Everybody Touches Soccer

A small-sided game in which a goal only counts if every player on the team has touched the ball during that possession. It keeps a few students from hogging the ball and builds inclusion, passing, and looking for the teammate who has not had a turn yet.

How to play

1. Make 4 teams of 6 with pinnies and set up two 30 x 20 yard fields with small goals.
2. Explain the rule: each time a team wins the ball a new possession starts, and a goal only counts once all six players have touched it.
3. When a player touches the ball for the first time in the possession, they call out their name so the team can keep count.
4. Play for 5 minutes; each legal goal is worth one point.
5. Take a 1-minute break so each team can plan how to get the ball to everyone faster; switch opponents and play another 5 minutes.
6. Final 4-minute round: no one may take more than three touches in a row.

Rules

• If the other team steals the ball, the touch count goes back to zero.
• Out-of-bounds restarts are kicked in, with opponents 2 yards back.
• No one may defend inside a 3-yard crease in front of their own goal.
• No tackles from behind: play the ball.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: receiving the ball with a hand or the wheelchair counts as a touch, and no one may pressure within 3 feet.
• Shyness: agree on a hand signal with the team so the student can ask for the ball without calling out their name.
• Skill level: the strongest players may only touch the ball with their weaker foot.

Learning goals

• Pass to teammates who have not touched the ball yet.
• Value what every team member brings to the game.
• Keep possession long enough to build the play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soccer balls: 4
• pinnies: 12
• small goals: 4
• cones: 16

Teacher tip

Name one counter per team who tracks touches on their fingers. Watch whether the same student is always left out and bring it up during the break without singling anyone out.

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