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Carrying and Ball Security

Keep the ball tight while you change direction.

By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026

Set up

Tuck the ball with five points of contact: fingertips, forearm, bicep, chest, and elbow.

Core: 10. Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time.

Ages
7 and up
Time
10 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
Football, cones
Level · skill
Beginner · Speed

The steps

How it works

  1. Tuck the ball with five points of contact: fingertips, forearm, bicep, chest, and elbow.
  2. Weave through five cones at a jog.
  3. Switch the ball to the outside arm on each turn.
  4. Do 6 trips, then speed up.

Coaching point

High and tight. Both hands in traffic.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Cone-call game: a partner calls a cone and you move to it with a smooth start. Swap callers and rest fully.

Challenge

Pick a distance: Less (5 yards), Core (10), More (15). Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time.

Story

You are a receiver leaving the line smoothly on the signal.

My best

Beat your own count

Aim for a smooth start, not a faster time. Only your own number counts: today against last time.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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