Games of Low Organization
Games of Low Organization
Games of Low Organization
Students love to play this game and often request it as a warm- up activity. There is lots of
running which gets students heart rates up without them even realizing it. Students are
actively engaged throughout this activity. This GLO also serves as a great team building
activity. Students often create strategies as a team, show leadership and cheer on their
teammates.
Equipment: 1 rubber chicken (could also use a ball, bean bag etc.)
Chuck the Chicken
1. Split students into two teams
2. Team A starts off with possession of the rubber chicken. They form a line and pass the
chicken - over/under from the front to the back of the line.
3. At the same time, Team B starts off by scrunching themselves into the smallest human
'knot' possible, all except for one player on the team. This player needs to run around his/her
teams human knot. For each full lap around the team earns one point.
4. When the chicken reaches the back of the line of Team A, the person at the back of the line
yells "CHUCK THE CHICKEN!" as loud as they can and throws the chicken as far away as
possible. (Teams should be developing strategy and learning to throw to open space)
5. Team A then immediately forms into a clump and one person starts to run laps around the
clump, earning Team A points.
6. Team B then runs for the chicken and forms a line and students begin the over/under
pattern.
7. This process repeats until the teacher directs students to stop.
HOOKSY BALL
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this game is to score as many runs for your team as
possible before the other team makes 3 outs. The team who has the highest number of
runs at the end of the game is considered to be the winning team.
ENVIRONMENT: - Large Gymnasium
- Field
EQUIPMENT: -1 Large Elephant Skin Ball
- 4 Bases (Coloured Tape X)
- Soft Frisbee disc
RULES:
Teams:
1) Ask students to choose a partner and then to form a horizontal line. One partner
in front and the other behind.
2) The line standing in front is the batting team and the line standing behind
becomes the fielding team or vice versa.
3) ***Students must remember who their partner is because this is vital later in the
rules. ***
Diagram of Playing Field:
+ (Batter)
Bases
Direction to Run
Ball
Fielders
Frisbee Disc
Curriculum Expectation:
Strand: Active Living
Overall Expectation:
- participate regularly in a balanced instructional program that includes a wide
variety of enjoyable fitness activities that encourage lifelong participation
Specific Expectation:
- participate regularly in physical activities, choosing a wide range of activities
(e.g., individual, small and large-group, outdoor, and aquatic activities)
Equipment:
- mats
- beanbags (one less than the number of groups there are)
Rules:
-
Safety
- Leap frog this can be a safety concern so another option is going through their
teammates legs (crawling on the floor) which again may be a safety concern for
another reason. Another idea is to simply run by and high five their team before
going to the middle
- Must have mats in the middle because students are going to be moving at a fast
pace, mats in the middle will prevent injury
- Cautions just like in dodgeball students are asked to aim below the shoulders, in
this game students are asked to take caution when jumping into the middle to grab
a bean bag, When playing with senior students they often become more
competitive and in some cases will dive into the middle. To prevent this from
happening, caution students.
Modifications:
- Equipment can be modified does not need to be bean bags. Other ideas are
scarves, soft pucks, etc.
- Playing area can be modified this game can be played in a secure area such as a
gym or in a open giant field
- Number of players if you need to have more people on each team you can
change the game to the pizza game and the names can be toppings
This activity is a great GLO because not only does it involve cardiovascular
fitness but everyone is engaged. Each turn is short and so the game moves very quickly.
Students are on their toes about which name is going to be called next and so their
anticipation is priceless! There is limited set up that goes along with this game so it is
quick to organize and play.
