Race and finish · 15.7 seconds
Round the Houses
A flat-out race between two players. Two open goals about fifteen yards apart facing each other, no keepers, a ball a couple of feet off the left post of each goal with a player standing beside it on a start mark, and a queue behind each goal. On go, both players leave their ball where it is, sprint to the far goal and round the back of it, sprint back and round the back of their own goal, then collect their ball and shoot into the far goal. First to score wins. The balls stay put until each player has run the whole lap back to them, and the lap is the whole lap, round the back of both goals, every time. Once the first player shoots, the other ball is dead. A player who has finished the lap and can see the other player is going to shoot first can step into the goal beside their ball and try to save the shot instead. One race is one rep; the next pair steps up from the two queues. Six or more players in two groups, two goals, two balls to start plus a supply, 10 to 15 minutes.
Instructions
- Two open goals about fifteen yards apart, a ball off the left post of each, a player beside each ball, a queue behind each goal
- On go, leave your ball and sprint to the far goal. Round the back of it and turn for home
- Sprint back and round the back of your own goal to reach your ball. Both goals, every time
- Grab your ball and score in the far goal as fast as you can. First to score wins, and once the first shot is away the other ball is dead
- Explode off the mark on go, the race is won in the first few steps
- Round the goals tight, do not run a yard more than you have to
- Set your feet as you reach your ball so your first touch can be the finish
- Clearly behind? Step into the goal beside your ball and try to save the shot
Variation
- Put a keeper in each goal so the finish has to beat the keeper. Both players attack the same goal once they have their ball, for a 1v1. Change the start, seated, facing away or lying down, to work reactions. Weaker foot only for the finish.
Building lineups in seconds
Set your team sheet, plan your substitutions, and share it with the parents before you leave the car park.
