Adapted Fun Games For Developing Children’s Game Play

1
Adapted Fun Games For Developing Childrens Game
Play

• These games have been specially written to help
  childrens decision making in team games.
• Terence McWilliams
• Ulster Games Development Manager

2
Pick Drop Pick It If You Can
Key Focus Scanning On Off the ball

• Layout Mark out a large rectangle with 4 Zones
• Mark out two Dens at opposite ends of the large
  grid
• Pick and Drop
• Two teams ( Yellow and Blue) aim to run to
  opponents ball grid to pick up stationary balls
  and solo back to their own den as shown
• Opponents may challenge opposition from picking
  balls up
• See which team can retrieve all the balls from
  their opponents grid
• Variation
• Pick It If You Can
• 2 Teams of 5/6 Aside play against each other in a
  large grid 15m x 15m
• 6/8 balls are placed at random about the play
  area
• On signal one team attempts to pick ball up while
  the other prevent them
• See which team can achieve the most pick ups in a
  set time
• Variation
• Repeat above but players must mark each other

Pick and Drop
Den
Den
4 Zones
2
Game 1
3
Cone Target Ball
Key Focus Kicking with A HARD FOOT

• Equipment
• 10/15 Cones, Domes to mark out 5 Zones, 10
  footballs
• Layout
• 3 Teams x 4/5 Aside Nos. 1 to 3
• Large rectangle with 5 zones
• Place 10/15 cones in middle zone - 5m x 15m for
  players in two outer zones to aim at
• Leave next 2 zones 10m x 15m as No Mans Land
• 2 Teams Nos. 1 2 go to outer zones with 5 balls
  each
• Team 3 remains out side the middle zone to count
  and replace the knocked down cones
• Change roles after 1 min. i.e. Team 1 go to
  middle zone, while Team 3 go to outer zone etc.
• Use different foot after each change
• 1 point is scored for each cone knocked down
• Key points
• This is an excellent game for encouraging players
  to use a Hard Foot i.e. top of lace for kicking
  with power.

Game 2
4
Strike Away
Key Focus Close control Shielding a Ball

• Layout
• Large Grid 15m v 15m
• Each child has a ball
• Organisation
• All the players dribble about a large grid
• As they dribble they attempt to strike away any
  balls close to them
• Players try and protect balls by using their
  bodies as shields to screen the ball.
• Score
• Give all players 5 Points to begin.
• They lose a point every time they are
  dispossessed and gain one every time they hit a
  ball away.
• Winner
• The player with the most points at the end of a
  set time e.g. 2 minutes
• Variation
• Have 3 4 players without a ball who attempt to
  gain possession
• Players who lose a ball must attempt to gain
  possession of another ball

4
Game 3
5
Block Around The Clock
Key Focus Blocking a Ball

• Layout
• 5/6 Numbered players stand in a circle formation
• Every other player has a ball.
• The rest help to retrieve loose balls
• The aim is for No. 1 to start inside the circle
  and move around attempting to block -
  foot/bounced ball and punt kicks (Depending on
  skill level) from those players with the ball
• No. 2 begins as No. 1 has made 3 blocks
• Start with first player again but go the other
  way as you block
• Tip Demand that those kicking the balls do so
  gently initially in order to help the blockers
  block the balls.
• Variation
• Have 6/8 players in 2 lanes 5m apart and between
  each other, zig zag style facing each other in
  front of goals with a ball each
• Blockers one at a time move down the line
  blocking each ball in turn
• The final player, about 10m from goals, in the
  line aims to score a goal while the Blocker dives
  to block

K
K
K
K
K
K
Blocker
K
K
K
K
Game 4
6
STRIKE 1,2, 3
Key Focus Goalkeeping Skills Quick Reactions

