Protect the ball
Practice ball skills and interaction with the ball in a playful game situation.
- 6+ years
- Group size: 2+
- Duration: 15 min
- Ball sport
- Gym / Sports hall
- Open space
- Ball
All participants each have their own ball that can be bounced against the floor (e.g., basketball, volleyball, or handball). Start by having participants walk around within a designated area, bouncing the ball with both hands. The size of the area is adjusted to the number of participants.
After an initial practice period, participants are allowed to 'disrupt' each other by trying to knock opponents' balls out of the area, while maintaining control of their own. If you lose control of the ball (ball out of bounds or stop bouncing), you are 'out' and must stand outside and bounce the ball there. The one who remains at the end without having lost control of their ball has won.
Variations
- Those who are 'out' can be given a set of other ball exercises to complete while they wait.
- Remove the competitive element and introduce cooperation: The students should exchange balls with each other while bouncing.
- Introduce different movement rules, for example:
- Gradually increase the pace. The higher the speed of the ball and the players, the more challenging the game becomes.