Throwing Backwards

Skill: Catch, Run, Skip, Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up and be aware of where beanbags are being thrown.
Equipment: Beanbags
Hoops
Pylons/Rope (optional)
Objective:
Groups bring beanbags from one end of the activity space to the other by throwing them backwards.
Set up:
Divide participants into groups of 3-5.
Each group will start at one end of the activity space behind a rope/pylon or line on the gym floor.
Around 20 meters in front of each group will be a hoop filled with 6-12 beanbags.
Next to the participants will be an empty hoop.
Step by Step:
1. When the activity begins, the first participant in each line will run to the beanbags at the other end.
2. They will pick up one of their beanbags and then throw it behind them towards the other end.
3. After they throw, they will run to where it landed, pick it up and throw the beanbag backward again.
4. They will continue to throw until it reaches the other participants in their group, who will then put it in the empty hoop.
5. Participants have to try and keep the beanbag out of other participant's and groups sections.
6. When they get the beanbag past the line, the next participant in line will run to the hoop, collect a beanbag and throw it backwards.
7. Continue until all the beanbags are in the first hoop.
8. Optional additional steps:
- When all the beanbags are brought to the first hoop, groups have to bring the beanbags back to their original hoop.
- They will not be throwing them backwards this time; they will be throwing them to each other.
- One participant will stand next to the hoop with beanbags, and the rest of the participants will spread out and stand in a line going from that hoop to the hoop on the other end.
- They will throw the beanbag to each other until it reaches the last participant who will place it in the other hoop.
- Participants cannot take any steps when they catch the beanbag, they have to throw it from where they caught it.
- If a participant does not catch the beanbag, then they throw it back to the participant that threw it to them and they go again until they catch it.
- The first group to return all their beanbags wins.
Variations:
Instead of running to the beanbags, participants have to skip, bear crawl (on hands and toes), side shuffle, grape vine, run backwards, and so on.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.