Hit the Washing Line
Pairs strike at their own goal and score double for hitting the washing draped on the posts.
At a glance
- A row of cone goals, 3 m wide and 3 m apart, one per pair, with a bib on each post: the washing. Shooting line 6 to 8 m out.
- Pairs take turns to strike at their own goal. No keeper.
- A goal scores 1. Hitting the washing (a bib or a post cone) scores 2.
- After your strike, collect the ball, pass it to your partner and get behind the line. Change goals every 3 minutes.
- Progress 1: Washing hits only count with your other foot.
- Progress 2: Your partner passes the ball and you strike it while it is still rolling.
If it's not working: Move the shooting line closer.
- players
- run
- pass
- shot
- 1in this order
Two of the six cone goals, so a third of the row: each pair has a 6 m wide stretch, and the whole row is 36 m long and 15 m deep. A bib hangs on each post cone: that is the washing. No keeper. The striker hits the washing from the line, follows in, collects the ball and passes it back to their partner, who strikes next. The pair at the next goal plays at the same time.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Make one cone goal per pair (6 for 12 children), each 3 m wide, in a row all facing the same way, with 3 m gaps between them.
- Drape a bib over each post cone. This is the washing.
- Mark a shooting line 6 to 8 m out along the row, with a disc between each pair's stretch and one at each end.
12 children in 6 pairs. One cone goal per pair in a row, each pair with a 6 m wide stretch: 36 m long and 15 m deep for six pairs.
How to play
- Pairs take turns to strike at their own goal. No keeper.
- A goal gets 1 point. Hitting the washing (a bib or a post cone) gets 2 points.
- After each strike, the shooter follows in, collects the ball and passes it back to their partner, then gets back behind the line before the partner strikes.
- Swap roles every shot.
- Play for 3 minutes, then change goals.
Keeping everyone moving
Only two children per goal, swapping every shot, so nobody waits more than a few seconds. No queues.
Make it easier
- Move the shooting line closer.
- Use wider goals.
Make it harder, step by step
- Washing hits only count with your other foot.
- Your partner passes the ball and you strike it while it is still rolling.
Three things to say
- Pick a corner.
- Body over the ball to keep it low.
- Follow the strike through.
Words that work: "Great aim, you picked your spot!", "Brave with the other foot!", "Lovely pass back to your partner!"
Colts habit
Lift each other, cheer your partner's washing hits.
Both feet
Alternate feet every strike.
Heads up
Look at the washing before you strike.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2016
- 7 m line, one-touch strikes for a bonus.
- 2017
- 7 m line.
- 2018
- 6 m line.
Safety: No keeper. Every pair shoots in the same direction. Nobody collects balls from another pair's area while that pair is shooting.
Keeping score: How many washing hits did I get this round, versus my last round?