Kicking tutti-frutti

WHY USE IT

Having a number of cones the same colour gives players different places to kick from. Players can work on strategy within the game by picking a cone they can kick from.

SET UP

Place different coloured cones at varying distances and angles away from the goalposts. For example red at 10m, orange at 15m, yellow at 20m. Arrange the cones so there’s the same number of each colour.

HOW TO DO IT

• Players must collect a cone of each colour to complete the activity.
• Cones can be collected by players achieving a kick from that cone. The kick must go over the cross bar. 
• Players can choose what type of kick they do.
• Once they stand at one cone they must achieve their kick before moving onto the next cone.  Players keep the same ball and must retrieve their own kicks.
• After they’ve achieved their kick, they pick up the cone and add it to their collection.

DEVELOPMENTS

• Add in different types of kicks. A grubber kick must go under the cross bar. 
• Each player can be timed to create a leaders board to add additional pressure onto the skill zone. 
• Depending on the number of coloured cones, you can add more colours to make the activity longer.
• Players can be paired up to work 1v1 to see who completes it first.
• Add a scoring system instead of players collecting cones. Place coloured cones that coordinate to difficulty of kicks for example: use red = 2, orange = 4, yellow = 6, green = 10, blue = 50. 

COMMENTS

For this game, I took inspiration from netball coach Rachel Mulloy, adapting a Netball game into a challenging kicking game for rugby. To stretch players who need an extra challenge, I’ve created targets within targets for players to aim at. For example, I’ve placed hoops, cones in a circle or a square or tackle shields in the kicking target zone for players to hit. This means those players who are talented at kicking have to kick it through the posts and land the ball in the hoop/hit the tackle shield.” 

NOTES

Having a number of cones the same colour gives players different places to kick from. 

Players can work on strategy within the game by picking a cone they can kick from. Having to work against another player or the clock gives players an opportunity to work on their technique under pressure, like they would have to in a match.