Backboard Ball

Skill: Catch, Jump, Run, Throw
Time Required: 20
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)
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.
Equipment: 1 foam ball (or can use basketball, volleyball or tennis ball).
Basketball nets with a backboard.
Objective:
For participants to practice their throwing, catching, pivoting, ability to get open and defense. Participants have to throw the ball at their backboard, and one of their teammates has to catch it.
Other Skills:
Speed
Coordination
Set up:
Use the basketball lines as the boundaries.
Divide the participants into two equal teams. If there are 4 nets in the gym and there are enough participants, divide them into 4 teams and have two games at once.
Send teams to one half of the court. The backboard they are aiming for is the one on the other side of the gym (just like in basketball).
Step by Step:
Have one participant from each team start at the centre. The leader will throw the ball in the air, and the two participants have to try and hit the ball behind them to their teammates.
When a participant has possession of the ball, they can't take any steps, unless they were running when they caught the ball, then give them 2 steps to stop.
They have to throw the ball to another participant, so it's important for participants to get open and for the participant with the ball to practice their pivoting.
If a participant misses a catch, then it's the other teams ball.
Participants cannot stand too close to the participant with the ball.
The goal is for a participant with a ball to throw it at their backboard, have it hit/bounce off and a member of their team has to catch it. The participant that threw it cannot catch it as well.
If the ball goes in the hoop, the ball automatically goes to the other team.
If a member of their team catches it, they get 1 point. The other team gains possession of the ball and passes it in from the outside line behind the net.
If a member of the other team catches it, then they gain possession of the ball.
If no one catches the ball, then the participant that picks it up gets possession of the ball.
Play for a set amount of time, or until a team scores a certain amount of points.
Variations:
If using a basketball, then participants can use bounce passes.
Participants have to be jumping when they catch the ball.
Participants can take 2 steps with the ball.
If no backboard, use tape to make a square or rectangle on two walls.
If only have one backboard, then that is the backboard for both teams, but participants have to clear the ball past a designated line before their team can shoot.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Consider using a ball with a bell inside, or tie a plastic bag around it, so that participants who are blind or visually impaired can hear it. Allow these participants to catch the ball on the bounce if they miss it in the air. Have a leader or another participant stand by the net to help orient these participants.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.