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Practice games

Goalie Wars

Two keepers, two small goals, and every save turns straight into the next attack.

Practice 10 min 4 to 16 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2018

Everyone's a Keeper Be brave

At a glance

  • Pairs, each child in their own small goal (GK), the two goals 8 m to 10 m apart. Leave 3 m to the next pair.
  • Take turns: throw or roll a ball at the other goal from your own goal line. 2016s and 2017s may kick it along the ground.
  • The other keeper saves it, then throws, rolls or kicks it straight back from where they stand.
  • After two minutes, change partners.
  • Progress 1: Throw or roll with your other hand.
  • Progress 2: Every throw must bounce once before the goal, so it's harder to read.

If it's not working: Throws only, no kicks.

Goalie Wars: set-upGKGK1231 throw low, 2 save, 3 attack back.6 m by 10 m
  • GKkeepers, one in each goal
  • throw or roll
  • 1in this order

One of the row of small pitches, 3 m apart. A keeper throws or rolls the ball low from their own goal line at the other goal (2016s and 2017s may also kick it along the ground). The other keeper saves, then attacks straight back from where they stand.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Set out many small two-goal pitches side by side, 3 m apart. With more than 4 pairs, use two rows.

Pairs. Each pair has two small goals 8 m to 10 m apart, with pitches 3 m apart. With more than 4 pairs, set the pitches in two rows.

How to play

  • Each child guards a goal.
  • Take turns to throw, roll, or kick along the ground from your own goal line at the other goal.
  • The keeper saves, then attacks straight away from where they stand.
  • After two minutes, rotate partners.

Keeping everyone moving

Every pair plays at once. No queue.

Make it easier

  • Throws only, no kicks.
  • Wider goals.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. Throw or roll with your other hand.
  2. Every throw must bounce once before the goal, so it's harder to read.
  3. Kick with the practice foot only (2016s and 2017s).

Three things to say

  • Set before the shot.
  • Quick restart.
  • Two hands.

Words that work: "Brave save!", "Quick attack from your save!", "Great sporting play!"

Colts habit

Shake hands on each rotation.

Both feet

Kick with either foot.

Heads up

Spot where the keeper is standing.

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.

2018 to 2019
Throws and rolls.
2016 to 2017
Ground kicks allowed.

Safety: Ground shots only, no high kicks.

Keeping score: Each child counts their own saves against last week.