Organisation
- Mark a circle having a centre mark (line intersection; a coin; a scratched “X”).
- A centre circle works well, but regulation size will 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 centre spot pace out radius by going N, S, E and W. Fill in the rest of the circle.
- Each player on one side of the circle has a partner directly opposite.
- One player passes the ball towards his or her partner, while trying to knock over a cone.
- The partner retrieves the ball and returns the pass, 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 points
- Encourage the players to use pace as well as accuracy of pass.
- Suggest they continue to kick towards the cone even after they have actually kicked (follow through).
- Encourage them to approach the cone at a slight angle to the direction they are kicking (45 degrees).
- 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 most cones.
- Condition them for some part of the practice to use their non-dominant foot only.
Progression
Reduce the number of cones and/or make the circle bigger.
Or use one cone and pairs then compete against other pairs, e.g., “First Pair to score 5 hits between them”
Target
The coach uses a stopwatch to set the “team” record of knocking all cones down.