circle game - develops accurate kicking

Organisation

Mark a circle having a centre mark (line intersection; a coin; a scratched "X").
A centre circle works well, but regulation size will be too big for young players.
5-yard radius for 6-year olds; 6-yard for 7-year olds, etc.
Use marker disks to make a circle.
From centre spot pace out radius by going N, S, E and W. Fill in the rest of the circle.
Each player on one side of the circle has a partner directly opposite.
Each pair has one football between them. If there is an odd number the coach joins in.
One player passes the ball towards his or her partner, while trying to knock over a cone.
The partner retrieves the ball and returns the pass, again trying to kick over a cone.
The ball must be passed from outside the circle.
The game is stopped when all cones are knocked down.

Teaching points

Encourage the players to use pace as well as accuracy of pass.
Suggest they continue to kick towards the cone even after they have actually kicked (follow through).
Encourage them to approach the cone at a slight angle to the direction they are kicking (45 degrees).
The coach uses a stopwatch to set the "team" record of knocking all cones down.
Later, winners are the pair to first knock over the most cones.
Condition them for some part of the practice to use their non-dominant foot only.

Progression

Reduce the number of cones and/or make the circle bigger.
Or use one cone and pairs then compete against other pairs, e.g., "First Pair to score 5 hits between them"

Target