Begin with basket full of soft balls in centre of playing area.
Each team of 4 places a bucket or basket somewhere on the outside of the playing area.
Number each player within a team from 1 to 4
Leader empties basket as quickly as possible, rolling and/or throwing balls around playing area.
Player number one picks up one ball and returns back to their home bucket
All members of the team then form a circle around the bucket
The person with the ball throws it to the person behind him/her
If the ball hits the ground, start again with the person who brought the ball back to the group.
When the ball gets back to the person who retrieved the ball, he/she puts it into the bucket and the next number goes and retrieves a ball
Continue playing until all the balls have been picked up and the area is "spotless"
Play again but this time, see if your team can get more balls.
Change method of manipulation for the fielders to send the object to the person behind him/her (e.g., strike with hand, etc).
Use various pieces of soft equipment (e.g. rubber chickens, foam Frisbees, sponges).
Carousel: Teammates move in a circle around the hoop while throwing and catching the object
Progressive Toss: When person number 1 returns, the ball must go around the circle once. When person number two returns with the ball, the ball must go around the circle twice. etc...
Using tennis balls, print different numbers on each ball. When the ball is returned, players must call out the next number in times table before throwing it to the person behind. For example, if a player picks up a tennis ball with the number 3, the person who brought the ball back would call out "3", the next person "6", next person "9", etc.
Make bigger groups.
How can a fielding team work together?
Using teamwork to pass ball to teammates
Communicate with teammates
Use throws that are easy for the teammates to catch
Have a peer to assist the players with carrying the ball back to the group.
Use scoops for picking up the balls and carrying them to the basket.
Define the playing area and remove all obstacles.
LEVEL OF COMPLEXITY
Easy
Participant Grouping
Maximum of 4 players per group.
Equipment
Balls (e.g. beach, foam, paper, wiffle gator): large number of soft balls Baskets: 1 large (could be a tub)
Playing Area
Gymnasium Outdoors
Safety
No throwing balls into basket.
Life Skills Development
Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Skills
Why is it important to work together in this game?
What can we do as individuals to make a difference in protecting the environment?
What are things we can reuse instead of throwing into the garbage after use?
Why is it important to all work together to create a more sustainable environment?
What happens if some people choose not to respect the environment?
FUNdamental Skills
Manipulation Skills
Catching
Preparation Phase: Stand on the balls of your feet and knees slightly bent so that you can change direction quickly. Have your hands outstretched in front of you with palms up ready to catch the ball.
Execution Phase: Keep eye on the ball all the way into your hands and catch with two hands.
Follow-Through Phase: Absorb the force of the ball by bending elbows and bringing the ball close to your chest to prevent it from falling.
