SKILL AND ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
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GRADE

SKILLS	5	6	7	8	ACTIVITY PROGRESSION
Grip	I	R	M	A	Partner Passing and Receiving
Passing	I	R	M	A	Partner Patterns
Receiving	I	R	M	A	Passing, Receiving and Defending
Positioning and Stance: line / receivers backfield / quarterback	I	R	M	A	Team Offense Practice
Blocking	I	R	M	A	Team Offense and Defense Practice
Rushing	I	R	M	A
Faking	I	R	M	A
Kicking: place kicking / punting	I	R	M	A	Partner Kicking and Receiving
Individual offense	I	R	M	M	Modified Touch Football
Individual defense	I	R	M	M

I = INTRODUCE / R = REVIEW / M = MASTER / A = APPLY / O = OPTIONAL

ACTIVITIES FOR PRACTICING ALL THE SKILLS LISTED ABOVE:

PARTNER PASSING AND RECEIVING: The students are instructed in basic grip, passing and receiving skills. A and B are partners. A and B face each other 10’-15’ apart. A grips and throws a forward pass to B. B receives the ball and repeats the activity, throwing to A. When A and B have mastered the grip, passing, and receiving, they move to a distance 20’ apart. The activity continues in the same manner. When A and B have mastered the skills, they move to a distance 30’ apart. A and B continue the same activity until they find the maximum distance they can throw and receive accurately.

PARTNER PATTERNS: A and B are partners. They play on a mini field (90’ x 50’). A and B take turns running a variety of different long and short receiving patterns. Some short patterns include: flank, buttonhook, and cross. Some long patterns include: deep cross, fly or bomb and criss cross or Z. A is the quarterback and B is the receiver. A calls the play. On A’s command of "hike", B runs the pattern and A attempts to throw a complete pass to B. A and B switch roles and the activity continues in the same manner. B is the quarterback. B calls a different play. The activity continues until all the plays have been called and executed. The patterns may then be repeated in the same manner.

PASSING, RECEIVING AND DEFENDING: This activity is similar to regular touch football. There are 3 students in each group. Each group plays on a mini field (90’ x 50’). The object of the game is for each individual player to score as many points as possible.

1. Group A begins with A1 at quarterback, A2 as receiver, and A3 as defender. Players rotate from quarterback to receiver to defender to quarterback after every set of four downs (4 plays).
2. Play begins with all 3 players taking their positions at one end of the field with the quarterback in possession of the ball.
3. On the quarterback’s "hike" signal, the receiver runs a pass pattern with the defender covering the receiver as in regular touch football.
4. If the pass is completed the defender must touch the receiver with 2 hands to down him/her as in regular touch football. There is no contact allowed except for a safe 2-hand touch.
5. The activity continues from the point where the receiver has been downed. This point becomes the new "line of scrimmage".
6. The quarterback has 4 downs (plays) to complete as many passes as possible or score a touchdown.
7. Points are awarded for the following:

1. A completed pass: 1 point for the quarterback and 1point for the receiver.
2. An incomplete pass: 1 point for the defender.
3. An interception (ball caught by the defender): 2 points for the defender.
4. A completed pass leading to a touchdown: 6 points for the quarterback and 6 points for the receiver.
5. An intercepted pass returned for a touchdown: 7 points for the defender.

1. After 4 downs, a touchdown, or an interception, the players' positions are rotated. A new set of 4 downs begins from the closest end line.
2. Play continues in the same manner for the allotted period of time.

TEAM OFFENSE PRACTICE: This activity is like regular touch football with no defense. Each team plays on a mini field (90’ x 50’). Team A players rotate

playing different offensive positions and running plays. Team A forms a huddle like regular football. Player A1 is the quarterback. A1 calls a play. A2 is the halfback, A3 is the center and A4 is the receiver. The play is run like regular football with no defense. Players rotate positions after each play. A2 becomes the quarterback. A3 is the halfback, A4 is the center and A1 is the receiver. The activity continues in the same manner for the time allotted.

TEAM OFFENSE AND DEFENSE PRACTICE: This activity is like the Team Offense Practice activity listed on page 1, with the addition of team defense. A5 and A6 are lineman. A7 and A8 are defensive backs. After 2 plays the lineman and the defensive backs switch positions. After 4 plays the players on offense and defense switch roles. The activity continues for the time allotted.

PARTNER KICKING AND RECEIVING: The students are instructed in basic punting technique. A and B are partners. A and B face each other 10’-15’ apart. A concentrates on good form in lightly punting the ball to B. B receives the ball and returns the ball to A by punting in the same manner. When A and B have mastered good punting technique they move 5’ further apart. The activity continues in the same manner. A and B continue the same activity until they find the maximum distance they can punt and receive the ball. The same activity can be repeated for kicking off a tee.

MODIFIED TOUCH FOOTBALL: This activity is similar to regular touch football with the following modifications.

1. Two-hand touch may be used only to down the ball.
2. The blockers must face the players they are blocking. Blockers must keep the hands crossed in front of the body while they are blocking.
3. There is no other contact allowed. The activity must be kept safe at all times.
4. Lineman must count to 3 (3 Mississippi) out loud before rushing over the line of scrimmage.
5. A first down may be achieved by completing 3 passes over the line of scrimmage. A scrimmage vest may be used to mark the line of scrimmage for each play.
6. The teams may elect to have 1 rushing play for each set of 4 downs. The teams may also elect to not have any rushing (passing plays only).
7. There are no quick kicks. All punts must be announced before hiking the ball. All players must stay behind the line of scrimmage until the ball is punted.