Cone Keepers and Rollers

Some children are keepers who protect the cones with hands and feet, and others are rollers who try to knock them over by rolling balls from outside the circle; roles switch after every round. It works on rolling a ball, anticipation and thinking about where to aim.

How to play

1. Groups of eight: draw a big circle and set five cones inside (2 min).
2. Two keepers inside and the rest outside with two balls: roll the ball along the ground to knock over cones (3 min).
3. Stop when all have fallen or after a minute and count together the cones still standing (2 min).
4. Rotate keepers until everyone has had a turn (5 min).
5. Think together: where should we roll if the keepers are standing close together? (2 min).

Rules

• The ball rolls along the ground.
• Rollers stay outside the circle.
• Keepers stop the ball; no hard kicking.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: keep from the wheelchair using a pool noodle to block, or roll the ball down a ramp.
• Visual impairment: a ball with a bell, and as a roller a buddy claps next to a cone.
• Autism: start as a roller, the more predictable role, and choose when to be a keeper.

Learning goals

• Roll a ball with direction.
• Anticipate where the ball is coming.
• Plan a simple strategy with the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 20
• medium balls: 8
• chalk

Teacher tip

No team scoreboard: counting standing cones only shows how much they defended together. Keepers should crouch rather than dive.

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