Friday, March 9, 2012

March 9, 2012- Chain Tag

Start with one person as "it".  When that person tags another students, they must hold hands.  Those two have created a chain.  The chain then chases around the other students.  As students keep getting tagged, they join the chain.  Stop the game after a few minutes or after most students are tagged.  Safety is very important in this game.  Tell the students if they need to let go that is ok, as long as they form the chain again before they start moving.


AGES: 2nd grade and up

MODIFICATIONS: have students skip or jump (or any other locomotor movement) instead of running to make it safer.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

March 8, 2012- Crossfire

Crossfire can be a throwing or kicking game.  I usually use this as a kicking activity.  Split students into two teams.  Set up a line of cones along the basketaball basline on both sides.  Line 3 balls (make sure they are a different color/shape/size/ than all other balls).  The object is for students to kick balls at the 3 different balls and get them to move across the other team's line.  THEY MAY NOT DIRECTLY TOUCH THE 3 DIFFERENT BALLS IN ANY WAY.  They must kick from behind their own line, but may retrieve balls from the middle.  If anyone retrieves the different balls on accident, their team loses a point.  First team to 2 points wins.  When the game is over, set the balls in the middle and play again.

AGES: 3rd grade and up

EQUIPMENT: soft foam/ dodgeballs (make sure three are a different color/shape/size), enough cones to make a line on the basketball baseline.

MODIFICATIONS: this game can be done throwing or kicking.  Do boys vs. girls. 

Friday, March 2, 2012

March 2, 2012- Everybody's It

Everybody's It is a quick tag game you can do at the beginning or the end of a class as a filler.  Let the students know that EVERYBODY is it.  When they tag someone, the person that gets tagged must do 3 jumping jacks, then they can return to tagging others.  If students tag each other at the same time, they both have 3 jumping jacks, then they can return to tagging.  Games of Everybody's It are very short because the students are running or jumping constantly.  Play for about a minute or two, give them a little break, then go again.

AGES: Kindergarten and up

SAFETY: Make sure the students understand the difference between a tag and a push.  Pushing results in sitting out.

Friday, February 24, 2012

February 24, 2012- Endurance Tag

Endurance is a LONG tagging game (hence the name).  Choose 3 students to be the taggers and give them noodles.  The other taggers line up on the other side of the gym.  I use the basketball baselines as the boundaries.  They must run to the other side without getting tagged.  If they make it to the other side (past the baseline) they are in a safe zone.  Each student is given 1 straw that they carry back to the starting line.  The object is to get as many straws as possible.  If someone is tagged they must exchange their straws for the tagger's noodle.  They are now the new tagger.  The game ends when all of the straws are taken.  Have students count up the amount of straws they have and return them to the teacher.

AGES: Kindergarten and up

EQUIPMENT: 3 tagging noodles, 300 straws (I buy a 100 pack and cut them into thirds), a bucket to hold the straws in.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

February 23, 2012- Fitness Marathon

The fitness marathon is a great way to get children experience with many different activities in a short amount of time.  This also assumes that the students understand what all activities mean.  Basically you write out a list of activities for the students to do.  They do these activities with a partner.  When their partner and them finish, they sign their name on each other's sheet.  This will keep students accountable, and also help them interact with every student in the class.

EXAMPLE:
30 sit ups
30 push ups
100 jumping jacks
Throw and catch a ball 25 times
Touch all 4 gymnasium walls
20 mountain climbers
40 squats
25 forward-backward line jumps
25 side to side line jumps
hula hoop 20 times
jump rope 100 times
give your teacher a high five
plank as long as you can, now try again


You can add or subtract any activities.  The goal is to just keep the students active and interacting with others.  You choose the activities and the amount of work each student does.  Make it your own!!!

AGES: 3rd grade and up

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

February 21, 2012- Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones is a dodgeball and running game.  Split the students into two groups.  One groups stands at the basketball baseline.  The other stands on both sidelines all the way down the court.  The group on the sidelines has dodgeballs in their hands.  On the whistle the group on the baseline runs to try to make it to the other end without getting hit with a dodgeball.  If they get hit with a ball, they are out, and join the group on the sideline throwing.  The last person left is the winner- INDIANA JONES!  After you determine a winner the teams switch tasks.

