5v5 Flag Football Positions Explained (With Printable Cheat Sheet)
August 3, 2026
5v5 is the format most rec leagues actually play, and it doesn't work like 7-on-7 or tackle — there are no linemen, no tight ends, and every player is an eligible receiver. That changes what "positions" even means: they're roles for one play, not identities for a season. Here's what each spot does on both sides of the ball, and who to put where.
The five on offense
| Position | The job | Put here |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Takes the snap, reads the rush count, throws on time. Can't run past the line in most leagues until the ball is handed off. | Your calmest decision-maker — not always your best athlete |
| Center | Snaps, then releases into a short route. The most underused weapon in 5v5 — the checkdown is almost always open. | A kid who wants touches but isn't fast yet |
| Receiver (x2) | Runs the called route full speed even when the ball isn't coming. Decoys win flag games. | Your fastest players |
| Running back / slot | Motion, handoffs, swing passes — and picks up the rusher when you keep the QB throwing. | Shifty over fast; good hands |
The five on defense
Most 5v5 defenses come down to one rusher and four in coverage. The rusher starts seven yards off the ball (check your league) and comes hard every snap — pick a kid who loves the chase. Behind them, play two short defenders over the receivers and two deep safeties in a simple 2-2 shell. Man coverage teaches more but zone survives youth pick plays better; run zone until your team can call switches out loud. The one rule that saves touchdowns: nobody stands behind the deepest defender. Ever.
Rotate roles, not just kids
In tackle football, kids own a position. In 5v5, positions are cheap to rotate — and rotating them is how you find your actual quarterback by week four instead of guessing at practice one. Rotate by halves, not plays: a half at receiver, a half at rusher, and everyone learns why the other jobs matter. The cheat sheet's lineup card has slots for both halves so the rotation is decided before warmups, not argued during them.
Put the plan where parents can see it
Most sideline chaos is really a communication problem — who starts where, who subs when. If you run your team on My-Team Sports, your roster and schedule already live on one site parents open like an app, and the Coach's Playbook draws your flag plays on a proper field. Print the play sheet, clip the lineup card to it, and game day runs itself.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 positions in 5v5 flag football?
On offense: quarterback, center, two receivers, and a running back or slot. On defense most teams play one rusher and four coverage players — two short, two deep. Every player is an eligible receiver in 5v5; there are no linemen.
Does 5v5 flag football have linemen?
No. There are no offensive or defensive linemen in 5v5. The center snaps the ball and immediately becomes a receiver, and the defense rushes from a set-off distance (usually seven yards) instead of lining up on the ball.
What position should my fastest player play?
Receiver on offense — speed stresses a youth defense more at receiver than anywhere else. On defense, put your fastest kid at deep safety, where recovery speed erases other mistakes.