Garden Cup Final
A match-day ritual with a walk-out, an anthem and commentary, where the trophy goes to the bravest thing tried.
At a glance
- Your child names their team and picks a kit. Make two goals from jumpers or bins, and pick any household object as the trophy.
- Walk out to an anthem (sing it or play music). Play for 10 minutes while you commentate.
- The trophy goes to the bravest thing tried, not the score. Your child makes a speech about what they tried.
- Progress 1: Goals only count with your child's other foot.
- Progress 2: Keep the other foot, and a goal only counts after your child dribbles past you.
If it's not working: Play two halves of 5 minutes, with a drink and a cheer at half-time.
- your child
- Ggrown-up
- run
- dribble
- shot
- 1in this order
Two jumper goals and the trophy waiting at the side. You both walk out to the anthem, then play while you commentate. Your child tries something brave on the ball, like a trick past you, and shoots. At the end the trophy goes to the bravest thing tried, never the score.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips
Set up
- Your child names their team and chooses a kit.
Garden or park.
How to play
- Do a walk-out with an anthem (sing or play music).
- Play for 10 minutes while you commentate.
- At the end, the trophy goes to the bravest thing tried, not the score.
- Your child makes a speech about what they tried.
Make it easier
- Play two halves of 5 minutes, with a drink and a cheer at half-time.
- Call out a brave idea to try during your commentary, like a spin or a fake.
Make it harder, step by step
- Goals only count with your child's other foot.
- Keep the other foot, and a goal only counts after your child dribbles past you.
Three things to say
- Try something brave every few minutes.
Colts habit
Be brave: the trophy is for the bravest try.
Both feet
Other-foot goals only round.
Heads up
Look up like the commentator is watching.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- Under 5s
- Play for about three minutes, not ten. The grown-up commentates every kick, and a bow with the trophy is the speech.
Safety: Check the garden for hazards, including glass, holes and dog mess. Use soft goals, not hard posts. No penalties.
My best
The bravest thing I tried. Last time and this time. Only ever compared with their own earlier go, never with anyone else's. Saved on this device only.