Ask Ollie
Crab Walk Soccer
Here's one to try together!
Scuttle sideways, bottoms up, and kick the ball into the other team's goal!
Reviewed by our team.
Safety first
- Sharp or breakable objects in play area could injure players
- Risk of wrist strain or falls from crab walking
- Collisions between players while moving on the floor
What you need
- Pillows and cushions, 4 cushions (or shoes) for two goals
- Ball, 1 soft ball or balloon
How to do it
Grown-up prep: Clear a flat open space of anything sharp, breakable or tripping. Soft floor or grass works best. Set goals about 4 big steps wide, far apart.
- Sit on the floor with your hands flat behind you.
- Push up and lift your bottom off the ground. You are a crab!
- Try a crab walk across the room to warm up. Ask: Can you walk forwards, backwards and sideways like a real crab?
- Split into two teams and pick which goal to guard.
- Start the game! Stay in crab position and kick the ball toward the other goal.
- Freeze for three seconds if your bottom touches the ground.
- Play until one team scores three goals, then swap ends and play again. Ask: What is your team's secret plan to score this time?
- Now play again with new teams, or invite a friend! What crazy crab rule will you add next? Ask: What new crab rule should we try next time?
Play it again
- Bear match: everyone crawls like a bear on hands and feet.
- Balloon float: use a balloon and try to keep it off the ground.
- Pass first: everyone on a team must touch the ball before a goal counts.
Kids loved this? There are more where it came from.
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