How do we keep getting this half time stuff so badly wrong? No problem with the idea itself, but whoever sets up these activities just spoils it for the participants. First of all, a tiny kid from Barnsley is expected to be able to lift the ball from 18 yards out. Perfectly obvious from his first effort that it's way too far out for him. Just move him forward. Secondly, they put the ball right next to the cone, which is actually interfering with his run up. The kid from Fulham actually slipped on the cone, because it was right where he placed his standing foot. I know it's not the end of the world, but it would be nice if these kids had even a fighting chance of success. Week after week it's a farce.
That got the people around me laughing at how embarassing it was! With lots of 'oh, I'm sure he'll hit it next time now he's said that'. Crossbar challenge should be for adults (or at least older kids), penatly shootout against Toby should be for kids.
Half time should be a period of quiet reflection when we can take refreshment, have a leak and reflect on the moment of madness which has in all probability just cost us the match.
This is how we break into the Chinese/Indian/ everywhere else t.v. market - by beaming scenes of optimistic British kids trying hopelessly to do things that are impossible. Families in the Yangtze valley with satellite dishes roll about laughing at this. It's a kind of post-colonial revenge.
