1. Drills
  2. Gymnastics
  3. Tumbling & Vault

Rocket Run

Count down from 3 and blast off: a short run to a grown-up and back, then a rest. Short, fast runs build speed.

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

Set up

Put a marker about 10 big steps away and stand by it.

Ages
4 to 6
Time
3 min
Players
Just you
Space
Yard or field
Bring
2 cones, shoes or toys
Level · skill
Beginner · Tumbling & Vault

The steps

How it works

  1. Put a marker about 10 big steps away and stand by it.
  2. Your child crouches like a rocket at the start.
  3. Count “3, 2, 1, blast off!” and they run to you.
  4. Walk back together and go again, about 6 times.

Coaching point

Praise the effort: “Wow, you zoomed like a rocket!”

Safety: Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space with nothing to trip on. Stop for a drink and a rest whenever they want one.

Make it fun

Play it, don't drill it

Game version

Let the child be the coach for a turn: show the grown-up how to do “Rocket Run”, then swap.

Story

You are a superhero in training, and “Rocket Run” is today’s mission.

Practice makes progress

Print it now, or save it free

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