The Cone Thief

The Cone Thief is a ball game where children are challenged to think tactically. They practice attacking and defending themselves as a team. Divide the children into four teams. Two balls are always in play, and all teams play against each other. The goal is to collect as many cones as possible in their own corner of the playing area.

Cones are 'conquered' by throwing or kicking a ball at the opponents' cones so that they tip over. When a player hits a cone, their team loses the ball to the opponents. The knocked-over cone is taken and placed in the team's own corner. The team that lost the cone can win it back by hitting the player carrying the cone with a ball on their way 'home'.

Tip: Give the children space to interpret and explore the game themselves. The teams should figure out how they can best attack while simultaneously defending against opponents.

Variations

• Change the size of the playing area
• Number of cones to defend/conquer
• Number of balls in play or ball type
• Playing without team vests places greater demands on interaction and exploration of different strategies.

The exercise can be done on skis, skates, in water (rings underwater/cones on the edge), etc.