Youth Cone Football Drills

Youth Cone Football Drills
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The well-worn phrase, "practice makes perfect," is one that has a lot of merit. To perform at the highest levels of your potential, you should practice often, focusing on movements and drills that reflect actual game action. Although cones aren't quite the same as defenders, they can be effective tools for your drills, as cones restrict your range of motion and act as targets. To prevent injury, it's best to only practice under the supervision of your coach or another adult.

Zig Zag Agility Drill

The Zig Zag Agility Drill is recommended by youth sports website We Play. This drill may help improve your speed and agility,as it involves sprinting and rapid changes in direction. To perform this drill, set up two parallel lines of cones, with the cones of each line offset so that a zig zag pattern can be achieved when running from one to the next. Begin at one end and run through the cones, turning on the outside of each cone. We Play recommends touching each cone with one hand as you pass, which adds a balancing challenge and ensures you make tight turns.

Three Cone Drill

According to the NFL website, the Three Cone Drill is a staple for many professional teams. However, this drill is simple to set up and perform, so even young players can use it. To perform the Three Cone Drill, set up three cones in the shape of an L. Begin at one of the end cones and sprint to the middle cone, then return to the original cone. Then, spring back to the second cone and cut around it to the last cone. Circle the last cone, sprint back to the second cone, cut around it and return to your starting place. Try this drill often to see if your speed improves.

Colored Cone Box Drill

An important aspect of football, no matter what position you play, is the ability to react to situations quickly and to be ready to move in any direction at a moment's notice. According to Stack website, a drill that may be useful for developing these skills involves creating a box with four different colored cones. Place the cones five yards apart to form the box, and stand in the middle of the box. Have your partner name a color corresponding to a cone, and sprint or backpedal to that cone, depending on its location.

References

Article reviewed by Allen Cone Last updated on: Oct 4, 2010

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