PatioLab
Home › Activity library › Main activities for Middle School › Around the World: Seven-Spot Shooting

Around the World: Seven-Spot Shooting

A classic shooting game where players must score from seven spots in a semicircle to complete the trip around. It works shooting from different angles, risk-taking and handling misses.

Illustration of the PE activity Around the World: Seven-Spot Shooting
PhaseMain activitie
Duration20 min
Ages12–16
SpaceOutdoor yard
EquipmentBasketballs, Basketball hoops, Disc cones
IntensityModerate

How to play

  1. Each trio marks seven spots with disc cones in a semicircle three or four meters from the rim (2 min).
  2. Close-range warm-up shooting in trios: shooter, rebounder and passer rotate every five shots (4 min).
  3. First round: the shooter moves up one spot after each make; after a miss, they stay and pass the turn (7 min).
  4. Second round with the option to risk it: after a miss, shoot again; a make moves you up, but a miss sends you back to the start (5 min).
  5. Group talk: which spot is hardest and why (2 min).

Rules

Variations

Easier

Place spots at two meters and allow bank shots everywhere.

Standard

Seven spots at three or four meters.

Harder

Move the corner spots farther out, and the center shot must be a swish.

Adaptations

Learning goals

Equipment for a class of 25

Teacher tip

Six hoops fit eighteen trios taking turns; with fewer, use groups of four. The usual mistake is rushing the risk shot, so ask for the same routine on every attempt.

Add this activity to your lesson

PatioLab has "Around the World: Seven-Spot Shooting" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.

More main activities for Middle School

"Switch!": Talking Defense Against Screens in 3v3

⏱ 20 min👥 Ages 14–16📍 Outdoor yard
Equipment: Basketballs, Basketball hoops, pinnies

3v3 games where the offense uses ball screens and the defense must decide out loud whether to switch or stay with their player.

man-to-man defense High intensity

1 vs. 1 Channel Duel: Dodge and Score

⏱ 20 min👥 Ages 12–16📍 Outdoor yard
Equipment: Tag belts, Footballs (oval balls), cones
evasion High intensity

1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally

⏱ 15 min👥 Ages 12–16📍 Outdoor yard
Equipment: Volleyball, net, stopwatch
Cooperation Moderate intensity

1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River

⏱ 20 min👥 Ages 10–12📍 Field
Equipment: long rope, Light balls, cones
Striking Moderate intensity

1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball

⏱ 16 min👥 Ages 12–14📍 Outdoor yard
Equipment: Volleyball, long rope, cones
decision making Moderate intensity

1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels

⏱ 15 min👥 Ages 8–11📍 Outdoor yard
Equipment: Flag belts, Foam football, Flat disc cones
Dodging High intensity