A pirate adventure

WHY USE IT

A fun warm-up game which helps develop players’ agility, balance, co-ordination, speed, ball control, dribbling and running with the ball.

Set-up

Mark out a playing area relative to the age, ability and number of players. Each player needs a ball. Designate each side of the playing area ‘North’, ‘South’, ‘East’ and ‘West’, or a variation such as ’Port’, ’Starboard’, ’Flag’ and ’Wheel’. It can be a theme of the players’ choosing.

HOW TO play

Players (or ‘Pirates’) start by dribbling around the area (or ‘Pirate ship’). When the coach shouts a side (e.g. "North!"), players must run with their ball to that side. The last player there is out.

Other instructions to add can include "Man overboard!", where players must give piggy-backs, and "Sharks!", where all players must get to the outside of the area and do five toe-taps on the ball.

progressions & aDAPTATIONS

Progress the game so that if a player is out, they become a shark and can tag others or steal their ball to regain their place in the game. You can also ask players to come up with instructions for the game.

COACHING POINTS

Encourage players to:

• Keep their heads up so they can see space and other players. 
• Take small touches when in crowded areas and bigger touches when in space or when they need to move quickly.
• Use different parts of their feet to control and move the ball.