The Game of the Month is Soccer! This month we're sharing fun soccer skills building games. This week allows several players to play the goalkeeper. The Game of the Week is Wide Goal Soccer!
Group Size: 10+
Age Group: PreK-Grade 5
Length of Activity: More than 10 minutes
Developmental Goal: To develop eye-foot coordination, communication and teamwork.
Equipment: Soccer and several cones
Before You Start:
- Review the soccer concepts that you want to teach throughout this game.
- Demonstrate basic soccer skills as needed, such as throwing in, passing, trapping, shoooting, goalkeeping, etc.
- Explain the rules of the game and ask players to explain the game back to you.
- Teach players how to kick a goal for their team.
Set Up:
Create one large rectangular area (on grass, if possible) using cones. Mark end zones with cones equal distance apart to create several "goals" directly next to each other.
How to Play:
- Divided players into two teams. Then divide each team equally into forwards and goalies.
- Have each goalie stand infront of a different goal on their side of the field. The goalies' job is to defend their goal for the team.
- Have two players Rock Paper Scissors to see which team starts with possession of the ball.
- The game begins with a forward pass from the center.
- The forwards try to kick the ball across the opposite team's goal line; the goalies try to stop the goals.
- Only goalies can use their hands.
- Goalies kick or throw the balls from saved goals back into the field. After a goal is scored, the ball comes back to the center of the field and possession is granted to the non-scoring team.
- When the ball goes out of bounds, a forward from the opposite team throws it into play.
- Fouls (illegal use of hands, pushing, tripping, etc.) result in a free kick from the point of foul.
- Have players switch positions either after a goal is scored, when a designated time limit is up or when you give a signal.
Variations:
- Multi-balls: once the initial game is successful, add more than one ball to the game for more involvement.
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.
