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  3. Finishing Kick

Rocket Run

Count down from 3 and blast off: a short run to a grown-up and back, then a rest. Short, fast runs build speed.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Put a marker about 10 big steps away and stand by it.

Ages
4 to 6
Time
3 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
2 cones, shoes or toys
Level · skill
Beginner · Finishing Kick

The steps

How it works

  1. Put a marker about 10 big steps away and stand by it.
  2. Your child crouches like a rocket at the start.
  3. Count “3, 2, 1, blast off!” and they run to you.
  4. Walk back together and go again, about 6 times.

Coaching point

Praise the effort: “Wow, you zoomed like a rocket!”

Safety: Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space with nothing to trip on. Stop for a drink and a rest whenever they want one.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Add a helper: a favorite toy joins in “Rocket Run” and cheers for every try. Everyone gets a turn.

Story

You are a puppy, and your toy friend is learning from you.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

Free for families and teams

Save this drill to your child or team, free

Sign up and the free cross country week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.

14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free

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An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.