Do you want to become a better flag football player? If so, you need to learn how to create a route tree.
A route tree is simply a series of patterns that are run by a receiver. Whether you’re a coach or player, by learning how to create and perfect one, you will be able to improve your game significantly.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about creating a flag football route tree!
What Is A Flag Football Route Tree, And Why Do You Need One?
A route tree is a series of routes that are run by a receiver. The most common routes are the slant, the curl, the go, and the post. There are many other routes that can be run as well.
Route trees are important because they allow receivers to get open against any defense. Without a route tree, receivers would have to rely on their speed or athleticism to get open. This can work, but also can lead to intercepted passes and sloppy play.
The Basics Of Creating A Route Tree
In order to create a route tree, you will need first to decide what routes you want to include. The slant, curl, go, and post are the most popular routes. However, there are other more methods that may be taken.
Once you have decided on the routes you want to include, you will need to draw them out on a piece of paper or whiteboard. Make sure to label each route so that everyone knows what it is.
After you have drawn out your routes, you will need to assign each route to a receiver. For example, if you have four receivers, assign two receivers to run the slant route and two receivers to run the curl route.
Once you have assigned each route to a receiver, you will need to practice the routes with your team. This is important so that everyone knows what they are supposed to do on a given play call.
How To Create Effective Routes For Your Offense?
There are a few things you need to keep in mind when creating routes for your offense.
1. Know Your Personnel
The first step in creating effective routes is to know your personnel. You need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each of your receivers in order to put them in a position to succeed.
For example, if you have a receiver who is particularly fast, you can design routes that allow him to use his speed to create separation from defenders. The same goes for slower receivers who might be able to use their bulk against defenders to haul in passes.
2. Understand The Defense
The second step is to understand the defense. You need to know what type of coverage the defense is likely to play and how they will defend certain routes.
For example, if you are facing a team that likes to play man-to-man coverage, you will want to design routes that will help your receivers create separation from their defenders.
3. Choose Your Route Concepts
Once you have a good understanding of your personnel and the defense, you can start to choose which route concepts you want to use. Route concepts are simply groups of routes that work together to attack a specific area of the field.
For example, one common route concept is the mesh concept, which consists of two crossing routes designed to occupy defenders and create space for the receiver in the middle of the field.
4. Put It All Together
After you have chosen your route concepts, it’s time to put it all together and create your routes. When creating routes, you will need to take into account things like the depth of your receivers, the width of the field, and the number of defenders in the area.
For example, if you are trying to attack a zone defense, you will want to create routes that allow your receivers to sit down in open areas and make themselves available for a pass.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
Once you have created your routes, it’s important that you practice them with your receivers so that they can learn them and execute them properly in a game situation. This means running through the routes multiple times in practice so that everyone is on the same page.
Additionally, it’s important to have your quarterbacks throw passes to their receivers while they are running their routes so that they can get used to timing and accuracy.
6. Make Adjustments
Finally, once you’ve gone through all of this work, it’s important to be willing to make adjustments based on what you see in games. If a certain route isn’t working or if a receiver isn’t getting open as much as you’d like, feel free to scrap it and try something new.
The key is to be flexible and always look for ways to improve your offense.
Tips For Reading The Defense And Adapting Your Routes Accordingly
Here are a few tips that will help you read the defense and adjust your routes accordingly:
1. Understand The Defense’s Alignment
The first thing you need to do is understand how the defense is aligned. Are they in a 4-3? A 3-4? A nickel package?
Each of these alignments has different strengths and weaknesses that you need to be aware of.
2. Identify The Mike Linebacker
The Mike, or middle linebacker, is the key to the defense. He’s the one who’s responsible for making sure everyone is in the right place and he’s the one who will make the majority of plays in defending the offense.
If you can identify where he is, you can better understand where the defense is weak and where you can exploit them.
3. Know Your Route Tree
A route tree is a diagram that shows all of the possible routes that a receiver can run. It’s important that the quarterback and all receivers know your route tree so that you can adjust your routes on the fly based on what the defense is doing.
4. Be Aware Of Zone Coverage Vs Man Coverage
Zone coverage is when each defender is responsible for a specific area on the field, while man coverage is when each defender is assigned to a specific receiver. You need to be aware of which type of coverage the defense is playing so that you can adjust your routes accordingly.
