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NFL Flag Plays

Passing

  • The Passing Tree is a numbered system used for the passing routes. The passing tree system is designed so that all even-numbered routes (2,4,6,8) are run towards the middle of the field and all odd-numbered routes (1,3,5,7,9) are be run towards the sideline. These routes are used for all positions on the field. The running back has extra routes that are always be referred to by name. Since the ball is always placed in the middle of the field, the center faces the dilemma, and all of the center’s routes should be based on the play design.

  • Receiver routes may need to be reduced by half for younger participants.

Play Examples

  • This system is based on the passing tree routes, and using our formula of calling your receiver routes from left to right followed by the running back route then the center route.

  • If we move to a three receiver set with no running back, (a Trips formation or Twins with a single receiver split opposite the call side), we now have a middle, or M receiver. Our play call formula remains the same – the play call is your receivers from left to right followed by the center call (since there is no running back in these formations there are no running back calls).

Advanced Play Calling

  • If you want a more advanced system to call plays, you can use the actual numbers attached to the routes on the passing tree to call your receiver routes (refer to passing tree for routes and the numbers associated with them). You are still calling your receiver routes from left to right. Instead of designating the receiver and the route he/ she will run, you call out a sequence of numbers that tells the receiver which route to run.