Football Practice Plans for Ages 13–14
Age-appropriate football practices for 13–14 year olds (U14) — built to keep every kid active and having fun. Fundamentals, reps, and fun — safely built for the age.
By thirteen and fourteen, kids can train much like older athletes — structured warmups, focused skill work, tactical drills, and competitive game situations. They can handle repetition and correction, and many are genuinely committed. Push the intensity and the details, but keep the environment positive: this age quits fastest when practice becomes a joyless grind.
What a great 13–14 practice looks like
What to work on in football
Stance, footwork, and body control — the base every position is built on.
Carrying, catching, and handoffs so skill players get real reps.
Small-group position drills that keep everyone busy instead of one line at a time.
Simple plays and alignments introduced one idea at a time for older kids.
Gear: Footballs, cones, agility gear, pinnies, and any required protective equipment.
A sample 13–14 football practice plan
Here's a real 75-minute plan Coach Coach generated for a 13–14 football team. Yours is customized to your kids and ready in under 30 seconds.
🏆 American Football Practice — Ages 13-14 — 75 min
⏱️ Warmup (10 min)
- Dynamic Drills — Set up a 20-yard stretch. Kids jog back and forth doing high knees, butt kicks, and karaoke steps. Emphasize quick feet and getting loose. Keep it fun with a little encouragement and maybe a race at the end.
🎯 Skill Work (35 min)
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Passing and Catching Drills (15 min)
- Setup: Pair up players 10 yards apart.
- Run it: Focus on basic throwing mechanics and catching technique. Rotate pairs every few minutes to mix it up.
- Coaching Cue: "Eyes on the ball, hands ready like a triangle."
- Success: Smooth throws and consistent catches.
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Blocking Basics (10 min)
- Setup: Set up two lines facing each other 5 yards apart.
- Run it: Teach proper stance and drive. Make contact and drive a few steps, then reset.
- Coaching Cue: "Low and strong. Keep your feet moving."
- Success: Solid, controlled contact with good foot movement.
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Running Back Drills (10 min)
- Setup: Create a zig-zag path with cones 5 yards apart.
- Run it: Players take turns running through the path, focusing on quick cuts and ball security.
- Coaching Cue: "Quick feet, tight grip."
- Success: Smooth changes of direction and no fumbles.
🏃 Game Time (25 min)
- 3v3 Touch Football
- Format: Use a short field (20 yards wide, 30 yards long). Rotate teams every 5 minutes. Encourage quick passes and teamwork.
- Look for: Kids communicating, everyone getting touches, and celebrating small victories.
🧊 Wrap Up (5 min)
- Team Cheer and Q&A — Gather the team, do a quick cheer, and ask, "What's one skill you improved today?" Finish with high-fives all around.
🎒 What to Bring
- 8 cones
- 4 footballs
- 12 pinnies
Setup note: Arrange cones for dynamic drills and zig-zag path ahead of time.
📋 Coach's Cheat Sheet
- "Eyes on the ball, hands ready like a triangle."
- "Low and strong. Keep your feet moving."
- "Quick feet, tight grip."
- Common mistake: Kids looking away when catching — remind them to keep their eyes on the ball.
- Praise loudly: When a kid makes a good catch or a solid block.
✅ Coach Coach Check
- Every kid gets touches in every drill
- No standing in long lines
- At least one small-sided game
- Age-appropriate intensity
Coach your best practice tonight
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Build your football planFootball practice questions
What should a football practice for 13–14 year olds look like?
By thirteen and fourteen, kids can train much like older athletes — structured warmups, focused skill work, tactical drills, and competitive game situations. They can handle repetition and correction, and many are genuinely committed. Push the intensity and the details, but keep the environment positive: this age quits fastest when practice becomes a joyless grind.
How do I keep every player active at football practice?
Run position-group stations at the same time so nobody's standing in a single line. Rotate groups through drills to maximize reps in the practice window.
What should youth football practice prioritize?
Fundamentals and fun over complex schemes. Athletic movement, ball skills, and simple, safe technique matter far more than a thick playbook at young ages.
How long should youth football practice be?
60–90 minutes depending on age and level, with plenty of water breaks and short, focused blocks.