Volcano
The coach rolls balls out along the ground and everyone chases, controls and scores in any goal.
At a glance
- 20 m square with pop-up goals round the outside, facing in. The coach stands in the middle with all the balls: the volcano.
- The coach rolls balls out along the ground in any direction, keeping 3 or 4 loose at a time.
- Children chase a ball, control it and score in any goal, then bring the ball back to the coach.
- Team challenge: can everyone score before the pile of balls runs out?
- Progress 1: Add two lava monsters in bibs who win balls and give them to the coach. Swap them every minute.
- Progress 2: Goals only count first time, or with two touches at most.
If it's not working: Roll the balls out more slowly.
- players
- Ccoach
- run
- throw or roll
- shot
- 1in this order
The coach is the volcano in the middle of the square with the pile of balls, and the pop-up goals face in round the outside. The coach rolls a ball out along the ground, and one child chases it, controls it and shoots into the nearest goal, then brings the ball back. Everyone plays at once, with 3 or 4 balls loose.
Full details: set up, how to play, tips and age tweaks
Set up
- Mark a square.
- Place pop-up goals around the outside, facing in.
- The coach stands in the middle with all the balls. This is the volcano.
8 to 12 children, 20 m by 20 m (15 m by 15 m for 2020s).
How to play
- The volcano erupts: the coach rolls or passes a ball along the ground in any direction.
- Any child can chase a ball, control it and score in any goal.
- After scoring, bring the ball back to the volcano and go again.
- Keep erupting balls quickly, so there are always 3 or 4 balls loose.
- Team challenge: can everyone score before the volcano is empty?
Keeping everyone moving
Balls come out constantly, and nobody waits for a turn.
Make it easier
- Roll the balls out more slowly.
- Add more goals.
Make it harder, step by step
- Add two lava monsters in bibs who win balls and give them to the coach. Swap them every minute.
- Goals only count first time, or with two touches at most.
Three things to say
- Quick first touch towards a goal.
- Look up before striking.
- Strike the ball low.
Words that work: "Great chase!", "Brave, quick shot!", "Well done bringing the lava back!"
Colts habit
Work hard, chase every eruption.
Both feet
Shoot with whichever foot the ball arrives on.
Heads up
Spot the free goal.
For your birth year
Pick a birth year to show the tweak for that group.
- 2020
- No monsters. 15 m by 15 m.
- 2018 to 2019
- 1 monster.
- 2016 to 2017
- 2 monsters, and other-foot goals count double.
A young leader can run this one, with an adult coach beside them.
Safety: Coach never throws balls in the air. Keep the volcano's pile tidy so no one trips.
Keeping score: How many goals did I score this eruption? Beat it next time.