Don't Let Them Stop Rolling - Statue Ball

Skill: Catch, Dribble, Kick, Run, 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 play area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Remind participants to say the name of the participant they plan to throw the ball to, to make sure they are prepared to catch it.
Equipment: More balls than participants, and different types of balls (soccer balls, tennis balls, volleyballs, basketballs, dodgeballs etc.).
A timer
Pylons (optional for boundaries)
Objective:
For participants to not let any of the balls stop moving.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
If playing indoors, the boundaries can be the outside lines of the gym. If playing outdoors or indoors where there are no lines, set up boundaries using pylons to create a playing space.
Have all the balls spread out throughout the playing area.
The leader or the participant that is the observer, will be standing in the centre.
Step by Step:
1. On the word "Go", the leader will start the timer for 3 minutes (or choose another length of time).
2. The participants will run to the centre and start to move all the balls.
3. They can kick, throw, roll, pass or dribble the balls.
4. The key is to not let any of the balls stop moving.
5. If the leader or observer notices a ball that is not moving they call out "Statue Ball", and then counts down from 5.
6. If that ball doesn't start moving before they get to 0, then they win.
7. If a participant starts moving the ball before they get to 0, then the game continues.
8. Participants can be kicking a ball, and throwing a ball up in the air and catching it at the same time if they wish.
9. If a participant is holding a ball but not moving it, then the observer calls "Statue Ball in hand", and that participant then has to drop the ball and then do 10 jumping jacks before they get back into the game. This leaves one less participant to move the balls around.
10. Remind participants to work together.
11. Remind participants that if they are throwing a ball to another participant, to call their name and make sure they are looking before they pass the ball.
12. After 3 minutes, or if there is a statue ball for more than 5 seconds, the round is over.
13. Change the observer and you can add more balls into play.
Variations:
If the observer sees a statue ball, they call "Statue Ball" and run to it and try to pick it up before a participant starts moving it. If the observer picks it up, then they bring it back and place it in a hoop. If the observer collects 5 balls before the set time is up, they win.
Have more than one observer.
Decrease or increase the time that participants have to start moving the statue ball.

Adaptations (General):
The coordination, dexterity and stamina required for this activity may preclude some participants with disabilities. Consider having a participant with a disability as the leader or observer.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.