Head, shoulders, knees and cones

WHY USE IT

This is a fun warm-up activity as it gets players concentrating and moving, but it is also good for addressing the social corner, too.

Set-up

Divide players into pairs and place one ball and one cone between each pair. Pairs should be organised in a line, one next to the other.

HOW TO play

Players in pairs need to be stood opposite each other. The coach calls out different body parts (head, shoulders, knees, toes, etc.) in quick succession – players have to respond by touching the correct area of their body. 

After a few body parts, the coach calls either "Ball!" or "Cone!". The first player in each pair to pick up the correct object wins. Repeat this a few times before swapping pairs.

progressions & aDAPTATIONS

• The coach can introduce "Shuffle left!" or "Shuffle right!", requiring players to side-step to the next cone or ball, and therefore changing partners. Then you can start to include things like "Turn around!".
• The call of "Ball!" can now require players to collect the ball with their feet, rather than hands, and turn and dribble to an end-line.

COACHING POINTS

• Players should have bent knees and be on their toes, ready to react.