Game version
Trail follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.
Run short loops at the same easy speed each time.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Mark a short loop on grass.
Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
The steps
Coaching point
Same feel every loop.
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
Trail follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.
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
Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time. 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.