Playbooks & Drills for Flag Football

Route Tree Warm Ups

Air Raid coaches typically don’t believe in forcing players into static stretching or traditional conditioning during practice. Instead, they use up-tempo drills to get players loose and warm.

Create a more time efficient practice by having your players run the Air Raid 5v5 route tree at the very beginning of practice.

Start by lining everyone up based on their position. The QB (or QBs) throws from left to right starting with the orange receiver. Receivers run their routes in order from shortest to longest, starting with a simple 5 yard Hitch.

Drill Details:

Drill the route tree every practice to ensure your offense knows exactly what to do and where to be on gameday. Here’s how to execute each route from both the WR and the Slot positions:

  • Slant(2): Three yards then cut across the middle at a 45 degree angle. Look for the ball immediately after the break.
  • Hitch(3): Five yards then plant on outside foot and turn in towards the QB. Look for the ball immediately after the break.
  • Crosser(X): Bending route across the middle to a spot on the opposite sideline 10 yards down field. Look for the ball at the midline of the field.
  • Corner(7): Seven yards then break outside towards the back corner of the end zone. Look for the ball immediately after the break.
  • Post(8): Seven yards then break inside towards the middle of the end zone. Look for the ball immediately after the break.
  • Go(9): Outside release straight down the sideline. Look for the ball at 7 yards.
  • Wheel(W): Outside release toward the sideline and then get up field. Look for the ball at 7 yards.

The TE/C position has a much simpler route tree that is a great way to train skills, build confidence, and pick up short yardage when needed. Focus on perfecting the snap first. Your Center(s) should snap the ball every rep of the warm up session. Only running a route when it’s their turn.

By the end of the warm up drill, each player will have a run every route for their position at least once. Run the whole thing again if you feel it’s necessary.

Coaching Points:

These routes are the building blocks of the Air Raid 5v5 Offense.

  • Route precision: Crisp cuts (no rounding), hitting landmarks, speed.
    • Have a coach watch the break of each route.
  • Catching Fundamentals: Two ways to catch a football, diamond or basket.
    • 10 pushups for dropped balls.
  • Throw Timing: 2.5 seconds or less. “1…2…Throw!”
    • Have an assistant coach or teammate count out loud.
  • Throw Accuracy: Throw with anticipation out of breaks, lead receivers.
    • 10 pushups for uncatchable balls.
  • Catch and Score: When the catch is made, turn and score.
    • Make sure they take a few hard steps up field to finish the rep.

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