GK Circle Game

Objective:

Target:

The fastest time the team can knock down all the cones; or the first pair to score three (or four knockdowns or hits).

Organization

Find a mark on the field (or use a quarter) to make sure you know where the center is going to be.
Pace out from the center and put marker disks in for the four compass points of north, south, east and west, and then complete the circle.
The distances will depend on the age of the players (4- to 5-yard radius for 6- to 7-year olds).
Players partner up and go on opposite sides of the circle (coach may need to join in if there are uneven numbers).
Target cones are is placed in the center.
Initially everyone is trying to knock the cones over (with their throw) as a "team."
Then it can become more competitive as one pair tries to get 4 (or 5, etc.) knock downs before the others. As they become better, reduce the number of cones (eventually to one).
The reward for knocking over the single cone is that the successful thrower must put it back up on the center mark (kids will get a laugh out of that!).
Start with a rolled throw.
Later use the over arm throw.
Don't use size-4 or size-5 balls for younger players.

Teaching

Bowl the ball as you would in a bowling alley.
Young players may need to support the ball with two hands until just before the ball is released.
Same with the over arm throw, support the ball with both hands, but encourage them to make the final part of the throw with one hand for greater power.
Do not let the practice go too long, as techniques can become sloppy through arm/shoulder fatigue.
When they show arm fatigue change it to the conventional Circle Game using the foot pass.

Progressions