Flood: a 5v5 flag football play
Three receivers attack one side of the field at different depths: a go route deep, an out at 8 yards, and a flat. A zone defense only has two defenders on that side, so one level is always open. The QB reads it top to bottom.
Opens the free play maker with Flood added, ready to edit and print on a wristband card.
How Flood works
- Z runs a go route to take the deep defender.
- Y pushes 8 yards and breaks out toward the sideline.
- C snaps and runs to the flat on the same side.
- X runs a backside dig so the defense can't roll everyone over.
The quarterback's read
- Deep: if the go is open behind the defender, take it.
- Middle: the 8-yard out is usually the throw.
- Short: if the defenders drop, hit the flat.
- Backside: the dig is open when the defense overloads the flood side.
Coaching points
- Spacing is the play. The out has to break under the go and above the flat.
- The QB can roll toward the flood side to shorten the throws.
- The out is thrown on the break, to the sideline shoulder.
When to call it
In the red zone (with a shorter go), against zone, and on third and medium.
For youth teams
Name it for the side: 'Flood right' is easy to remember. Teach the three depths with cones.
Rules check
IFAF (5v5, 7v7 and beach)
Legal everywhere, including the no-run zone. Near the goal line, shorten the go to a corner in the end zone.
NFL FLAG and other rulebooks
Legal as drawn.
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 Flood 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.