• Equipment
• 6 poles, 4/6 medium size balls, Two cones
• How to Play? 
• One player G1 acts as a goal keeper and stands
  between three cones 4/6 m apart.
• Three other players stand between gates (two
  poles 3/5 m apart) with a ball each.
• They aim to score by playing the ball past the 2
  cones on their side etc.
• The Gates should be 10/15m from the goalie and
  opposite each side of the triangle.
• One other player stands behind these players and
  act as Retrievers.
• The Strikers are numbered 1, 2, and 3.
• The coach calls out the numbers to the Strikers
  i.e. 2, 1 etc.
• When their number is called they strike for goal
  i.e. attempt to play the ball through their goals
  i.e. the side of the triangle opposite them etc.
•  Variation
• The strikers may roll , kick or strike the ball
  depending on skill level.
• The game can be made more challenging by moving
  the goalies goal further away from the gates
  or making the goals and gates smaller.
•  Scoring
• The goalie scores by striking the ball through
  the appropriate gate opposite.
• The Strikers may score by hitting the ball past
  the goalie. 

GATES
Coach calls out Nos.
Retriever
Game 5
7
Triple Circle Pass ball
Key Focus Scanning On Off the ball

• Make 3 circles with a radius of 30/20/10m
• Place one defender (Black) inside smallest circle
  and 4 in outside circle. These players must
  remain in their own circles
• Place 4 attackers (Red) around inside circle and
  the same on the very outside
• The 4 inside attackers must stay in their own
  circle while the 4 outside attackers must remain
  outside the outside circle
• The aim is to play the ball either past the
  inside defenders to another attacker or to one of
  your attackers on the outside by passing to the
  outside defenders
• This game develops spatial awareness as the
  player on the ball must decide which is the best
  passing option at all times by not only scanning
  near but far i.e. outside players if inside
  attackers are marked
• Attackers must constantly move into better
  receiving positions depending on the defensive
  position of the defenders
• Defenders must be aware of their attackers at all
  times depending on the player with the ball
• The outside defenders must work as a team to
  defend the outside attackers
• Make up your own scoring system

Goal
10m
20m
30m
7
Game 6
8
Find a Goal
Key Focus Punting For Accuracy

• 10 Players in pairs in grid 30m x 20m
• Each pair sets out two cones (same colour), 2m
  apart
• Punt/strike ball to each other through goal-cones
• Move and repeat around five sets of goals to
  finish
• When a ball is passed through one goal the
  receiver solos off to another and passes
  through, the receiver must anticipate which goal
  the ball carrier is going to
• and be ready to receive the pass
• Who can score 5 Goals first?
• Pick two players to act as goalkeepers. They move
  and block goals, the other players must find the
  free goals to make a score.
• Modification - Cross Fire
• One player from each pair moves outside the grid
  and returns passes to their partner inside the
  grid through the goals (make them wider if
  needed)
• Change roles after a set time
• Use both feet or strike from both sides in above
  games

Game 7
9
ROTATE THE DEFENDER
Key Focus Passing Lateral support on the ball
and the angle of the pass.

• HOW TO PLAY
• Start with 5 players in each area
• Use an area approx. 15m x 15m or bigger for
  hurling
• 4 attackers stay outside the area, 1 defender
  inside the area
• Change the defender every 30 seconds
• Attackers must move along the line to make an
  angle for the passer to complete their pass
• Players should play 5 consecutive punt/strike
  passes to score 1 point (Bigger grid 30m x 20m)
• Exercise 2 Modification
• Introduce another defender to the grid
• Introduce another attacker to the grid
• Coach nearest defender to pressurise the ball
  while the other defender anticipates the pass
• Progress to having all the players inside the
  grid 4 v 2 etc.

