Ice cream meltdown

Why use it

This fun, high-energy game develops dribbling, turning, reaction speed and defensive awareness in younger players while keeping them engaged through imagination and competition. It also introduces simple transition moments as players move from attacking to defending.

Set up

Mark out an area relative to the age, ability and number of players. Scatter cones (“ice cream cones”) around the space. Use different coloured bibs or cones to represent different ice cream flavours. Every player starts with a ball except two “Ice Cream Catchers”. Players are ice cream vans trying to deliver ice creams before they melt.

How to play

Players dribble freely around the area with their “ice creams” (the footballs). The two catchers try to tag players by touching their ball with a foot. If tagged, the player must perform a quick skill challenge (eg. 10 toe-taps) before rejoining the game.

Every 30 seconds the coach shouts a flavour such as “Strawberry Swirl!” or “Chocolate Chip!”, and players must quickly dribble to a cone of that colour before continuing.

To add excitement, the coach can also shout “Ice Cream Meltdown!” which means everyone must sprint to the edge of the area as quickly as possible.

Coaching points

• Keep the ball close while dribbling
• Use different surfaces of the foot
• Head up to avoid traffic and spot space
• Quick reactions to coach’s calls
• Change speed and direction to escape catchers

Progressions/adaptations

• Add more catchers to increase pressure
• Introduce simple skills before reaching flavour cones e.g. a stepover or drag-back
• Make players dribble with weaker foot only
• Turn it into a team competition for most cones reached