The coconut shy

WHY USE IT

This fun practice introduces foundation-phase players (ages 5-11) to both attacking and defensive aspects. Players must win possession and take on other players, before passing accurately to score points for their team.

SET-UP

Set up an area relative to the age and ability of your players. Divide players into four equal teams and designate each team a colour.

In each corner of the area, place three cones, each with a ball on top – these are the ‘coconut shies’. The colour of the cones should match the teams, who start in the corner of their respective colour.

HOW TO PLAY

Players in each team are numbered and must remain in their team’s corner until their number is called. When it is, the player with that number from each team races to the middle to compete for a ball.

Players aim to win possession and score, by knocking a ball (coconut) off one of their team’s cones. Once a coconut has been knocked off, or after a minute of play, players return to their corner and a new number is called. The first team to complete their coconut shy, wins.

PROGRESSIONS

Change the location of each team’s coconuts. Instead of placing them all in one corner, each team has one to aim for, in each corner introducing an element of scanning and turning.

The coach can also call multiple numbers at once, so now players have one or more team-mates to work with. The coach can also ensure players of similar standards are given the same number, to ensure those at similar levels are competing against each other.

COACHING POINTS

Encourage players to be brave in possession and take players on. Players can use different skills and turns to beat opponents. They should try to pass with the instep for accuracy when aiming for the coconuts. Out of possession, players should look to get their body between the ball and the target and force the attacking player away from their coconuts.