You can prune them down to the same height, use peony rings or even transplant the shrub to an area where they will not be damaged by the kids every tear.

The plant may also opt to start growth from the crown and thus develop new stems.

Annabelle is quite sturdy but if it behind the goal line, this problem may happen often.

I would try pruning down to 2' per branch and repeat each year, as more branches will continue to grow from the ground. From what I've seen, if the hibernating shrub is pruned down to this nice round size then you will get an attractive 4-5' version in the summer.

Thank you both. I will cut them back to 2'. I have put some stakes in the ground to protect them from random soccer balls AND forbidden the children to play there. Hopefully they will recover and bush out.