1. What You're Trying to Accomplish
You have two practices before your first game. That's 120 minutes total to take a group of kids-some who've never played, some who've played for years-and turn them into something resembling a team.
Don't overthink it. Your goals are simple:
- Build comfort. Kids need to feel safe with you, with each other, and with the game itself.
- Assess your players. Who listens? Who's fast? Who can catch? Who can pull a flag?
- Teach the basics. Flag pulling, handoffs, catching, and basic positioning.
- Learn one play per practice. That's it. One play they can actually run.
- Identify your quarterback. You can't run an offense without one.
- Establish what it means to be on this team. Set expectations for how you'll operate together.
What it means to be on this team
At some point in Practice #1, gather the kids and tell them what you expect. Keep it simple. Three things:
- We work hard. When we're here, we give our best effort.
- We listen. When the coach talks, we stop and pay attention.
- We're good teammates. We encourage each other, win or lose.
This is personal to you as a coach. Use your own words. But make sure they hear it early. It sets the tone for everything else.
If kids leave these two practices knowing their teammates' names, understanding one play, and excited to come back, you've done your job.
2. The 60-Minute Practice Structure
Kids do well with structure. They like knowing what's coming. Use the same format for both practices so they get into a rhythm.
Critical tip: Never run drills one at a time. When kids stand around waiting for their turn, they get bored, distracted, and into trouble. Run 2-3 drills simultaneously so everyone is actively involved at all times. Split your coaching staff across the stations and rotate kids through.
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00 - 0:05 | Arrival & Warm-Up Run | Burn energy, get focused |
| 0:05 - 0:10 | Huddle & Agenda | Set expectations, explain the plan |
| 0:10 - 0:25 | Skill Drill #1 | Fundamental skill work |
| 0:25 - 0:30 | Water Break | Hydration + mental reset |
| 0:30 - 0:45 | Skill Drill #2 or Play Install | Second skill or teach the play |
| 0:45 - 0:55 | Scrimmage / Play Practice | Put it together in live action |
| 0:55 - 1:00 | Closing Huddle | Recap, high fives, dismissal |
K / 1st Grade Adjustment
- The warm-up run is mandatory, not optional. These kids show up with energy to burn. Run them first or they won't listen to anything.
- Add a second water break around the 40-minute mark. Attention spans are short.
- Keep drills to 10 minutes max before switching activities.
2nd Grade Adjustment
- Warm-up run is still important but can be shorter.
- You can stretch drills to 15 minutes if they're engaged.
- Start introducing basic football terminology (huddle, line of scrimmage, routes).
3rd / 4th Grade Adjustment
- Warm-up can include dynamic stretching, not just running.
- Drills can run longer-these kids can focus for 15-20 minutes.
- Scrimmage time can expand if fundamentals are solid.
Tip: The first 5 minutes are the same every practice. Arrival, drop your stuff, run to the end of the field and back. This becomes automatic. Kids know what to do before you say anything.
Recommended Drill Stations
See the complete Practice Drills reference for detailed instructions on each drill.
Set up 2-3 of these stations and rotate kids through every 5-7 minutes. Keep everyone moving.
Defense Drills:
- Flag pulling: Two lines facing each other, players try to pull each other's flags
- Containment (cornerbacks): Defender stays between the runner and the sideline, forcing them inside
- Deep pass coverage (3rd/4th grade): Defender runs with receiver, practices looking back for the ball
Offense Drills:
- Handoff timing: QB and runner practice the exchange until it's smooth
- Outside handoffs: Runner takes the handoff toward the sideline to open up the field
- Catching: Simple throw and catch, focusing on securing the ball before running
3. Practice #1: Introductions & Assessment
This is about getting comfortable and seeing what you're working with.
Opening Huddle (5 min)
After the warm-up run, gather everyone in a huddle. Introduce yourself. Go around and have each kid say their name. Keep it quick-you'll learn names over time.