AGES: 4th grade and up

EQUIPMENT: jerseys to differentiate between teams, about 25-30 dodgeballs

Friday, February 17, 2012

February 17, 2012- Toilet Tag

Pick 2-3 students to be the taggers.  When someone is tagged they must kneel down on one knee and hold their hand out to the side.  The only way to get back in is if another student "flushes" them by pushing their hand down.  Play for a few minutes then change taggers. 

EQUIPMENT: 2-3 tagging noodles

AGES: Kindergarten and up

MODIFICATIONS: I sometimes make my students spin 3 times after being flushed to mimic the actions of a toilet

Thursday, February 16, 2012

February 16, 2012- Pitcher's Hand Kickball

This is a kickball game that can make every student successful.  Put out 4 mats for the bases.  Play typical kickball rules, except that ONLY way you can get someone out is by giving the ball to the pitcher while a runner is off base.  That is the ONLY way to get out. A caught ball is not an out.  There are no force outs.  You may have as many students on base as you would like.  The pitcher must stand inside a cirlce (I use a hula hoop) and pitch.  The pitcher can go outside the circle, but it only count as an out if the pitcher has the ball AND he or she is inside the circle.  There is a chance (a good chance) that a team can get several outs on one play.  We play 6 outs then we switch sides.  Make sure students keep the same order in line so everyone gets to kick.  If they get out of line, they automatically get 2 outs.

AGES: 2nd grade and up

EQUIPMENT: 1 kickball, 4 mats, 1 hula hoop

MODIFICATIONS: make somewhere an automatic home run.  For younger kids I like to use the farthest wall from home plate.  I reward a home run even if the ball doesn't hit the wall on the fly, so the outfielders have to run hard to stop the ball.  Play more or less outs depending on your students' abilities.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

February 15, 2012- Oscar's Trash Can

This game may also be called Tornado Ball.  Basically two mats are set up in the middle of the gym.  The mats needs to be standing up and be connected in a circle.  Two students get inside the mat structure.  All of the other students throw balls (that are scattered on the floor) into the mat structure (trash can).  The two students inside the trash can must throw all of the balls out of the trash can.  Play for a couple of minutes then count the balls inside the trashcan.  After you count the balls, empty the trash can and pick two new students to be in the trashcan.

AGES: Kindergarten and up

EQUIPMENT: two folding gymnastic mats, as many dodgeballs as you can find

MODIFICATIONS: have students outside the trashcan work on throwing different ways- underhand, overhand, left hand, right hand, two hands, etc.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

February 14, 2012- 4 Goal Soccer

Split your students into two even teams.  4 Goal Soccer is exactly what it sounds like.  It is a typical soccer game played with 4 goals instead of 2.  There also are 3 soccer balls on the field (or in the gym) at one time so there is more action for the students than a typical soccer game.  This keeps students involved more in the game.  When a goal is scored all 3 soccer balls start in the middle of the gym.  The team that got scored on gets to start with all 3 soccer balls.  If there is a handball play stops and the team gets to start with all 3 soccer balls at midfield. 

EQUIPMENT: 4 soccer goals, or tape to put on the walls to create goals, 3 soft foam soccer balls, jerseys to identify the two teams.

MODIFICATIONS: play with goalies, play without goalies, play with more soccer balls for bigger classes, can be played in a gym or outside.  If a lot of goals are being scored and play is being stopped many times, change the rules and after a goal the other team's goalie gets to start with the ball.  This will keep the game moving better.

AGES: 3rd grade and up

Monday, February 13, 2012

February 13, 2012- Castle Ball

Students are split into two even teams.  They are put on either side of the gym and cannot cross the half court line.  The object is to throw dodgeballs or soft foam balls and knock over the other team's castles.  Castles are built using 6 hula hoops.  (see below).  Make sure all 4 hula hoops that are standing up are inside the bottom hula hoop (in this case the yellow one).  When a castle gets knocked over, the team that knocked it over gets 1 point.  The team that owns the castle must now set it up again.  You may have 1 guard per castle.  Students are not to throw the balls at each other, and if they do they must sit out for a bit.  The game goes for a set amount of time.  (I've had students play this game for over 30 minutes and never tire of it.)

MODIFICATIONS: do girls vs. boys.  let teams choose as many guards as they want.

AGES: Kindergarten and up

a closeup of the castle
an example of how half of the gym should look for Castle Ball
EQUIPMENT: 36 hula hoops (for three castles per team.  You can use as many or as few as you choose).  25 dodgeballs or soft foam balls.  

