Star Keep Away

Skill: Catch, Jump, Throw
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards from the play area.
Remind participants to keep their heads up and be aware of other participants and where the ball is.
Equipment: Hoops (1 for each member of one team).
Ball (dodgeball, basketball...)
Objective:
For participants in the hoops (planets) to throw the ball (star) to one another without the other participants not in the hoops (moons) intercepting the ball. It's a great opportunity for participants to practice their throwing and catching.
Set up:
Divide participants into two equal teams.
Set up the same number of hoops as there are participants on one team around the play area. Make sure they are far enough apart that they cannot touch one another, but not too far that other participants can't throw a ball to them.
Step by Step:
1. Designate one team to start as the planets and the other to be moons.
2. Have each participant that is a planet stand in a hoop.
3. The moons will stand between and around the hoops, but not inside.
4. The leader will give a ball (a star) to a planet.
5. The goal of the planets is to pass the star to each other without dropping it or stepping outside their hoop.
6. When the ball is dropped or intercepted by a moon, the moons then go inside the hoops and the planets go outside the hoops and try to intercept the star from the moons.
7. Or, when a participant drops the star, they have to sit down in their hoop. If a planet throws a bad throw and the recipient cannot catch it, then they sit down in the hoop. If a planet throws the star and it is intercepted by a moon, then that planet sits down in their hoop. The moon and planet switch roles, when there is only one planet left standing.
Variations:
Give each group 3 drops or misses before they switch roles.
If a participant intercepts a pass, then they take over that planet's hoop and the planet becomes a moon.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Use a ball with a bell inside or enclosed in a plastic bag so that participants who are blind or visually impaired can follow its sound. To better accommodate these participants, consider allowing the ball to bounce once.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.