At this age, kids can run plays and react to defense. A 7v7 scrimmage with a few rules keeps the game moving and forces decision-making without chaos.
Equipment needed: 1 field (or marked 40-yard section), 14 flag belts, 1 ball, cones for yard markers.
Setup: Full width of the field, 40 yards long. Mark the goal lines and midfield with cones. Each side has 7 players: QB, 3 receivers, 2 defensive linemen, 1 linebacker/safety hybrid. No tackles, just defense trying to pull flags.
How to run it:
- Standard flag football rules: 4 downs to reach midfield, then 4 downs to score. Flag pull is the tackle.
- Before the drive, the offense calls 3 plays they want to run. Defense doesn’t know the call, so QBs get real reads.
- After each score, defense gets a chance to run offense. This keeps all kids engaged.
- Run 4 possessions per side (about 20 minutes total).
- Halfway through, have the QB change sides so they see how defense reacts to different offense.
What to look for:
Do QBs make pre-snap reads? Are receivers running their routes or improvising? Do defenders stick to coverage or get lazy? Are kids communicating? In this age group, the difference between good and bad scrimmages is usually effort and communication, not talent. Call out what you see: “D-line, you three gap filled their run. Offense, you had a free play and didn’t take it.”
Variation: If the group is still building comfort, run the scrimmage with one defender (safety) playing over the top while the others handle man coverage underneath. This takes some pressure off newer defenders.