First to the Ball

First to the Ball

Fun game that trains endurance and reaction time.

  • 10+ years
  • Group size: 6+
  • Duration: 15 min
  • Ball sport
  • Competitive game
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Open space
  • Ball

In the middle of the hall, two balls are placed next to each other: one large and one small. Participants are divided into two teams, standing along each short wall.

Both teams number their participants identically (1, 2, 3, etc.). The leader calls out a number randomly. The two participants with that number simultaneously run from their respective short walls towards the center to try and get the large ball. The goal is to get the large ball back to their own team.

Of the two who run in, one arrives first and one last:

  • The first one should get the large ball and run back to their short wall.
  • The last one should try to hinder the opponent by “tagging” (hitting) them with the small ball. They must hit before the opponent reaches their short wall.

The first one can make it harder for the last one by kicking away the small ball as they pick up the large one.

Variation

To make the game more challenging, you can:

  • let the two selected participants first run to the opponent's short wall and have one foot within the opponent's area, before running back to the center and following the same ball rules
  • start with all participants lying on their back or stomach and having to get up and run on signal

Adapt the intensity according to the age and level of the group.