Preparation is one of the big keys for playing football at any level. This is especially true for youth football. If players are unsure of the plays they are going to run or how to execute them, the game will be disorganized and full of penalties. By running drills in practice, young players will learn the importance of hustle, execution and team play.
Hustle Drill
Have your offensive players line up at the 40. Your team will be executing plays without the defense on the field--known as practicing "against air." Run a toss play to your running back and once he gets through the line of scrimmage, your entire team sprints down to the goalline. Run another play as quickly as possible. Since your last play was a run, this time have your offense run a simple pass. Once the pass is caught, your offense runs back to the 40. Rotate new players in every other play to teach your team to hustle.
Tackling Drill
Teaching young people to tackle correctly and safely is one of the most important concepts in youth football. Nobody should ever lead with their head and let their head and neck take the brunt of the hit. Give the running back the ball at the 50-yard line. The tackler starts at the 40. On the coach's whistle the running back takes three straight steps and then angles off to the right. The tackle accelerates into the ball carrier, leading with his shoulder. He must start off low on the hit and rise up high as he finishes it. Give all of your tacklers and ball carriers a chance to run this drill.
Sideline Conditioning Drill
At the start of your season you will have to make sure all your players are in top shape. Start off at the sidelines and have them sprint to the near hashmark on the field. Then they sprint back to the sidelines. Give them a 30-second break and then have them spring to the far sideline and back. Give them another 30-second break. Then have them sprint to the far sidelines and back. Do this at the start and finish of every practice. Once kids reach the age of 13, you can eliminate the rest period between sprints.
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