Gladiators: Duel

WHY USE IT

This fun game – adapted from a round on the 1990s US and UK television game show ’Gladiators’, recently revived in Britain – can be used as a warm-up or to introduce players to ball manipulation, shielding the ball and 1v1 battles.

Set-up

Mark out a series of channels, so each pair of players has their own channel. Each player needs a ball and a bib.

HOW TO play

Players tuck their bibs into their shorts and must be hanging out at knee length. They compete in pairs to try and steal their opponent’s bib or kick their ball out of the area to win the bout. 

When each channel has completed the game, the winner moves along one channel to face a new opponent.

progressions & ADAPTATIONS

• To make the game easier, you can make the areas bigger, or start by playing with either bibs or balls, not both.
• To make the game harder, you can make the area smaller, or give players two bibs, one tucked into each side.

COACHING POINTS

• Protect you ball and bib using:
  - Limbs as barriers.
  - Change of speed, like stop-starts.
• Timing of tackle: when to pinch ball or bib.