Flying Chicken Baseball

Skill: Run, Throw
Time Required: 30
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remind participants to be cautious when moving and to be aware of the personal space of others.
Equipment: 4 pylons 1 rubber chicken, or alternative
Objective:
For one team to throw the chicken as far as possible and run around the designated area while the other team recovers the chicken and passes it above and under each other in a line.

Other Skills:
Coordination
Agility
Endurance
Speed
Set up:
Use 4 pylons to identify line A and line B, about 5 – 10 metres apart.
Divide the group into 2 teams. Set up the pylons to represent 3 bases and home plate.
Step by Step:
Warm Up

1. Have participants face a partner, march in place behind line A and play Rock Paper Scissors (RPS). They jump twice as they say, "Rock, Paper, Scissors". On "Scissors", they strike one of three poses; ROCK-crouch down, PAPER-stand, legs apart, arms stretched to the sides, SCISSORS stand with arms stretched up high, ankles and wrists crossed.
2. Each pose conquers one other. Paper covers rock, scissors cut paper and rock breaks scissors.
3. Each time they play, the winner jogs in place while the other participant speed-walks to line B and back.
4. Participants continue to play RPS with a different partner each time.

Steps

1. To start, one team has the chicken and is "up to bat." The other team is spread out over the diamond and the field.

2. The team at bat lines up in single file. Participants must remember the person who is both in front and behind them, as they must stay in this order for the entire game.

3. The batter throws the chicken as far as possible. The entire batting team runs together in single file around the designated bases. They must maintain the order of the line at all times. The group runs as many times as possible around the bases, and each participant who passes the home plate adds one run to the score.

4. Meanwhile, Team 2 chases the chicken. The first participant to get the chicken holds it up while the other team members form a line behind. Once everyone is in line, the chicken holder then passes the chicken to start an over-under line (pass over the head, between the legs). While in line, participants jog on the spot when they are not passing the chicken.

5. The last participant who receives the chicken runs to the front of the line and yells "Stop!" On the "Stop" signal the batting team stops running and the number of completed runs is recorded.

6. The batter goes to the back of the line and a new batter bats.

7. The batting team has 3 turns at bat before they become the fielding team. After the fielding team completes their 3 turns, they switch again maintaining their batting order.

8. Participants are encouraged to jog back to their positions, either fielding or batting.

(Adapted from Ophea, H&PE Curriculum Support Documents, 2000.)

Cool Down

1. Have participants face a partner, walk in place and play Rock Paper Scissors (RPS).
2. While they walk in place they say, "Rock, Paper, Scissors". On "Scissors", they strike one of three poses; ROCK-crouch down, PAPER-stand, legs apart, arms stretched to the sides, SCISSORS-stand with arms stretched up high, ankles and wrists crossed.
3. Each time they play, the winner leads the other participants in a stretch for 15-20 seconds.
4. Participants continue to play RPS with a different partner each time.
5. For sample stretches, see Ontario Ministry of Education, Daily Physical Activity in Schools Grades 7-8, Appendix C or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa7-8.pdf.
Variations:
Stress the importance of teamwork.
A substitute for the rubber chicken is a Nerf football.
You may want to establish a batting order in advance to improve efficiency and also allow for the game to be continued for future sessions.

Adaptations (General):
Given the dynamic nature of this activity, full inclusion may be challenging. Consider allowing participants with disabilities to throw the chicken.
Sources: Ophea