Buddy Match
Older Colts join the youngest as buddies who walk and use their other foot, and set up goals rather than score.
At a glance
- Two pitches, a goal at each end. 3v3 young players on each (2v2 with fewer than 12), plus a buddy (B) on each team.
- Buddies are older Colts in their own bib colour. They walk, pass with their other foot, and never tackle, block shots or score.
- Young players score, and a buddy earns an assist point for each goal they set up. Brief the buddies for 2 minutes first.
- Every 5 minutes, buddies swap to the other team.
- Progress 1: Buddies may give only one pass per attack.
- Progress 2: Keep that, and the young players must make two passes before they score.
If it's not working: Buddies may only roll the ball to a young player's feet.
- one team
- other team
- Bbuddy
- dribble
- pass
- shot
- 1in this order
One of the two pitches. The buddy B (an older Colt in their own bib colour) walks the ball forward, passes with their other foot and a young player shoots. Buddies never tackle, block or score. An adult coach is at every pitch and always in charge.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Mark two pitches side by side.
- Give buddies their own bib colour so everyone can see who they are.
- Pair each buddy with a team (not with one child), and put them on the same pitch as their team.
- Brief the buddies for 2 minutes before the young players arrive: walk only, pass with your other foot only, no tackling, no blocking shots, no physical contact beyond high fives, no lifting or carrying, praise effort out loud.
8 to 12 younger players and 4 buddies, one with each team. Two pitches of about 25 m by 15 m: 3v3 young players plus a buddy on each team, or 2v2 with fewer than 12.
How to play
- Play 3v3 young players (2v2 with fewer than 12), with one buddy on each team.
- Buddies walk only, no running.
- Buddies may only pass with their other foot.
- Buddies cannot tackle or score. They score assist points by setting up young players.
- After a goal, the buddy on the team that scored high-fives their team.
- Every 5 minutes, buddies swap to the other team.
Keeping everyone moving
Two pitches, small teams, and buddies swap teams to keep things fresh.
Make it easier
- Buddies may only roll the ball to a young player's feet.
- Make the goals bigger.
Make it harder, step by step
- Buddies may give only one pass per attack.
- Keep that, and the young players must make two passes before they score.
Three things to say
- Young players attacking bravely with a buddy's support.
- Buddies choosing when to help and when to step back.
- Everyone encouraging each other.
Words that work: "Brave, you went for it!", "Great work, buddy, you lifted them!", "Love how you cheered your team!"
Colts habit
Buddies are the lift-each-other habit in action.
Both feet
Buddies model the other foot all game.
Heads up
Buddies call look up before they pass.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- Main group, 3v3 plus a buddy.
- 2018 to 2019
- 3v3 plus a buddy. Buddies may take one step when passing.
- 2016 to 2017
- These are the buddies. They are young leaders on the pitch.
Safety: Welfare officer approval is needed before this runs. Buddies walk, with no contact. Adult coaches stay on both pitches at all times and are always in charge. Buddies are never alone with a young child and are never counted as coaches.
Keeping score: Young players tell their buddy one brave thing they tried.