Shooting & Scoring
Striking the ball at goal with either foot, building confidence and the excitement of scoring
⏳ 50 minutes · 5 activities
1
Shoot the Castle
Giant goals made from cones — every child gets their own goal to shoot at and tries to knock the castle down.
Setup
- Set up one mini goal (or 3 cones in a triangle) per child or pair
- Every child has a ball, standing 3-5 yards from their goal
- Spread the goals around the area so everyone has space
How to Play
- Children shoot to knock their cones over — then reset and go again
- Count how many times they can knock it down in one minute
- Swap to the other foot after each turn
Rules
- Progress: move the starting point further back
- Progress: use only the weaker foot
- Celebrate every knocked-over castle with a cheer from the whole group
1
Point your toes down and hit through the middle of the ball2
Do not over-coach — let them experiment and discover what works3
Focus on enthusiasm, not technique, at this stage2
Scoring Frenzy
Multiple small goals around the pitch — children dribble to any goal and shoot. Fast and repetitive.
Setup
- Set up 4-6 small goals (pairs of cones) scattered around the area
- Every child has a ball
- No goalkeepers
How to Play
- Children dribble freely and can shoot at any goal at any time
- After scoring, they collect the ball and find another goal
- Count total goals scored as a group — try to beat the team total each time
Progressions
- Progress: make the goals smaller after 3 minutes
- Progress: set a time limit — how many can they score in 60 seconds?
- Let children call out their own total — builds number awareness and pride
1
Look for children pausing before shooting — encourage them to look at the goal then shoot2
Praise any attempt at the ball with the weaker foot3
The sound of a ball hitting the back of the net (or rolling through cones) is the reward — build excitement around it3
The Big Game
A proper small-sided game with goals. Every child has a chance to score and experience a real match.
Setup
- Two teams of equal numbers (4v4 or 5v5 depending on group size)
- One proper goal at each end if available, or two large cone goals
- Goalkeeper optional — if used, rotate every 3 minutes
How to Play
- Normal match with kick-off, throw-ins and corners simplified or removed
- When a goal is scored, restart quickly from the middle
- Coach acts as referee but keeps stoppages short
Key Focus
- Rule: if the same team scores three in a row, they give one player to the other side to balance
- Encourage attacking play — no penalty for losing the ball while trying to shoot
- Stop the game once to celebrate a particularly good shot, regardless of outcome
1
If a child is reluctant to shoot, position them near goal and pass to them to encourage the action2
Never criticise a missed shot — only praise the attempt3
Keep score but not in a way that distresses losing children4
Free Shoot
Children take turns shooting freely at a goal — no pressure, just enjoyment.
Setup
- One goal with a volunteer or willing parent as a loose goalkeeper
- Children take turns shooting from wherever they like
- No rules — just shoot
How to Play
- Let each child choose where to shoot from
- Children collect their own ball and join the back of the queue
- Encourage cheering for each other's goals
Coach role: Go in goal yourself for part of this. Let children score past you easily and react dramatically — children this age love beating the coach. It builds confidence and joy in the game.
5
Cool Down & Chat
Celebrate goals scored and end on a high.
Stretches
- Everyone sits in a circle
- If you kept a total of team goals, announce it now
Q1. What does it feel like when you score a goal?
Q2. Show me your best goal celebration — all at the same time!
Q3. Who can think of a funny goal celebration for next week?