Stopping & starting

Objectives — what the players will do

1. 1Dribble on green light and stop the ball on red light
2. 2Start dribbling again fast when the game says go
3. 3Keep the ball close enough to stop it in one try

Play 1 — starts when the second player arrives

Traffic Jam

Everyone dribbles anywhere they like while you wander around as a silly traffic cop, honking an imaginary horn. When you honk, everyone stops their ball any way they can, giggles, and goes again. No lines, no waiting — just driving.

Practice — the one taught activity of the night

Red Light, Green Light

Everyone has a ball in a big grid. Green light = dribble, red light = stop the ball with a foot on top, yellow light = slow motion (the funniest one). Play in short bursts and swap the caller — let a child call the lights for a round.

Play 2 — always finish playing the real game

Green-Light Game

Play a real 4v4 game. Once or twice, call a surprise red light — everyone freezes mid-game with a giggle — then green light and play roars back on. Finish with normal play and loud cheers.

Key coaching points — in your own words

• ·Green light — go, go, go!
• ·Red light — squash the ball flat like a pancake!
• ·Tiny kicks keep your ball close.
• ·Ready… blast off!