Game version
Strong-finish game: build smoothly through the last stretch while a partner cheers, then jog it out together. Swap.
Jog a loop and speed up as soon as you round the final cone.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Set a small loop with a marked last corner.
Core: Medium. Aim for tall and relaxed.
The steps
Coaching point
Corner, then go.
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
Game version
Strong-finish game: build smoothly through the last stretch while a partner cheers, then jog it out together. Swap.
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
Aim for tall and relaxed. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Free for families and teams
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.