Reverse: a 5v5 flag football play
The running back takes the hand-off going left and the defense flows with them. The left receiver loops underneath, takes a second hand-off behind the line going right, and runs into the space the defense just left.
Opens the free play maker with Reverse added, ready to edit and print on a wristband card.
How Reverse works
- QB hands off to RB going left.
- RB runs left behind the line and hands off to X.
- X loops underneath and takes the ball going right, then turns upfield.
- Z runs a go route to clear the right side; C releases left to sell the flow.
The quarterback's read
- No read: it's a designed run.
- RB watches the defense flow, then makes a clean hand-off to X.
Coaching points
- Both hand-offs happen behind the line.
- X times the loop so they arrive as RB gets there. Early and the defense sees it.
- Z must not wall off a defender for X: that's shielding.
When to call it
Against a defense that pursues hard, outside the no-run zones.
For youth teams
The best first trick play for kids: no throws, just two hand-offs.
Rules check
IFAF (5v5, 7v7 and beach)
Legal: unlimited hand-offs while both players are behind the line (R 7-1-5-a). Illegal inside a no-run zone, where the play must be a forward pass. The first hand-off releases the defenders within 7 yards (R 7-1-4-f), so a double reverse against a fast rusher often loses yards.
NFL FLAG and other rulebooks
Legal outside NFL FLAG's two no-run zones (5 yards before midfield and the goal line). NFL FLAG's 8U league play has no no-run zones, so there it's legal anywhere.
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 Reverse 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.