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: run to the cone 3 yards downfield, then cut toward the middle at an angle.
- B runs an out: 5 yards to the cone, plant under control, 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.
Check the break without a football first
Ask receivers to run to their landmark and freeze just after changing direction. An out should flatten toward the sideline; a curl should face the quarterback without continuing to drift deep. If the route is wrong without a ball, another throw will not fix it. Restore the landmark and repeat the movement.
Remove landmarks before calling the full play
Run the same route after removing its cone. If the receiver changes the depth, put the cone back for another short set. Then install Curl-Flat or Stack Go-Out so the player sees why the break point matters to another receiver and to the quarterback.
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)
What this drill builds
The skill in this drill shows up in these plays. Run the drill first, then install them the same week.
- Bunch Slant-Flat-Corner (5v5 pass)
- Curl-Flat (5v5 pass)
- Dagger (7v7 pass)
- Double In (7v7 pass)
- Drive (5v5 pass)
- Flood (5v5 pass)
Related drills
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