Collect the autumn leaves

Why use it

This fun, energetic autumn-themed game encourages young players to dribble with their heads up, find space and react to changing situations.  

Set up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of your players. This is the ‘Autumn Forest’. Give every player a ball. Scatter 10–15 coloured cones around the area to represent fallen leaves. Choose two players to be the ‘Conkers’. Mark a small home zone at one end of the area. 

How to play

The players are autumn explorers collecting magical leaves before winter arrives. They must dribble around the forest, collect a leaf by touching a cone with their hand, then return to the home zone before setting off for another. 

Meanwhile, the Conkers try to knock the explorers’ balls out of the area. If a player loses their ball, they must complete a quick challenge - such as five toe taps or a turn - before returning to the game. 

The coach calls out weather commands to change the challenge: 

• “Gentle breeze!” - players dribble slowly, keeping the ball close. 
• “Gust of wind!” - players accelerate into a new space. 
• “Leaves are falling!” - players stop the ball and put a foot on top. 
• “Winter is coming!” - everyone must perform a turn and find a new space. 
• “Frost alert!” - players freeze with one foot on the ball until the coach calls go. 

Play for two or three minutes at a time, rotating the Conkers so everyone gets a turn. 

Coaching points

• Keep the ball close when the forest is crowded 
• Look up regularly to spot the Conkers and find space 
• Change direction to escape danger rather than dribbling straight into pressure 
• Accelerate away after a turn to create separation 
• Be brave and creative - encourage players to try different skills, even if they don’t always work 

Progressions/adaptations

• You can change the size of the playing area to make the challenge easier or harder, or change the number of ‘Conkers’.
• You can challenge individuals to only use their weaker foot, or add different turns so players aren’t just repeating the same one.