Castle Game

Set up

Field

Mark a large rectangle: 35x50 yards for U16+, 30x40 for U14, 25x35 for U12, 20x30 for U10, and 15x20 for U6-U8. Spread five cones evenly along each end line. Just outside each end line, mark a small square to serve as that team's castle. No goals or goalkeepers are used.

Players

12 or more players. Divide the players into two even teams, usually 5v5 or 6v6, using two bib colors.

Balls

Begin with two balls, one for each team. Keep three or four spare balls along each sideline.

How it runs

1. 1.Assign each team an end, with its five end-line cones acting as the castle targets it must protect.
2. 2.When a cone is knocked over by the ball, the closest attacker picks it up and sprints it back to that team's own castle.
3. 3.Players are allowed to operate on either side of the cone line.
4. 4.If a cone is knocked down by a foot, knee, or other body contact instead of the ball, put it back up and continue.
5. 5.Every player attacks and defends throughout the game; there are no fixed roles or positions.

After each rep

Replace any ball that leaves the area immediately so two balls remain live at all times.

How to win

Teams score by striking the opponent's cones with the ball; either a pass or a shot can knock one down. The cone counts only if the player sprints the entire return; jogging it back does not earn the capture. Play for a set amount of time or until one team has captured all five opponent cones.