May 8, 2013- Sideline basketball

Grades 6-12

Equipment: One basketball, pinnies to separate the teams.

This is a good basketball game if there are many students and not a lot of room.  Students are split into two teams.  Then each team is split into two teams.  You should have four teams total: two starting teams and two teams on the sideline.  If a team is not starting, they are still to wear the correct pinnie color.  Students not currently playing get on the sidelines of the court.  These players may be used as an option to pass to.  Regular basketball rules apply except there is no out of bounds. After about 5 minutes switch the starters and the players on the sidelines.

Variations: I play this game and do not allow anyone to dribble.  This keeps the sideline players more involved in the game because they have to be used more often.

May 7, 2013- Soccer Knockout

Ages: 1-12

Equipment: Bowling pins for all students, 15-20 indoor soccer balls

All students are given a bowling pin except two.  The two students start on the sideline.  Each student gets to put their bowling pin anywhere on the playing surface that they choose.  The object is to kick the balls and knock over the other classmates pins.  Any way the pin gets knocked over counts (even accidents).  When a student's pin is knocked over, they must give it to one of the two students that are on the sideline.  (Don't worry.  Students won't be out long!)  Once a student on the sideline gets their pin, they may put it anywhere on the playing surface and being playing.  Play is continuous.  The game ends whenever the teacher decides it should end.  No winner, no losers.

Variations: boys may only kick at boys pins, girls may only kick at girls pins. 

May 6, 2013- Slime Ball (variation)

Equipment: assorted foam balls (about 20-25)

Ages: K-5

Number one rule: Slime (the balls) stays on the ground!  Students run and hit the balls with an open hand to try and "slime" their classmates.  A person is slimed if they are hit in the foot by a slime ball.  When they are "slimed" they must go outside of a basketball court or to a designated area.  Once there they are given an exercise- 5 jumping jacks, 3 pushups, 10 sit ups, etc.  Once students finish their exercise they can come back into the game.  Many students ask if they accidently hit a ball are they still required to do their exercise?  I tell them that if they are hit in the foot any way they must complete their exercise.

Variation: Have different colored balls mean different exercises ex: Green= 3 pushups, Yellow= 5 jumping jacks, etc.
This game is usually played "every man for himself" but can also be played as teams.

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.

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. 

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.

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.