
Beating Man Coverage
The defense is positioned well to defend this play call. You will have more success with other play calls against Man to Man. Try #22 Mesh or # 23 Post-Wheel instead.
Final Notes
Although this is our most reliable play to pick up easy yardage, eventually you will call #12 and everyone will be covered. The other teams adjustments can make it tough to continue chipping away 5-10 yards at a time.
If you notice their adjustments pre-snap, audible to another play. #13 & #21 are great against Cover 1 zone. Call #22 and #23 if they switch to Man Coverage.
If they adjust post-snap, your players should follow the rules of our Scramble Drill to get open and keep the play alive.
Check out our guide to reading flag football coverages to master the art of calling plays on the fly.
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