Routes
Ready when: Catching at three heights (b1) and Throw with a spin (b2) done.
What you are learning
Running set paths (routes) so the thrower knows where you will be: the slant, hitch, out, post, corner and fly. A sharp cut makes space from a defender, and the thrower times the pass to it.
Words on this card End zone, Touchdown, Receiver, Route, Slant, Plant
- End zone
- The marked area at each end of the field. Getting the ball there scores.
- Touchdown
- Carrying or catching the ball in the end zone; 6 points.
- Receiver
- A player who runs to catch a pass.
- Route
- The path a receiver runs to get free for a pass.
- Slant
- Route names. Slant: a few steps, then a sharp diagonal cut. Hitch: run forward, stop and turn back. Out: run forward, then cut straight to the sideline. Post: run forward, then cut toward the middle of the goal end. Corner: run forward, then cut toward the far corner. Fly: run straight and fast.
- Plant
- Pushing hard off one foot to change direction sharply.
Set up
Cones for each route; a ball; a thrower and a receiver.
Weather: dry ground
Show it first for the one teaching
- Walk the slant: three steps forward, plant the outside foot and cut sharply diagonally across.
- Walk the hitch: five steps, plant, turn back to the thrower.
- Walk the out: five steps, plant and cut straight to the sideline.
- Run one route at half speed while the thrower throws to where you will be.
Your part while they practise
Call the route and throw; agree the depth with the receiver.
Step by step
- Slant: a couple of steps, then cut at about 45 degrees.
- Hitch: run to a depth, plant and turn back.
- Out: cut at 90 degrees to the sideline.
- Post, corner and fly.
- Time the run to make space for the pass.
How much: 6 of each route 12 min a session 2 days a week
Say one thing Pick one line from "What you will see" for today and say only that.
The game: Touchdown city
A point for each completed pass, 3 for a catch in the end zone.
Who plays: a thrower and a receiver against their own best; swap roles.
How to play, turn by turn
- Turns
- Mark an end zone 15 yards from the start line
- The thrower calls a route; the receiver runs it
- The thrower passes to the receiver
- 10 routes, then swap
- Fair play
- A grown-up receiver catches with one hand after the first 5.
- Points
- 1 point for a completed pass; 3 points for a catch in the end zone.
- Fouls
- No points for that play
- Running a different route from the one called
- A rounded cut instead of a sharp one
- The thrower stepping past the start line
- Winning
- Beat your best from 10 routes.
- 6 points for 1 star
- 11 points for 2 stars
- 16 points for 3 stars
Easier or harder
Short routes.
Longer routes, a defender.
What you will see, and what to say
- the cut is rounded
Plant the opposite foot, cut sharp
Push off hard and change direction. - the hands go up early
Hands up at the last moment
Run with the arms until the ball comes.
Self-check
6 of 10 routes ending in a catch.
Stop and get a coach when
Two receivers collide; agree who goes first when paths cross.
Fitness for this
Warm up first: how to warm up, at workonfitness.com. For strength and stretching, its exercise library shows each exercise step by step, with an easier version.
This card trains route running, catching on the move.
awiseathlete.com/sports/flag-football/flag-football-i2