Positions
Flag football positions, 5v5
Five players, and in 5v5 everyone on offense can catch the ball. Here's who does what.
Offense
Quarterback
Takes the snap, reads the defence, throws or hands off. Can't run past the line unless the ball was handed off first.
Center
Snaps the ball, then is an eligible receiver: often the safety valve over the middle.
Wide receiver (X)
Lines up wide on the left; stretches the field deep and outside.
Slot receiver (Y)
Lines up inside; runs quick routes into the gaps and often goes in motion.
Wide receiver (Z)
Lines up wide on the right; the mirror of X.
Defense
Rusher
Starts at least 7 yards back and goes after the QB's flag. Hands up to bother the throw.
Cornerbacks
Cover the wide receivers, in man or in a zone on their side.
Middle defender
Covers the slot or center, or guards the short middle in a zone.
Safety
The last line: plays deep, reads the QB and helps on long passes.
Should kids play one position?
No. In youth flag, rotate everyone through every spot, quarterback included. The best players understand the whole field, and the Playbook Kit teaches every role: the rules, routes, real plays, reading a defense.