6 replies to this topic

[Coach Kale]

I am a first-time coach on a pre-K (4 and 5) flag team. League rules state that each kid must carry the ball once per game and that no one can carry the ball a second time unless everyone else has carried.

My initial plan was to assign each kid one (maybe two) positions so that they could become more comfortable with that aspect of the game and design plays that would get them the ball. My question is how would I create a play to get the guys on the offensive line the ball? I have considered a short pass, but passes don't count as carries in our league. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Coach Kale

[Coach Rob]

Well, kudos to your league for implementing that rule, but for the life of me, I can't understand why a league would create 9 vs 9 teams. Especially with 4-5 yr olds. Be ready for a lot of, "When do I get to run the ball?" and "Can I be QB?".

Having coached a 4,5,6 yr old team last year (b/c they didn't have a coach), my recommendation is not to worry about fancy plays or passes. Go with a few basic plays and rotate players off the line into the backfield. Any kind of fake should help get your players more yards.

-Don't get caught up in trying to run complicated plays
-Leave the "Winning" to Charlie Sheen (don't worry about the score)
-Teach the kids to run as fast as they can towards the other end
-Teach them not to look down to see if flag was pulled
-Don't stop until you hear the whistle

One simple play - stack kids to left side of line, have one kid off to right in backfield, one kid behind QB. QB hands to RB, RB heads towards right to kid standing there (have that kid pretend he got the ball), RB keeps and goes up sideline.

Hopefully you can have another coach on field during games, you'll need help getting the other 7 kids lined up each time.

[Coach Kale]

Rotating the kids is a good idea. I thought I could use the kids that are lined up at the WR position to run a reverse, but it could prove difficult for that age group. Maybe the best thing is to rotate everyone through the RB position. We'll see how it works in practice.

I've read through the forums quite a bit over the last few days. It has been very helpful. I feel like I have a good grasp of my goals for the year and how to make it fun for everyone. Thanks again for your help.

[Coach Rob]

Rotating the kids is a good idea. I thought I could use the kids that are lined up at the WR position to run a reverse, but it could prove difficult for that age group. Maybe the best thing is to rotate everyone through the RB position. We'll see how it works in practice.

Let us know how it goes. I think you'll have your hands full just trying to keep the kids focused enough to run a play. 4-5 yr olds can be challenging.

If you haven't stumbled across some of these threads on coaching younger kids, here are a few links on this forum to previous discussions:

Coaching younger kids

Coaching Younger kids 2

[RoyalFlush18]

I thought I could use the kids that are lined up at the WR position to run a reverse, but it could prove difficult for that age group.

I've done 3 season's of 5/6. Our Y offer's "Bitty" Football for the 3 & 4 Year Old's. There are no "plays" at this age group, just rotating the RB. With experienced or more mature 5/6 year olds you can run them on an End Around with Play Fakes.

Any other "rules" specific to the league? How many "on the line" required? Is there a rush? How many on your team? Passing with a 4 year old is out.

Your options:

1.) Rotate everyone through RB.
2.) Attempt to implement a 3 player series then rotate players through the "ball carrier" spots.


......T.G.C.G.T.....R
............Q

..........B B

- Cross Backfield Action with the Backs.
- R runs End Around.

Let's you get the ball to either back, either the 1st through or the 2nd. Then gives you the 3rd option of the End Around to the R. You then give each player a primary "backs" position. Now if the league allows a rush from the LOS & not 7 Yards out then this won't work.

Follow Rob's advice, teach the kids to run hard and not look for there flags being pulled. You kids will be timid and "afraid" of getting there flag pulled. If you have players that are extremely timid here is a play I used for my 1 kid who just never really got it assuming direct running is allowed by lineman (find my 5 vs 5 playbook on a previous thread play is "ORANGE JUICE".

......T.G.C.G.T......R
............Q

..........B B

Inside hand off to the RT on an End Around, that way he doesn't get the ball 5 yards deep and freak out.

Good luck.....any other leagues available in your area? 9v9 with Pre K kids doesn't sound like a good experience, just stay up beat and positive. Lot's of Sharks and Minnows, flag tag etc.

[Coach Kale]

Thanks. Your first option is what I decided to go with. I'll start with simple, straight up the field running at first and see how it goes.

[jzayic]

I run my WRs with inside handoffs to get them carries. What I found is that having a good inside run/fake game is valuable at this age. All they do is on hike they run down the line of scrimmage in between the qb and center who is delaying. Then the qb either hands it to the WR and fakes to the RB the other way or fakes to the WR and hands to the RB. As they became comfortable with that I would take a WR from the other side and have them run behind the qb.