Circle Pass Race with a Football
One team stands in a circle passing a football hand to hand while runners from the other team take turns sprinting around the outside; the team with more passes by the last relay wins. Students work on safe short passes and speed.
How to play
- Make 4 teams of 6 (the 25th student joins one) and pair two teams in each area. In each area, set a 6 m (20 ft) radius ring of cones; one team stands inside in a 4 m circle, and the other lines up next to a starting cone (2 min).
- On the signal, the first runner does one full lap around the outside of the cones while the circle team passes the ball around, one player at a time, counting out loud.
- Passes are two-handed to the next player, without skipping anyone. If the ball drops, pick it up and keep going, but subtract 3 passes.
- When the runner gets back and taps the next runner's hand, that player goes. After all 6 runners finish, write down the total passes (2 min per full relay).
- Switch roles: runners go into the circle and the circle team runs (4 min for both rounds).
- Second round: the circle passes the other direction with a rugby-style lateral pass, turning the trunk; compare totals (4 min).
Rules
- Runners always stay outside the cones.
- Exchange by tapping hands, not pushing.
- Safety: the runners' line waits 2 m back from the starting cone so it doesn't block the path.
Variations
Easier
Use a smaller circle and allow handing the ball off instead of tossing it.
Standard
Two-handed passes around a 4 m circle.
Harder
Widen the circle to 6 m and require tossed passes, not handoffs.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair passes in the circle, and in the running round that team may run a shorter inside route.
- Autism or shyness: let the student start at the first spot in the circle, which is the most predictable role.
- Fitness level: a student who can't run a full lap can run half and hand off at the midpoint.
Learning goals
- Pass the football quickly and safely with two hands.
- Sprint at full speed along a curved path.
- Wait your turn and hand off correctly within the team.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam footballs: 2
- cones: 20
Teacher tip
Remind the circle team that the goal is good passes, not just fast ones; if the ball keeps dropping, ask for softer passes. Adjust the outer radius so running and passing stay balanced.
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