Circle Game

Objective:

Target:

The coach uses a stopwatch to set the "team" record of knocking all cones down. Later, winners are the pair to first knock over the cones 5 (6, 8,10) times.

Organization

Mark a circle having a center mark (line intersection; a coin; a scratched "X").
A center circle works well, but may be too big for young players.
5-yard radius for 6-year olds; 6-yard for 7-year olds, etc.
Use marker disks to make a circle.
From center spot pace out the radius by going North, South, East and West. Then fill in the rest of the circle.
Each player on one side of the circle has a partner directly opposite.
If there is an odd number the coach joins in.
Each pair has one ball between them.
One player passes the ball towards his or her partner, but tries to knock over a cone in the center circle.
The partner retrieves the ball and returns the pass through the center circle, again trying to kick over a cone.
The ball must be passed from outside the circle.
The game is stopped when all cones are knocked down.

Teaching

Encourage the players to use pace as well as accuracy of pass.
Suggest they continue to kick towards the ball even after they have actually kicked (follow through).
Encourage them to approach the ball at a slight angle to the direction they are kicking (45 degrees).

Progressions

As the children progress slightly increase the difficulty of the game, i.e., smaller target, bigger circle, etc.