How do I teach kids to pull flags?
The Flag Pull Relay teaches flag pulling as a game: two lines face each other ten yards apart, one player from each line runs to the middle, and each tries to pull the other’s flag first. Winner stays on. It works from age 4 up and should be the first drill of every season.
Setup
Split the team into two lines facing each other, about 10 yards apart. Everyone wears flags. You stand to the side with the whistle.
How it works
On the whistle, one player from each line runs toward the middle. Each tries to pull the other’s flag before losing their own. Winner stays for one more round, the other goes to the back of the line. Keep the pace fast, the next pair starts the moment flags reset.
What to watch for
Who’s aggressive and who’s timid (you’re scouting defenders). Quick hands. Kids grabbing shirts instead of flags, correct it immediately and kindly.
Age modifications
- K–1st: demonstrate twice, start at walking speed, and celebrate every pull loudly, “hold it up like a trophy!”
- 2nd: full speed; add a points system by team line.
- 3rd–4th: add a juke zone, runner may fake but must stay inside two cones, defender must break down and mirror.
Common mistakes
- Letting the line get long, split into two relays once you have 10+ kids.
- Kids lunging and grabbing clothes, teach “feet first, then hands.”
- Running the drill too long. Eight minutes of high energy beats fifteen of drift.
Quick answers
What age can kids start this drill?
Age 5 works fine at walking speed with big demonstrations. It’s usually the first drill of the first practice at every age.
How do I stop kids from tackling instead of pulling flags?
Coach the phrase “feet first, then hands”, get in front of the runner before reaching. Pause the drill the first time contact happens and reset the rule cheerfully.
How long should this drill run?
8–10 minutes as one of 2–3 simultaneous stations. End it while they still want one more round.
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