Jumpers for Goalposts
Children build their own pitch, agree a house rule and run their own game, with adults as groundskeepers.
Four corner cones mark the limit and the kit sits in a pile in the middle; each group builds its own pitch inside, like the one shown.
Set up
- Put 4 tall cones at the corners of the whole area as the outer limit.
- Put the kit in a pile in the middle.
- Deal out bibs at random (no captains, no picking).
- Tell each group: You have 2 minutes to build your pitch.
8 to 12 children, space for 2 pitches of about 25 m by 20 m. The children decide the exact size within cone boundary markers.
How to play
- Each group builds its own pitch with the kit, inside the corner cones.
- They agree one house rule (for example rush goalie or 3 passes before a goal).
- They play, calling their own fouls and outs.
- If they disagree, they sort it out with rock, paper, scissors, then play on.
- Every 8 minutes, the coach blows the whistle and groups swap pitches to try the other group's rules.
Keeping everyone moving
All children build and play at once. Disagreements are settled in seconds. Adults are groundskeepers who only step in for safety.
Make it easier
- Give each group a ready-made pitch to change, not build.
- Suggest a menu of house rules to choose from.
Make it harder
- Groups must build a different pitch every time.
- Groups add a second house rule after swapping.
Three things to say
- Children organising themselves quickly.
- Children playing fairly and calling their own fouls.
- Children including everyone in the game.
Words that work: "Great work building that!", "Brave to call your own foul!", "Love how you included everyone!"
Colts habit
Groups choose a different child to explain their house rule each time.
Both feet
Suggest other-foot goal counts double as a house rule.
Heads up
Children must look up to check the goal jumpers are still in place.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020 to 2021
- Not the target group. If used, an adult builds with them and gives 2 rule choices.
- 2018 to 2019
- 4v4, one house rule.
- 2016 to 2017
- 5v5, two house rules, self-refereeing throughout.
Safety: Jumper goals must be on the ground, not on posts. Keep the pitch inside the corner cones and away from paths or walls. The coach can veto any unsafe house rule. No heading, no slide tackles.
Keeping score: Each child says one thing they helped build or decide today, and whether they did more than last week.