Shrinking Goals

Children kicking at soccer goals

This introductory kicking activity is great for focusing on kicking accuracy. Good for small to medium sized groups with a large outdoor space. 

Set up

Set up a few sets of goals using witches hats or chairs as goals and starting very wide (~5 metres).  Children start with a ball facing the goals. Ask them to balance one foot on the ball. If you have markers, you might want to set out markers so children know where to stand. Use any balls you have.

How to play
Step 1
  • Children all start with a ball facing the goals, ask them to balance one foot on the ball
  • When you say fire, they kick the ball at the goals and then when you say collect, everyone runs and gets their ball and brings it back to the start
Step 2
  • Now, make the goals a bit narrower and everyone has another kick at goal
Step 3
  • Narrow the goals again, and keep having kicks. Remember to join in.
  • Keep narrowing the goals until you are left with only one chair or cone and everyone can try and kick at the chair or cone
Variations
Make it easier
  • Start with even wider goals, only narrowing slightly with each round
  • If a child is not having success, allow them to take a step closer with each attempt
Make it harder
  • Make each round much harder than the last! Narrowing the goals each round will force the child to develop greater accuracy
  • Start the children from further away
  • Add in a goalkeeper
Activity information
Age: 3-5 years
Participants: 2 +
Equipment: Soccer balls, Flat markers (optional), Cones (optional), Soccer goals (optional)
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

To teach soccer kicking, use the following teaching cues. Before starting the activity try swinging your kicking leg and kicking without a ball. Some children might need support from a chair or wall to do this. Try waddling around like a penguin with your penguin kicking feet turned outwards.

  1. Eyes on the ball
  2. Kicking foot like a penguin (twist it outwards)
  3. Step, swing and kick
Activity summary
Physical literacy tips
  • Have a variety of different balls available, if this suits your group
  • Let children have multiple attempts at each goal size before shrinking them
  • Have different sized goals and let children choose which ones to try and kick into