Monkey in the Middle Soccer

Can you pass the ball so the monkey doesn’t get it?

Environment and Set Up

• Find a safe space with an even surface (non-slip).
• A soccer ball is needed.
• Any number of people can play, however you need at least three: two players on the outside and one player on the inside (the monkey).

Rules

• The two players on the outside pass the ball back and forth.
• The monkey (the player in the middle) has to try to get the ball away from the other two. Or – if you want to increase the challenge – only has to touch the ball.
• If the monkey gets/touches the ball, the player who was about to receive the intercepted pass has to go into the middle.
• However, there is an exception to this rule.  If the other player made a really bad pass, inviting an easy interception, then they go in the middle.
• To keep the ball away from the monkey in the middle, the outside players need to constantly run to a spot on an angle from their teammate, and the monkey has to constantly be moving into position as well.
• Let everyone have a turn at being monkey in the middle and enjoy the fastness of this fun game!

Change it Up…or Down!

• If you’ve got younger players or you’re just working on passing skills, simply tone it down and move a little more slowly.
• If you have more than 3 players, you have a few options:
  • You can rotate one in. Once the monkey gets the ball, instead of replacing one of the players on the outside, they get a break. The person who was waiting then gets to take over one of the outside positions.
  • Alternatively, you can add more monkeys in the middle or add more outside players. Keep in mind, however, that these additions can up the challenge to the game exponentially.