Children between the ages of 6 and 8 are at the perfect age to begin developing football fundamentals. At this stage, practices should focus on having fun while teaching basic skills such as throwing, catching, running, teamwork, and coordination. The goal is to build confidence and create a lifelong love of football.
The following football practice drills are simple to teach, require very little equipment, and are perfect for youth teams, PE classes, or backyard practice with family.
Begin every practice with light movement to prepare muscles and improve coordination.
Keep the pace fun instead of competitive.
Players pair up about 8 to 10 feet apart and gently throw the football back and forth.
Encourage players to:
If your players are new to throwing, read our guide on How to Teach Kids to Throw a Football.
Players stand in a circle while one player stands in the middle. The middle player throws the football to each teammate one at a time before receiving the return pass.
This drill improves:
Set up five or six cones in a zigzag pattern.
Players weave through the cones while carrying the football, keeping both hands on the ball.
This develops:
Place buckets, hoops, or large boxes around the field and let players try to throw the football into the targets.
Award points for successful throws to keep the drill exciting.
This is one of the best drills for improving throwing accuracy while keeping children engaged.
If you're coaching flag football, this is an excellent drill for teaching defensive skills.
Players practice approaching under control before pulling the flag and returning to the starting line.
Emphasize balance and good positioning instead of speed.
Create a simple obstacle course using cones, agility ladders, and footballs.
Players might:
Obstacle courses combine multiple football skills into one fun activity and keep young players excited about practice.
This classic playground game becomes even more fun with a football. Players carry the football while running toward the coach.
When the coach calls:
This drill teaches balance, body control, and ball security.
Set up several targets at different distances and let players earn points by hitting each target.
Children enjoy the challenge, and it naturally improves passing accuracy.
For more advanced passing drills, visit our article on How to Improve Passing Accuracy in Youth Football.
End practice with a short scrimmage where players can apply the skills they have learned.
Keep the rules simple and rotate positions so every child has an opportunity to throw, catch, run, and defend.
Young players learn best when coaches keep practices positive and encouraging.
Always make player safety your number one concern. Ensure children stay hydrated, wear appropriate equipment, and practice proper techniques.
Learn more by reading our Football Safety Tips for Kids.
Children improve even faster when they continue practicing outside of team practices. Even fifteen minutes of backyard football can make a noticeable difference.
For more fun ideas, check out our Backyard Football Drills for Kids.
A few inexpensive items can make football practice more enjoyable:
These also make excellent birthday and holiday gifts for young football players.
The best football practice drills for 6–8 year olds are those that combine skill development with fun. Children learn faster when they're smiling, moving, and actively participating.
By focusing on fundamentals like throwing, catching, footwork, teamwork, and confidence, you'll help young athletes build a strong foundation while developing a lifelong love for football.
Looking for even more football tips and youth coaching resources? Visit the Flatfootballs Blog, where you'll find guides on throwing, catching, coaching, football safety, backyard drills, and much more.