Attacker
Ten Passes Or 30 sec. in middle
Defender
Attacker
Attacker
Attacker
9
Game 8
10
2 Man Roll Over
Key Focus Using the Roll to evade opponents

• Layout
• Mark out grid 15m x 8m with 4 cones as shown
• 2 sets of bibs 4 blue 4 White
• Organisation
• 4 Pairs line up as shown -2 Blue pairs 2 White
  pairs
• Two attackers (blue) attempt to evade two
  defenders (white) using the roll going towards
  red cones.
• Next 2 white players who receive the ball from
  blue after passing line take on the same 2 Blue
  players going towards the yellow cones.
• The 2 Attacking White players Roll the 2
  defending Blue players and pass to the 2 waiting
  Blue players and remain to defend etc.
• Score by soloing the ball over the end line
• Winner
• The pair with the most points in a set time e.g.
  2 mins.
• Attackers must use the Roll to evade the
  defenders and must
• execute at least one roll before crossing the end
  line
• If too challenging for the attackers create a
  3v2 situation etc.
• Encourage support players to take the ball off
  the Rollers shoulder
• Variation
• Add a goalie for attackers to shoot past after
  rolling their opponents.

Game 9
11
Whose Attacking Whose Defending
Key Focus Changing from offensive mode to
defensive mode quickly under match conditions.

• 2 Teams play against each other
• The defending team (Blue) with an extra player
  aim to score by hand/fist passing and then
  soloing the ball through either goals formed by
  two sets of cones as shown 20/30m from the end
  line
• If successful the extra player, waiting behind
  the goals, plays for the attackers and attacks
  the defenders goal who must retreat immediately
  after scoring
• If either team loose possession on the way out or
  in they change roles
• Variation 1
• Coach plays high ball in and which ever team wins
• possession must work the ball out past
  the goals before they may begin an attack.
• Variation 2
• Attacking team must work the ball in near the
  goals and then back out again before they are
  permitted to attempt a score.

Goals
Extra Player
11
Game 10
12
Punt Volleyball

Key Focus Deciding who Catches where to kick

• HOW TO PLAY
• 20m x 30m pitch.
• 4/5 players per team
• 1 football in the game develop to 2
• 5/6m wide barrier - two rows of cones or domes
  across the middle
• No player can step in the road
• Kick the ball into the oppositions grid
• Score if the ball touches the ground
• Defend the free spaces when not in possession.
• Variation 1
• Scout Ball
• One player from each team goes to opposite court
  and acts as a scout i.e. your team attempts to
  punt the ball over to her/him
• Score 2 Points if the Scout catches and 1
  Point if it hits the ground
• Variation 2
• Prisoner Ball
• One team gets a Prisoner over to their side if
  they hit the ground
• Winner All players to your side

5 min each way
The Road
Game 11
13
PASS ATTACK
Key Focus Switch Play, Attack and Defending
skills

• HOW TO PLAY
• 20m x 30m pitch
• 5 players per team
• 3 V 2 in each grid (2 Attackers 3 Defenders)
• 3/5 m wide road - two rows of cones across the
  middle
• Aim To throw, hand/fist, kick or strike a ball
  over the road to one of your team mates
• No player can step on the road
• Teams in grids compete for the ball
• Score earned when either one of these attackers
  receives a pass from across the road and shoot
  the ball through the 2 sets of goals on the back
  grid.
• Variation
• Players who receive the ball must solo through
  the goals and may then keep possession and start
  the next attack
• The next attack must involve one pass only before
  the ball is passed over the road to the next grid

GOAL
The Road
Make the catch give the pass
13
Game 12
14
Key Focus Mid field set up, Penetration,
Offensive and Defensive Skills
Mid Field Set Up

• HOW TO PLAY
• 20m x 30m pitch
• 5 players per team
• 2 Defenders V 3 Attackers in each grid
• 4/8m wide road - two rows of cones across the
  middle
• Aim To pass ball/sliotar to midfield zone to
  attempt to set up attack for a shot on goal
• Allow a minimum number of passes before ball
  reaches midfield e.g. 5
• Attackers should always try and use their extra
  player to create an overlap
• The attacker with the ball soloing into midfield
  is the only player allowed in this zone
• Scoring A set number of passes e.g. 5 or pass
  the ball through either goals on end line
• Have goalkeepers to score against
• Variation
• Limit players in possession only one or two
  passes before they get the ball to midfield
• Two players must be in the middle before the ball
  may be played to the next zone

