Triangle Passes with Lateral Movement

Groups of 3 or 4 pass the ball around a cone triangle and, after each pass, side-shuffle to the next corner. Students work on passing, catching, coordination and lateral movement as a ball-handling warm-up.

How to play

1. Form 7 groups of 3 or 4 and set up a cone triangle with sides of about 5 meters (16 feet) for each (1 min).
2. One player at each corner (the fourth waits behind one); chest pass to the next corner clockwise (1 min).
3. After passing, each player side-shuffles after the ball to the corner they passed to (2 min).
4. On the whistle, switch the direction of passes and movement (1.5 min).
5. Add a second ball at the opposite corner so both move at once (1.5 min).
6. Final 1-minute challenge: count how many passes in a row the group can make without dropping a ball (1 min).

Rules

• Accurate passes at chest height.
• Look at the receiver and call their name before passing.
• Move sideways without crossing your feet.
• Safety: with two balls, don't pass until the receiver's hands are free.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student holds a fixed corner while the others rotate around them.
• Visual impairment: sound ball or high-contrast ball and bounce passes with the receiver's name called out.
• Skill level: a soft or larger ball and shorter sides for students who struggle to catch.

Learning goals

• Improve passing accuracy and catching.
• Coordinate passing with lateral movement.
• Warm up with the ball before the main activity.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balls: 14
• cones: 21

Teacher tip

The second ball usually causes chaos: give groups a few seconds to get organized. Match the type of pass to the main activity's sport (basketball, team handball, volleyball).

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