Knock Down Your Partner's Cone
In pairs 8 yards apart, each player guards a cone in front of them and tries to knock over their partner's cone with ground passes using the inside of the foot. It warms up the legs and sharpens passing accuracy, first touch, and body position.
How to play
- Form pairs with one soccer ball, facing each other 8 yards apart, and place a cone 1 yard in front of each player's feet.
- Activation (2 minutes): ground passes with the inside of the foot and trapping with the sole, without aiming at the cone yet.
- Game: each player passes along the ground trying to knock over their partner's cone; the partner may stop the ball with their foot before it reaches the cone.
- Each cone knocked down scores 1 point; the receiver traps, resets their cone if needed, and passes back.
- Play 2 rounds of 2 minutes; between rounds students switch partners and switch passing foot.
- Final round: play with the non-dominant foot only and compare the score with earlier rounds.
Rules
- Passes must stay on the ground: if the ball pops up, the point doesn't count.
- No defending with hands or by lying down on the ground.
- Pass from behind your own cone line without moving closer.
- Pairs work in parallel lanes 3 yards apart.
Variations
Easier
5 yards apart with no one guarding the cone.
Standard
8 yards apart with the cone guarded by the foot.
Harder
10 yards apart, two touches max (trap and pass), or pass with the outside of the foot.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: pass with a hand or a floor hockey stick from a wheelchair, 5 yards apart.
- Blind or low-vision students: use a ball with a bell and have the partner clap behind the cone.
- Lower skill level: 5 yards apart and allow stopping the ball before passing.
Learning goals
- Pass accurately along the ground with the inside of the foot.
- Control the ball and set the body before passing.
- Accept the result and follow the rules of the duel.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soccer balls: 13
- cones: 26
Teacher tip
Remind students to plant the support foot next to the ball with the toe pointing at the target. If the surface is bumpy, bring partners in to 6 yards so the game doesn't depend on lucky bounces.
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