From building possession to goal-scoring

Organisation

• Organise two teams of up to six players in an area with a free middle zone and two end zones, one per team
• Each team takes turns to volley the ball into the opponents’ area. It should try to land the ball somewhere difficult to catch, so the other team cannot score points
• A team wins two points if it catches the ball directly, and one point for catching it after one bounce
• The first team to reach a certain number of points (e.g. 11 or 21) is the winner

Ways to make the exercise easier

• The players can start by throwing the ball underarm

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Do not award a point for catching the ball after a bounce: only direct catches count
• Make the pitch bigger
• Teams lose a point if their player’s serve misses the target area

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you try to land the ball in a free space?
• Can you dive to make a catch and win two points for your team?
• Can you take turns to serve the ball?

Safety tips 

• Make sure only one person tries to catch the ball at a time to avoid collisions
• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Organise two teams of up to six players each
• Teams have to complete ten consecutive passes to win a point
• Once a point is scored, the ball is then given to the other team
• If you have an odd number, then one player can always play for both teams

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Give one team more players

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Give one team fewer players
• Increase the number of passes required to score the point, or set a target of keeping the ball for one minute, etc.

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you spread out as a team and try to use all the space available?
• Can you call for the ball?
• As the defending team, can you try to win the ball back as quickly as possible?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play

Organisation

• Organise the players into teams with equal numbers and create mini-pitches for games of no more than 7v7
• Each team starts with three outfield players in each half
• When a team has the ball and enters the attacking half, one of its defenders can join in, moving forward to make a 4v3
• Restart with 3v3 in each half after each attack
• Let the players referee their own games

Ways to make the exercise easier

• Give a team one or more extra players if you have uneven numbers or a weaker team
• Two players can enter the attacking half when in possession to make a 5v3

Ways to make the exercise harder

• Limit the number of touches
• Give one team fewer players

Great questions to ask the players

• Can you take advantage of the extra player in the attacking half?
• Can you get the ball into the attacking half as often as possible?
• How can you defend as a team when you are outnumbered?
• How did this activity make your body feel?
• How did it make your mind feel?

Safety tips

• Create a safe space to play