Strip-by-Strip Advance Game
The field is divided into five strips, and the ball may only be passed to a teammate in the same strip, the next strip forward, or any strip behind. Students practice moving the ball toward the goal step by step and providing support at different depths.
How to play
- Make 4 teams of 6 (one of 7) and set up 2 fields of 30 x 15 m. Use cones to split each field into 5 strips of 6 m; the end strips are the scoring zones.
- The ball moves only by hand passes and the ball carrier may not move. Players without the ball move freely through all strips.
- Advance rule: you may pass to the same strip, to the next strip forward, or to any strip behind. Skipping a strip going forward is a turnover.
- A team scores by catching a pass inside the opponents' scoring zone. The other team then inbounds from its own scoring zone.
- Defenders may go to any strip and win the ball by intercepting. Play 2 halves of 7 minutes.
- During a 2-minute break, each team uses cones on the ground to map where to stand so there is always a teammate in the next strip.
Rules
- Skipping a strip forward is a turnover.
- No contact; stay one arm's length from the ball carrier.
- Nobody may stay more than 3 seconds inside the opponents' scoring zone.
- Pass at chest height and softly when the distance is short.
Variations
Easier
Play with 4 strips and give the offense a neutral player.
Standard
Play with 5 strips and the same-strip-or-next-strip rule.
Harder
Allow only one pass within the same strip; the next pass must go forward or back.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student stays in one fixed strip and is the only player allowed to receive passes that skip a strip.
- Autism: color-code the strips with different cones and walk through an example of the rule before playing.
- Fitness level: skilled players may be guarded by two defenders; students who tire play in a strip near their own scoring zone.
Learning goals
- Move the ball toward the goal step by step with safe passes.
- Offer support in the next strip to keep the attack going.
- Organize as a team to fill every strip of the field.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 24
- pinnies: 13
- foam ball: 2
Teacher tip
At first everyone sprints to the scoring zone; freeze play and show that the ball cannot move forward that way. Use low cones to mark the lines.
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