Futsal Rebound Hunters: Follow Every Shot
A finishing game where, after every shot, the shooter and a teammate must follow up to put away the goalie's rebound before the defender clears it. Students work on reaction, anticipation and quick finishing on second chances.
How to play
- Setup (2 min): on each half court, a goalie and groups of 6 in three pairs; one pair attacks, one defends and one collects balls.
- Shoot and follow (4 min): attacker A shoots from 9 yd; A and partner B, who starts from the side, follow the shot to finish any rebound. One defender starts at the same time to clear it.
- Scoring: a direct goal is 1 point; a rebound goal is 2 points; a clearance out of the area by the defender is 1 point for the defense.
- Rotation: after each rep, attackers become defenders, defenders become ball collectors and collectors become attackers.
- 3v3 game (6 min): a game with goalies where every rebound goal counts double, and the teacher calls out how many players followed each shot.
- Wrap-up (6 min): final pair challenge of five shots each, with the goalie deliberately parrying the ball toward the penalty spot.
Rules
- The goalie has priority: no one shoots if the goalie has the ball in their hands or is on the ground.
- Finish with your feet, never with a slide or a dive.
- Ball collectors wait off the court and only step in when the ball is dead.
- Switch goalies every 4 minutes.
Variations
Easier
No defender: only work on following the shot and finishing the rebound.
Standard
Shoot with two attackers following and one defender clearing.
Harder
The defender starts before the attackers and the finish must be one-touch.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: plays goalie in a smaller goal or shoots from a fixed spot while a partner follows the rebound.
- Visual impairment: use a ball with bells, and partner B calls out when the ball rebounds.
- Lower skill level: shoot from 6 yd so rebounds are easier to control.
Learning goals
- Follow shots quickly to take advantage of second chances.
- Anticipate where the goalie's rebound will go.
- Finish quickly and accurately in tight spaces.
Equipment for a class of 25
- futsal ball: 8
- goals: 2
- pinnies: 12
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Stress goalie safety: if the goalie dives, the follow-up stops. Praise students out loud for following shots even when they don't score so it becomes a habit.
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