Floor Ball | Minor Games | Indoor Games for P.E

Looking for a great game that your whole class can enjoy whilst still indoors? Floor-ball is a great way for your students to be active regardless of the weather. Floor Ball is a high-energy game, full of laughs and unpredictability and the best part is…. All you need is a set of cones and a soft indoor ball to play it. One of my favourite wet-weather games!

What Do You Need?

Cones/ Markers
Sashes- Bibs
Soft indoor ball
Clear floor space

How To Play?

Split the class into two equal teams
Each student will need to get into the crab position (please see below)

Students will then play a game of floor soccer but will need to only play whilst in the crab position
Students can only kick the ball using their feet and are not allowed to use their hands to strike
There are no fixed positions or goalkeepers
The team that can kick the ball through their opponents’ goals scores 1 point
The team with the most points at the end of a set amount of time wins the game

What Is The Goal Of The Game?

To score a goal by striking the ball with your foot

How can you modify it?

Make it easier!

You can have goalkeepers and fixed positions

Have to smaller games rather than one big one

Goalkeepers can use their hands to block

Make it Harder!

Have 2 balls being used at once
Create wider goals

What are the main skills being utilised?

Technical Skills: Fundamental Movement Skills

Balancing, sliding, hopping, kicking

Tactical Skills/ Social-Emotional Skills:

Taking turns
Adjusting power of roll and throw
Accuracy and aiming (Placement, control)
Cooperative play, supporting teammates
Following rules and structures of a game
Critical thinking through decision-making
Handling victory and defeat graciously

What Does The Evidence Say?

The “crab position” is a playful and engaging exercise often used in children’s physical activities. It involves sitting on the ground with hands and feet flat on the floor, lifting the hips off the ground, and moving around like a crab. Here is the evidence supporting the benefit of this position for students in Physical Education lessons.

Improves Core Strength and Stability:

The crab position engages the core muscles, including the abdominals, back, and hips. Strengthening these muscles is crucial for overall stability and balance in children.
Evidence: A study published in the “Journal of Physical Therapy Science” highlighted that exercises involving core engagement, such as the crab walk, enhance core muscle activation and overall stability in children.

Enhances Coordination and Motor Skills:

The crab position requires the simultaneous use of arms and legs in a coordinated manner, which helps improve bilateral coordination and fine motor skills.
Evidence: Research in “Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology” demonstrated that activities requiring coordinated movements, like the crab walk, are beneficial for developing motor skills and coordination in children
Promotes Cardiovascular Health and Endurance:
The dynamic nature of the crab walk, which involves continuous movement and the use of large muscle groups, helps improve cardiovascular health and endurance.
Evidence: A study in “Pediatric Exercise Science” found that engaging in playful physical activities, including those similar to the crab walk, contributes to improved cardiovascular fitness and overall physical health in children

Helpful Resources:

Sources:

Journal of Physical Therapy Science: Research on core engagement exercises and stability improvements in children.
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology: Study on the benefits of coordinated movements for motor skill development in children.
Pediatric Exercise Science: Findings on the impact of playful physical activities on cardiovascular health and endurance in children.