Stayin' Alive
Dribblers protect their balls in their half while the other team's defenders try to kick them out.
Set up
- Divide the pitch into 2 halves with a central channel.
- Each team has 5 dribblers with a ball each in their own half, and 2 defenders.
Balls, bibs and cones. Pitch divided into 2 halves with a central channel. Each team has 5 dribblers and 2 defenders.
How to play
- The dribblers stay in their own half and dribble around their grid. The defenders go into the other team's grid and try to kick the opposition's balls out.
- If a dribbler's ball is kicked out, they fetch it, do five toe taps and dribble back in.
- Play 60-second rounds, then change the defenders.
Keeping everyone moving
The booklet plays until a team has no balls left. At Colts a ball kicked out comes straight back in after five toe taps, in timed rounds.
Make it easier
Make it harder
- Defenders rotate every 20 seconds, running back to their grid on the coach's call and swapping with one of their players.
- If a defender can win a ball rather than just kick it out, they dribble it back to their half as an extra ball for their team.
Three things to say
- Small soft touches, keep the ball under control.
- Look around while dribbling.
- Protect the ball with your body.
Colts habit
Be brave: stay in the middle, not the corners.
Both feet
Keep the ball on the far foot from the defender.
Heads up
See the defender coming before they arrive.
The Colts change: The booklet plays until a team has no balls left. At Colts a ball kicked out comes straight back in after five toe taps, in timed rounds.
Safety: Keep the area clear of bags and bottles. Stay on your feet, no slide tackles. No heading.
Keeping score: Each child keeps their own count and tries to beat it next time. Nothing is compared between children.