Target Practice

See how many soccer targets you can hit! A non-competitive soccer activity that develops kicking and dribbling skills - suits any number of children of any ability.

Set up

Create a playing space, bounded by markers if desired. Along the edges of the playing space, set up kicking targets. Set up flat markers a suitable distance away (3-5 metres) from each target for the children to kick from. Ideas for targets include;

  • Waterbottles
  • Soft toys 
  • Pillows
  • Printed pictures of your child's favourite things
  • Chalk drawings
  • Boxes
How to play
Step 1:
  • Children dribble their ball around the activity space, keeping the ball close
Step 2:
  • When you say, "Ready, Aim.." children quickly dribble to a target, and on "Fire!" they try to kick their ball at the target
Step 3:
  • Children then collect their ball, fix the target up and continue dribbling around the space
  • Continue calling out instructions, with children having to move to a new target each time
Variations
Make it easier
  • Keep the playing space small to encourage children to focus on keeping their ball close
  • Start by slow dribbling
Make it harder
  • Try setting up an obstacle course that children must dribble through before finding their target
  • Spread the game out across a larger space, so children have to both dribble and kick further
Activity information
Age: 3-5 years, Kindergarten / Pre-school, Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3
Participants: 1 +
Equipment: Markers (optional), Targets, Soccer balls
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Demonstrate how to keep control while dribbling a soccer ball, use the following teaching cues to support this;

  1. Keep the ball close like it is attached with a short bit of string to your foot
  2. Small, soft taps of the ball
  3. Use all parts of your foot
  4. Look up
  5. Use both feet
Activity summary
Physical literacy tips
  • Before playing, let the children build/create their own targets
  • Combine this with Musical Soccer! When the music pauses children must find a target to kick at
  • Use lighter balls, like a spiky ball, if suitable