Abstract Sport Masterpiece

Skill: Catch, Kick, Run, Throw
Time Required: 25
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 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.
Make sure the throwers wait until the participant is prepared to catch the ball before they throw it.
Equipment: Sport equipment/balls (soccer balls, basketballs, tennis balls, beanbags, footballs and more).
Cones to divide the area.
Objective:
For the Masterpiece team to create their abstract sport masterpiece using sport balls and other equipment provided, and then for the Mirroring team to mirror that masterpiece.
Other Skills:
Speed
Coordination
Set up:
Use the outside lines of the gym as boundaries, or set up cones outdoors.
Divide the participants into teams of 5-6.
Depending on the size of the group, divide the gym (or outdoor space) into 4 quarters using lines of the gym and/or cones, or use halves.
Have one team start at each quarter (or half)
Have equipment just outside boundaries and at the centre.
See attached document for example of set up and of mirroring.
Step by Step:
1. If there are four teams, then the groups that are on the right side of the gym/area will be playing against each other, and the groups that are on the left side or against each other.
2. Select which team on each side will start as the "Masterpiece" team. The other team is the "Mirroring" team
3. Have different balls on the side of the gym for participants and teams to use.
4. Masterpiece teams have 1 minute (or so), to create their abstract sport masterpiece.
5. On the word "Go" the Masterpiece team will start to create their masterpiece.
6. The first participant in the line will run to the end of their area and touch the wall (or touch the back line), and turn around to run back into their area.
7. As they are doing this, the next participant in line is picking up any ball.
8. They will throw (or kick) the ball to the participant in the masterpiece area.
9. The participant that caught the ball will put it down wherever it was caught. If they missed the catch, then they have to do 3 jumping jacks on the spot before the next participant can run. Wherever the ball lands is where it will go.
10. That participant then leaves the masterpiece area and goes to the back of their team's line.
11. The participant that threw the ball will now be the runner and run to the wall or line on the other end.
12. The next participant in line picks up any ball and throws it to them when they are prepared to catch.
13. Continue until the time is up. They have created their abstract sport masterpiece!
14. Now it's time for the Mirroring team to go. They have 2 (or so) minutes to complete the mirroring task.
15. They will do the same steps as the other team to create the mirroring masterpiece.
16. See attached document for an example of mirroring.
17. When they catch a ball, they can take 3 big steps to place it in the correct mirroring location. So it's important for them to run and catch the ball close to where it should go.
18. If they miss a catch, they have to do 5 jumping jacks before they can pick up the ball and put it in the correct location.
19. If they complete the mirroring before the time is up, they win that round.
20. If they've placed all the balls down, but one or more are incorrect in their mirroring, the leader (or participants) will say "one *tennis ball* is not mirrored" (or don't say which ball is wrong).
21. Then one participant has to run, touch the wall or line, and run to the ball and place it in the right location.
22. If they don't complete the mirroring before the time is up, the masterpiece team wins.
23. Phew! Now teams can switch roles.
Variations:
Only use one or two types of balls.
If using soccer balls, participants have to kick them.
Don't have a masterpiece team, just have two mirroring teams. The leader will create an abstract sport masterpiece. Then the two mirroring teams will race to see who can mirror the masterpiece first.
If a participant knocks a ball with their feet while running, they can put it back where it was, after they place their ball down. Or if a ball is moved by a participant running or by another ball, then they have to take it out of play and throw it in again to place it back down.

Adaptations (General):
Encourage teams to collaborate and to actively include all team members in the creation of "masterpieces," and in the "mirroring."

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Use a ball (larger than a tennis ball) with a bell inside or with a plastic bag tied around it so that participants who are blind or visually impaired can hear it. Allow these participants to catch balls on the bounce. Have another team member guide these participants as needed.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.
Attachments: Download