Flea Flicker: a 5v5 flag football play
The QB hands off to the running back, who takes two steps toward the line, stops and pitches it back. By then the defenders have closed on the run, and the QB throws deep behind them.
Opens the free play maker with Flea Flicker added, ready to edit and print on a wristband card.
How Flea Flicker works
- QB hands off, then gets depth for the throw.
- RB takes two steps toward the line, stops and pitches back to the QB.
- X runs a go route; Z runs a post.
- C sits 4 yards off the line as a late outlet.
The quarterback's read
- After the pitch, look deep first.
- Post or go, whichever defender bit on the run.
- If both are covered, the center is the checkdown.
Coaching points
- The pitch back must happen well behind the line.
- Run it after the defense has seen two or three real hand-offs.
- The hand-off releases rushers, so the pitch back has to be quick.
When to call it
Once the defense is cheating up to stop your running plays.
For youth teams
10 and up. Two exchanges means two chances to drop it, and a ball on the ground is dead.
Rules check
IFAF (5v5, 7v7 and beach)
Legal. Multiple exchanges behind the line are allowed (R 7-1-5-a, R 7-2-1), and once the ball has been returned the QB may throw or even run (R 7-1-3-e). The deep throw is the one forward pass. Legal in a no-run zone because it ends in a forward pass beyond the line.
NFL FLAG and other rulebooks
Legal as drawn, with both exchanges behind the line.
Rule numbers refer to the IFAF International Flag Football Rules 2023, the current edition. See the trick plays guide for the six rules that decide most plays.
Put Flea Flicker on a wristband
Add it to your playbook in the free play maker, change the routes to fit your team, and print numbered wristband cards and a coach's call sheet on regular paper.