Set two or three ground rules:
- When I blow the whistle, everyone stops and looks at me.
- When we huddle, we hustle.
- We respect our teammates.
That's it. Don't overload them with rules. You'll reinforce these constantly.
Drill #1: Flag Pulling (15 min)
Flag Pull Relay
Setup: Split into two lines facing each other, about 10 yards apart. Everyone wears flags.
How it works: One player from each line runs toward the middle. The goal is to pull the other person's flag before they pull yours. Winner stays, loser goes to the back of the line.
What you're watching for: Who's aggressive? Who's timid? Who has quick hands?
K / 1st Grade
- Demonstrate the drill yourself first. Then demonstrate again.
- Start with walking speed before running speed.
- Celebrate every flag pull loudly. Energy matters.
Water Break (5 min)
Mandatory. Every practice. Non-negotiable.
Drill #2: Catching (15 min)
Catch and Run
Setup: Single file line. You stand 5-7 yards away with the ball.
How it works: Throw to each kid. They catch it, tuck it, and run past you to a cone 10 yards behind you. Then they jog back to the end of the line.
What you're watching for: Who has soft hands? Who's afraid of the ball? Who's fast once they catch it?
K / 1st Grade
- Throw softly and directly to their chest. No spirals-they can't catch them yet.
- It's okay if they drop it. Celebrate effort, not results.
3rd / 4th Grade
- Throw actual passes-they should be learning to catch a spiral.
- Add a defender chasing them after the catch to simulate game pressure.
Scrimmage: Informal Play (10 min)
Don't install a real play yet. Just let them run around in a controlled scrimmage. Offense vs. defense. You play quarterback so you can observe everyone.
Call out simple instructions: "Run to the left side." "Try to get open." This isn't about execution-it's about seeing how kids move and react.
Closing Huddle (5 min)
Bring everyone in. Tell them one thing you noticed that was good (as a team, not individuals). Remind them when the next practice is. High fives. Done.
4. Practice #2: First Play & Game Prep
Same structure as Practice #1. The difference: today you install your first play.
Opening Huddle (5 min)
After the warm-up run, welcome everyone back. Quick recap of what you worked on last time. Tell them today's goal: learn one play we'll use in the game.
Drill #1: Handoffs (15 min)
Handoff Relay
Setup: Two lines facing the same direction, staggered. First line is "quarterbacks," second line is "runners."
How it works: QB takes the snap (from you or a center), turns and hands off to the runner. Runner takes it and runs to a cone. Rotate positions.
What you're watching for: Who hands off cleanly? Who secures the ball when receiving? Any fumbles?
Water Break (5 min)
Play Install: Your First Play (15 min)
Keep it simple. One play. Something they can actually execute.
K / 1st Grade: Recommended First Play
Handoff Right/Left: QB takes the snap, hands off to a runner going right or left. That's it. No routes, no reads. Just a clean handoff and run.
- Walk through it 5 times before running it.
- Assign positions but expect to repeat them every play.
- Celebrate when it works. Calmly correct when it doesn't.
2nd Grade: Recommended First Play
Handoff + One Route: Same handoff, but add one receiver running a short out route as a decoy or simple read.
- The receiver probably won't get the ball yet. That's fine.
- It teaches them that multiple things happen on a play.
3rd / 4th Grade: Recommended First Play
Play Action or Simple Pass: Fake handoff, QB rolls out, hits a receiver on a quick slant or out route.
- These kids can handle a basic read: if the defender bites on the run, throw it.
- Emphasize timing. Receiver needs to be looking when the ball comes.
Tip: You're teaching one play. Resist the urge to add more. Run the same play 15-20 times until it's automatic. A team that runs one play well beats a team that runs five plays poorly.
Scrimmage: Run the Play (10 min)
Offense vs. defense. Run your new play over and over. Let different kids try different positions-especially QB-so you can see who handles it.
Closing Huddle (5 min)
Remind them: next time we're together, it's a game. Tell them what time to arrive, what to wear, and to bring water. One more round of high fives.