Friday, February 10, 2012

February 10, 2012- Team Tag

Students need to be split into groups of 3 or 4.  No groups of 2.  Everyone is "it" in this game.  When a student gets tagged they have to sit down right where they got tagged.  The only way a student can get back in is for their teammate to tag them to return to the game.  If all members of the team are sitting at the same time, obviously that team cannot continue and must remain sitting on the ground.  Play until one team is victorious, then play again.

EQUIPMENT: none

MODIFICATIONS: instead of having students sit, have them to sit ups, pushups, jumping jacks, etc. while they are waiting to get back into the game.

AGES: 1st grade and up

Thursday, February 9, 2012

February 9, 2012- Battleship

Battleship is a dodgeball game.  Students are divided into two teams.  The half court line on the basketball court splits the two teams up.  There are multiple ways to get out in this game.  If you throw a ball and someone catches it, the person that threw the ball is out.  If you get hit with a dodgeball you are out.  If you get hit with a beanbag (slid on the ground) then you are out.  If you get out you must go to the other teams side where a mat is laid out.  The mat should be a good distance away from the half court line (I usually put it under the basketball goals).  There are two ways to get back in.  The first way to get back to your side is if a teammate (or yourself) catches a ball thrown from a teammate across the half court line.  The second way is if a teammate from across halfcourt slides a beanbag and hits the mat (battleship).  In both instances EVERYONE is free to go back to their side and join the game.  When everyone is eliminated start the game over.

AGES: 5th grade and up

EQUIPMENT: 15-20 beanbags, 15-20 dodgeballs, 2 gymnastics mats

SAFETY: make sure students are SLIDING the beanbags.  If a student throws a beanbag they must sit out since that is obviously very dangerous (warn them of this ahead of time).

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Februrary 8, 2012- Word Search Running

Word Search Running is a very simple game that can be used to help students in other areas (math, reading, etc.).  Set up 4 cones around the gym so you create a "track."  Students should get into partners.  While one partner is running 1 lap around the track, the other is working on the Word Search in the middle of the track.  After the partner completes their one lap, they take the Word Search and the other partner runs a lap.  This continues until either the worksheet is done or the class is out of time.  Make sure to explain the safety rules of the track.  No running inside the track.  When you are switching with your partner you need to WALK until you are outside the track, then you can begin running your lap.

MODIFICATIONS: talk to their classroom teacher and get math, reading, science worksheets for the students to do in the middle of the track.

AGES: Kindergarten- 2nd grade

EQUIPMENT: enough pencils for half the class, enough worksheets for half the class, 4 cones to make a "track"

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

February 7, 2012- Endless Knockout

Endless Knockout is a version of the basketball game Knockout where you don't have students sitting down if they get out.  You will need to split students up into 4 even groups.  Each group starts at a basket with 2 basketballs.  The first person in line shoots from the free throw line.  The next person in line also has a ball and shoots.  If the 1st person makes the shot they pass the ball to the next person in line and join the back of the line.  If the 2nd person in line makes the shot before the 1st person in line, the 1st person is out.  Instead of having that student wait until the next game, anyone that gets out simply rotates clockwise to a different basket.  The obejctive is for students to try and stay at the basket they originally started at (meaning they never got out).

AGES: 4th grade and up

EQUIPMENT: 8 basketballs, 4 basketball hoops

MODIFICATIONS: If you have a gym with 6 baskets and a big class, use them all.

Monday, February 6, 2012

February 6, 2012- Longbase

Longbase is a game very similar to Kickball.  The big difference between Longbase and Kickball is the bases themselves.  In Longbase you use big gymnastics mats as the bases, and you only use 3 of them.  Set up one where a good home plate would be in your gym (preferrably in a corner).  Set the other two bases as far apart as possible from home plate, and each other.  When a batter kicks they must run to the base without getting hit with the ball.  There are no force outs in this game.  You may have as many baserunners as you want on a base.  Students have the option to dive into a base (depending on how thick the mats are) but only if there is nobody else on base already.  If a ball is caught on the fly it is an out.  If a runner is it with  a ball it is an out.  If the batter kicks the ball and hits any part of the ceiling it is 3 outs.  In Longbase you play 6 outs before you switch sides.  Make sure students stay in the same order so everyone gets to kick.  If the line gets out of order the team gets 2 outs.  Keep score and make sure both teams get equal opportunity to kick.

