First flag football practice of the season

Your 45-minute session

8 players · 1 adult
Have the equipment listed for every active group. Recheck the grouping if attendance changes.

1. 0–3minutes

   Warm-up

   Walk around a clear area, gradually picking up the pace. Introduce today’s focus and show the first activity.

2. 3–13minutes

   Short-pass release-point drill

   Find a comfortable release toward a close, ready receiving target. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Pairs use foam footballs in two separated cone-marked lanes; waiting pairs observe from outside the lanes. For an odd headcount, the final trio keeps one observer outside the active path; that observer rotates into the pair each time the trio’s turn returns. At most 2 active pairs use the described layout at once. Waiting pairs remain outside all lanes and run-off; after one completed repetition and a clear return, the next pair enters. Observers name the destination or readiness cue before their next turn.

   1. Receiver shows hands and sender makes one gentle pass from a still stance.
   2. Pause and let the sender describe where the ball left the hand relative to the target.
   3. Try another easy pass with one chosen cue, then swap thrower and receiver.

   Equipment: 1 age-appropriate foam football per pair; 8 cones

   Keep it safe: Non-contact only: no blocking, tackling, charging, holding, flag guarding, diving or jumping for catches. Use comfortable throw distances and separated routes. Stop on loose balls; never send players into another active lane. Check local league rules before transferring this teaching activity to a match; no live rush or laterals are taught. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. The listed range is a proposed coaching scope, not a readiness assessment.

3. 13–23minutes

   Football tracking catches

   Keep attention on a visible part of the foam football during a short toss. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Pairs face each other at a comfortable close distance in separate marked lanes. For an odd headcount, one pair becomes a trio: the third player observes outside the active path and enters after three attempts. All pairs swap active jobs after three attempts; nobody waits through an entire teaching block.

   1. Sender holds the foam ball still so the receiver can identify one pointed end.
   2. Use a gentle short toss; receiver watches the whole ball and gathers with two hands.
   3. After the catch, receiver points out where the ball arrived and swaps roles.

   Equipment: 1 age-appropriate foam football per pair; 8 cones

   Keep it safe: Non-contact only: no blocking, tackling, charging, holding, flag guarding, diving or jumping for catches. Use comfortable throw distances and separated routes. Stop on loose balls; never send players into another active lane. Check local league rules before transferring this teaching activity to a match; no live rush or laterals are taught. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. The listed range is a proposed coaching scope, not a readiness assessment.

4. 23–24minutes

   Water break

   Offer water and reset the activity areas.

5. 24–33minutes

   Ball-carrying hand switch

   Transfer a foam football between secure carrying positions without a defender. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Use one straight lane and a separate return path marked by eight cones; partners share a ball. For an odd headcount, the final trio keeps one observer outside the active path; that observer rotates into the pair each time the trio’s turn returns. At most 1 active pair uses the described layout at once. Waiting pairs remain outside all lanes and run-off; after one completed repetition and a clear return, the next pair enters. Observers name the destination or readiness cue before their next turn.

   1. At a standstill, secure one tip of the ball with the hand and hold its length against the forearm and torso. Keep side flags uncovered; use the free hand to steady the ball before walking.
   2. At the centre, slow and move the ball across with both hands before securing the other side.
   3. Finish the lane, hand it to the partner and name when control was checked.

   Equipment: 1 age-appropriate foam football per pair; 8 cones

   Keep it safe: Non-contact only: no blocking, tackling, charging, holding, flag guarding, diving or jumping for catches. Use comfortable throw distances and separated routes. Stop on loose balls; never send players into another active lane. Check local league rules before transferring this teaching activity to a match; no live rush or laterals are taught. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. The listed range is a proposed coaching scope, not a readiness assessment.

6. 33–42minutes

   Stationary flag pull and reset

   Learn how to restart safely after a stationary flag removal. Use 1 group of 8 players. Equipment below is needed for each group.

   How to run it

   Pairs check fitted belts and hanging flags in a clear area marked with eight cones. For an odd headcount, one pair becomes a trio: the third player observes outside the active path and enters after three attempts. All pairs swap active jobs after three attempts; nobody waits through an entire teaching block.

   1. Carrier stands still; partner takes only the loose flag tail with a gentle pull.
   2. Both stop and return the flag by hand rather than throwing it.
   3. Carrier refits with help if needed; players confirm both flags are visible before switching roles.

   Equipment: 1 properly fitted belt with individually detachable flags per player; 8 cones

   Keep it safe: Non-contact only: no blocking, tackling, charging, holding, flag guarding, diving or jumping for catches. Use comfortable throw distances and separated routes. Stop on loose balls; never send players into another active lane. Check local league rules before transferring this teaching activity to a match; no live rush or laterals are taught. Match the challenge to demonstrated skill and comfort, not age alone. The listed range is a proposed coaching scope, not a readiness assessment. Touch only the hanging flag, never the belt, clothing or body. Practise at walking speed first and stop before contact. Use pocket-free shorts and keep clothing clear of the flags. Coach checks each individual flag releases as designed; never use improvised tied-on flags. Confirm the league’s mouthguard and other protective-equipment requirements before practice. This version uses individual flag release, not a whole-belt release system. Demonstrate a compatible activity separately if the team uses a different belt mechanism.

7. 42–45minutes

   Cool-down and check-in

   Walk at an easy pace, offer water, and ask players to name one thing they want to try again next time.