EQUIPMENT:
-
4 hoops
8 gator balls (2 per team)
12 bowling pin (3 per team)
advance the ball by using different skills (e.g. kicking, using a hockey stick)
dribble the ball and allow unlimited steps as long as the player is dribbling
ADAPTATIONS:
-
www.playsport.net
Grade 4
Specifi c Expectations
Fundamental Movement Skills
Locomotion/Travelling Skills
combine locomotion/travelling skills in repeatable sequences,
incorporating a variety of speeds and levels (e.g., in novelty dances, cooperative games);
Stability Skills
balance safely in a variety of static positions
Active Participation
Physical Activity
participate vigorously in all aspects of the program (e.g., lead-up games,
creative
dance)
Physical Fitness
improve their fitness levels by participating in sustained moderate to
vigorous physical activity (e.g., line dancing) for a minimum of twenty
minutes each day, including appropriate warm-up and cool-down
procedures
Equipment:
- 1 large size ball (soccer ball)
How to play:
Every student pairs up with a partner. Each partner set gets a number (no partner sets
have the same number). For example, if there are 20 people in the group, and 10 pairs,
each pair is numbered 1-10. One pair is chosen to start the game. With everybody
standing in the middle of the playing area, the beginning partners will throw the ball in
the air directly vertical and yell a number from 1-10 (not their own number). At this
point, every pair will run away from the ball as fast as they can, holding hands. The
partners whos numbers were called must retrieve the ball as quickly as possible and yell
dud once they have the ball in their possession. Once dud is yelled, everyone must stop
where they are. The partners with the ball roll the ball towards the closest partners
attempting to hit them. If the ball touches either one of the two partners (they cant
move), that pair has a letter D. At this time, everyone walks back to the center of the
playing area, and the process starts over again; this time the pair with the D throws the
ball up in the air and calls out a new number. The object of the game is to run away from
the ball fast enough (provided your number has not been called) so that you dont get a
letter from being hit with the ball. Once a pair has spelt DUD, the game is over.
- The bean bags and chickens are laid out across the far end
- Also at the far end is one student, the caller they should be behind the basketball baseline if
using a large basketball court or behind the safe line where the bean bags are
- They begin by counting to 3 (or 5 as required to ensure success), they must face away from
their classmates while calling
- while the caller counts the rest of the class (both teams) move forward on the area of play and
make sure they are hidden before the caller turns back around.
- if the caller sees and can identify correctly anyone when they turn around the identified person
must return to the start line (if they have a bean bag etc they must put it back at the other end
and then go back to the start). If the caller only can see its a girl and she has blonde hair, not
good enough they must be able to call her name.
- the caller may move side to side to try and see hidden students (create a limit if you are using
a basketball court, the baseline makes a great safe line and the sidelines make a great end of
where the caller can walk too)
- once a player makes it past the safe line before being caught they pick up either a bean bag (1
point) or a chicken (5 points) to bring back to their team at the far end
- They can be caught while running back, so they must hide in the same manner on the way
back
- The game is over once all the bean bags and chickens are at the start end
- The points are tallied up and the team with the most winsYou may change the caller during the
game so they get to be active as well.
Rules/Strategies:
-the bean bag/chicken may not be thrown between players, only the player who picked it up at the
far end can bring it to the bucket for points
- The caller may only turn around after counting to the full number
- The caller may not change speeds etc (unless you create this as an adaptation
Safety Considerations:
- no physical contact
- Reminder for heads up running, paying attention and focused
- Teacher to supervise at all times for safety
Adaptations:You can also play it so that rather than putting all the objects at one end you can hide
them behind the mats and some at the end. You can also have specific requirements (like each
team must be 5 blue bean bags, 5 yellow, 2 chickens, 3 red pinnies etc).
Adaptations/Modifications:
- In the case of uneven teams, I would have teams with fewer players choose a
player to wear a pinnie. The pinnie serves as an extra life for that player if they
get hit. When hit the first time, the player would remove his or her pinnie. If that
player is hit a second time, he or she is out.
- Instead of using 4 balls (1 ball/team), you could use 8 balls (2 balls/team) or even
12 balls (3 balls/team). This makes the game go a lot faster, but also can make it
more chaotic
- Sometimes the game can drag on a little too long when you get down to the last
few players. To avoid having too much down time for the players sitting off, a
time limit could be set for each game. The team with the most players left
standing at the end of the time limit would be declared the winner
- The playing area could also be enlarged if needed (i.e. use full gym vs. half of a
gym)
Safety Considerations:
- players are to only be hit from shoulders and below
- also see the OPHEA safety guidelines (secondary curricular) for Dodge Ball
Games/Tag Games (p. 50, 51)
"Speedball"
This is a great warm up activity for most senior level classes. (PPL
30/PPL 40) The game is a combination of soccer, basketball and
handball and can be played on one half of a basketball court. I have
also used this with my rep basketball teams as it is easy to learn and
calls for teamwork, tactics and is a great fitness activity.
