by Majken Gilmartin, Denmark

A handful of players are inside the circle without a ball and the rest form the circle, some with a ball some without.
The players in the middle run towards someone with a ball (1).
After calling for the ball the player receives it (2), plays it to someone without a ball (3), returns to the middle and then start again.
Remind players that they can only receive the ball if they ask for it.

More play

After a few rounds of simple communication challenge the players to say something different when asking for the ball: “My name is …”, “I have a VOICE”, “I am smart”, “I am strong” – they can identify something about themselves they are proud of and something kind about the person passing to them. You have many options with this game to develop technique.
Challenge the players with taking the ball out of the air with different body parts (head, chest, thigh). Use hands to adapt the game to other sports or practice goalkeeping. Mix it up!
Why is it important to communicate on the field? What about off the field?
What are examples of how you communicate in life?
Do we all have equal voices in society? Why or why not?
How can we create more opportunities for everyone to participate in sport and society?

Game: Speak up