Flag football practice plan for 10 and 11 year olds (60 minutes)

🏈 Flag football · ages 10–11 · 60 minutes · 12 players · 6 balls

1. 0:008 min

   Warm-up Warm-up

   Jog on the spot, Arm circles, Skipping, Gallop. About a minute each, easy first, then a little bigger.

2. 0:0812 min

   Drill Pull and get back

   X playerO partner or defender— run- - pass∿ dribble

   Set up. Two lanes of cones side by side, each four steps wide. A runner and a defender in each lane, the defender five steps ahead. Gear: flag belts, cones for two lanes. With your players that is 3 groups of about 4.

   1. The runner jogs down the lane and tries to get past the defender.
   2. The defender shuffles to stay in front, then pulls the flag as the runner tries to go by.
   3. Hand the flag back, both jog back to the start, and swap jobs.
   4. No reaching for the shirt or the arm: the flag is the only thing you touch.

   Say: “Stay in front” · “Eyes on the belt” · “Flag only”

   Easier: The runner walks, and the defender starts only two steps ahead. Harder: The runner may fake one way before going the other.

3. 0:2012 min

   Drill Flag grab

   Set up. Everyone in flags inside a box of cones. Gear: a flag belt each, cones for a box.

   1. On go, pull as many flags as you can, holding each one up high and shouting 'flag!'.
   2. Give it straight back, the owner puts it on, and everyone keeps going.
   3. One minute, then a rest. Nobody is out, ever.
   4. Hands only go for flags: no pushing, no holding shirts.

   Say: “Eyes on the hips” · “Grab and shout” · “Hand it back”

   Easier: Walk it, and the box is bigger. Harder: Only your weaker hand can pull.

4. 0:322 min

   Water Water break

   Everybody drinks, in the shade if there is some.

5. 0:3412 min

   Drill Three routes: slant, out, go

   Set up. A quarterback, a receiver and the next receiver. A cone five steps up the field marks where the receiver turns. Gear: a ball a group, cones to mark the turn. With your players that is 4 groups of about 3.

   1. Slant: five steps up, then cut across at an angle.
   2. Out: five steps up, then cut straight to the sideline.
   3. Go: run straight and look back over your inside shoulder.
   4. The quarterback throws as the receiver cuts. Rotate after each throw.

   Say: “Sell it straight” · “Sharp cut” · “Look for it”

   Easier: Walk the route and the quarterback hands the ball over at the cut. Harder: The quarterback calls the route at the line.

6. 0:4610 min

   Game Everybody touches flag game

   Set up. Two teams of four or five on a small field. The coach can be the quarterback for both teams at the youngest ages. Gear: flag belts, a ball, cones for a small field. With your players that is 2 groups of about 10.

   1. The offense starts at the cone; a play ends when the carrier's flag is pulled.
   2. A new quarterback every play, so everyone throws.
   3. Defenders pull flags only: no contact, no diving, rushers start well back.
   4. Swap offense and defense every four plays. The score lives on paper, if anywhere.

   Say: “Everybody a job” · “Flag, not shirt” · “Talk in the huddle”

   Easier: Running plays only, and every handoff counts as a first down. Harder: A touchdown counts double if every player touched the ball on the drive.

7. 0:564 min

   Cool-down Cool-down

   Reach for your toes, Butterfly, Calf stretch. About a minute each, easy first, then a little bigger.

Every plan here has a water break, two in practices over an hour (our rule). On hot days the CDC says to drink more water than usual without waiting to be thirsty, to start slowly and build up, and to practice when it is cooler. cdc.gov: Heat and Athletes. Head knocks and concussion: read CDC HEADS UP, the CDC's page for coaches and parents. cdc.gov/heads-up