Curriculum Expectations:
- to participate in small and large group activities
- development of movement skills
- demonstrate personal competence in applying movement skills and
principles
- apply their knowledge of guidelines and strategies that can
enhance their participation
in recreational and sports activities
Safety Issues/Concerns:
- proper attire for physical activity (clothing, no jewelry)
- hockey nets are to be "zoned off"
Equipment:
Indoor Soccer Ball
cones
Pinnies
2 basketball nets
2 hockey nets
Dome
Set-up:
- two teams of equal players (usually 6-8) can have 2 games going at
once (cross court)
- boundaries include the outside perimeter of the basketball court, as
well as a semicircle
from the foul line to where the three point line meets the end line
behind the basket
Rules:
Because the game "borrows" skill sets from basketball, soccer and
handball, the rules for speedball are a combination of regulations from
all three sports. To provide a quick summary, they include:
- no contact
- when the ball is in play on the floor, no picking up or use of hands
(Soccer)
- when the ball is in play "above ground", the ball must be dribbled
(Basketball)
- when player picks up dribble, they are allowed 3 steps before they
must pass to a
teammate
- 2 points are rewarded for a basket, and 3 for a goal
- Games end when a set score is reached or a time limit is in place
Overview:
Speedball is a game that requires players to practice strategy as it
applies to team situations. A non-stop activity, speedball provides
students with the opportunity to practice a number of different skills
while participating in vigorous physical activity.
Teams compete to receive points based on whether they score a goal
(as in soccer), or a basket (as in basketball). What makes this game
so unique is that anytime the ball goes from hand to foot or vice versa,
the game changes. Players are not allowed to pick up the ball, or use
their hands at all unless it is kicked towards them, or they use their
feet to kick it up to themselves or a teammate. As described in the
rules above, points are rewarded based on how the ball is scored
basket (2) or net (3). It should be noted there are no goalies to
protect the net from being scored on as in soccer. Instead, each goal
is surrounded by cones marking out a "no boundary" area that can not
be entered by any player. Furthermore, the goals are actually set up
facing the wall, forcing players to ricochet the ball off the wall into the
net as the way in which they score.
Blitzkrieg
This is a game that I initially found in the OHPEA document; however I'm not sure what grade
I got it from. Blitzkrieg is another from of dodge ball, which children at the elementary level
absolutely love.
- Everybody starts out as being "it" and must be inside the red boundary rectangle/lines.
- There are several balls in bound (the more balls you have the more the students will be
moving around and will force them to pay more attention).
- If you get hit you must leave the playing area, which is located outside of the red
rectangle/lines.
- Outside of the red line, you must complete 15 push-ups, 20 sit-ups, OR 10 burpees.
- When they are finished one of those activities they must continue to watch what's going on
because the only way they can get back in the game is when the person who hit them gets hit
by another person and is sent out. Therefore, it is very important to know who hit you.
- As soon as the person who hit you gets hit, you are back in the game.
- If you unsure of who hit you, you must choose a person to watch and when they get hit you
are free to re-enter the game.
- If you hit someone and they don't see you, don't tell them as this is one of the game
strategies to stay in the game.
Rules
- Must hit below the waste.
- If someone throws a ball, and someone else catches it the person who threw it is out
- You can't use a ball to protect you from another ball hitting you.
- You can only have one ball at a time in your hands.
Remind students to pay attention at all times (as this is a very busy game)
Equipment Required:
Red ball(s) and blue balls.
The number of each colour varies & depends on the number of
students playing.
EG: 1 class - 1 red and 2 blue balls
2 classes - 2 red and 3 blue balls
Teachers can change the number of each colour as they see fit.
Object of the Game:
Be the last team with at least one player still standing.
Number of Students/Teams:
This game works best when there are more students, ideally by
combining classes (EG: combine PPL30F with PPL30M, or combine
PPL30 with PPL40).
The class(es) should be split up into teams. Again, the number of
teams depends on the number of students playing, and the teacher
can decide as they see fit. Ideally, the game works best with at
least 3 teams.
The number of students/teams will ultimately be decided
appropriately by the teacher with regards to space available.
Starting Positions:
Teams are placed together at the corners of the room to start.
All balls are put in the centre of the gym.
Play starts at the sound of a whistle.
Once the balls are retrieved from the center, they (the balls) must
touch the players respective corner before being thrown at an
opposing player. This can be done by either throwing the ball at the
corner or running to the corner and touching it.
Rules:
The game is similar to dodge-ball in that you try to hit the players
on the other team(s) with the balls, but with more exciting twists.
Hits must be made at the shoulders or below. Anytime a thrown
ball hits any part of a players head, the ball is dead and that player
remains in the game.
There are no boundaries. Players can run anywhere in the gym.
