Football Drills for Kids - Fun Drills to Teach the Basics

When coaching beginning football, it can be hard to find drills for kids. Coaches should look for drills that are fun and not too complicated so that kids will have fun while learning the game. Football drills for kids should be simple and start with the basics: passing, catching, tackling, and maintaining proper stance.

King of the Ring Drill

Soccer Drills

This football drill for kids focuses on tackling the ball carrier.

Football Drills for Kids - Fun Drills to Teach the Basics

Have the players form a large circle with one player in the middle (more than one circle can be used for large teams). The drill begins when the coach tosses the ball to a player in the circle. The player with the ball must try to run to the other side of the circle. The player in the middle tries to stop the ball carrier with a solid heads up tackle. If the ball carrier makes it to the other side, he remains where he is and the player in the middle stays in the middle. If the player in the middle is successful in the tackle, he goes to the circle and the ball carrier becomes the new person in the middle.

Keep Your Balance Drill

This beginning football drill teaches the correct stance for offensive players to maintain their balance.

Have the defensive and offensive players form two lines facing each other. Have the players grab the shoulder pads of the player opposite them. At the whistle, the defensive player tries to make the offensive player lose his balance by pushing, pulling, tipping, etc. The offensive player should practice proper stance to maintain balance: keeping his hips low, his base wide, and moving his feet to stay upright and secure. Switch players and continue the drill.

Eye on the Ball Drill

This kids football drill is designed to help receivers maintain their concentration. They should focus on catching the pass even when they expect a hit.

Have three players with hand shields form a large equal triangle. The drill begins with the receiver running a pattern into the middle of the triangle. Once the receiver is in the triangle, the coach throws him a high pass. The receiver jumps to catch the pass and the players with shields run to the center of the triangle to jam him.

Football Drills for Kids - Fun Drills to Teach the Basics