Beach Ball and Mat Game

Skill: Kick, Run, Strike
Time Required: 20
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space)
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.
Remind participants to be aware of other participants going for the beach ball at the same time and to be careful.
Equipment: 2 or more beach balls.
2 mats (or cones/rope to set up an area that is about the size of a mat).
Cones for boundaries.
Objective:
For teams to score by kicking or hitting the beach ball so that it lands on top of the other team's mat.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Speed
Set up:
Divide participants into two teams.
Use the outside lines of the gym for boundaries, or use cones to set up these boundaries.
Place a mat at each end of the gym (or use cones or rope to create an area the size of a mat). Ensure there is still room behind the mat where participants can run.
Have each team start on their own half.
Step by Step:
1. Give each team a beach ball to start the game.
2. Participants have to hit, kick or strike the beach ball with any part of their body before it touches the ground to another team mate.
3. Participants cannot catch the ball or let it hit the ground.
4. If a participant catches a ball, it automatically goes to the other team.
5. If a ball hits the ground, any participant can hit/kick/strike it to their team.
6. The beach ball has to land on top of the other team's mat in order for them to get a point.
7. When a team scores a point, the other team starts with the beach ball.
8. No one is allowed to step on the mat.
9. If a team hits the ball out of the bounds, then it goes to the other team.
10. Play for a set amount of time or until a team scores a set amount of points.
11. Add more beach balls for the next round.
12. If there are a lot of participants then divide participants into 3 groups and rotate which teams play.
Variations:
Divide participants into 3 or 4 groups and set up 3-4 mats on the sides of the play area (could also add more beach balls). All the same rules apply, however there are more mats to score on now.
Allow participants to catch the beach ball, but they have to throw/hit it within 3 seconds of catching it.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Use a beachball with rice inside so that participants who are blind or visually impaired can hear it. For these participants, allow them to strike the ball on the bounce, and allow them to catch it.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.