If a player is holding a BLUE ball, they cannot run more than 2 steps
with it before passing it (like in basketball, of course). If a player is
holding a RED ball, they can run with it as far as they want, or they
can pass it to someone.
If a player is hit with a ball (either colour) then they sit down on the
floor where they are.
If a player catches a live ball (either colour), the thrower is out and
must sit down on the floor.
If a player holding a RED ball touches one of their team mates who
is sitting on the floor, that team mate can stand up and resume
play.
If a player is hit by a ball (either colour) while they are holding a
RED ball, then their entire team is out of the game entirely!
A player may defend himself by using another ball. However, a
player must sit down on the floor if, when defending with a ball, the
live ball touches any part of that player or the ball is dropped.
Safety Considerations:
The same OPHEA safety guidelines (secondary curricular, pg. 50,
51) for dodge-ball would apply to this game:
The teacher should also make students aware of the hazards of the
students sitting on the floor as potential obstacles.
Reference:
OPHEA, The Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines, Secondary
Curricular Guidelines, Module 1 (2008)
Overall Expectation
demonstrate personal competence in applying movement skills and
principles;
apply their knowledge of guidelines and strategies that can enhance
their participation in
recreational and sports activities.
Specific Expectation
demonstrate the development of movement skills in a variety of
physical activities (e.g., performing such skills as an overhead serve in
volleyball, a parallel turn in downhill skiing, or a j-stroke in canoeing);
apply the specific rules and guidelines for participation in recreational
and sports activities, including team, group, dual, and individual
activities (e.g., yellow card infractions in soccer, appropriate breathing
patterns in weight training, strategies for effective performance in
tennis);
use ethical strategies and tactics to enhance their performance in
specific situations and conditions (e.g., using a high underhand serve
in beach volleyball to take advantage of wind and sun conditions);
Equipment Required:
Red ball(s) and blue balls.
The number of each colour varies & depends on the number of
students playing.
EG: 1 class - 1 red and 2 blue balls
2 classes - 2 red and 3 blue balls
Teachers can change the number of each colour as they see fit.
Object of the Game:
Be the last team with at least one player still standing.
Number of Students/Teams:
This game works best when there are more students, ideally by
combining classes (EG: combine PPL30F with PPL30M, or combine
PPL30 with PPL40).
The class(es) should be split up into teams. Again, the number of
teams depends on the number of students playing, and the teacher
can decide as they see fit. Ideally, the game works best with at
least 3 teams.
The number of students/teams will ultimately be decided
appropriately by the teacher with regards to space available.
Starting Positions:
Teams are placed together at the corners of the room to start.
All balls are put in the centre of the gym.
Play starts at the sound of a whistle.
Once the balls are retrieved from the center, they (the balls) must
touch the players respective corner before being thrown at an
opposing player. This can be done by either throwing the ball at the
corner or running to the corner and touching it.
Rules:
The game is similar to dodge-ball in that you try to hit the players
on the other team(s) with the balls, but with more exciting twists.
Hits must be made at the shoulders or below. Anytime a thrown
ball hits any part of a players head, the ball is dead and that player
remains in the game.
There are no boundaries. Players can run anywhere in the gym.
If a player is holding a BLUE ball, they cannot run more than 2 steps
with it before passing it (like in basketball, of course). If a player is
holding a RED ball, they can run with it as far as they want, or they
can pass it to someone.
If a player is hit with a ball (either colour) then they sit down on the
floor where they are.
If a player catches a live ball (either colour), the thrower is out and
must sit down on the floor.
If a player holding a RED ball touches one of their team mates who
is sitting on the floor, that team mate can stand up and resume
play.
If a player is hit by a ball (either colour) while they are holding a
RED ball, then their entire team is out of the game entirely!
A player may defend himself by using another ball. However, a
player must sit down on the floor if, when defending with a ball, the
live ball touches any part of that player or the ball is dropped.
Safety Considerations:
The same OPHEA safety guidelines (secondary curricular, pg. 50,
51) for dodge-ball would apply to this game:
The teacher should also make students aware of the hazards of the
students sitting on the floor as potential obstacles.
Reference:
OPHEA, The Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines, Secondary
Curricular Guidelines, Module 1 (2008)
quarter without being hit, the bean bag gets added to their hula hoop and stays there until
another team steals it from them.
