Game version
Trail follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.
Kick After a Hill
Climb a hill, then kick on the flat, the way many courses finish.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Run steady up a short hill.
Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 18 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Hill near a flat finish, adult
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Finishing Kick
The steps
How it works
- Run steady up a short hill.
- Over the top, change gears into a 100-yard kick.
- Walk back for full rest.
- Do 4 reps.
Coaching point
Crest, then change gears.
Safety: Pick a grassy or smooth hill with an adult nearby. Walk down the steep parts and stop if your knees hurt. If you fall and hit your head, stop and see a doctor before you run again.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slower or smaller), Core (as written), More (one extra twist). Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
Story
You are an explorer crossing the woods like a jungle.
My best
Beat your own count
Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
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
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.