Aim and Defend

Skill: Kick, Run
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Equipment: 4-6 cones.
4-6 tennis balls (or beanbags)
1 soccer ball
Objective:
Participants kick the soccer ball towards the other group's cones trying to knock the tennis ball off, and then defend their own cone.
Other Skills:
Speed
Coordination
Set up:
Please see the attached document for an example of the set up and each participant's path.
Set up 4-6 cones in a staggered line, and place a tennis ball or beanbag on top of each one. Each cone should be around 10-15 feet away from each other.
Divide participants into groups of 3-5. Have two groups at the same set up going against each other. Have a set up for every two groups.
Place a cone or rope for participants to stand behind with their groups. Each group will start 10-15 feet behind the first cone.
Step by Step:
1. The goal for each group is to protect their cones and tennis balls from falling over and being knocked down.
2. In front of each group there will be 2-3 cones in a line and spaced out, those are the cones they are trying to protect.
3. Please see the attached document for an example of the set up and path for each group.
4. The group that is standing further from their first cone will start with the soccer ball.
5. In the example attached, group B's cone is closer to them to start, so group A starts with the soccer ball.
6. When the leader says 'Go', the first participant in group A will kick the soccer ball aiming for group B's first cone (labeled '1' in the attached document). The first participant in group B will run to their cone and try to stop the soccer ball from knocking it down.
7. As soon as participant A kicks the ball, they will begin to run to their first cone (labeled '2' in the attached document).
8. When participant B gets the soccer ball, they will stand next to their first cone and kick it towards group A's cone.
9. As soon as they kick the ball, they will run to their second cone, and participant A will kick the ball towards that cone.
10. Continue until the participants get to the last cone.
11. .Each group gets a point for each cone and tennis ball they knocked over.
12. Those participants will run and pick up any cones/balls they were knocked over.
13. The next participant in team A will start with the ball and the next participant in group B will run to defend the first cone.
14. Switch sides when all participants from team A have started with the ball.
Variations:
Make this a passing game. Instead of trying to knock off the tennis balls, participants will pass the ball to the cone the other participant is running towards. This will help reinforce the idea of passing to where the participant is running to, and not directly to the participant.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.
Attachments: Download