5. How to Identify Your Quarterback
You can't run an offense without a decent quarterback. Over these two practices, you're looking for a specific combination:
Your QB is the kid who listens AND is athletic. Athletic alone isn't enough-a kid who can't follow instructions will make bad decisions. A good listener who can't throw won't move the ball. You need both.
What to watch for:
- Listening skills: When you explain a drill or play, who's tracking? Who asks clarifying questions? Who remembers what you said?
- Arm strength: Can they throw the ball 10-15 yards with some accuracy?
- Composure: When things get chaotic, who stays calm?
- Leadership: Who do other kids naturally look to?
How to test it:
During scrimmage, rotate 3-4 kids through the QB position. Give them each 4-5 plays. Watch who processes information fastest and who other kids respond to.
K / 1st Grade
At this age, the QB is mostly handing off. Arm strength matters less than listening and not panicking. Look for the kid who can take a snap, find the runner, and make a clean handoff consistently.
3rd / 4th Grade
Now you need a real arm. Test their throwing during warm-ups. The best athlete on your team might not be your best QB if they can't process the field quickly.
QB is the one position you can't rotate as much. You need someone who listens well enough to execute plays. It's more important to get all kids touches on the ball than to have a quick four plays because your QB doesn't understand what to do. Find a reliable QB early, and let them develop in that role.
6. Managing the Chaos
Kids will test you. They'll goof off. They'll talk while you're talking. They'll wrestle each other during drills. This is normal. It's also something you need to control.
The balance you're aiming for:
Fun but firm. Kids should enjoy practice. They should also respect that when you're talking, they're listening. These aren't contradictory-kids actually feel safer when boundaries are clear.
Tools that work:
The whistle. When it blows, everyone stops and looks at you. No exceptions. Enforce this from minute one. If someone keeps talking after the whistle, calmly call them out. "Hey [Name], whistle means eyes on me. Got it?"
Running. If a kid (or the whole team) is goofing off too much, have them run to the end of the field and back. This isn't punishment-it's a reset. Say it matter-of-factly: "Alright, let's go run one off. End of the field and back. Let's go."
K / 1st Grade
Run them at the START of practice, before you try to teach anything. They show up vibrating with energy. Get it out early or you'll fight it the whole hour.
Proximity. When a kid is drifting, walk toward them while you keep talking. Your physical presence brings them back without calling them out publicly.
Name usage. Work hard to learn names fast. "Nice catch, Marcus!" is ten times more effective than "Nice catch!" Kids pay attention when they feel seen.
Learning names quickly:
- Do introductions at the start of Practice #1 and #2. Have each kid say their name.
- Before each drill, have the team shout the name of the player whose turn it is.
- Use names constantly when giving feedback, even if you have to glance at the roster.
- If only a few players are new to an existing team, go above and beyond to make them feel welcome. Pair them with returning players during drills.
Don't let them run all over you. The first time you let something slide, you've set a new standard. Be consistent. If the whistle means stop, it means stop every time, not just when you're frustrated.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
✓ Do
- Keep instructions to 1-2 sentences
- Demonstrate every drill before running it
- Run kids early to burn off energy
- Teach one play and run it 20 times
- Use names constantly
- End on time
✗ Don't
- Talk for more than 60 seconds at a time
- Assume they understood-check
- Try to install multiple plays
- Let goofing off slide "just this once"
- Compare kids to each other out loud
- Skip water breaks
The biggest mistake new coaches make:
Talking too much. Kids tune out after about 30 seconds. If you're explaining something and you see eyes wandering, stop talking and start demonstrating. Show, don't tell.
The second biggest mistake:
Making drills too complicated. If it takes more than two sentences to explain, simplify it. A confused kid doesn't learn. A bored kid doesn't try.
Remember: These two practices should be almost identical in structure. Repetition builds comfort. Comfort builds confidence. Confidence lets kids actually learn.