GOAL
GOAL
The Road
Last player in Possession Penetrates
GOAL
Game 13
15
OPPOSITE CORNERS
Key Focus Switching Play

• HOW TO PLAY
• 2 teams of 4 players in a square with 4 goals
  (red and blue)
• Area 30m x 40m (Bigger for Striking)
• Score in either of the two oppositions goals
• Or coach may choose a goals to score into when a
  team is on the attack
• If the ball goes out restart with a sideline kick
  or side line cut.
• When a score is made, give the ball to the other
  team who start with a kick/strike out
• No goalkeepers in this game
• Ball is straight back into play after the score
  is taken (Keep a ball behind each of the goals)
• Focus on use of weak side
• Variation 1 Pass the Midfield
• Mark out centre zone for players to play around
  ( This encourages wing play i.e. width in mid
  field)
• Variation 2 Through the Midfield
• Ball must be played through the middle (This
  encourages penetration through the middle)

Goal
Goal
30m
Working the Score
40m
Keep a Ball behind each of the Goals
Goal
Goal
15
Game 14
16
CENTRAL LINK

Key Focus Link Play

• HOW TO PLAY
• Two Teams of 6
• 1 goalkeeper, 1 midfield, 2 defenders and 2
• Attackers per team. Extra player (blue)
• Team in possession scores by LINKING
• through the extra player (blue) each time
• Players must remain in own zones except the
• Link player
• Player must be used at least once during the
• attack
• Player plays for the team in possession but
• s/he cannot score
• Put a different coloured bib on player for
• recognition
• Change the link player frequently.
• Variation
• The link player may move into the attacking
• zone to create the extra player
• One or more of the defenders for the team in

Extra player Link player In each attack
Game 15
17
DOUBLE BACK
Key Focus Support, Penetration, Depth

• HOW TO PLAY
• 1 goalkeeper, 1 attacking player (A) in end zone
  (Inside the black line/domes). Goalkeeper must
  stay in goal until A receives the ball
• A cannot come outside the black line
• 4 v 4 between the black lines
• When As receive the ball, players in the middle
  zone support them.
• Ball must be played out again by A to support
  players for a score
• Could give extra points if score is taken with
  weaker foot
• Variation 1
• Ball must be played in with first time pass (This
  encourages players to look up and use the early
  ball into their forwards)
• Variation 2
• Have an extra defender marking the A player and
  play high balls into them
• The ball must be broken out to the in rushing
  attackers

A
5m
5m End Zone Target Player Unopposed
A
Game 16
18
Key Focus Keeping Focused, Reactions
Your Numbers Up

• Age group 8
• Equipment2 Sets of bibs, Cones to mark out grids
  30m x 20m
• Layout
• 2 Teams of 10, split into 2 Teams of 5 each
• Nos. them 1 2 Yellow 1 2 Blue
• Nos. Players in teams 1 to 5
• When a players number is called e.g. 1s from
  both sets of teams play against each other
• 2 Numbers may be called at a time
• Uneven team numbers could be called given one
  team a numeric advantage e.g. Yellow 2.3, 4 v
  Blue 2 5 etc.
• Variation 1
• Add goals at either end for players to score

1
1
1
1
2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5
Game 17
19
Zone Solo
Key Focus Soloing Under pressure

• Mark out a grid with 3 zones as shown.
• Place 4 small scoring areas in the corners.
• Select 3 Teams red, blue white
• Two teams ( blue and white) play 3 a-side against
  each other while red defends the middle zone
• Blue play one way and white the other into
  opposing grids
• When white crosses the middle zone they play 3 v
  3 on the blue
• Each member of the team in possession must solo
  three times before they pass
• There aim is to solo through the middle zone and
  score in the end zones (corners)
• A goal is scored by a player soloing into their
  scoring grid they retreat to their own half.
• The other team then take possession and start a
  new attack in the opposite direction
• Play each game for 3 minutes and then change
  roles
• Which team can score the most goals ?
• Variation
• Allow one member of the team in the middle to
  defend from any
• where
• Only two attacking players are allowed to pass
  the middle zone
• 
  
