Game version
Call-the-play: a partner shows a hand signal or color before the snap and you say what you saw. Swap, and count correct calls together.
Spot the Formation
Count receivers each side and find the strength of a formation before the snap.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Your partner sets up an offense with bottle caps or cones.
Core: Two. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Yard or field
- Bring
- Cones or bottle caps, partner
- Level · skill
- Developing · Awareness
The steps
How it works
- Your partner sets up an offense with bottle caps or cones.
- Count the receivers on each side.
- Call out the strong side and where the running back is.
- Do 15 formations.
Coaching point
Count, then call it.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (one signal), Core (two), More (a surprise signal). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are the quarterback of a spy team, reading the signals.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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