Warm-ups / Ice Breakers
TRIANGLE TAG
Players: Class divided into teams of 4.
Equipment: Nothing.
Area: Grass
Objective: Three players join hands in the shape of a triangle. The person on the outside picks one of the triangle players as a target. On “go”, the triangle moves from side to side, spins around to protect the target while the tagger runs around attempting to tag the target. If the tagger touches the target, then the group rotates positions.
WHERE'S MY PARTNER
Players: Students work in pairs
Equipment: Nothing
Area: Grass Area or Blacktop
Objective: Each pair stands back to back. On "Go" the students move away from their partner using a designated movement given by the teacher. On "Find your partner" students turn and move back to their partner and stand back to back. Change the movement each time, (walk, skip, hop, jog). After the students have attempted this a few times then have them try it with their eyes closed.
MINGLE
Players: Students start as individuals
Equipment: Nothing
Area: Grass Area or Blacktop
Objective: Students walk around the area and shake hands as they introduce themselves to anyone they meet. When the teacher calls out a number the students must get into a group with that many students. Example: Call out "5" the students get in a group of 5. After each round they leave the group and mingle around the area meeting new people. This activity is great for putting class into groups for future activities.
KNOTS
Players: Students work in groups of 4-6
Equipment: Nothing
Area: Anywhere
Objective: Each group forms a circle with all players facing the center. Each player extends their hands into the middle and they join hands with two different players creating a knot. No one may join hands with their neighbors. On “GO” each group attempts to slowly and cooperatively step back and untangle their knots reforming a circle. Hands must remain joined or they must start over.
Helpful Hints: Remind students to go slow to prevent a possible injury. Students may need to step through, over or bend down to complete this challenge. WORK COOPERATIVELY.
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Fitness Activities / Games
SUMO
Players: Class divided into pairs.
Equipment: Nothing
Area: Blacktop or grass
Objective: Students face each other with their hands touching palm to palm in the middle, legs straight with their feet side by side. On “go” they attempt to push each other back making their partner take a step. After each round have students switch partners. After a few rounds have the students spread their feet then after a few more rounds have the students bend their knees.
FLAG SNATCH
Players: Class divided into pairs.
Equipment: One football flag per person.
Area: Blacktop or grass.
Objective: Students stand back to back with the flag hanging from their waistline or collar area. They place their hands on top of their head. On “go” they turn around and attempt to grab their partners’ flag. Both students may move from side to side and attempt to keep their partner from pulling their flag. Play each round for 20 seconds and then have students switch partners.
JUMP ROPE
Players: Class divided into pairs.
Equipment: Short jump rope per pair.
Area: Blacktop.
Objective: Students attempt to accomplish the challenge that the teacher provides.
Sample challenges:
10 second jump 1-foot jump double jumps
30 second jump, cross-overs 100 jumps
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Modified Skills / Activities / Games
STAR JUGGLE (Basketball)
Equipment: 5 Tennis Balls per group
Players: Class divided into teams of 5
Area: Anywhere
Objective: Place each group in a star pattern and number off from 1 to 5. Player 1 starts the pattern off by tossing the ball to #2 who tosses to # 3 who tosses to #4 who tosses to #5 who finishes the pattern by tossing to #5. As the group masters the pattern, add a tennis ball. The goal is for the group to get all 5 tennis balls going at one time.
DECK TENNIS KEEPAWAY (Basketball)
Players: Students in teams of 3.
Equipment: 1 Deck tennis ring per game
Area: 1/2 Basketball court per game.
Objective: Teams of three compete against each other attempting to complete passes with the deck tennis ring. Once a player has possession of the ring they may only pivot. The goal for the offense is to keep possession of the ring for one minute. The defense is attempting to take over possession. The team with the ring at the end of the round is the winner. Play three rounds and then rotate teams.
PIGBALL (Football)
Players: Students work in groups of 6
Equip: 1 football per game
Area: Basketball Court
Objective: Place two teams on a basketball court with one football. Each team places three players in the defensive half of the court and three players in the offensive half. Each team attempts to complete passes to a teammate and then shoot at the basket to score points. If a team hits any part of the basket (backboard or rim) they earn 1 point. If they make a basket it earns 3 points. Players may move around on their half of the court until they have possession of the ball. Once they have the ball they may only pivot and look for another teammate to pass to. The defending team attempts to intercept a pass of knock it down. Any time a pass is incomplete the opposing team takes possession at the point the ball hit the ground. After a score the opposing team starts passing on the baseline. After a team has scored 20 points start a new game with new teams.
