What is Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill?
Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill is a free football drill on FantasyHQ’s Football Coaching hub for youth work. Use the setup notes and coaching cues below to add it to this week’s practice plan.
- Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill is part of FantasyHQ’s free football drills library.
- Focus: Youth.
How to run this drill
Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill is built for youth, high-school, and volunteer coaches who need clear drill language — not a random cone circuit. Beginners can install the first progression; experienced staffs can layer competition.
- Read the purpose once, then walk the setup on air before live tempo.
- Demonstrate one clean rep so players see landmarks, pad level, and finish.
- Run short competitive periods — quality reps beat long lines.
- Close with one coaching cue players can repeat in the huddle next period.
Full drill
While I was a [tag]youth football[/tag] coach and we would onside kick a lot, especially the younger teams. An effective, high repetition [tag]football drill[/tag] that the kids loved was our “Onside Kick – King of the Hill Drill”.
It’s real simple:
- Two lines of players (preferably just your kick off team) line up at normal on-side kick width behind cones (where the [tag]football[/tag] would cross the 10 yard point), at their normal kick off depth, with 3-4 yards of space between them.
- The kicker kicks onsides and the two players go full speed and try to recover the ball. The player that does not recover the ball is “out” and the players are eliminated until we determine the “King of the Hill”. I often do a preliminary round and then we begin the elimination rounds.
This special teams drill is great for teaching effort and learning how the ball may typically bounce in addition to the kicker getting many reps. Since the players are young and to keep it fun, the King may get a Gatorade at the next water break or whatever; young players will find that extra gear for stuff like that!
Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill FAQ
- What is the Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill drill?
- Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill is a free football drill on FantasyHQ’s Football Coaching hub for youth work. Use the setup notes and coaching cues below to add it to this week’s practice plan.
- Who should use this football drill?
- Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill is built for youth, high-school, and volunteer coaches who need clear drill language — not a random cone circuit. Beginners can install the first progression; experienced staffs can layer competition.
- How do I run Youth Football – Onside Kick-King of the Hill Drill in practice?
- Read the purpose once, then walk the setup on air before live tempo. Demonstrate one clean rep so players see landmarks, pad level, and finish. Run short competitive periods — quality reps beat long lines.
- Is this drill free?
- Yes. Browse FantasyHQ football drills, youth plays, and coaching guides free on Football Coaching.
