Stones, Bridges & Rivers
Divide players into 2 groups.
First group act as a Stone,Bridge or Tree and the second group will perform tasks over/under/around them. When players are stones runners must leapfrog over them, when they are bridges runners must crawl under them and when they are trees runners must run around them.
It is up to the coach to suggest number of repetitions or time period each time.
Adaptation/Progression:
Players could move with hurl in hand or perform different ball skills as they move.
Bridges & Rivers Partners
Players in pairs.
One player assumes a bridge position (leaning forward onto hands) with their hands and feet flat on the ground.). Their partner must crawl under them before positions are reversed.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Players’ hips will inevitably start to drop so encourage them to keep tummy tight and hips I line with body as best they can.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by having a relay race between the pairs.
Bridges & Rivers Chasing
Pick 2-4 ‘catchers’ and mark out a playing area.
Similar to normal chasing catchers are trying to catch as many people as possible.
Once caught players lean forward onto their hands and make a gap as high as possible between themselves and the ground (bridge)
They are set free if a team mate crawls under them at which point they are back in the game.
Crawlball (all 4`s football)
Mark out small playing area and put a small goal at each end, pick 2 teams.
All players are on hands and knees on the ground.
Aim of game is to score into opposing teams goal using hands to dribble/pass/shoot the ball.
Players move by crawling along the ground.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Encourage players to use different limbs when hitting ball as opposed to same hand/foot all of the time.
Adaptation/Progression:
Add an extra ball or two so there is more opportunities for players to be involved.
Bridge Ball
Mark out small playing area and put a small goal at each end,pick 2 teams.
All players are on all fours (hands and feet) on ground.
Aim of game is to score into opposing teams goal using hands and feet to dribble/pass/shoot the ball.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Encourage players to use different limbs when hitting ball as opposed to same hand/foot all of the time.
Adaptation/Progression:
Add an extra ball or two so there is more opportunities for players to be involved.
Allow players to take a rest as needed but they must be up in bridge position to play the ball.
Bum Ball
Make out small playing area and put a small goal at each end, pick 2 teams.
All players are sitting on ground.
Aim of game is to score into opposing teams goal using hands or feet to dribble/pass/shoot the ball.
Players move by shuffling along the ground on their bum or by moving on just their hands and feet facing upwards (like a crab).
Additional Coaching Tips:
Encourage players to use different limbs when hitting ball as opposed to same hand/foot all of the time.
Adaptation/Progression:
Add an extra ball or two so there is more opportunities for players to be involved.
Partner squat under hurl
Players in pairs.
One player has a hurl and holds it straight out in front at just below shoulder height.
Partner simply performs a squat under the outstretched hurl using it as a depth gauge.
Ensure good technique (i.e. feet shoulder width apart, bend from hips and sit back into movement, keep chest and head up) throughout.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Encourage players to keep their hands off thighs by instructing them to place their thumbs under their chin…this will also encourage good posture and forward facing stance.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by having player holding hurl hold it at a lower level (but never too low for the squatting player to have to sacrifice good technique).
Lateral squat movement under multiple hurls
Several players stand in a line with their hurls outstretched in front of them at shoulder height.
One other player starts at one end facing the same way as the other players.
Player performs a squat movement (i.e bending at hips as if sitting into a chair, chest and head up, arms out in front for balance) under the first hurl and stands back upright again.
Player repeats same movement all the way down the line until he gets to the end.
Once he gets to end he becomes part of the line and final player at other end repeats process.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by instructing players moving under the hurls to move laterally the whole length of the line without standing up (however always allow players to do so if they need to).
Duck Walk under hurls
Several players stand in a line with their hurls outstretched in front of them at hip/belly height.
One other player starts at one end and sits down onto their hunkers in ‘Duck Walk’ position (i.e. chest up, bum close to ground, full foot on floor if possible).
Player moves along the line keeping the right technique.
Once he gets to end he becomes part of the line and final player at other end performs the ‘duck walk’.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by instructing players with hurls to hold a little lower but always based on the capabilities of the player in relation to maintaining correct technique.
Duck Walks in Square with High 5’s
Mark out square approx 10m x10m.
Players start at edge of square, sit down onto their hunkers in ‘Duck Walk’ position (i.e. chest up, bum close to ground, full foot on floor if possible).
On call/whistle all players must move freely around the square performing a certain number of high fives using both hands with their teammates before returning to edge of square and standing upright to rest.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Change the number of high fives the players are required to do or add I other activities (touch cones, pick up a ball etc.) to add variety and keep players engaged.
Encourage players to maintain good technique by awarding ‘Best Technique’ to a player after each go.
Fox and Chickens All 4’s
Players in pairs.
Both players start on the ground on all fours.
One player (chicken) has the ball and attempts to dribble with his hands and keep it away from the other player.
The job of the other player (fox) is to tackle the chicken and attempt to dispossess as many times as possible. Each time dispossession occurs it is a point to the fox.
Alternatively each time a dispossession occurs the two players switch roles so that both act as a ‘protector’ and a ‘tackler’.
Additional Coaching Tips:
This can be quite fatiguing so only play for short duration before giving players a break (maybe 20-30 seconds).
Bridge Walk Chasing
Pick 2-4 ‘catchers’ and mark out a playing are.
All players must start in the bridge position (i.e. moving like a dog with only hands and feet touching ground). Catchers attempt to catch as many people as possible.
Once caught, player stands up and is freed when another player tags/touches them at which point they are back in the game.
https://vimeo.com/album/3563520/video/138195885
Foxes and Chickens in Bridge Position
Players in pairs.
Both players start on the ground in bridge position (i.e. only their hands and toes touching the ground).
One player (chicken) attempts to dribble the ball with his hands and keep it away from the other player.
The job of the other player (fox) is to tackle the chicken and attempt to dispossess as many times as possible. Each time dispossession occurs it is a point to the fox.
Alternatively each time dispossession occurs players switch roles so that both act as a ‘protector’ or a ‘tackler’.
Additional Coaching Tips:
This can be quite fatiguing so only play for short duration before giving players a break (maybe 20-30 seconds).
Adaptation/Progression:
This may be very difficult for some children so allow those that are struggling to move on hands and knees (at least some of the time) if they need to.