AGES: 6th grade and up

EQUIPMENT: 3 large gymnastics mats, 1 kickball

Friday, February 3, 2012

February 3, 2012- Freeze Tag

Pick three taggers.  Taggers will be given tagging noodles (pool noodles).  When another student gets tagged they must stand still, put their hands on their heads, and spread their feet.  The only way to get unfrozen is to have another student crawl between a frozen player's feet.  Taggers may not tag someone that is getting another player unfrozen.  Play for a minute and a half or 2 minutes, then change taggers. 

AGES: Kindergarten and up

EQUIPMENT: 3 tagging noodles (pool noodles)

Thursday, February 2, 2012

February 2, 2012- Dr. Dodgeball (the best version)

Dr. Dodgeball is a fun dodging and fleeing game.  Students are divided into two teams.  The half court line on the basketball court separates the two teams.  Students may not cross the line for any reason.  The goal is to eliminate all of the players on the other team by hitting them with dodgeballs.  When a student is hit with a dodgeball they sit down right where they got hit.  Each team is given 1 doctor.  The doctor may get others back into the game.  The doctor carries a scooter at all times.  When the doctor sees a student sitting on the ground, he or she must save them by getting them on the scooter and rolling them back to the safe area (for you to be determined- usually behind the basketball baseline).  Once the student is rolled back to the safe area they are free to rejoin the game and the doctor can go save someone else.  If the doctor is hit with a dodgeball he or she is out for the remainder of the game.  Play until either everyone is eliminated or a mercy rule is called (when students appear to have given up).  When the game is over pick a new doctor and play again.

EQUIPMENT: dodgeballs, 2 scooters, may need floor tape to make a safe area.

MODIFICATIONS: rotate between a boy doctor and a girl doctor.  Let each team have 2 doctors. 

AGES: 5th grade and up

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

February 1, 2012- Backboard Dodgeball

Backboard dodgeball is a pretty simple dodgeball game.  Students are divided into two teams.  The teams each stand on their half of the gym.  Use the half court line of the basketball court to divide the teams.  Once a student is hit with a thrown dodgeball, they must stand on one side of the gym.  The only way to get back in is when a teammate throws a dodgeball and hits the backboard on the opposite side of the gym.  The game is won in two ways: 1. eliminating everyone on the other team or 2. making a basket in the opposing team's hoop.  When a team wins, just start another game.  Sometimes a Mercy Rule must be called if there is one student remaining that doesn't appear willing to try very hard to win the game. 

AGES: 3rd grade and up

MODIFICATIONS: if students are sitting out too long, make a rule that if the person that got them out gets out, they get to come back in.  EX: player X is hit by player Y.  Player Z gets player Y out, so player X gets to come back in the game.  Add a money ball- only baskets made with the money ball can win the game.  For younger students add more backboards, or even play BackWALL Dodgeball where if they hit the back wall on the fly everyone comes back in. 

EQUIPMENT: dodgeballs, basketball hoops, money ball (different ball than dodgeball- I use one of those nerf soccer balls)

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

January 31, 2012- Cleanup Your Backyard

Cleanup your backyard is a very simple throwing game.  You can play this game while teaching a throwing unit.  Students are divided into two teams.  The half court line of the basketball court separates the two teams.  The students may not cross the half court line.  The object of the game is to throw all of the equipment to the other side, and have no equipment left on your side.  When one team's side is clear of all equipment they have won the game.  (This game typically does not have a winner). 

AGES: Kindergarten and up

MODIFICATIONS: only throw left hand, kick the equipment, throw only underhand, throw only overhand, etc.  You can also put mats in the middle of the gym to create a "fence" for students to throw the ball over.

EQUIPMENT: dodgeballs, foam frisbees, foam balls of any kind, any PE equipment that can be kicked or thrown and will not hurt the students.

Monday, January 30, 2012

January 30, 2012- Bowling Pin Knockdown

Bowling Pin Knockdown is a simple throwing/rolling game.  The students are divided into two even teams. The teams must go to their side of the gym.  They cannot cross the half court line of the basketball court.  The object is to roll or throw dodgeballs and knock over the other team's bowling pins.  Each team receives 10 bowling pins that they can set wherever they want (on their side of the gym).  You may have 1 guard per bowling pin, but not any more.  If a bowling pin gets knocked down, either by a ball, or by a student accidently knocking it over, it must stay over until the end of the game.  After one team knocks over all 10 pins on the other side the game is over. 

