Hockey Bacon

Name and Purpose

Hockey Bacon is a small-sided scoring game that spins the classic Steal the Bacon into a mini hockey challenge.
Players practise agility, decision-making, and friendly competition in short, energetic bursts.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 15-25 minutes | Large gym or flat outdoor field, approximately 20m x 30m

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Setup and Boundaries

Place cone goals approximately 20-30m apart, each goal 1m wide.
Objects go in the exact centre of the playing area.
Signal: 1 short whistle = stop play and return to line; 2 whistles = game over and gather.
Check ground for wet patches, gravel, or debris before play.

How to Play

Teams line up along their end lines, numbered or named from one end to the other.
Staff calls a number or name. Both matched players run to the centre.
Each player tries to take a ball and shoot it through the opposing team’s cone goal.
A player may not grab and hold the ball; they must propel it with hands or feet.
If both balls are still in play, each player may try to score with either ball.
A point is scored for each successful goal. Players return to their lines after each round.
Second Circle option: players who prefer not to run can serve as goal judges, tracking scores and calling disputed goals. They rotate in whenever they choose.

I-OPt Options

Start: A Run out as the active scorer. S Serve as a goal judge or ball retriever. Q Track team points on a tally. O Watch the first two rounds, then choose when to join.
Mid: A Sprint and shoot. S Cheer and call encouragement from the line. Q Walk the ball to the goal (no rule against it). O Continue as goal judge or scorekeeper.
Late: A Challenge a faster or more confident opponent. S Help organise the line order for your team. Q Focus on accuracy rather than speed. O Suggest a rule variation for the next round.
End: A Celebrate with a team high-five chain. S Help collect and store equipment. Q Share one moment they noticed from watching. O Suggest what they would change for next time.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with mobility differences may roll the ball from a seated position or propel it with a hand paddle.
Newspaper balls are softer and slower; staff can designate the newspaper ball as the scoring object for players who need less speed in play.

Stewardship Moment

After play, inspect the newspaper and sock balls. If still intact, store them for reuse. If torn, newspaper goes to recycling, socks go to the laundry bag.
Brief pause: “We made our own equipment today. What else could we make instead of buying new?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game has short sprints and some friendly competition for the ball. For those not comfortable with physical scrambles, keeping score or judging goals is a great way to be part of every round.”
Mid-game check: After 5-6 rounds, quick thumbs-up, sideways, or down check. Adjust pairing intensity if needed.
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step to the sideline and take a support role at any time by signalling to staff. Return to the active line whenever ready.

Risks and Mitigation

Two players colliding at the centre: remind players the ball is the target, not each other; add a “no body contact” rule.
Newspaper ball breaking apart: have spare tape on hand; retire torn balls immediately.
Lopsided competition if numbers are uneven: unmatched player becomes goal judge for that round.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Jog and Freeze”: players jog around the field; on whistle, freeze in a wide stance.
“Toe Tag Lite”: players try to gently tap opponents’ feet for 90 seconds, no eliminations.

Debrief Questions

What? “What happened when you got to the ball at the same time as the other player?”
So What? “How did the pressure of someone racing you change how you played?”
Now What? “When in real life do you have to act fast even when someone else is going for the same thing?”

Cleanup and Reset