Schoolyard Soccer Golf
A nine-hole course around the schoolyard in which students kick the ball into a hoop in as few strokes as possible. Students practice passing accuracy, controlling the force of each kick, and planning every shot.
How to play
- Before class, set up 9 holes in a loop: a tee cone labeled with the hole number and par, and a hoop on the ground as the target, 10 to 30 yards away; add cone obstacles on some holes.
- Make groups of 3 and send each group to a different starting hole; every player has a ball and the group shares a scorecard.
- Players take turns kicking from the tee; each next kick is taken from where the ball stopped, and the hole ends when the ball stops inside the hoop.
- Record each player's strokes on the scorecard.
- Allow about 2 minutes per hole: on the whistle, each group moves to the next hole.
- After all nine holes, each player adds up their total and compares it with par for the course.
Rules
- No one kicks until the group ahead has finished and moved away from the hole.
- Keep kicks on the ground: if the ball goes over someone's head, add a penalty stroke.
- Wait your turn behind the player who is kicking.
- If the ball leaves the course, place it where it went out and add a penalty stroke.
Variations
Easier
Shorten holes to 10 or 15 yards and use large hoops or cone goals.
Standard
Play nine holes of 10 to 30 yards with hoop targets and par posted.
Harder
Require the weaker foot on three holes and add cone gates the ball must pass through.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student strikes the ball by hand or with a soft bat, and their par gets one extra stroke per hole.
- Visual impairment: a partner claps from the hoop and describes the distance in steps.
- Skill level: students who finish early play the course again and try to beat their first score.
Learning goals
- Match the force of the kick to the distance.
- Plan the ball's path to get around obstacles.
- Take turns and stay safe in a shared space.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soccer balls: 25
- hoops: 9
- cones: 30
- scorecards: 9
Teacher tip
Lay the course out in a loop so groups never cross, and number the holes with large signs. It is perfect for hot days or right after a high-intensity activity.
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