Three-Team Keep-Away: Lose It, Defend It
Three teams in colored pinnies share one area: two pass a ball with their hands and the third tries to steal it; whichever team loses possession becomes the defense. It gets the whole class going with nonstop play while training vision, getting open, and decision-making.
How to play
- Cone off a square about 20 x 20 yards. Make three teams of 8 (or teams of 4 on two fields for 24-25 students) in three pinnie colors.
- Two colors start on offense, playing together, and the third defends. Attackers pass a foam ball with their hands.
- The ball carrier can't walk with it or hold it longer than 3 seconds; defenders can't touch the player, only intercept or tip the ball.
- If a defender intercepts or the ball leaves the square, the team of the last attacker who touched it switches to defense, and the defending team joins the offense.
- Activation round (2 min) at medium pace using bounce passes only; then 6 minutes at high pace with any type of pass.
- Each team earns a point for every 10 straight passes between its color and its ally; to finish (1 min), discuss which cuts to get open worked best.
Rules
- No contact: never rip the ball out of someone's hands.
- No passing straight back to the player who just passed to you.
- Safety: no hard throws from under 10 feet and never at the face.
Variations
Easier
Use a larger area, and defenders may only intercept passes, not tip the ball out of hands.
Standard
Two teams attack together, one defends, and whoever loses the ball defends.
Harder
Allow a maximum of two steps with the ball, and every pass must go to a color different from your own.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is a permanent neutral player on one side of the square, always plays offense, and can't be guarded.
- Visual impairment: use a larger, brightly colored ball, and say the receiver's name before passing.
- Lower fitness: the student may sub in and out with a teammate while their team is on defense.
Learning goals
- Make quick passing and cutting decisions with several possible teammates.
- Adjust to an instant role switch from offense to defense.
- Raise intensity gradually through game play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam balls: 2
- colored pinnies: 25
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
The two offensive colors change often, so stress looking up before every pass.
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