8) Each team will have one frisbee to use which can not be stolen. If a teammate is 'out' in an
opposing team's quarter, the frisbee needs to be run to and handed off to the person who is
out. The person with the frisbee may then walk back safely to their side. The player who
handed off the frisbee, however, is still able to be hit with a dodgeball.
9) The game ends when one team has all the bean bags in their hula hoop or you can time the
games at which point the team with the most bean bags in their home hula hoop wins.
This is a great strategy game that can get quite competitive. I find students of all ages really
enjoy this one as they get to work together as a team to out-smart other teams. It also
incorporates dodgeball which most students seem to enjoy.
2.
Select one student on each team to be the official catcher and provide them
with a pinnie or belt for identification.
3.
Place one long bench horizontally at either end of the gym, using the center
floor line as the only dividing boundary.
4.
Assign each team to opposite sides of the gym and send the official catchers
to stand in the center of the bench on the opposing side.
5.
The objective is for each team to get all of their team members onto the
bench where their official catcher stands. They can only do this by completing a
pass, from the side of the gym that they are on, cannot pass center line, to their
official catcher.
6.
Only when a team member completes a pass to their catcher, they may join
their catcher on the bench on the opposite side of the gym in order to help by
becoming a catcher as well.
7.
If any of the additional catchers, not the official catcher, should step off of the
bench in the process, they must return to their original side and again, complete a
pass.
8.
Opposing team members may try to block passes in order to prevent their
opponents from completing passes but will eventually also have to join their team on
the bench in order to win the game.
9.
The first team with all members standing on the bench wins!!!
GLO: WAR
Course: Healthy Active Living Education, Grade 9, Open (PPL1O)
(could be played in any year all high school students love it!)
Overall Expectations (Physical Activity):
Demonstrate knowledge of guidelines and strategies that enhance
participation in recreation and sport activities.
Specific Expectations (Physical Activity):
Use and combine movement skills in a variety of physical activities.
Demonstrate understanding of the importance of movement principles
in performing isolated or combined movement skills.
Equipment:
10 small gator balls
gym mats
2 long benches
gym clothes (running shoes, shorts, t-shirt)
Rules/Object of the Game:
teacher divides class into two teams
each team will be distributed gym mats for hide-out & gator balls to
throw
2 benches will be placed in the middle of the gym, dividing up the
boundary area in between the two teams
the teacher will allow 2 mins before the game starts for each team to
build their hide-out, using the gym mats
the object of the game is to have the last player standing on your team
the game begins with an equal amount of players on each side
the game begins like the original dodgeball (trying to hit your opponents
below the waist with the ball)
once a player has been hit, they go sit on the bench (between the two
teams) and another player from their team needs to pass the ball back
and forth to them 5 times (then they may rejoin their team)
players are limited to holding onto the ball for 5 secs (if longer, see
above point)
5 mins into the game, the teacher will yell WAR and each team may
cross into the other teams territory and try and destroy their hide-out
and steal their mats
once the teacher blows the whistle 1 min later, each team returns to
their own side and continues the game, but is not allowed to rebuild
their hide-out
the teacher may repeat the War part as many times as desired
the game is finished when there is only one person left standing
see appendix for game set-up
Strategies:
the teams should place the mats on their side for protection from the
opposite team
encourage students to think of creative strategies to knock down their
opponents hide-out, or how to protect their own hide-out when its
War
Modifications/Adaptations:
the game is already an adaptation of dodgeball
the instructor may add or take away elements of the game depending
on the players skill level
Safety Considerations:
dodgeball OPHEA safety guidelines Secondary Curricular (pg. 50, 51)
ensure equipment is safe (no holes in mats, students are aware of the
benches and their surroundings)
Appendix
Team 1
XXX
XXX
XXX
BENCH
BENCH
Team 2
XXX
XXX
XXX
Balloon Wars
Materials:
Ribbon or string
Activity:
Each member must blow their own balloons up and tie them into 2 bundles of 2
balloons. Each player must then attach each bundle onto his/her ankles.
For safety reasons, make sure the attachment strings are long enough to prevent
students from jumping on each others feet.
Choose two teams to start the balloon war. The objective of the game is to come
up with a team strategy to minimize the popping of the teams balloons while
stomping on the opposing teams balloons, eliminating them from the competition.
After one team has been eliminated, the winning team steps behind the sideline
and counts their balloons while preparing/revising a strategy for the showdown
competition.
The two winning teams battle it out in a showdown to determine the victor of
balloon wars. The teams may only use their remaining balloons from the first
competition but can strategically relocate the balloons to apply new defensive
strategies.
