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Practice games

Superhero Saves

Diving built up slowly in pairs: kneel, then crouch, then stand, on soft ground with a soft ball.

Practice 10 min 4 to 16 players Half pitch Hall 2016 to 2019

Everyone's a Keeper Be brave Lift each other

At a glance

  • Pairs face each other on soft grass or mats, 3 m to 5 m apart, 3 m to the next pair. One is the keeper (GK), one the feeder (F).
  • Stage 1: the keeper kneels. F rolls the ball slowly to one side and the keeper falls sideways onto it and holds it.
  • Stage 2, 2017s and 2016s, on the coach's call: the keeper crouches low and F rolls the ball a bit further out.
  • Stage 3, 2017s and 2016s only: the keeper stands and F rolls or bounces it low. Swap roles after five balls.
  • Progress 1: F picks left or right each time without saying which.
  • Progress 2: A second feeder stands 2 m to the side. Either one rolls, so the keeper has to watch both.

If it's not working: Stay at Stage 1, kneeling, for the whole turn.

Superhero Saves: set-upFGKFGK121 roll it to one side, 2 fall sideways onto it.15 m by 20 m
  • Ffeeder
  • GKkeeper
  • run
  • throw or roll
  • 1in this order

Stage 1, two of the pairs shown. The keeper kneels facing the feeder, 3 m to 5 m away, with 3 m to the next pair. The feeder rolls the ball slowly to one side, and the keeper falls sideways onto it and holds it. Swap roles after five balls.

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

Set up

  • Pairs face each other on soft grass. Keep 3 m between pairs side to side.

Pairs, 3 m to 5 m apart. Grass or mats only.

How to play

  • Stage 1: the keeper kneels. The partner rolls the ball slowly to one side. The keeper falls sideways and holds it.
  • Stage 2 (2017s and 2016s, on the coach's call only): the keeper crouches low and the ball is rolled further.
  • Stage 3 (2017s and 2016s only): the keeper stands, ball rolled or bounced low.
  • Swap roles after five balls.

Keeping everyone moving

All pairs work at once. Both children are active.

Make it easier

  • Stay at Stage 1, kneeling, for the whole turn.
  • Roll closer.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. F picks left or right each time without saying which.
  2. A second feeder stands 2 m to the side. Either one rolls, so the keeper has to watch both.

Three things to say

  • Land on your side, not your tummy.
  • Two hands on the ball.
  • Eyes on the ball.

Words that work: "Superhero bravery!", "Great side landing!", "Brilliant feeding, well done partner!"

Colts habit

Lift each other by being a kind feeder.

Both feet

Dive both ways.

Heads up

Watch the feeder's hands.

For your birth year

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

2018 to 2019
Kneeling only.
2016 to 2017
Up to standing low dives.

Safety: Grass or mats only, never hard or wet artificial surfaces. No high dives. Stop if a child is anxious.

Keeping score: Each child notes which stage felt comfortable today against last time.