Keeper Carousel
2v2 to one goal with a keeper, and everyone rotates through goal on the whistle, never because of a score.
One of three or four small pitches: 2v2 attacking one goal, with a child in goal who restarts by throwing or rolling out; everyone rotates on the whistle.
Set up
- Set up three or four small 2v2 pitches, each with one pop-up goal and a keeper.
8 to 12; three or four mini-pitches 15 m by 10 m.
How to play
- Play 2v2 attacking one goal, with one child in goal.
- The keeper throws or rolls the ball out to either attacker to restart.
- On the coach's whistle every 90 seconds, everyone rotates: the keeper goes out, an attacker goes in, and so on.
- Everyone gets a turn in goal on every pitch.
Keeping everyone moving
The time rotation is fixed, so keeping is a turn, not a result of scoring or missing.
Make it easier
- Larger goals.
- 1v1 attacks.
Make it harder
- One-touch finish.
- Keepers must start with a throw to one side.
Three things to say
- Set position before the shot.
- Brave feet.
- Quick restart.
Words that work: "Brave in goal!", "Great quick start!", "Everyone's a keeper!"
Colts habit
Leadership, the keeper calls mine!
Both feet
Shoot with either foot.
Heads up
The keeper spots the free player.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- Not used.
- 2018 to 2019
- 1v1 plus keeper.
- 2016 to 2017
- 2v2 plus keeper.
Safety: No sliding at the keeper. Low shots only near the goal for the youngest. Keeper safety rules apply: a child goes in goal only if they choose to, 2019s and 2018s shots from at least 6 m and below knee height, 2017s and 2016s from at least 8 m and below the waist.
Keeping score: Each child notes saves in their own turn against last time.