A 2 m by 3 m zone against a wall; your child keeps the ball inside it, side-on, while you step in and try to touch it gently.
Set up
- The child stands inside the zone with the ball at their feet, side-on to the grown-up.
- The grown-up starts 2 m away, facing the child, outside the zone.
A 2 m by 3 m zone in front of a solid garden, yard or garage wall (the wall is one long side). Mark the two outer corners with shoes or cones.
How to play
- The grown-up steps in and tries to touch the ball with their foot, gently and with no pushing.
- The child keeps the ball inside the zone using their body, sole rolls and turns.
- The grown-up counts the seconds out loud until they touch the ball, then gives it back.
- Three goes, and the child tries to beat their own best time.
Make it easier
- A bigger zone (3 m by 4 m).
- The grown-up counts to 3 before stepping in.
Make it harder
- A smaller zone.
- The child may use only the practice foot to move the ball.
Three things to say
- Get your body between the ball and the grown-up.
- Bend your knees and keep the ball on your far foot.
- Keep trying, even when it gets tricky.
Colts habit
Be brave: keep trying when it gets tricky.
Both feet
Practice foot only round.
Heads up
Feel where the grown-up is.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- The grown-up only uses one foot and moves slowly.
- 2016 to 2017
- The zone shrinks to 1.5 m by 2 m.
Safety: Solid wall with no windows. Gentle touches from the grown-up, no pushing.
My best
Seconds before the grown-up touches the ball. Best of three, last time and this time. Only ever compared with your own earlier go, never with anyone else. Saved on this device only.