Passing Through Bottle Goals
Pairs of large bottles make lots of small goals, and partners pass a ball through them, first by hand and then with the foot. It builds kicking and stopping a ball and playing with a partner with no goalie and no scorekeeping.
How to play
- Make lots of goals out of two large bottles set two steps apart; each pair stands on either side of their goal (1 min).
- Roll the ball by hand to your partner so it passes between the two bottles (2 min).
- Now use your feet: stop the ball with the sole and send it back with a gentle tap (4 min).
- The teacher calls "Switch goals!" and each pair finds an open goal with their ball (2 min).
- Each pair decides whether to take a step back or move the bottles closer together to make it harder (3 min).
Rules
- I kick gently so my friend can stop the ball.
- If a bottle falls, we stand it up together.
- No goalie: the goal is for passing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, pass by rolling with the hands, with the bottles far apart.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, start with hands, then feet, stopping with the sole.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, pass with the less-used foot and choose the distance and width themselves.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child rolls the ball by hand from the wheelchair, and the partner sends it back with a foot.
- Visual impairment: use a ball with a bell, and the partner claps before passing so the child knows where it's coming from.
- Less coordination: use a bigger, softer ball and wider goals.
Learning goals
- Kick a ball accurately.
- Stop a rolling ball.
- Play cooperatively with a partner.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large plastic bottles: 26
- Medium balls: 13
Teacher tip
An inch of sand in each bottle keeps them from falling over on every pass. The typical mistake is kicking hard, so say "The ball is going for a walk, not a race."
PatioLab has "Passing Through Bottle Goals" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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