Variations:
Include a random popper (odd person in class) who has no balloons but can pop
either teams balloons. By including a random popper it forces students to change
their strategies, and develops further group cooperation skills.
The students in my grade nine class had a ball with this activity. They loved the interaction,
teamwork, co-ordination and problem solving of the game. This GLO can be used with creative
themes like Survivor Challenge.
PPL10 curriculum expectations that this GLO would meet are:
Physical Activity Strand (pg 8)
- Use and combine movement skills in a variety of physical activities.
- Explain appropriate strategies or tactics that enhance performance in specific situations and
conditions.
Active Living Strand (pg 9)
- Participate regularly in physical activities, choosing from a wide variety of activities.
Living Skills Strand (pg 11)
- Use appropriate social skills when working collaboratively with others.
- Contribute to the success of the group verbally and non verbally.
- Explain the benefits and disadvantages of working with others.
The above expectations were taken from The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 and 10 Health and
Physical Education, 1999.
The Human Knot
Objective: To provide students with a fun game with the focus placed on group communication
and teamwork.
Duration: 10-20minutes
Group Composition: Approximately 5-10 people per group
Group will start by forming a circle
Equipment: None
Procedure: Each group first forms a circle. Next, each member of the group then joins hands
with two people other than the people standing beside them. The group then must work
together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands. Once a group is
finished, ask the group to go and help the other groups to untangle.
Variations: Smaller or larger groups
Time limits
Debriefing: Ask students questions about leadership and problem solving i.e. who took
charge? Did you try many solutions or just one? How long did it take to figure it out? What are
the benefits and disadvantages to working with other students?
Mark Read
Grade Level: I used it with my grade 6 students, but it can be used for any grade. (I played
this in University, and we LOVED it!)
Curriculum Expectations:
Movement Skills
-throw an object overhand or side arm, using the dominant hand, to a target or a partner for
distance and accuracy.
- perform locomotion/travelling and stability skills in combination
Active Participation
- participate vigorously in all aspects of the program
-improve their personal fitness levels by participating in vigorous physical activities for
sustained periods of time, including appropriate warm-up and cool-down procedures
-follow the rules of fair play in games and activities, and support the efforts of peers to
improve their skills
Equipment:
- 10-15 Dodge Balls (Depending on space, if you have the use of a double gym for one class,
use more. If you only have half the gym, use less)
- 12 pylons
Activity Description: This game is a variation of dodge ball.
1. Divide your class into 5 squads (if you don't already have them in squads for attendance).
2. There are 5 different sections where squads will begin this activity. The circle in the middle
of the gym (use markings), is where the dodge balls will be. Using three pylons in each corner
of the gym, mark off a space that would be large enough to fit 5 students. These will comprise
the 4 safe sections where people can run to and be safe from being hit.
3. Assign the squads to the 5 different sections. (Keep track of where you send each squad, as
you'll need to rotate once you've finished one game. To keep it fair, let every squad have a
turn in the middle.)
4. On your whistle, students must move from the "safe" sections in a clock wise motion to the
next "safe" section. The gauntlet is the path in between. While students are running to the
next gauntlet, the students in the center circle are using the dodge balls and throwing them
below waist to hit the students and get them to join them in the center.
5. Students running the gauntlet MUST dodge the balls. Once hit, they join the center circle.
6. Students may only move 1 safe section at a time, and must wait for the whistle.
7. The game ends once all students have been hit, and then the teacher rotates the squads
through.
Safety Considerations: (from OPHEA Elementary Guidelines)
1. Rules for contact with the ball must be in place (e.g., below the waist)
2. Students who are targets must remain upright
3. Safe zones must be clearly delineated at a safe distance from walls, stages, obstacles.
Mark Read
Rationale:
I find the ladders game to be a quick and easy warm-up that includes everyone, has students
make some decisions based on their fitness level and really helps me separate a class into 2
fairly even teams for an activity to follow. The students love it and I have used it from K-9 and
each grade level asks for this as a quick warm-up game.
As a former water polo player, I thought up this game while trying to find a game that had a
lot of students playing at the same time, took the advantage away from some of the strongest
athletes (by putting everyone on scooter boards and only allowing students to catch and throw
with 1 hand), and was fun. Over the years, I have tweaked it to work for various grade levels
(usually J/I but I did use it with a really good grade 3 class one year) and it continues to be a
favourite with many of my students.
