Game version
Route cards: a partner calls a route (post, slant, out), you run it and catch the pass, then swap. The pair counts routes completed.
Sitting in Open Space
Find the gap between defenders who are guarding areas, and stop in it.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Two defenders guard zones in a 15-yard square.
Core: Jog. Beat your own best.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- You and 3 partners
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Flag football, cones, 3 partners
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Route Running
The steps
How it works
- Two defenders guard zones in a 15-yard square.
- Run into the square and look for the space between them.
- Stop, face the passer and show your hands.
- Run 12 routes and talk about where the gaps were.
Coaching point
Find the hole, sit and show.
Safety: Warm up first and run on flat, non-slip ground. Stop if a muscle feels tight. Wear a mouthguard in any partner or game drill (and soft headgear if your league requires it). Keep your head up, call for the ball, and give way in traffic.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (walk the route), Core (jog), More (add a quick change of speed). Beat your own best.
Story
You are following a treasure map with an X at the end.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best. 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.