Game version
Strong-finish game: build smoothly through the last stretch while a partner cheers, then jog it out together. Swap.
Kick Cue Words
Pick short words to tell yourself when it is time to kick.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Write two cue words, like "arms" and "tall".
Core: Medium. Aim for tall and relaxed.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Notebook, flat grass
- Level · skill
- Developing · Finishing Kick
The steps
How it works
- Write two cue words, like "arms" and "tall".
- Jog 2 minutes, then say your words and pick up speed for 15 seconds.
- Note which word helped.
- Do 4 reps.
Coaching point
Your words, your kick.
Safety: Warm up first. Stop if a muscle feels tight or something hurts. Pain in one spot that gets worse each run, or a limp: stop and see a doctor.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a stretch: Less (short), Core (medium), More (a little longer). Aim for tall and relaxed.
Story
You are a train picking up steam toward the station.
My best
Beat your own count
Aim for tall and relaxed. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
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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.
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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.