Keeper Carousel
Two attackers play two defenders and a keeper at one goal, and everyone moves round on the whistle, never because of a score.
At a glance
- Two pitches 15 m by 10 m, a pop-up goal on each. On each: 2 attackers, 2 defenders and a keeper in the goal.
- The keeper rolls it out to an attacker. Shots from 6 m and below the knee (2016s and 2017s: 8 m, below the waist).
- If the defenders win it, they pass back to the keeper. Every 90 seconds: defenders attack, the keeper and one attacker defend.
- The other attacker goes in goal if they'd like a go. If neither attacker would like a go, the coach goes in for that turn.
- Progress 1: Attackers finish with one touch.
- Progress 2: Keep one touch, and the attackers have 10 seconds to shoot.
If it's not working: Make the goals bigger.
- attackers
- defenders
- GKkeeper
- pass
- throw or roll
- shot
- 1in this order
One of the two small pitches. The keeper restarts with a throw or roll out to an attacker, the attackers pass and shoot past the defending pair. If the defenders win it, they pass it back to their keeper, who throws it out again. On the whistle every 90 seconds everyone moves round one place: the keeper comes out and an attacker who would like a go goes in.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Set up two small pitches, each with one pop-up goal and a ball.
- Put five children on each: two attackers, two defenders and a keeper who would like a go.
- With 8 or 9 children, one or both pitches play 2v1 plus a keeper. With 11 or 12, 3v2 plus a keeper.
8 to 12 children. Two mini-pitches of 15 m by 10 m, 5 on each for 2v2 plus a keeper. With 8 or 9 children, one or both pitches play 2v1 plus a keeper; with 11 or 12, 3v2 plus a keeper.
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.
- Shots from at least 6 m and below the knee. 2016s and 2017s: from 8 m and below the waist.
- If the defending pair wins the ball, they pass it back to their keeper, who throws or rolls it out to the attackers again.
- On the coach's whistle every 90 seconds: the defenders become attackers, one attacker goes in goal, and the other attacker and the old keeper become the defenders.
- Only a child who would like a go goes in goal. If neither attacker would like a go, the coach goes in for that turn.
Keeping everyone moving
The time rotation is fixed, so keeping is a turn, not a result of scoring or missing.
Make it easier
- Make the goals bigger.
- 1v1 attacks.
Make it harder, step by step
- Attackers finish with one touch.
- Keep one touch, and the attackers have 10 seconds to shoot.
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.
- 2018 to 2019
- 1v1 plus a keeper, 3 to a pitch (two to four pitches). A spare child joins a pitch as an extra attacker.
- 2016 to 2017
- 2v2 plus a keeper, two pitches.
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.