The Detroit Lions & Your Flag Football Hook & Ladder
The Hook & Ladder has been a part of football since we started throwing the football. At its core it is a trick play that is not that difficult to execute when broken down into parts. It requires (like most plays) that the individual players be disciplined about their assignments and not rush the play. It also is better when you have thrown the 12 yard hook repeatedly and the defense is breaking up on it like a dog chasing red meat. This play is good for flag football and tackle football alike.
The Detroit Lions ran a more sophisticated version of it recently. It was more a shallow cross or maybe a “Drag & Ladder”. The Lions version requires a lot more practice and let’s face it, they probably have more time to rep their plays than you do.
Their version comes off of the same premise as the hook and ladder. Similarly, the defenders are going to break on the initial throw to the first receiver. However; they understand also that the pitch to the second receiver or running back in their case is easy to disguise because they run a ton of Mesh concepts.
The Traditional Hook & Ladder Fits In Every Flag Football Offense
Defensive backs and linebackers are used to routinely fighting across picks and rubs when they play man coverage. They are also used to zoning of two or three receivers and breaking up on the ball when it is thrown. The Lions used that completely to their advantage on this trick play for a touchdown.
I am going to leave it up to you about how sophisticated you want to get with your version. If you are a flag football coach and want to add a trick play, I think the hook and ladder is a good thought. Let’s get this out there up front though. I have coached in the NFL and I have coached 8-9 year old flag football players. The hook and ladder is a play that I think fits at both levels is you coach it correctly.
With younger players, you want to have short quick throws that are easy to complete. If you can find a way to dial up plays that have stationary targets then you are going to be better off. This allows you to build your hook and ladder off of a pass play you are likely to call many times throughout your flag football season
One last point we want to make is that it can be hard to get your flag football center involved in the game plan. You want your center involved for at least a couple of reasons. First, you want that kid (or adult) to have fun too. Also, if you eliminate your center then the defense is going to begin to cheat on your other players. So as you can see in the play diagram above, this is a creative way to get your center involved.
Watch This Short Video For Another Creative Trick Play Involving Your Center
FirstDown PlayBook offers you hundreds of flag football plays and defenses. This is just a small sample our 6v6 formations. Tap on any one of the tiles below to visit the article describing that formation. FirstDown PlayBook also offers 4v4, 5v5, 7v7, and 8v8 flag football plays and defenses.
