Follow the Leader at Home
Also called Follow the Leader
Take turns leading and copying: the leader dribbles with changes of speed and direction, the follower copies every move.
At a glance
- A ball each and a clear patch of garden. You lead and dribble first, and your child follows right behind, copying you.
- The leader changes speed and direction: slow, fast, stop, turn. The follower copies every move.
- The leader can try to catch the follower out with a sudden turn or stop.
- Swap: your child leads and you copy.
- Progress 1: Practice foot only, for both of you.
- Progress 2: The leader links two moves in a row, like a drag-back then a stop. The follower copies both.
If it's not working: The leader walks with the ball and keeps each move slow and simple.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- A ball each and a clear patch of garden or park.
Garden, park.
How to play
- You lead first: you dribble round the space, changing speed and direction, and your child copies every move.
- Swap: they lead and you copy.
- The leader can try to catch the follower out with a sudden turn or stop.
Make it easier
- The leader walks with the ball and keeps each move slow and simple.
- The leader calls each move out loud, like Stop! or Turn!, just before doing it.
Make it harder, step by step
- Practice foot only, for both of you.
- Keep the practice-foot rule, and the leader links two moves in a row, like a drag-back then a stop, for the follower to copy.
Three things to say
- Watch the leader, not the ball.
Colts habit
Work hard: little and often beats one long go.
Both feet
Do a round with the practice foot only.
Heads up
Look up between touches.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- Under 5s
- The grown-up leads with no ball first: stomp, tiptoe, jump. Then carry the ball. Big, slow moves, no surprise stops.
Safety: Pick a clear, flat space, look out for traffic and hazards, and stop if anything hurts. Soft ball indoors.
Keeping score: Not counted. Play it for fun.