Monkey in the Middle

Players practice triangle passing with a defender in the middle.

• Set Up

  • Groups of 4

  • Square field 30x30 with boundary cones

• Equipment

  • 1 Ball per group

  • 4 Disc cones per group

• Objective

  To keep the defender from stealing the ball.

• Directions

  1. 3 players form a triangle in their boundary area,1 player is the defender in the middle

  2. Teams try to make 10 passes without the defender stealing the ball, players should only touch the ball 2 times before making a pass.

  3. Switch the defender if they steal the ball 3 times (last person who had the ball is the new monkey)

• Variations

  • Have the defender change every time they steal the all

  • Increase number of passes or decrease depending on skill

  • Make square larger or smaller

• Coaching Points

  • Coach limits players to 2 touches: 1 to control/trap the ball, 1 to pass

  • If player goes out of bounds that can count as a steal or player can do jumping jacks

Reflection: Social Awareness

1. Think in your mind I want you to choose what type of player you are:

          1. I have the ball a lot

          2. I sometimes have the ball but pass it

          3. I don’t have the ball often.

2. What could we do to make sure that more players are able to touch the ball during scrimmages?

3. What should you do if you notice that one of your players has not touched the ball during the game?