Beginner training plan
Your first trainingSafe, Fun, Fundamentals
Goals
Set culture: hustle, listen, encourage, next-play mindset
Teach safety basics and body control
Establish 3 core skills: stance, ball security, and tackling fit (no full contact)
What I cover
Training expectations: huddle, cadence, whistle, “eyes on coach”
Warmup basics: movement prep (high knees, skips, backpedal, shuffle)
Football basics:
2-point stance vs 3-point stance (age-appropriate)
Ball security: 5 points of pressure, “high and tight”
Angles: inside-out pursuit
Blocking position (hands inside, wide base) without live contact
Tackling fit: “eyes up, near foot, near shoulder, wrap and squeeze” (on bags)
Key drills
Stance & Start (freeze-check posture, then 3 quick steps)
Ball Security Circuit (high & tight + coach swipe + spin)
Hawk Tackle Fit on Bags (wrap, lift, drive for 2 steps—no take-downs)
Pursuit Angle Lines (cones, take proper leverage)
Form Blocking on Shields (fit hands, feet driving—no full speed)
Training 2-3Build the Base
Goals
Clean footwork and fundamentals
Introduce positions at a simple level
Add contact control (still mostly on bags/shields, very limited live)
What I cover:
Warmup becomes routine (every practice the same cadence)
Core skill blocks:
Footwork: shuffle, backpedal, break, accelerate
Catching: hands technique, tuck, turn upfield
Throwing (if age-appropriate): grip, step, point shoulder
Blocking fundamentals: base, punch, sustain
Tackling fundamentals: tracking hips, breakdown, wrap, drive
Simple football IQ:
Offense: “line up, stance, snap count, run to daylight”
Defense: “alignment, leverage, pursuit to the ball”
Key drills
Ladder / Dot Footwork (quick feet + balance; keep it simple for younger kids)
Breakdown & Balance (close space, sink hips, “buzz feet,” don’t lunge)
Angle Tackle to a Bag (track near hip, wrap through)
Partner Mirror (DB/LB movement—mirror hips, stay square)
Catch Triangle (hands out, “thumbs together/pinkies together,” tuck)
Blocking Fit + Drive (2-step fit, then 3–5 step drive on a shield)
RB Cone Weave + Finish (ball security through traffic)
