Sock Shield
Keep the ball still in a sock nest with your sole and body while a grown-up tries to toe it.
At a glance
- Lay rolled socks in a ring to make a nest. Your child puts the ball in the nest.
- Your child keeps it there with the sole of their foot, with their body between you and the ball.
- You try to touch the ball with your toe for 20 seconds. No hands, no pushing.
- Then swap, if your child would like a go at reaching in.
- Progress 1: Your child keeps the ball still with the practice foot only.
- Progress 2: You fake a reach one way, then come in the other way.
If it's not working: Shorten each go to 10 seconds instead of 20.
- your child
- Ggrown-up
- run
- 1in this order
Rolled socks laid in a ring make the nest, with the ball inside it. Your child keeps the sole of their foot on the ball and their body between you and the nest, and you try to reach round and touch the ball with your toe.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Lay socks in a ring to make a nest. Your child puts the ball in the nest.
Indoors or garden.
How to play
- They keep it there with their sole and body.
- You try to touch the ball with your toe for 20 seconds.
- No hands, no pushing.
- Swap if they want a go.
Make it easier
- Shorten each go to 10 seconds instead of 20.
- Keep one of your feet planted and reach in with the other foot only.
Make it harder, step by step
- Your child keeps the ball still using their practice foot only.
- You fake a reach one way, then come in the other way.
Three things to say
- Body between the grown-up and the ball, sole on top.
Colts habit
Be brave: hold your ground.
Both feet
Practice foot only round.
Heads up
Watch which way the toe is coming.
Safety: Clear the floor, move breakables. No socks-only on hard floors (wear trainers or go barefoot on carpet).
My best
Seconds the ball stayed safe. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.