Bounce and Catch with a Bell Ball

In pairs, one student sends a bell ball with one bounce to a blindfolded partner, who catches it using the sound of the bounce and the bell. Students practice receiving, anticipating by ear, and working together.

How to play

1. Form pairs with a bell ball and two cones marking the distance, starting at 2 m (about 6 ft).
2. Rolling (3 minutes): the sender says "ready!" and rolls the ball; the blindfolded receiver, kneeling, stops it with their hands. Ten sends, then switch.
3. One bounce (4 minutes): the receiver stands with hands in a basket shape and catches the ball after one bounce just in front. Clean catch, 2 points; touch, 1. After five catches in a row, move the cone back a step.
4. No warning (4 minutes): the sender stops saying "ready!" and the receiver relies only on the bell and the bounce.
5. Final challenge (4 minutes): in threes, the ball comes from one of two senders on the left and right, and the receiver turns toward the sound.

Rules

• Always send underhand with one bounce, never straight at the face.
• Receivers keep hands in front of the chest.
• Pairs line up in parallel rows facing the same way, 3 m (10 ft) apart.
• If the ball gets away, the sender retrieves it.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a receiver who uses a wheelchair catches at knee height off a short bounce, or acts as sender.
• Visual impairment: the student plays without a blindfold and can coach a partner.
• Skill level: strong catchers use one hand or spin before catching.

Learning goals

• Catch a moving object using sound.
• Anticipate the ball's path after the bounce.
• Support a partner by sending accurately and carefully.

Equipment for a class of 25

• bell balls: 13
• blindfolds: 13
• cones: 26

Teacher tip

If you are short on bell balls, tape jingle bells to soft balls. Stress the one-bounce rule, because it prevents balls to the face.

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