Ladders Warm-up and Scooter-board Polo GLO
Warm-up Game: Ladders
Equipment: none
Set up and Instructions:
students partner up with someone of similar size and speed (can be random or teacher
directed - I have found that students are pretty good about pairing off in a fair manner)
using a long vertical line on the gym floor (could also be outside) students sit on the floor
facing each other with their feet together - feet lined up along a straight line
number off each pair and remind students to remember their numbers
when I call a number, students run over each other's legs (through the middle first and then
around the outside except for the last pair which runs outside first and then through the
ladder) to the end of the ladder before students split and run back on their respective sides to
the beginning of the ladder and back through to their own spot
it is a race but I don't keep score or make a big deal of who wins
I make sure each pair has gone once and then go through again
once the students understand the game, I call numbers very quickly together allowing 2
groups to be on the course at the same time but from different ends of the ladder so they
don't interfere with each other
I use this game to move into 2 evenly divided teams - left side of ladder becomes one team
and right side becomes the other
Safety Considerations:
students need to keep their legs flat on the ground so as not to trip anyone as they run over
students need to sit up with their hands beside their bottoms so their hands do not get
stepped on
be sure there is enough room at either end of the ladder so students do not hit anything
be sure students are spaced far enough apart so they don't step on each other's legs
GLO: Scooter-board Polo
Equipment:
4 pylons for nets (set up on endlines about the width of the basketball key)
12-14 scooter boards
an elephant skin ball
Pinnies for one team
Set-up and Instructions:
I only play this game once students are familiar with how to safely use scooterboards - sitting
on the boards and must hold on with one hand
6 students playing out on each team plus one goalie
no players (offence or defence) are allowed in the crease - the basketball key - at anytime
except for the goalie
goalie is the only player allowed to catch or throw the ball with 2 hands at a time
all other players must throw and catch with only one hand - they can switch to their other
hand but only 1 hand on the ball at a time
the boundaries are the entire gym - the only exception is near the benches of the teams
(waiting to get on)
there is to be no intentional body contact however reaching for loose ball causing incidental
contact is okay at my discretion
if the ball is caught or thrown with 2 hands or intentional contact, the other team gets a free
pass
To begin - all players line up at their own end line on the outsides of their own net - when I
blow the whistle, I roll the ball gently along the centre line and teams race to gain possession
teams must pass a minimum of 3 times before they can shoot on the net
after each goal, players go back to the endline for another scoot-off for possession
I switch up the lines every 3-5 minutes depending on stops in play
Safety Considerations:
try to set up benches for other players waiting to get on as far to the side as possible or sitting
on the stage (if facility has one) to be out of the way of the game
because students can only catch and throw with 1 hand, students are encouraged to keep
their other hand on the scooter board to help them stay on the board and move around more
safely
According to the OPHEA safety guidelines the following must be followed:
shoes must be worn and long hair tied back
There must be room for students to move and stop safely without running into things or
people
Games must be based on skills that are taught
Skills must be taught in a logical progression
Scooter to scooter intentional contact must be discouraged
Expectations:
-Jordan
Prior to starting, 2 students are selected to be the "rusty nails" and 2 students are
selected to be the "mechanics"
Students are also reminded (or taught, initially) the meaning of the red, yellow, and
green lights on a stoplight. When they hear the teacher shout "red!" they must stop on
the spot. When they hear "yellow!" they must slow down to a tip-toe and be very
cautious. When they hear "green!" they are free to move around the gym.
Students are also reminded to "drive" safely - keep your eyes up and don't run.
The job of the rusty nails is to cause accidents. They do so by touching a player on the
shoulder. This player has subsequently experienced a "flat tire" and must stand
balanced on one leg.
The job of the mechanics is to go around the gym, repairing all of the flat tires that
the rusty mails have caused. They do so by using their hands to place the damaged
"car's" foot back on the ground. They must also say "there ya go Sir/Ma'am" to their
thankful customer.
Before the game starts, I have all of the students line up behind one of the baselines. I
call this the "garage". Before I give them the green light to begin the game, I let them
all rev up their engines. This is quite hilarious to witness.
During game play, I will periodically shout out traffic signals (i.e. red, green, yellow)
for the students to obey. Anyone who willingly disobeys the traffic rules comes to sit
with the teacher (jail) for a period of time.
After a while I will select 2 new rusty nails and 2 new mechanics. 6 year olds could
literally play this FOREVER!!!