Air Control: Cushion With Foot, Thigh and Chest

In pairs, one tosses by hand and the other cushions the airborne ball with different surfaces before returning it. Students learn to give with the body to kill the ball at their feet.

How to play

1. Explain "giving": the surface pulls back right at contact, like catching an egg (2 min).
2. Foam ball: toss at foot height and cushion with the inside of the foot down to the ground (4 min).
3. Toss at thigh height; control with the thigh and pass back (4 min).
4. Toss to the chest with arms out; control with the chest leaning forward (4 min).
5. Soccer ball: the tosser picks the height and the receiver picks the surface; count controls that land within one step (6 min).

Rules

• Soft underhand tosses only.
• No heading in this activity.
• Anyone who prefers not to use the chest may use the thigh or foot.
• 5 m between pairs on the sides.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: rolled or one-bounce toss with a bell ball.
• Limited mobility: controls with hands or forearms from the wheelchair, working the same idea of giving.
• Self-consciousness or chest discomfort: always picks the preferred surface, no explanations needed.

Learning goals

• Cushion an airborne ball by giving with the contact surface.
• Keep the ball close to play next.
• Use several body surfaces safely.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soccer balls: 15
• foam balls: 15

Teacher tip

Foam removes the fear; switch to a real ball once most students manage. Keep chest control optional: never comment on bodies or push it.

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