Game version
Field follow-the-leader: one person leads a movement and the group copies. Swap the leader each time.
Red Light, Green Light Starts
A start-and-stop game that builds quick first steps and good stopping.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Line up 20 yards from the caller.
Core: As written. Aim for smooth form and compare only with your own last time.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Cones, family or friends
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Speed & Agility
The steps
How it works
- Line up 20 yards from the caller.
- On "green light", run; on "red light", stop and freeze.
- If you wobble, take a breath and get set again.
- Play 4 rounds and take turns calling.
Coaching point
Go fast, stop strong.
Safety: Warm up first and run on flat, non-slip ground. Stop if a muscle feels tight.
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 a scout exploring the field before the game.
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 flag football 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.