Pass, Call, and Sprint to the Color
In pairs, the passer calls a color with each pass; after passing the ball back, the receiver sprints to touch the cone of that color and returns. It combines passing and catching with reaction, changes of direction, and short sprints.
How to play
- Form pairs with one ball: the receiver stands in the middle of a fan of three colored cones (red, blue, yellow) 4 yards away; the passer stands 3 yards in front.
- Activation (2 minutes): chest and bounce passes with no sprints while the receiver does quick feet in place between passes.
- The passer throws a pass and calls a color; the receiver passes back right away, sprints to touch that cone, and returns to the middle.
- As soon as they are back in the middle they receive the next pass with a new color; each set lasts 30 seconds, then partners switch roles.
- Do 3 sets per student (about 4 minutes); in the second set the color is called with the ball already in the air.
- Finish (2 minutes): the passer shows the color by holding up a colored disc cone instead of calling it, and the pair counts how many cones the receiver touches without mistakes.
Rules
- The receiver passes the ball back before leaving; never run with it in your hands.
- Touch the cone with your hand without knocking it over or stepping on it.
- Each pair's cone fan is at least 3 yards from the next pair's.
- The passer waits until the receiver is back and looking before passing.
Variations
Easier
Set the cones only 2 yards apart and call the color before the pass.
Standard
Cones at 4 yards and the color called at the moment of the pass.
Harder
Add a fourth cone behind the receiver and call the color with the ball already in the air.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: place cones 1 yard away, within reach of a hand or wheelchair, and simply point to or touch them.
- Blind or low-vision students: use large, high-contrast cones or replace colors with directions called out loud.
- Lower fitness: 20-second sets and walk back from the farthest cone.
Learning goals
- React to a sound or visual cue while performing a skill.
- Accelerate, stop, and change direction under control.
- Link catching, passing, and moving without pauses.
Equipment for a class of 25
- balls: 13
- colored cones: 39
Teacher tip
Receivers often take off before releasing the ball cleanly: require a good pass before running. Pack a set of three colored cones per pair in a bin so you can hand them out quickly.
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