Roll and Collect
Roll a ball to knock over a cone, run to fetch it, roll again. The first ball skill for most three-year-olds: a two-handed push along the floor.
Overview
You need
Soft ballsCones or markersOptional: Hoops
Use a large soft ball, football size or bigger, one per child. A big ball is easier to push with two hands and rolls straighter. Small hard balls bounce off target and are harder to control.
Skills developed
- Manipulative: two-hand roll
- Aim: sending a ball to a target
- Locomotor: fetch and return
NEL Framework: Motor Skills Development.
Set up
1Step 1
Stand cones in a line about three metres from a start line.
2Step 2
Each child has a ball and stands on the start line opposite a cone. Coach at the side.
ChildTagger / team BCoachHoopSpotConeBallBeanbagRope or lineMarked areaWhere they move
How to play
- Roll the ball along the floor to knock your cone over. Two hands to start with: it keeps the ball straight and stops them throwing it. Once a child rolls well with two hands, let them try one.
- Run, stand your cone up, fetch the ball, run back to the line. Roll again.
- Count how many cones you knock in one minute.
Tips for explaining
"Bend your knees and push it along the floor." A rolled ball stays on the ground and hits the cone. A thrown one bounces over the top. Say "push", not "throw".
"Point where you want it to go." Follow through with both hands.
Make it easier / harder
EasierCone closer. Bigger ball.
HarderRoll with one hand. Cone further. Roll through a hoop held by a partner.
Safety
Balls that miss keep rolling: put the cones against a wall.
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Rather we ran it for you?
This is one of the games our coaches run in pre-schools every week, with our own equipment. Weekly enrichment, sports days, or a whole holiday programme for your centre, planned in one message.