Pack the sleigh

WHY USE IT

Gives players lots of touches on the ball and encourages them to work in a team, while thinking about timing, power and placement of passes.

SET UP

Use the full pitch, relative to the number of players. Split into teams of four, or adjust for the number taking part. Mark out a box for each team at each end of the pitch; one is the grotto, the other is the sleigh. Use all the balls you have and split them between the teams. Place all balls into the grotto area. Players then spread out across the pitch, between the grotto and the sleigh. 

HOW TO PLAY

The player closest to the grotto starts by running to get a ball. They pass it to the next player along, who passes it along the line, until the player at the end of the line dribbles it into the sleigh. Once the first player has passed, they can get a second ball and start the chain again. When a team has all their balls in the sleigh, they sit down. First team to do so wins. Keep score and rotate the order of players.

COACHING POINTS

• Communication and awareness is key – with lots of balls in play at once, let teammates know when you’re giving them a ball.
• Be quick, but think about precision of the pass.