Protect Your Pin

Skill: Run, Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remind participants that the aim is hit the pins, not participant.
Remove any safety hazards from the area.
Equipment: Dodgeballs
Bowling pin (wooden or plastic) for each participant, or another object that can be knocked down.
Pylons to create boundaries for game (make it a large area) or if indoors, use lines on the gym.
Objective:
For participants to protect their bowling pin, while trying to knock down the other bowling pins.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Set up:
Give each participant a bowling pin, and have them scatter and find their own place within the boundaries.
Step by Step:
1. When each participant has their own spot in the play area, have them put down their bowling pin so that it is standing up.
2. The goal is to be the last participant with their bowling pin standing.
3. When the game begins, the leader will throw in or give 2-3 dodgeballs to participants.
4. Participants can run anywhere they wish with the dodgeball and throw it at another participant's bowling pin, hoping to knock it down.
5. However, if they run too far, they leave their bowling pin exposed with no protector.
6. When a participant's bowling pin is knocked down, they are out of the game and have to sit down next to their fallen pin.
7. Participants can block and protect their pin from the ball however they wish. This is not like dodgeball, if participants are hit with the ball, nothing happens. As long as their bowling pin is still standing, so are they.
8. The leader can add more dodgeballs to the game as it progresses.
9. The last participant with their bowling pin standing wins.
Variations:
Divide the group into teams, and the game is played the same, however participants will only try to knock down the pins of the other team. The last participant remaining will win the game for their team.
When a participant's pin is knocked down, they are not out, they can still throw the dodgeballs at other participants pins. If they knock down a participant's pin, then they get that pin. They stand it up again and begin to protect that pin. The participant who just lost their pin will now try to steal another pin.

Adaptations (General):
Recognizing that there are inherent challenges for participants with a disability with this activity, consider allowing these participants to play as part of a team of 2.

Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.