NFL CHALLENGES (Football)
Players: Students work in groups of 6
Equip: 12 – 15 footballs, 8 hula hoops, 4 kicking tees, 20 cones,
Area: Grass Area
Objective: Each group starts at a specific NFL Challenge station and attempts to score as many points as possible within the designated time period. After the time period is over, each team rotates to the next station. Here are some suggested NFL Challenge stations and you can create a scoring system for each station:
40-yard dash
Field Goal
30 sec Quick Hands
Complete passes
Passes for accuracy
Passes for distance
Punts for distance
FLING - IT (Volleyball)
Players: Entire Class in Pairs
Equipment: 1 Beach Towel or 33 Gallon Trash Bags per pair and 1 ball
Area: Any Surface
Objective: Have partners hold the corners of the bag while they work together to fling the ball up into the air and then catch it on their towel/bag. After the pairs, have had time to practice then have them pair up with another pair and try to throw the ball back and forth catching it on their towel/bag. Finally, the groups build up to 3 groups on each side of a volleyball court and play a game.
PRISONER BALL (Volleyball)
Players: Entire class divided into 2 teams
Equip: 1-2 volleyballs
Area: Volleyball court
Objective: Team A calls a name of a player from Team B. They then throw the ball over the net attempting to make it hit the ground. If they are successful the player that was named moves to the prison on the side of the court. If Team B catches the ball they have protected their player. Team B now calls the name of a player from Team A or their player in prison and throws the ball over the net attempting to make it bounce. If successful then the named player from Team A is out or their player returns to the game. This action continues for a designated time period. If a team has numerous players outside of the game they may call prison break and if they are successful in making the ball bounce on the opposing side then all of their players may return to the game. If they are not successful the game is over. Emphasize that throws must be made within five seconds. Teachers may call out names of students. A student may not be called twice in a row. Prison areas are located next to the teacher. If a throw goes outside of the court the thrower goes to prison.
SEND AWAY (Hockey)
Players: Entire class divided into 2 teams.
Equip: 1 Hockey stick and tennis ball per student
Area: Blacktop or tennis courts
Objective: The class stands around a basketball court with a partner. Player 1 starts in the court and attempts to dribble their ball around for the entire designated time period (1 minute). As the players dribble around they attempt to send away another player’s tennis ball. If a player’s ball is sent off the court that player is out and does not earn a point. If a player stays in the court the entire time with control of their ball they earn a point. After 1 minute, player 2 enters the court for their turn.
HOCKEY KEEP AWAY (Hockey)
Players: Students work in groups of 4
Equip: 1 hockey stick per person and 1 tennis ball per group
Area: Blacktop or tennis courts
Objective: All players in each group pair up and number off from Teams 1 to 4. Team 1 starts in the middle of the playing area while the rest of the teams stand around the area. On “Go” the outside teams attempt to pass the hockey ball through the circle and not to a neighbor without allowing Team 1 to take possession. After the 30 second time period is over then Team 2 moves into the middle. This pattern continues until all teams have had three opportunities to be in the middle.
SIDE DOOR SOCCER (Soccer)
Players: Students work in groups of 6-8
Equip: 1 Soccer ball, 4 cones per game
Area: Grass Area
Objective: Two groups play against each other on a field. Each team lines up along the sideline on their half of the field. On “Go” the first player runs down around the end line and into the playing area through the goal. They now play one on one with the opposing player. If the ball moves toward the side line the players may help their player by passing it back in to them. Play each round for 30 seconds or until a goal is scored. A variation is that another player may enter the game by running down around the end line and through the goal when the teacher yells “assist”.
CRAB SOCCER (Soccer)
Players: Students are divided into 4 groups
Equip: 1 large ball or Cage ball
Area: Grass Area
Objective: Place one team on each sideline of the playing area. Have all four teams number off from 1 to 8 and have their players sit on their sideline. All Player 1’s enter the playing field and take a crab position. On “Go” they players attempt to kick the ball over the heads of any team except for their own. Players on the sideline are allowed to kick the ball back into the playing area to stop a goal from being scored. Play each round for 30-45 seconds or until a goal is scored. After each round the next numbered player enters and takes their turn.
PICKLE (Softball)
Players: Students work in groups of 3-4
Equip: 2 bases, 1 tennis ball per group
Area: Grass Area
Objective: Two players start on the bases acting as “Throwers. The third player starts as the “Runner”. The “Throwers” begin by throwing the ball back and forth while the “Runner” starts in the middle. When the “Runner” has the opportunity or within 5 throws, they attempt to run to either base before the ball gets there. Each time they run to a base before the ball gets there or before they are tagged they earn a point. If the “Runner” is tagged before they get to the base they become a “Thrower” and the player who tagged them becomes the next “Runner”. Remind “Throwers” they must stay close to their base without blocking it. The “Runner” must run in a straight line. Play each round for 7-10 minutes and then rotate 2 players to a new group.
SLAMBALL (Softball)
Players: Class divided into 4 teams
Equip: 1 baseball bat, 1 volleyball, 1 set of bases per game
Area: Baseball fields
Objective: Two groups play on a baseball field. The game of Slamball is similar to baseball but the students use a bat to hit a volleyball. The rules are exactly the same as baseball except with the addition of hitting a runner with the ball when they are between bases to record an out. Group 1 starts up to bat while the other group starts out in the field. Group 2 pitches the ball underhand towards the batter and it must bounce once before it gets to the batter. The groups switch places either when three outs have occurred or everyone from a group has had an opportunity to hit.
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