Count-the-Press Game

Obj: N+1 recognition — counting pressers and choosing short vs. long by arithmetic, out loud. Field: Half field. Equip: Goal, cones, balls, bibs, number paddles (fun, optional). Org: GK + 5 builders vs. a press whose size CHANGES every rep (coach silently sends 2, 3, 4, or 5 pressers from a pool behind the goal they attack). Before the GK's first touch, any builder may shout the count ("FOUR!") — correct count + correct decision (short when we're +2, careful short when +1, designed long when even) scores double. Wrong count that leads to a turnover = the teaching moment, never punished beyond the score. CP: (1) Count while the ball is dead — the goal kick is a math test with 10 seconds of thinking time; (2) +2 or better = play through them, they're outnumbered everywhere; (3) even numbers = the long pattern is WISE, not weak. Prog: Press size changes mid-possession (one presser joins late — recount live); counts must come from the GK (I-08 leadership). Reg: Coach announces the count; fixed press sizes per round. Mist: P: counting then ignoring the answer (decision must follow arithmetic); C: making wrong counts shameful — loud wrong counts are better than silent right ones early. Time: 15 min. Out: Counting audible and automatic; decision-to-math alignment. Var: Paddle version for younger groups (hold up the number — laughter plus learning). Diag: Build shape with question-mark press pool behind, players' speech bubbles ("FOUR!"), decision tree short/long from the count.