The Goalie With Two Posts

In pairs, one child is the goalie between a red cone and a blue cone, and the other rolls the ball toward one side; the goalie stops it with the hand on that side. It works on reacting toward either side of the body with both hands.

How to play

1. Each pair sets a red cone and a blue cone one step apart: that's the goal (2 min).
2. The goalie kneels in the middle and the partner, three steps away, rolls the ball slowly to the center (2 min).
3. Now the ball goes toward the red post or the blue post and the goalie stops it with the hand on that side (3 min).
4. Switch roles (3 min).
5. The roller calls the color before rolling, "Red!", so the goalie gets that hand ready (2 min).
6. Goalie high fives with your partner (1 min).

Rules

• Roll the ball along the floor, never through the air.
• The goalie stops it with the hand on the side the ball is going.
• If you miss it, just get it and try again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: goalie seated or in a wheelchair with the cones closer together; stop the ball with a hand or a pool noodle.
• Visual impairment: ball with a bell, and the roller says "Here it comes."
• Less coordination: a big, slightly deflated ball that rolls slower.

Learning goals

• React toward either side of the body.
• Stop the ball with the hand on that side.
• Take turns in pairs.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 15
• red cones: 13
• blue cones: 13

Teacher tip

Line the pairs up side by side facing a wall so balls don't cross paths. Many kids always use the same hand, reaching across: let 3- and 4-year-olds do that; ask 5-year-olds to try the hand on that side.

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