Buddy Match

Older Colts join the youngest as walking, other-foot-only buddies who set up rather than score.

Game 20 min 8 to 20 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2021

Colts Street Football Lift each other Leading

One of two pitches: 3v3 young players with one buddy in a different bib on each team; buddies walk only, and an adult coach is always at the pitch.

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.

Up to 10 younger players and up to 10 buddies. Two pitches of about 25 m by 15 m, 3v3 young players plus a buddy on each team.

How to play

Play 3v3 young players, with each team having one buddy.
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

Buddies may only give 1 pass per attack.
The young players must make 2 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. Birth year

2020 to 2021: Main group, 3v3 plus a buddy.
2018 to 2019: 4v4 plus a buddy. Buddies may take one step when passing.
2016 to 2017: These are the buddies. They are young leaders on the pitch.

Mixed ages. Older players play with younger ones here, so it runs with the club welfare officer's OK and an adult coach in charge. About young leaders.

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.