First-Time Finishers
A partner serves from a different angle every time and the striker shoots first time, calling the foot.
One pair's area: the striker on the disc 6 m out, the server rolling in from any of the four server discs around them; shoot first time and follow in.
Set up
- Give each pair a goal and a 10 m by 10 m area.
- Mark a striking disc 6 m from goal.
- Put four server discs around the striker: left, right, straight, and back.
12 children in 6 pairs, each with its own pop-up goal or cone goal, 10 m by 10 m per pair.
How to play
- The server rolls the ball to the striker from one server disc.
- The striker shoots first time, then follows in.
- The server moves to a different disc for every serve.
- The striker calls Left! or Right! before striking, to say which foot.
- After 6 strikes, swap roles.
Keeping everyone moving
Each pair has its own goal and two balls, so there is no waiting.
Make it easier
- Allow a controlling touch first.
- Serve more slowly.
Make it harder
- Add a passive defender from the next pair.
- Serve bouncing balls below knee height.
Three things to say
- Open your body to the goal.
- Strike the ball low.
- Follow in.
Words that work: "Brave first-time strike!", "Great call on the foot!", "Lovely serves for your partner!"
Colts habit
Leadership, servers help set their partner up.
Both feet
The call decides the foot.
Heads up
Look at the goal before the ball arrives.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2016
- 6 to 7 m, first time, and the server can call the foot.
- 2017
- 6 m, first time.
- 2018
- 5 m, two touches allowed.
Safety: Pairs keep 3 m apart. No keeper.
Keeping score: How many of my 6 strikes were on target? Beat it next time.