Speed training drills for 6U football players are designed to help young kids develop basic coordination and speed. While speed training drills for older football players will be at a quicker pace and require more skill, these streamlined training drills will help improve your player's speed and agility on the field.
Agility Ladder Drills
According to Football Tutorials, many agility drills for youth football are performed with an agility ladder. An agility ladder is made up of two synthetic ropes that are laid flat on the ground. The ropes are usually between five and 10 feet in length and are subdivided into squares by plastic rungs. There are usually 15 to 20 rungs per agility ladder. Start your kids off by lining them up in front of a row of squares made by the ladder. On your whistle, have them run forward, placing both feet in each square before moving on to the next ladder. Have them repeat until they are fatigued.
Running Resistance Drill
This speed training drill will improve your child's speed and power with the ball. Have a kid line up at the line of scrimmage with a football in hand. Have two defenders line up a foot away from the runner on each side of him. On your whistle, have the player with the ball sprint for 20 to 30 yards. During this time, the other two players should backpedal with him, placing their hands on each one of his shoulders, providing him with resistance during his run.
Football Field Sprints
This long-distance speed training drill is designed to improve your player's endurance and speed. Have your entire team line up in full pads at one end zone. On your mark, have them sprint to the other end zone without stopping. Allow them to rest for 30 seconds to a minute before repeating the sprint from the other end zone. As your team improves, increase the number of sprints the players perform before completing this drill.
Weave In/-Weave Out
This speed and agility drill is designed for your players to improve their ability to change direction quickly. Set up four cones in a straight line, three to four yards apart. From here, place a cone between each cone, three yards to the left of the cones. Have one player start at the first cone and wait for your whistle. On your whistle, have the player run from cone to cone as quickly as he can, in a zig-zag pattern. Have him continue this pattern until he reaches the last cone. Have each player perform this exercise until fatigued.
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