For younger players, no one should know just what position they will eventually take up when they move into more serious 11 v. 11 play in their teens.  For the moment, they are all strikers, defenders and goalkeepers. 

The Junior GK Ball is a fun way to allow children to become accustomed to catching high balls - always a challenge for children under 11years of age.  See the older GK Ball published last year. 

Junior GK Ball

Objective:

• Fun game that gives good practice in throwing and catching.
• Develops supporting play and appreciation of space.

Organization:

• Work in an area 30 x 20 yards approx. with full sized goals or five cones spaced 2-feet apart on the goal line.
• If using full-sized goals, goals only count with balls rolled into goal.
• If using cones, the team has to knock a cone over with a throw to score.
• Ball can only be moved by throwing to team-mate. Players cannot run with the ball. All passes must be caught before touching the ground.
• Opposition gets possession if ball hits ground from a misplaced throw or a mishandled catch.
• Interceptions can be made by opposition; everyone can use their hands.
• Partial interceptions can be disputed and claimed by either side by diving on the ball.
• No tackling allowed - only screening.
• 3-second rule. If one player is holding on to the ball the coach begins the count: "One, Two..." if the ball is not thrown before "Three" it is turned-over to the opposition.

Teaching:

• Team in possession must support well.
• All players should recover to own goal quickly after team loses possession.
• Ball will need to be passed around in front of the "goals" to make an opening for the shot if the defending team has recovered well.

Target:

• To outscore the opposition.