Crab Soccer Backyard Game

A soft ball or beach ball

4 cones or objects to mark two goals

A flat outdoor area

Mark two goals about 15 feet apart using cones, shoes, or buckets. Make goals about 4 feet wide — wide enough to score but narrow enough to defend.

Place the ball in the center of the field. Divide into two teams (even just one-on-one works great).

Everyone gets into the crab walk position: sit on the ground, place hands flat behind your back, and push your hips up. Feet flat on the ground, belly facing the sky.

On "Go!" everyone crab walks toward the ball and kicks it with their feet toward the opposing goal.

The rules are simple: no standing up, no using hands on the ball, no flopping onto your back. Crab position the entire time.

Kick the ball between the opposing team's goal cones to score a point.

After each goal, reset the ball in the center and start again.

Play to 5 points, then switch sides. The losing team starts with the ball.

Crab soccer is one of the most physically demanding games you can play. Maintaining the crab position while moving and kicking requires serious core, arm, and leg strength. Expect exhaustion after 10-15 minutes.

A beach ball or soft foam ball is best. It's light enough to kick while in crab position and won't hurt if it hits someone.

Start with a larger playing field and shrink it if the game is too easy. A smaller field means more action and less crab walking across open space.

Let kids rest whenever they need to. Sitting down for 30 seconds is fine — the crab position is genuinely tiring.

This game levels the playing field between adults and kids. Adults are just as awkward in crab position, which makes it hilariously fair.