Empty Corners: The Fill-the-Gap Rondo

In 6 m squares, three players hold three corners and one corner is always empty and must be filled in time. Students warm up by passing and learn to give the ball carrier two passing lanes.

How to play

1. Groups of four in their square: free passing on the move and arm mobility (2 min).
2. Three in the corners, no defender: after each pass, the player who wasn't involved runs to the empty corner next to the receiver to give two options (3 min).
3. The fourth player enters as a passive defender inside the square, only intercepting balls thrown right to them (2 min).
4. Live defender: whoever loses the ball becomes the defender (3 min).

Rules

• You can only stand on a corner or run between corners.
• Chest-high passes; no fastballs.
• The defender plays the ball, never the person.
• Retrieve loose balls without cutting through other squares.

Variations

Adaptations

• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: agree on a hand signal for "open corner".
• Student with an ankle injury: stays on one corner and only passes while the others rotate around them.
• Students with weaker ball skills: use a bigger, softer ball and allow one bounce before passing.

Learning goals

• Fill open space in time.
• Always give the ball carrier two passing lanes.
• Warm up arms and legs by passing on the move.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 28
• foam balls: 7

Teacher tip

Set up the squares before class in rows with a two-meter aisle between them. Typical mistake: the player who didn't touch the ball just watches; point at the empty corner and ask "who fills that gap?"

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