Build and Demolish 🏰

🎯 Objective:

Develop ball control, teamwork, imagination, and accurate throwing in two fun phases: building and knocking down a castle.

🧱 Phase 1: Build the Castle

🧒 Children = Wheelbarrows
👩‍👧‍👦 Coaches/Parents = Builders

Set up a pile of traffic cones at one end of the space (the “construction site”).

1. Children start at the other end with a football each.

2. They dribble/tap their footballs carefully toward the cone pile.

3. At the pile, they stop their ball and collect 1–2 cones by hand.

4. They dribble back, delivering the cones to the adults.

5. Adults build the castle by stacking tall cones with round cones between, adding poles for height if available.

6. Continue until time runs out or the castle is tall and mighty!

💥 Phase 2: Demolish the Castle

1. Create a moat line using cones — this is the safe throwing zone.

2. Children line up with their balls ready to throw (or roll/kick for younger ones).

3. One by one, they try to knock down the castle using an overarm throw or preferred technique.

4. If time runs out or the castle is still standing — everyone is unleashed to run and kick the rest down for fun!

🪶 Feathers (Simplifications)

• Bring moat line closer

• Let younger children carry the ball rather than dribble, or don’t even carry a ball at all just collect the cones

• They can roll the ball underarm instead of throwing.

• Use beanbags instead of balls for smaller children to throw.

• Allow closer throwing distance based on age/ability.

• Adults can assist with ball control or placing cones gently.

⚡ Progressions

• Move the moat line further back

• Use a relay format: teams take turns one at a time for added structure.

• Add targets on the castle: special cones worth more points when knocked off.

• Introduce limited cones: teams must decide how to build smarter with fewer materials.

• Time each phase: e.g., 3 minutes to build, 2 minutes to demolish.

• Use different throwing techniques: underarm, overarm, one-handed, bounce before hit.

🎄 Seasonal Variations

• Christmas – Elf Builders: Build Santa’s Workshop out of cones, then knock it down with “snowballs” (white balls or beanbags). Add tinsel or paper chimneys for fun.

• Easter – Bunny Burrows: Kids hop with beanbags (Easter eggs) to help build bunny homes. Then use colourful eggs (balls) to knock down the carrot castle.

• Halloween – Haunted Tower: Kids are mini monsters helping build a haunted castle. Use soft “pumpkin balls” to destroy it! Add spooky music for atmosphere.

• Valentine’s – Love Castle: Stack “hearts” (heart-shaped cutouts or pink cones) into a tower of love. Knock it down with “love arrows” (foam balls or beanbags).

• Mother’s Day / Father’s Day – Thank You Tower: Build a tower to say thank you to mums/dads. Children can place decorated cones, then demolish together in celebration.