Glute Bridges & Rivers Partners
Players in pairs.
One player assumes a glute bridge position with their hands and feet flat on the ground and their body facing up towards the sky (aim to keep hips in line with body or as high as possible).
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.
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.
Paired Dodgems
Players in pairs holding hands.
Assign one or two pairs as ‘catchers’.
All pairs must run linked together the whole time, catchers are trying to catch as many pairs as possible.
Once caught the pair stands still with arms still linked but with a gap between them.
They can be freed if any other pair runs under their arms.
Knee Boxing
Players in pairs,standing facing each other.
Aim of game is for both to try to touch the outside/inside of other players knee.
Both players are also trying to avoid opponent touching their knee.
A point is awarded for every successful time player touches opponents knee.
After each score/touch take 3 steps back and start again.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by having one or both players hold a hurl/football/sliotar so they may have to change hands quickly if opportunity to get a knee touch arises.
Mirror Partner Balance
Players in pairs and stand facing each other.
Assign one player as the ‘Leader’ and the other as the ‘Shadow’.
Shadow must simply mimic all movements that the Leader does.
Encourage players to be innovative and do things that they don’t think their partner will be able to do.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by having players incorporate the ball as well…either having a ball each and performing same tasks or by continuously passing the ball back and froth.
Chinese Boxing – Standing and Hunkers
Players in pairs and stand facing each other.
Aim of game is to try to touch the other players foot with your foot as they try to do the same.
Both players are actively trying to avoid opponent touching their feet.
A point is awarded each time you touch the other players foot.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress playing in groups of 3 to change the dynamic and give players a further opponent to focus on.
Foot Fencing
Players in pairs and stand facing each other.
Aim of game is to try to touch the other players foot with your foot as they try to do the same.
Both players are actively trying to avoid opponent touching their feet.
A point is awarded each time you touch the other players foot.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress playing in groups of 3 to change the dynamic and give players a further opponent to focus on.
Front Tumble & Jump Overs
Players in pairs.
One player lies with arms outstretched on the ground as their partner stands beside them.
Standing partner needs to jump over player on ground and perform an army roll (front tumble).
After each jump and roll players switch.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Instruct jumping player to jump as high as they can as opposed to just high enough to clear their partner.
Adaptation/Progression:
Progress by having a relay race between the pairs. Make it harder by telling players that they may not use their arms to get up off the ground.
Hand Dribble Partner Passing & Shooting
Players in pairs standing about 5 meters apart and have a ball between two.
Players simply pass the ball/sliotar back and forth along the ground using their hands.
Legs should be kept relatively straight and players should bend from the hips to place emphasis on the hamstrings.
Encourage players to use alternate hands each go.
Adaptation/Progression:
Add more variety by allowing each player to defend a small goal. They must stop the ball using their hands as their partner attempts to knock it past them into the goal.
Fox and Chickens All 4’s
Players in pairs.
Both players start on the ground on all fours.
One player (chicken) has the ball & attempts to dribble with his hands & 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).
Drop Ball Sprints
Players in pairs approx 3 mtrs apart.
One player holds ball up high and drops it on coach’s call.
Other player must run in and gather possession before ball bounces twice.
Make a game of it by seeing how many times out of 10 each player can successfully gather possession.
Additional Coaching Tips:
Instruct players to run through the ball and gather it in and hold securely.
Adaptation/Progression:
If too easy instruct player holding ball to drop from a lower height. Token pressure can also be added by the player dropping the bal;l as other player attempts to gather possession.
Hot Potato Sprints
Players in pairs standing about 1 meter apart with ball between two.
Players throw/hand pass the ball back and forth.
When the coach signals,whoever has the ball must run to a line 5 meters behind them before their partner catches them.
Additional Coaching Tips:
1. Allow players to throw ball if hand passing is too difficult.
2. Instruct players to give passes to partners chest/tummy so ball stays off ground as much as possible.
Adaptation/Progression:
Make more difficult by telling players they must hop on one leg whilst passing and moving toward line.
Partner ball rolls and squat stops
Players in pairs with ball between 2.
Each player takes turn to roll ball to partner.
Receiving player has to try to stop the moving ball by sitting on it in a squat position.
NOTE: players must keep their knees off the ground at all times during the activity.
