Quick Hitches: a 5v5 flag football play
Every receiver runs 5 yards and turns around. Against a defense giving cushion, at least one hitch is open before a defender can close. The QB takes the best matchup and gets the ball out in under two seconds.
Opens the free play maker with Quick Hitches added, ready to edit and print on a wristband card.
How Quick Hitches works
- X, Y and Z sprint 5 yards, plant, and turn back to the QB, stepping toward the ball.
- C snaps, releases 4 yards to the left, and sits in the open space.
The quarterback's read
- Pre-snap: find the receiver whose defender is deepest.
- Throw to that hitch as the receiver turns.
- If the defense rolls up tight, the same hitch look sets up the hitch-and-go.
Coaching points
- The hitch must look like a go route for the first 4 steps.
- Receivers stop, turn and come back 1 step. Waiting for the ball lets defenders close.
- Spread wide: hitches next to each other can be covered by one defender.
When to call it
Against off coverage, on the first play after a big loss, or when the rush is getting home.
For youth teams
The easiest play to teach. It works at any age because the throw is short and straight.
Rules check
IFAF (5v5, 7v7 and beach)
Legal everywhere, including the no-run zone and 1-point tries.
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 Quick Hitches 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.