Jump, Catch or Trap

Skill: Catch, Jump, Kick, Throw
Time Required: 10
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Pair, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Ensure the pairs are spread out and not too close to other pairs.
Equipment: 1 foam ball per 2 participants
Objective:
For participants to jump over the ball, catch the ball, or trap the ball depending on how their partner passed it to them.
Other Skills:
Underhand Roll
Coordination
Set up:
Have participants get into pairs (or select the partners for them).
Give each pair a foam ball.
Step by Step:
1. The pairs will spread out around the area.
2. The partners will stand around 10-15 feet away from each other and facing each other.
3. One participant will start with the foam ball.
4. That participant can either underhand roll the ball, throw the ball or kick the ball.
5. If they rolled the ball to their partner, then the partner has to jump over the ball.
6. If they threw it to their partner, then the partner has to catch the ball.
7. If they kicked it to their partner, then the partner has to trap the ball with their foot (the kick has to stay on the ground).
8. If the partner does the wrong action or misses the catch, then they get the letter "C". The first participant to spell "COOL" (or any word the leader chooses), loses that round. Or if they do the wrong action, they have to do a set exercise, like 8 jumping jacks.
9. If the throw, kick or roll was not close to the participant, then the participant that threw/kicked/rolled the ball will get a letter or have to do the set exercise, or they try again.
10. Whether the participant did the correct action, they will roll/kick/throw the ball back to their partner who will have to do the correct action.
11. Play for a set amount of time. Can switch partners or actions for the next round.
Variations:
Examples of other actions: If the participant throws the ball, then their participant has to dodge the ball so it doesn't hit them. If the participant rolls the ball, then the partner has to run in front of the ball and spread their legs apart so the ball goes through their legs. If they kick the ball, then the participant has to kick the ball back.
Have participants stand closer or further away from each other.
Use another ball and change the actions to work with that ball.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.