Finish and 1v1
Both start together. One weaves four poles straight towards goal and shoots; the other weaves six poles across, then turns and takes the shooter on 1v1.
An L of poles. Both start together at the same cone. Blue weaves the four blue poles straight up, dribbles on and shoots from behind the shooting line. Yellow runs up beside the four without weaving, weaves the six yellow poles across, then turns towards goal and attacks 1v1, as blue turns to defend. Then the next pair goes.
Set up
- Put a pop-up goal at one end, with a keeper in it (the keeper rules for your birth year are below).
- Mark a shooting line with two discs, 6 m or 8 m out from the goal.
- The short route: about 18 m out, four poles in a straight line running towards the goal, 1.5 m apart.
- The long route: from the top of those four, six poles in a line running across the pitch to one side, 1.5 m apart. A different colour helps.
- One start cone at the bottom of the four poles. Everyone has a ball, and pairs start side by side at the cone.
4 to 8 children at each set-up, about 22 m by 29 m with a goal at one end. With more, run two set-ups side by side.
How to play
- On Go!, both set off together from the same start.
- Short route: weave the four poles straight up, dribble on and shoot from behind the shooting line.
- Long route: dribble up beside the four poles without weaving, weave the six poles across, then turn towards the goal.
- By the time the long-route player turns, the shot has gone in or been saved. The shooter turns to defend, and it's a 1v1 to the goal.
- Nobody loses the race: one gets a shot, the other gets a 1v1. Swap routes every go, so everyone gets both jobs.
- The go ends with a goal, a save, the ball going out or the defender winning it. The next pair sets off straight away, and the keeper changes every four goes.
Keeping everyone moving
Keep it to six or seven children at a set-up, and run two set-ups side by side if you have more, so nobody waits more than a go or two. Anyone waiting does toe taps or sole rolls on their ball.
Make it easier
- Fewer poles (three up and four across) with wider gaps, and the attacker gets a two-second start before the defender can tackle.
Make it harder, step by step
- Practice foot only through the poles.
- The defender can win it and score through a small gate beside the start, so the attacker has to defend too.
- Swap the big goal for two small goals and no keeper: the attacker can score in either, so the defender has to choose which to guard.
Three things to say
- Small touches through the poles, then eyes up as you come out.
- First out: pick a corner and strike it, then turn and sprint back to defend.
- Second out: go at the defender with speed and be brave in the 1v1.
Words that work: "Brave 1v1, you went straight at them!", "Brilliant run back after your shot!", "You picked your corner!"
Colts habit
Work hard: sprint back to defend straight after your shot. Be brave: take them on in the 1v1.
Both feet
Through the poles with both feet, and shoot with the practice foot every third go.
Heads up
Look up as you leave the poles: where's the keeper, and where's the other player?
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2018 to 2019
- Shooting line 6 m out. A child goes in goal only if they choose to, and a shot counts below knee height. Three poles up and five across.
- 2016 to 2017
- Shooting line 8 m out, volunteer keepers only, and a shot counts below waist height. Four poles up and six across.
Safety: Waiting players stand to the side of the lanes, never behind or beside the goal. The club keeper rules apply: nobody shoots when the keeper is down or not facing play, and inside 4 m a finish is a side-foot pass. Peg or weight the pop-up goal. No heading.
Keeping score: Each child counts their own goals and their own 1v1 stops in a round, and tries to beat it next round.