New to coaching? You don't need a thick playbook to run a great first practice. Kids want to move, touch the ball and have fun. Here's a simple plan you can adjust to your division's age and attention span.

Before practice

  • Know the rules. Read the rules so you can teach the game the way it's played at our field.
  • Bring gear: footballs, flag belts, cones and water.
  • Learn names first. Kids play harder for a coach who knows their name.
  • Recruit a helper. A second adult makes stations possible.

The plan

1. Dynamic warm-up

Jogging, high knees, butt kicks, side shuffles and backpedals across the field. Finish with a few short sprints. Keep everyone moving; no standing in long lines.

2. Flag pulling

Pair players up. One jogs and cuts while the other closes in, breaks down, and pulls a flag with both eyes on the hips. Swap roles often. Talk about the rules: no grabbing jerseys, no holding, no diving into the ball carrier, and no pulling flags off players without the ball. See Teaching flag pulling and avoiding flag guarding for more.

3. Skill stations

Split into small groups and rotate:

  • Throwing: grip, step toward the target, and follow through. Short distances first.
  • Catching: hands up, thumbs together for balls above the chest, pinkies together below. Look the ball in.
  • Snapping and handoffs: center-to-QB snaps between the legs, then clean handoffs behind the line. Remind players there are no pitches or laterals in our league, and no handing off to the center on the first handoff.

4. Routes and a few simple plays

Teach two or three basic routes (a quick out, a slant and a go route) and put them into a couple of plays your team can run all season. Simple and repeated beats complicated and confused.

5. Scrimmage

Finish with 6 on 6 or small-sided games. Rotate positions so every player gets a turn at quarterback, receiver, rusher and defensive back. Call out rules as they come up: the 7-yard rush line, the 7-second pass clock and the no-run zones.

6. Huddle up

End on a positive note. Recognize effort and good sportsmanship, and give a clear reminder of the next practice and game.

Tips that make a big difference

  • Short and active beats long and perfect. Avoid long lines and long talks, especially with younger kids.
  • Everyone plays, everyone sits. Start building that rotation in practice.
  • Praise effort out loud, and correct quietly and specifically.
  • Keep parents in the loop with a quick message after each practice.

For more ideas, NFL FLAG has free drills and plays. Adapt them for 6 on 6 and our no-pitch rule. And read our coaching guidelines before the first game.