Route Tree on Cones (youth flag football drill)
Three lines of receivers run three basic routes off cones: a slant, an out and a curl. The cones show kids exactly where to cut, so routes come out the same depth every time, which is what makes a youth passing game work.
Setup
Three receivers line up on the line of scrimmage, 9 yards apart (A on the left, B in the middle, C on the right), with the rest of the team in lines behind them. Put a cut cone in front of each line: 3 yards deep for A, 5 yards deep for B and 6 yards deep for C. The QB or coach (Q) stands 4 yards behind B.
How to run it
- A runs a slant: 3 steps to the cone, then cut toward the middle at an angle.
- B runs an out: 5 yards to the cone, plant on the outside foot, and run flat toward the sideline.
- C runs a curl: 6 yards to the cone, stop, and turn back toward the QB with hands ready.
- The QB throws to one receiver each rep. After catching, receivers jog back and join the next line to the right, so everyone runs all three routes.
- Once the routes look sharp, take the cones away and see if the depths stay the same.
Coaching points
- Sprint to the cone. A slow route is an easy one to cover.
- Cut at the cone, not before it and not two steps after.
- Look back for the ball as soon as the cut is made.
- Give each route a kid-friendly name if that helps. Colors and animals work great at 8U.
Common mistakes
- Rounding off the cut instead of planting and going.
- Curl runners drifting deeper after they turn. Stop and come back to the ball.
- Out runners drifting upfield instead of running flat to the sideline.
Make it easier
- Only run one route per line for the whole drill.
- Walk the routes first, then jog, then full speed.
Make it harder
- Add a defender on one receiver.
- The QB throws to whichever receiver is open first instead of a set order.
Used in these practice plans
- 8U Flag Football Practice Plan (9 minutes)
- 10U Flag Football Practice Plan (8 minutes)
- 14U Flag Football Practice Plan (7 minutes)