Bowling with Headers
A Fun Heading Game for Kids
Group A Group B Group C
- Setup: Depending upon the number
of kids divide them into equal groups of 5-7 players per group. All
players in each group form a single file line except for one player who is
the server. The server uses three standard "flat style" training
cones and places them in a row about 10 feet in front of the first player
in the single file line. The three cones are perpendicular to the
single file line and each cone is about 18" apart. The server places
a soccer ball on top of each cone.
- Play: Each server stands behind
his line of three (ball topped) cones and tosses the ball underhanded to
the first person in the line. The first person in the line tries to head
the ball down and knock a ball or balls off the cones. It's possible
but unlikely for one header to knock all three balls off the cones by
knocking one ball into the other balls. The person who just headed the
ball goes to the end of the line. The server collects the ball and
gets back into position behind the row of cones and serves the ball to the
next player in line.
- This is a competition between teams/groups. Last group to knock all three balls off their cones loses and must perform a fun/functional task - running, push-ups, etc.
I've seen variations of this game at several camps. This particular game I saw at Patrick Fitzgerald's Total Soccer Camp in the late 1990's. Ken Gamble
Web Administrator Ken Gamble