Steal the football
Why it works
Every player is waiting for a number, so even the kids standing still are working on reaction, and every race ends in a chase that teaches the open-field angle. It is the oldest playground game there is, which is why five year olds will play it at full effort for as long as you let them.
Run it
8 MINEight minutes, every number called at least twice. End before interest drops, which with young players is usually right around the eight minute mark.
Say this
“Go on the first sound of your number.”
The race is won on the reaction, before anyone has run a step.
“If he has it, cut him off.”
Chasing a runner who already has the ball loses; aiming for his line wins.
“Scoop it and go, no stopping.”
Picking up the ball on the run is the fumble-recovery habit this game teaches.
Good looks like
- Both players leave on the first syllable of the number.
- The player who loses the race changes his path toward the runner's line.
- The ball is picked up without a full stop.
- No head-on collisions at the cone; the safety numbering keeps them apart.
The mistakes
Players waiting to hear the whole number before moving. Call numbers fast and in a flat voice so the start has to be a reflex.
Say: “Go on the first sound of your number.”
The losing player running to the cone after the ball is gone. Point at the runner's home line and make that the target.
Say: “If he has it, cut him off.”
Players stopping to pick it up with two hands and then turning. Lay the ball lower each round so the scoop has to be part of the run.
Say: “Scoop it and go, no stopping.”
Move the lines to six yards apart and let the player who gets the ball just carry it home with no chase, so the game is only the race and the scoop.
Call two numbers so it is two on two, and allow the ball carrier to pitch it to his teammate, which turns the chase into a small open-field game.