Coach96,
The most important thing with this age group is to make it extremely fun but at the same time they learn fundamental technique. Two of the best are;
Picket fence drill.
This is a outfield relay drill that teaches them how to align and turn the right direction after the catch to receive the next throw
Make teams of 4 to 6 and put them in parallel lines next to each other, this can be many lines.
The ball always starts on the ground where the first kid has to run with his back to the first receiver then pick it up properly by circling it and locating his target then throw it to him. The first receiver has to move his body after he judges the accuracy of the first throw and catch it by turning to his glove arm side to be in position to make his throw and so on until it reaches the other end. When they get used to this ½ lap to the other end then they can turn a full lap, then they can perform several laps in competition with the other lines. If an errant throw happens the ball must go back to the receiver that missed the throw. Losers of each contest do 5 pushups.
Before you start the drill you must explain you relay throw and receive technique, like having the receiver put his hands up in a goal post position for the thrower to throw through and yell ball, you can disqualify a winning line if one of the kids does not comply, this makes the dominant team do some push ups also usually.
The flanker drill
You are the QB with a bucket of ball next to you, tell the kids they must put the ball they catch back in the bucket or you will get dosed.
Have the kids line up to the right of you 10 yards away like they are a an outside receiver on a football team. Have them run a post pattern from both sides teaching them forehand and backhand running catches.
Line them up 20 yards ahead of this and have the run straight across and throw a dart at them and then line up at the other side.
Have them line up directly in front of you 40 yards away and have them run right at you.
All these positions can be run by catching the ball in the air with line drives, high lofts and grounders. The more advanced kids can start running the post pattern and you throw it over the opposite shoulder so they have to turn and re-locate it.
Again before the drill thoroughly explain forehand and back hand catches and improvise your own angles if you wish.
They especially love this drill and some will want to be the QB, if you have time let them try it a few times so they bring this drill home to run with their friends.