AGES: Kindergarten and up

MODIFICATIONS: Use different types of equipment- soft frisbees, bean bags (must be slid on the ground), etc.  Play boys vs. girls.  Allow students to only kick the balls instead of throwing or rolling.

EQUIPMENT: 20 bowling pins (or an even number of bowling pins), dodgeballs, foam frisbees, bean bags, any equipment that can be thrown or rolled or kicked and will not hurt anyone.

Friday, January 27, 2012

January 27, 2012- Line Tag

Line tag is a tagging game that requires all kids to stay on the lines of the basketball court, volleyball court, or whatever lines are made on the floor with tape.  Start with 2 or 3 students as the taggers.  Taggers must also stay on the lines.  When a student gets tagged, they must crouch on all fours on the line.  The only way to get unfrozen from the line is if another students leapfrogs over the crouching student.  Taggers may not leapfrog anybody.  Play for 1-2 minutes then switch taggers.

EQUIPMENT: tagging noddles (pool noodles), tape to make lines (if necessary)

AGES: Kindergarten and up

Thursday, January 26, 2012

January 26, 2012- Speedball

Speedball is a game that combines the sports of football, basketball and soccer.  The objective of the game is to score more points than the other team.  Students are split into two teams.  Each team is given a different colored jersey to distinguish between the two teams.  Students play on a regulation basketball court, trying to either shoot a basketball 3 pointer (using the basketball court lines) kicking the ball into a mat (or goal set up) or throwing a touchdown to a teammate (across the basketball endline).  Students may move the ball one of two ways.  They may either pass it to a teammate, or air dribble.  An air dribble is when a student throws the ball up in the air and moves to catch it again.  Students get 3 air dribbles each time they touch the ball.  If the ball falls to the ground, then students must kick the ball.  They may kick the ball back up to their hands, or to a teammates hands, but if a ball touches the ground, students may not pick it up directly.  Picking it up directly results in a turnover.  Each teams gets one goalie.  The goalie is the only player that may pick the ball up directly from the ground.  After all scores the ball starts in the hands of the other team's goalie.  Goalies are not limited to any area.  They may go anywhere in the gym, but will have to risk leaving their goal open for a long soccer kick.  The teacher is in charge of keeping score on a scoreboard.

EQUIPMENT: 1 nerf soccer ball, a basketball court, a soccer goal (or mats, or even tape on the wall), 2 different colored jerseys, scoreboard.

SCORING: basketball 3 pointer= 3 points, kicking a soccer goal= 2 points, throwing a touchdown= 1 point.

AGES: Middle School and up

MODIFICATIONS: if it's a co-ed class and girls aren't getting the ball very much, make any score a girl scores worth double the points.  Score does not have to be kept.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Januray 25, 2012- Slime Ball

The objective of Slime Ball is to get 30 students "out".  Students should be split into two teams.  The half court line on a basketball court will divide the teams.  Students will not be able to cross the line at any point during the game.  Each students is given a hockey stick.  *see safety*  The students will hit tennis balls (about 20) on the ground across the line at the other team.  Students can run, jump, dodge, and hit the balls away from their feet.  If someone gets hit on the foot, they go out to the side, put their hockey stick down, and do 20 jumping jacks.  After they have completed their jumping jacks, they may pick up their hockey stick and return to the game.  It is up to the teacher to keep track of how many students go out for each team.  When the game is over, just start another one. 


SAFETY: Go over the proper way to hold a hockey stick.  Make sure students keep the hockey stick below their waist AT ALL TIMES.  No slap shots.  Watch where you are stepping because there will be tennis balls all over the ground.  The tennis balls should not go off the ground.  PERSONAL SPACE WHEN HITTING A TENNIS BALL.

MODIFICATIONS: Jumping jacks can be replaced by anything- pushups, situps, crunches, mountain climbers, etc.  You can also use any kind of soft ball that rolls pretty well. 

GRADE LEVEL: Grade 3 and up.  Some 1st and 2nd graders are able to play this game, but they don't have a great sense of personal space, so using hockey sticks can sometimes be a challenge.

Game of the Day

This will be a blog that is a resource for all Physical Education teachers.  I believe that students should be introduced to many new and exciting activities during their time in Physical Education.  I will post a new game for every day of the week.  Feel free to use these games in your classrooms, and share them with your colleagues.  If you play these games and discover any modifications that need to be made, then please comment (good or bad) on my games.  I will not try to take these games as my own.  I simply want to share my experiences with other teachers, and hopefully benefit from others.