Steal the Bacon is a competitive small-area game for youth players that develops ground balls, reaction speed, and the ability to quickly transition from winning possession to attacking the goal.
SET UP
Split players into two teams lined up opposite each other and give each player on both teams a matching number. Place a ball in the middle of the playing area. The coach calls a number, and those two players race to compete for the ground ball. The player who wins possession immediately becomes the offensive player and attacks the goal, while the other player transitions to defense and tries to stop them. Progress the game by calling two or three numbers at once to create live 2v2 or 3v3 situations.
COACHING POINTS & PRINCIPLES
- Compete for the Ground Ball: Get low, protect your hands, and use your body positioning to win possession rather than simply racing to the ball.
- Win It & Attack: Once you secure the ball, immediately recognize the transition from ground ball to offense and attack the cage.
- React to Your New Role: If you lose the ground ball, transition immediately to defense—recover, get between your player and the goal, and compete for the stop.
