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Practice games

Bounce and Strike Pairs

Also called Drop and Volley Pairs

Drop the ball, let it bounce once and strike it low into a pop-up goal.

Practice 12 min 8 to 12 players Cage Half pitch 2016 to 2017

Shooting and Scoring Work hard

At a glance

  • Pairs, each with a pop-up goal and a striking line 6 m out. The partner (P) stands beside the goal, never in front of it.
  • The striker (S) holds the ball at waist height, drops it, lets it bounce once and strikes it with the laces.
  • A goal only counts if the ball stays below the top of the goal. Alternate feet.
  • P collects the ball and rolls it back. Swap jobs after 5 strikes.
  • Progress 1: P rolls the ball in. S flicks it up with a foot, lets it bounce once, then strikes.
  • Progress 2: Only goals with your other foot count.

If it's not working: Let the ball bounce twice before you strike.

Bounce and Strike Pairs: set-upSP1231 drop it, 2 one bounce, 3 strike it low.8 m by 10 m
  • Sstriker
  • Ppartner
  • shot
  • 1in this order

One pair's area, set side by side with the others, all facing the same way. The striker (S) holds the ball at waist height on the line 6 m out, drops it, lets it bounce once and strikes it low with the laces as it comes up. The partner (P) stands beside the goal, never in front of it, collects the ball and rolls it back.

Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks

Set up

  • Give each pair a pop-up goal and an area. Areas sit side by side, all facing the same way.
  • Mark a striking line 6 m from goal.
  • The partner stands beside the goal, not in it and not in front of it.

12 children in 6 pairs, each with its own 10 m by 8 m area.

How to play

  • Hold the ball at waist height and drop it.
  • Let it bounce once, then strike it with your laces as it rises.
  • A goal only counts if the ball stays below the top of the pop-up goal.
  • The partner collects the ball and rolls it back.
  • Swap after 5 strikes. Alternate feet.

Keeping everyone moving

Two per goal and short rotations.

Make it easier

  • Let the ball bounce twice before you strike.
  • Move the line closer.

Make it harder, step by step

  1. P rolls the ball in. S flicks it up with a foot, lets it bounce once, then strikes.
  2. Only goals with your other foot count.

Three things to say

  • Head and knee over the ball.
  • Toes pointed.
  • Land on the striking foot.

Words that work: "Brave strike!", "Great timing!", "Lovely rolls for your partner!"

Colts habit

Work hard at your timing.

Both feet

Alternate feet every strike.

Heads up

Glance at the goal before the drop.

For your birth year

Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.

2016
6 m, alternating feet.
2017
5 m.

Safety: No full volleys straight from the hands. No keeper. If a ball goes high, let it drop, never head it. Balls should not be over-inflated.

Keeping score: How many of my 5 stayed low and went in? Beat it next time.