Balloon Keep-Up: Soft Touches to Start

A partner warm-up keeping a balloon in the air with overhead sets and forearm passes. The balloon is slow and gives time to get under it, so nobody is afraid of the contact.

How to play

1. Each pair gets an inflated balloon and keeps it up with sets only, staying in place (2 min).
2. Now they move around the whole space without letting it drop, using forearm passes only (2 min).
3. Alternate set-pass-set; whoever touches it calls out the type of contact (2 min).
4. Groups of four with two balloons at once; nobody may touch twice in a row (2 min).
5. Challenge: two pairs cross paths and swap balloons without either one hitting the floor (2 min).

Rules

• Touch the balloon, don't grab it or punch it.
• When moving, watch the balloon and the people around you: walk, don't run.
• If the balloon drops, pick it up and keep going; no one is out.
• If anyone has a latex allergy, use light plastic bags or beach balls instead.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students who are deaf or hard of hearing: show the cues with cards or hand signals agreed on beforehand.
• Limited mobility: the partner always sends the balloon within reach, and the student can play seated if needed.
• Students with low coordination: start solo with self-passes until they reach five in a row.

Learning goals

• Get under the object before touching it.
• Tell apart the contact surfaces for sets and forearm passes.
• Warm up gently and cooperatively.

Equipment for a class of 25

• balloons: 20

Teacher tip

Have the balloons blown up before class plus a few spares, because they pop. Always ask about latex allergies.

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