  
  

Blue
White
19
Game 18
20
Tackle Alley
Key Focus How When To Tackle

• Layout
• Set up 3/4 small grids 10m x 5m with a 3m space
  between each
• in front of goals.
• The long thin grids allow the defenders a chance
  of
• chasing their opponents to execute the N.H.T.
  (Near Hand
• Tackle).
• Organisation
• Place a defender in each grid. They must remain
  in their own grid.
• Have extra defenders ready to come in after a set
  number of attacks.
• 3/4 Attackers each with a ball attempt to solo,
  one at a time, through the grids and finish with
  a shot on goal.
• The defenders start at the front of the grid and
  must use a N.H.T. as they chase their opponent
• Change roles after a set time.
• Scoring
• Defenders score 1 point for every successful
  tackle.
• Winner Most points scored in a set time e.g. 3
  mins.
• Variation
• Have two defenders in each grid if attackers are
  very skilled

20
Game 19
21
Key Focus How When To Tackle
Chase The Hound

• Aim
• 2 Attackers (Blue) on a signal aim to attack the
  goals soloing through the yellow cones past the
  red defender
• Red defender defends the middle set of yellow
  cones
• The two red defenders at the red cones, chase the
  2 blue attackers as soon as they set off from
  dotted line
• The two red defenders at the red cones move as
  soon as the attackers pass the defender at the
  yellow cones
• All tackles must be made with the near hand on
  the ball
• Change roles after a set time i.e. the attackers
  move to the defending stations A while the
  defenders move to the attacking position on the
  dotted line
• Attackers who break through shoot on goal
• Have an extra goalie to take over after a set
  time
• Variation 1
• Allow the red defenders to move as soon as the
• attackers or blue team move with the ball
• Variation 2
• Place extra defenders at B to challenge as they
  break
• Through. These act as cover defenders.

B
B
A
Defenders
Game 20
22
Mid Field Build Up
Key Focus Competing for Broken ball

• Mark out a large rectangle 50m x 20m with 5
  separate zones each 10m long
• Two sets of Mid Fielders contest high balls
  played into the middle zone by 2 players in the
  outside zones.
• Score
• 2 pts. For a clean catch and 1 pt. for a
  broken ball
• Play for a set time e.g. 1 min. and change roles
• The two Mid Fielders must work as a unit i.e.
  decide which player goes for the high catch and
  which player anticipates the broken ball
• Variation
• Place 2 Players (1 playing for either set of Mid
  Fielders) in Zones 2 4 who move to compete for
  the Broken ball
• Make players who win possession play into a goals
  at either end of the zones.

2 Feeders
Zone 5
Zone 4
Midfield Zone 4 Players
Zone 3
Zone 2
Zone 1
Feeders
Game 21
23
Key Focus Penetration Support
BORDER RAIDERS
START AREA

• HOW TO PLAY
• Teams of 4 3 Attackers (Raiders) 1 Defender
• Nos. Teams 1, 2 etc. and go to start area as
  shown
• Defenders go to side of mid field
• Aim Defender from Team 1 goes to Zone 1 while
  his/her 3 Attacking team mates start behind end
  line
• On signal the Attackers attempt to by pass the
  defender and move into Zone 2, go around the cone
  and attack Zone 3 and 4 as shown
• If the defender intercepts she/he returns the
  ball and moves back to defend Zone 2, Zone 3 etc.
  before returning to side line
• If he fails to gain possession in Zone 1 he may
  move back to defend in Zone 2 etc.
• As soon as Team 1 has rounded the cone, Team 2
  begin with the Defender from Team 2 moving into
  Zone 1 etc.
• Scoring
• Teams score 1 Point for successfully passing
  through each of the zones. Defenders may also
  score 1 Point every time they intercept the ball
  in a zone.
• Variation
• Place a defender in each zone

