Volley-Dodge Balloon

Skill: Dodge, Strike
Time Required: 20
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Pair, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs, 13+ yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space)
Safety Considerations: Remove any safety hazards and obstacles from the activity area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their head up.
Equipment: Rope, pylon, or other object(s) to make centre lines
Balloons (blown up)
Racquets (optional)
Objective:
Participants keep the balloon from hitting the ground on their half, and dodge the balloon from hitting them.
Set up:
Participants get into pairs. Two pairs will play against each other.
Set up different activity areas using rope, pylons, or other objects for each group.
The size of each half is up to the leader.
One pair will be on one half, and the other pair on the other half.
Step by Step:
1. Each group of pairs will have one balloon.
2. One pair will start on one half, and the other pair will start on the other half.
3. Each game will need at least one balloon (could have extras in case one pops).
4. One pair will start with the balloon, and hit it over the half way line to the other pair.
5. The goal for each pair is to have the balloon land on the other pair's half, or have the balloon hit one of the other participants (not including hands or feet).
6. If the balloon hits the ground, then the other pair gets a point.
7. If the balloon hits a participant (not their hands or feet), then the other team gets a point.
8. Participants can only hit the balloon with their hands and feet to get it over to the other half.
9. Pairs have a maximum of 3 hits to get it over to the other side, or the other team gets a point.
10. Participants volley the balloon over and dodge it on the way back.
11. The first pair to get a set amount of points (5-10) wins that game.
12. Or, play for a set amount of time, and the team with the most points at the end wins that game.
13. Optional: Add two balloons and have 3 participants on each team.
14. Optional: Only if the balloon hits a participant from their shoulders to hips will it count as a point.
15. Optional: Participants have badminton or tennis racquets, and can only hit the balloon using their racquet.
Variations:
Participants are allowed to hit the balloon upwards of 5 times before it has to go to the other half.
Have one participant be a referee for each game.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.