Rats and Rabbits
A pairs listening and sprinting game: Rats run home and Rabbits chase, or the other way round.
Set up
- Players pair up and face each other at a halfway point.
- Each line of players is named Rats or Rabbits. Home lines are marked with cones.
Bibs, cones and balls. Players pair up and face each other at a halfway point.
How to play
- If the coach calls Rats, they run home and the Rabbits try to catch them, and the other way round if Rabbits is called.
- If you catch your partner you get a point.
Make it easier
Make it harder
- Change the starting position: back to back, face to face, lying on your belly, lying on your back, sitting.
- Add a ball, and when running home you run with the ball.
- Add different names: North and South, football teams.
- Opposites: Rats means Rabbits and Rabbits means Rats.
Three things to say
- Running, speed, acceleration and slowing down.
- Strength.
- Running with the ball under control at speed.
Colts habit
Work hard: sprint every time, caught or not.
Both feet
Run home with the ball on the practice foot.
Heads up
Listen for the call, look for the line.
A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.
Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.
Keeping score: Each child counts their own escapes. New partner every few goes.