Youth Tackle-Football Drills

Youth football drills will help each youngster on the team become a better football player. Conduct drills for at least half of the practice session. If the team is having trouble with a particular skill, run more than one drill to work on the problem. Use drilling sessions to help determine which players to put on offense and defense during actual games.

  1. Footwork Drill

    • Young players need to learn how to run in full football gear.

      A footwork drill will help a young player learn how to run while wearing football gear. Have the team lineup at midfield. Tell the first player in line to run forward for five yards, then stop and move side-to-side for five yards. Next, tell the player to backpedal for five yards, then move side-to-side back to the original starting point. If any of the players have difficulty with a helmet or shoulder pads during the drill, make sure the equipment fits properly. Time each player to see which youngsters have the best footwork.

    Tackling Drill

    • Teach the players how to properly tackle a runner.

      Conducting a tackling drill during youth football practice will teach a player the proper way to bring down a ball carrier. Make the players form two lines roughly five yards apart. Give one player the ball, then have the first player in the opposite line get down in a defensive stance. Blow the whistle and have the runner try to elude the tackler. Step in to make any corrections to the defender's tackling technique, then have the two players switch roles and repeat the drill. Make a note of the strongest tacklers and consider using them on defense during games.

    Fumble Recovery Drill

    • A fumble recovery drill will teach the players to be alert.

      A fumble recovery drill will teach a player how to communicate once the ball is on the ground. By yelling "ball" once a fumble occurs, a player will let the rest of the team know to look for the ball to try and make a recovery. Pick up a football, then have the team form a circle and instruct two players to come forward. Tell the player to face away from the ball, then throw it 10 yards in the air. Once the ball hits the ground, yell for the players to find it. Both players should yell "ball" multiple times as they battle for the recovery.

    Tip Drill

    • Tip drills work on a player's concentration.

      A tip drill will help the players learn to never give up on a play until the referee blows the whistle. Line up the team single file and grab a football. Stand approximately 10 yards from the front of the line. Tell the first player to run forward, then pass the ball a little over his head. Have the player use both hands to tip the ball up in the air. Tell the second player in line to trail the play, then make the catch off of the tip. Other football player drills for tipped balls can include having multiple players try and catch the ball.