Midget Football Drills

Midget, or youth, football coaches are responsible for teaching their players the fundamentals of the game, such as blocking, catching, handoffs, pitches, running, tackling, throwing and tossing. Blocking and tackling are especially important due to the risk for injury if a player uses poor technique. Utilize a variety of drills to teach these skills to your players in a creative and enjoyable manner, allowing them to enjoy success on the gridiron for years to come.

Dummy Blocking Drill

All youth football players need to learn how to block correctly. Even if they currently play a position, such as quarterback, wide receiver or any defensive position, that requires little or no blocking, they may move to the offensive live or tight end after their bodies mature. The dummy blocking drill teaches players how to run block with proper technique. Pair your players by size and designate one player in each pair as the blocker. Give the other player in each pair a padded dummy. Have the players in each pair stand about 3 yards apart, facing each other. On your command, the blockers move to the "ready" position, with their knees flexed to 90 degrees, hips flexed forward, backs straight and forearms on their knees. When you say "set," the blockers place their right hand on the ground in front of them, slightly right of center. Finally, when you say "hut," they explode forward, staying low and keeping their feet wide, and drive their forearms into the dummy with their heads to either side. The players holding the dummies should provide moderate resistance. Have the blockers continue driving the block for about 5 yards, until you blow a whistle.

Bull in Ring

Tackling is one of the most difficult skills to teach young football players because some of them shy away from collisions with other players. Pair players of similar size together during tackling drills to increase their confidence. Insist on perfect technique to prevent injuries. Bull in the ring drill is a classic tackling drill. Have a group of 10 or more players form a 5-yard circle with one player in the middle. Toss the ball to one of the players in the circle. The player in the middle tries to tackle the player with the ball before he can run to the opposite side of the circle. The tackler should stay low, keep his feet wide and head up, and wrap his arms tightly around the upper legs of the ball carrier to drive him to the ground.

Gauntlet Drill

The gauntlet drill teaches running backs, receivers and quarterbacks to protect the football as they run downfield. Have a group of 10 players form a tunnel with five players on each side. Have a ball carrier run through the tunnel. Tell the players in the tunnel to punch at the ball as the ball carrier passes by, trying to make him fumble. The ball carrier's goal is to get through the tunnel without fumbling.