Feint Mirror: Fool Your Reflection and Go
In pairs, the attacker fakes with the body and the defender must copy like a mirror until the attacker gets through a cone gate. It trains body feints, change of pace and reading the defender.
How to play
- Partners face each other with a 3 m cone gate behind the defender (2 min).
- Mirror without a ball: the attacker fakes to one side and the defender copies; switch roles every 30 seconds (4 min).
- Mirror with a ball: fake one way, go the other, three steps max to get through the gate (5 min).
- Double fake: fake, fake, go; the defender may only shuffle sideways (5 min).
- Mini challenge: each clean breakthrough scores 1 point; switch partners every 2 minutes (4 min).
Rules
- The defender doesn't grab or push; defend by moving your feet.
- Respect the step cycle with the ball.
- Keep at least 4 m between pairs.
- Walk back after each breakthrough.
Variations
Easier
No ball, 4 m gate.
Standard
With ball, 3 m gate.
Harder
2 m gate and the defender may touch the ball.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays defender moving in a wheelchair with a wider gate.
- Visually impaired students: the attacker wears a bell on the wrist and the game is played without a ball.
- Shy students: start with a trusted partner and no points.
Learning goals
- Perform body feints.
- Change pace after the fake.
- Defend without illegal contact.
Equipment for a class of 25
- handballs: 14
- cones: 28
Teacher tip
A fake only works if it's believable; the body weight really has to shift toward the fake side. Rotate partners so no one is always matched against the same level.
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