Scoop Like a Shovel
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
Bend down and scoop a soft ball off the ground like a shovel, with two hands or a small youth stick. Ground balls start here.
- Roll a soft ball slowly along the ground.
- Your child bends knees, gets low and scoops it up.
- Use two hands first, then a small youth stick if you have one.
- Bring it up to the chest. Do about 10 scoops.
Coach's cue: Praise the try: “Low and scoop, that’s it!”
Bring: soft ball, small youth stick (optional)
Safety: No body contact. The tool stays low, and everyone else stands back, clear of the swing. A soft ball only.
Animal Parade
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
Move like animals: bear walk, frog hops, crab walk, bunny hops. Animal moves build strength, balance and coordination through play.
- Call out an animal and do it together for about 20 seconds.
- Bear walk on hands and feet, frog hops, crab walk, bunny hops.
- Let your child pick the next animal too.
- Finish with a slow sleepy-sloth walk.
Coach's cue: Praise the try: “What a strong bear!”
Safety: Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space with nothing to trip on. Stop for a drink and a rest whenever they want one.
Big Ball Catch
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
A grown-up tosses a big soft ball gently from close by, and the child catches it with hands and arms. Catching is a skill for every ball sport.
- Stand 2 big steps apart with a big soft ball.
- Show “ready hands”: arms out, fingers spread.
- Toss the ball gently, underhand, to their chest.
- They catch and toss it back. Step back a little after 5 good catches.
Coach's cue: Praise the try: “You watched it all the way!”
Bring: big soft ball or beach ball
Safety: A big soft ball only, tossed gently and underhand from close by.
Rocket Run
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
Count down from 3 and blast off: a short run to a grown-up and back, then a rest. Short, fast runs build speed.
- Put a marker about 10 big steps away and stand by it.
- Your child crouches like a rocket at the start.
- Count “3, 2, 1, blast off!” and they run to you.
- Walk back together and go again, about 6 times.
Coach's cue: Praise the effort: “Wow, you zoomed like a rocket!”
Bring: 2 cones, shoes or toys
Safety: Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space with nothing to trip on. Stop for a drink and a rest whenever they want one.
Catch in the Bucket
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
Hold a small bucket and catch a soft ball tossed gently into it. Soft hands and watching the ball come before using a real crosse.
- Your child holds a small bucket or bowl with two hands.
- Stand 2 big steps away and toss a soft ball gently toward it.
- They move the bucket to catch the ball.
- Swap: they toss, you catch. Then step back a little.
Coach's cue: Praise the try: “You moved your bucket right to it!”
Bring: soft ball, small bucket or plastic bowl
Safety: A soft ball only, tossed gently underhand from close by.
Frog Jump the River
Ages 4 to 6 · 3 min
Two lines make a “river”. Jump across with two feet and land quietly like a frog; make the river a little wider when it feels easy.
- Lay two ropes or towels on the ground a small step apart: that is the river.
- Your child jumps across with two feet together.
- Land quietly with bent knees, like a frog.
- After a few jumps, move the ropes a little further apart.
Coach's cue: Praise the landing: “Such a soft frog landing!”
Bring: 2 ropes, towels or chalk lines
Safety: Land on two feet with bent knees on grass or a soft surface. Play on grass or a soft, flat, clear space with nothing to trip on. Stop for a drink and a rest whenever they want one.