The Game of the Month is Soccer! This month we're sharing fun soccer skills building games. This week's game is silly; it eliminates the challenge of kicking and focuses on teamwork. The Game of the Week is Monkey Soccer!
Group Size: 10+
Age Group: Grades 1-5
Length of Activity: More than 10 minutes
Developmental Goal: To develop an understanding of moving a ball towards a goal and teamwork.
Equipment: Soccer or playground ball and four cones
Before You Start:
- Make sure everyone knows where the playing area, boundary lines and team's goals are.
- Review the soccer concepts you want to teach throughout the game, such as positions on the field and/or passing to teammates.
- Explain the rules of the game and ask players to explain the game back to you.
- Demonstrate how to use your arms and hands, instead of your feet, for the game.
- Emphasize safety and keeping your head up to avoid running into other players.
Set Up:
You will need one ball, four cones and enough jerseys for one team. Mark each goal with two cones.
How to Play:
- The same soccer rules apply except you can only use your arms and hands to hit and pass the ball.
- Players cannot use their feet or pick up the ball.
Variations:
- Add more than one ball to the game for more involvement, after the game is successful.
- Pre-K/K/1st: Modify to do a relay race or steal the bacon format for safety.
Love implementing Game of the Week? Playworks offers professional development programs that will teach your staff to use recess and playtime to improve health and support learning. Curious to learn more? Submit the Training Assessment form and a local Playworks representative will respond directly.