5. Understand Pre-Snap Reads
Pre-snap reads are key to understanding what the defense is trying to do before the snap even happens. If you can read the defense pre-snap, you’ll be able to adjust your routes accordingly and give yourself a better chance of success.
Examples Of Common Flag Football Routes
Here are some examples of common flag football routes:
1. The Go Route
The go route is the most basic flag football route. It involves the receiver running straight down the field as fast as possible. The go route is typically used when the quarterback wants to get the ball to the receiver deep down the field for a big gain.
2. The Slant Route
The slant route is a slightly more complex flag football route. It involves the receiver running diagonally across the field, typically at a 45-degree angle. The slant route is often used when the quarterback wants to get the ball to the receiver fast for a quick gain.
3. The Out Route
The out route involves the receiver running down the field and then turning outward, away from the center of the field and to the sideline.
The out route is often used when the quarterback wants to get the ball to the receiver quickly.
4. The In Route
The in-route involves the receiver running down the field and then turning inward toward the center of the field. The in-route is often used when the quarterback wants to get the ball to the receiver quickly, and there is someone else open.
5. The Post Route
The post route involves the receiver running downfield and then turning toward the middle of the field or goal post.
Putting It All Together – Creating An Effective Flag Football Playbook
Now that you know how to create a flag football route tree, you need to put it all together and create an effective playbook.
Here are a few tips to help you do just that:
1. Start by creating a basic playbook that includes all of the routes you want your receivers to run.
2. Make sure that the routes complement each other and are effective against different types of defenses.
3. Keep the playbook simple and concise. Your players should be able to understand it without difficulty.
4. Be prepared to make adjustments on the fly. The best offenses are able to adjust their routes based on what the defense is doing.
5. Practice, practice, practice! The more you and your team practice, the better you will be able to execute your plays in a game situation.
FAQs: Flag Football Route Tree
1. What Is A Flag Route In Flag Football?
A flag route in flag football is a play in which the receiver runs straight down the field, then angles towards the sideline in an attempt to get open for a pass. The quarterback usually throws to the receiver when he’s at the sideline so that the defender cannot intercept the pass. This gives the receiver more room to run after catching the ball.
2. What Is A Route Tree In Football?
When designing a football play, coaches will start with a basic route tree. This is a collection of routes that all receivers on the play are expected to run. The most common route tree will have three or four routes, but some teams might use more or fewer depending on the offensive system they run.
The routes in the tree are typically named after common pass patterns that you would see in any game of football. For example, “Inside Slant” or “Out Route.” Each receiver on the play has a specific route to run based on their position on the field and the coverage they’re facing.
3. How Do You Run A Route In Flag Football?
There’s no one way to run a route in flag football. But in general, you’ll want to get open by running into space and using your speed and agility to create separation from the defender. You can also try shaking the defender with a move or two or by changing your speed or direction abruptly.
When you’re ready to make your catch, make sure you reach up high and extend your arms fully so that the ball can come into your hands cleanly. Then secure the ball tightly against your body as you run towards the end zone.
4. What Are The Three Routes In Flag Football?
There are three primary routes in flag football – the curl, the slant, and the post.
The curl route is a short route that goes toward the middle of the field. The slant route is a shorter route that goes toward the sideline. The post is a longer route that goes straight down the field.
5. How Do You Play Flag Football Step By Step?
Flag football is a variation of American football that doesn’t use pads or helmets. The objective of the game is to capture the flag of an opposing player and bring it back to your own end zone.
To play flag football, you will need the following:
– Two teams of at least five players or more
– A flag attached to each player’s waistband
– A rectangular playing field with end zones at both ends
– Markers for boundaries
Create An Effective Flag Football Route Tree
Flag football is a great way to stay active and have fun. By following the tips in this article, you can create an effective route tree that will help your team move the ball down the field and score points.
Remember to keep your routes simple and easy to remember so that your players can execute them quickly and efficiently. With a little practice, you’ll be running plays like a pro in no time.
Vance J has played flag football since he was a boy. Since then, he has become a coach and a huge advocate for growing the sport. He loves to write and talk about flag football!
