Short and Spin
Throw-ins in threes: one comes short, one spins in behind, and the thrower picks the free one.
At a glance
- Two teams of three. A thrower on the touchline with a pile of balls, two teammates 5 m in, and two defenders near them.
- Number 1 comes short, number 2 spins away down the line, and the thrower throws to the free one.
- Score by dribbling through either gate on the far end. Through the gate by the touchline after a spin is 2 points.
- Then the other team throws in straight away and the first team defends with two. Swap thrower every go.
- Progress 1: The thrower joins in after the throw: 3 against 2.
- Progress 2: The thrower has 5 seconds to throw.
If it's not working: Defenders walk, or play with only one defender.
The area runs along the touchline (the left side here), with two cone gates on the far end line: one by the line, one infield. The thrower (T) stands on the touchline with a pile of balls. 1 comes short and pulls a defender in, 2 steps in and spins away down the line, and T throws early to the free one: here 2, into the space behind.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Mark an area 15 m wide and 20 m long against a touchline, so the touchline is one long side.
- On the far end line, make two cone gates 2 m wide: one right by the touchline (down the line) and one infield.
- Two teams of three in bibs. Each team has a thrower on the touchline with a pile of balls, one near each end.
- Two defenders from the other team stand near the two runners.
6 children: two teams of three. With 5, the coach is the thrower for the team of two. With 7 or 8, the extra children are the next thrower for their team.
How to play
- The thrower's two teammates start side by side, about 5 m in from the thrower.
- Number 1 comes short towards the thrower, fast. Number 2 waits a moment, then spins away down the line into the space behind.
- The thrower picks: short to feet if number 1 is free, long down the line if number 2 is.
- Score by dribbling through either gate. Through the down-the-line gate after a spin is 2 points.
- When the ball is out or through a gate, the other team throws in straight away and the first team defends with two. Swap thrower every go.
- A foul throw is a throw to the other team, like a match. Feet down behind the line, ball from behind your head with both hands.
Keeping everyone moving
Throws come from each team in turn, straight after each other, so every child is throwing, running or defending all the time.
Make it easier
- Defenders walk, or there's only one.
- Make the area wider so there's more space behind.
Make it harder, step by step
- The thrower joins in after the throw: 3 against 2.
- The thrower has 5 seconds to throw.
- Defenders score by winning it and dribbling over the near end line.
Three things to say
- Short one: come towards the ball fast, then ask for it at your feet.
- Spinner: start close to your defender, wait for the short run to pull them in, then spin away down the line.
- Thrower: look at the spinner first, and throw early before they're set.
Words that work: "Great spin!", "Lovely early throw!", "Brilliant run short!"
Colts habit
Work hard: make your run even when the ball doesn't come to you.
Both feet
Take the throw on either foot and go.
Heads up
Thrower: look at the spinner first.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2018 to 2019
- An area 12 m by 15 m, gates 3 m wide, and one defender.
- 2016 to 2017
- Full size with two defenders, and 5 seconds to throw.
Safety: Throw to feet or chest, never at anyone's head. Runners keep their eyes up so nobody bumps into each other.
Keeping score: Points for each team, and how many came from the spin.