Team 2 Etc.
Zone 4
Zone 1
D E F E N D E R S
Zone 2
Zone 3
ATTACK
Game 22
24
By Pass Midfield

• 3/4 Players attempt to pass the ball from one End
  Zone to another by passing it around a middle
  zone
• 2/3 defenders defend their play area
• Start with 3 Teams -2 at one end and another team
  at the other end
• The aim is for the first team to use hand/fist
  passes and body catches to move the ball from one
  End Zone to the opposite
• The ball is not allowed to be passed through the
  middle zone
• If the defenders intercept the ball they must
  return it to the attacking team
• When they get to the other end the resting team
  start the sequence again
• Teams have 2/3 minutes to score as many points as
  possible i.e. a point is scored for successfully
  playing the ball from one zone to the other
  without losing possession
• Defenders gain points for every interception
  which may be added on to their overall score at
  the end etc.
• Challenge the attackers by having the same number
  of defenders.
• Variation
• The ball must be played through the middle for a
  score

End Zone
24
Game 23
25
Captain Ball

• Two teams of 4/5 Aside play against each other
• One player from each team acts as the Captain and
  goes to a small box (3m x 3m) at either end of
  the rectangular playing area (30m x 20m)
• The aim is to pass the ball to their respective
  Captains who must return the ball to the
  opposition after a score
• Normal Gaelic rules apply
• Restrict to scores on own half only
• Limit the number of passes before attempting a
  score

25
Game 24
26
10-7-5 Second Game

• Mark out a large zone 60m x 20m with 3 equal
  zones
• Two teams 3 v 3 aim to solo the ball past their
  opposite end line
• The team in possession must keep possession of
  the ball for 10 seconds in their defending zone,
  7 seconds in their middle zone and 5 seconds in
  their attacking zone before crossing their end
  line for a score
• If a team regains possession of the ball in
  their attacking or middle zone they must first
  solo back to their defending zone before they may
  start the game
• Variation
• When a team gets to their attacking zone they
  may go for a
  score after a set number
  of passes.
• This game encourages players to play Keep
  Ball in their
• defending zone, Set Up Ball in their middle
  zone and Score Ball in their attacking zone.

10 second Zone
7 second Zone
5 second Zone
Game 25
27
Fun Game Shoot On Sight

• Layout
• Use a small pitch with the small portable goals
  e.g. 45m x 40m.
• 2 Uneven Teams e.g. 5 v 2/3
• 5 Players with coloured tops play against an
  unequal number for a set
• time i.e. 3 mins.
• This makes it easier for one team to get plenty
  of shooting action.
• Have a good supply of balls behind either goals
• Aim is to shoot as soon as you have possession or
  one hand pass only to get the scorer into a
  favourable position
• Less skilled players may be permitted one solo or
  bounce before shooting
• Have extra balls at the side of the goals to keep
  the game in action
• Allow the other team an even number after a set
  time
  i.e. 3 mins.
• Variation
• The ball must be played inside a specific line
  e.g. 15/20m from goals and then played back out
  again before a shot on goal may be attempted

Shoot on Sight - Players Resting Retrieve Balls
27
Game 26
28
WIDE MAN
Key Focus Creating Width

• HOW TO PLAY
• Size of Pitch 40m x 30m
• 1 goalkeeper, 2 defenders and 2 attackers per
  team
• 2 Extra Players (Wide Men) run the channels on
  the wings
• Players in channel cannot be tackled
• Wide Man must be used at least once in the
  attack
• Player in the channel returns the ball to the
  team who passed into the channel
• Teams score per normal into oppositions goals.
• Variation
• One Wide Man plays for one team only
• The Wide Man must play a long diagonal ball to
  encourage width in attack and defence

Game 27