The number one rule of practice: never run one drill at a time. Run 2-3 stations simultaneously so every kid is moving. When kids stand around waiting, they get bored, distracted, and into trouble.
How stations work: Split your team into 2-3 groups. Each group spends 5-7 minutes at a station, then rotates on your whistle. You need one coach or parent helper at each station. For K/1st grade, aim for 4 adults total: one per station plus one managing the sideline.
Setup: Two lines facing each other, about 10 yards apart. Everyone wears flags.
How it works: One player from each line runs toward the middle. Pull the other person's flag before they pull yours. Winner stays, loser goes to the back of the line.
What you're evaluating: Who's aggressive? Who's timid? Who has quick hands? This is your first look at who might play defense well.
K/1st adjustment: Start at walking speed. Demonstrate it yourself twice before they try. Celebrate every flag pull loudly.
Setup: One runner, one defender. Set cones about 5 yards apart to mark the sideline.
How it works: The runner tries to get past the defender to the sideline. The defender's job is to stay between the runner and the cones, forcing them back inside toward help. This is how you teach kids to contain the edge instead of biting on every fake.
What you're evaluating: Can the defender stay disciplined? Are they lunging or staying in position? This drill separates the kids who can play corner from the ones who should be in the middle of the field.
Setup: One receiver, one defender. Coach stands at the line and throws.
How it works: Receiver runs a go route straight down the field. Defender runs with them, stays in position, and turns to find the ball when it's thrown. The goal is not interceptions. The goal is tracking both the receiver and the ball at the same time.
What you're evaluating: Can the defender look back at the right time without losing their player? This is a hard skill. Don't expect it to click right away.
Why not younger ages: K through 2nd graders can't throw or catch deep balls consistently enough to make this drill productive. Save it for kids who can run real routes.
Setup: Line up 4-5 defenders across the field. One ball carrier starts at one sideline.
How it works: On the whistle, the ball carrier runs across the field trying to reach the opposite sideline. Defenders take the correct angle to cut them off and pull the flag. The point is to run to where the runner will be, not where they are now.
What you're evaluating: Are defenders running straight at the runner (wrong) or angling to cut them off (right)? Are they giving up when they get beat?
Coaching point: Emphasize never quitting on a play. Even if a defender gets beat initially, they keep pursuing. This is a character lesson as much as a football lesson.
Setup: QB, running back, and center. Line up 5 yards from a cone.
How it works: Center snaps, QB takes the ball, turns, and hands off to the runner. Runner takes it to the cone. Rotate positions so everyone gets reps at each spot.
What you're evaluating: Is the exchange clean? Is the runner securing the ball before taking off? This is where you start to identify who might be a decent QB based on how they handle the ball and whether they can execute a clean handoff under control.
K/1st adjustment: Walk through it 5 times before running at speed. They will botch the exchange constantly at first. That's fine. Repetition is the only fix.
Setup: QB, running back, center. Cones marking the sideline 10 yards away.
How it works: Runner takes the handoff and runs toward the sideline to open up the field. Focus on getting outside before turning upfield. The temptation for kids is to cut inside too early. Teach patience.
What you're evaluating: Can the runner resist the urge to cut inside immediately? Are they turning upfield at the right moment? Fast kids who learn to get the edge are your best offensive weapon in flag football.
Setup: Single file line. Coach stands 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. Jog back to the end of the line.
What you're evaluating: Who has soft hands? Who's afraid of the ball? Who's fast once they catch it? This drill tells you a lot about who your receivers will be.
K/1st adjustment: Throw softly to their chest. No spirals yet. Celebrate effort, not results. It's okay if they drop it.
3rd/4th adjustment: Throw actual passes. They should be learning to catch a spiral. Add a defender chasing them after the catch to simulate game pressure.
Pick 2-3 of the drills above and run them as simultaneous stations. Here are three combinations that work well.
Station 1: Flag Pull Relay (defense)
Station 2: Handoff Timing (offense)
Station 3: Catch and Run (offense)
This gives you a read on who can pull flags, who handles the ball well, and who can catch. That's all you need from Practice 1.
Station 1: Pursuit Angles (defense)
Station 2: Outside Handoffs/Sweeps (offense)
Station 3: Containment/Cornerback (defense)
By mid-season, you're refining. This combo works on team defense concepts and getting your runners to use the full width of the field.
Station 1: Deep Pass Coverage (defense)
Station 2: Catch and Run with defender (offense)
Station 3: Pursuit Angles (defense)
For older kids late in the season, add defensive complexity. They should be able to handle man coverage concepts by now.
Huddle rule: If a kid asks for the ball or asks to play QB in the huddle, they don't get the ball that play. This keeps them focused on execution instead of lobbying for touches. Tell them this once and enforce it consistently.
The first 5 minutes are always the same. Kids arrive, drop their stuff, run to the end of the field and back. This becomes automatic. With younger kids, you may need to run them twice just to burn off energy so they'll actually listen. Structure calms them down. Use it.