Call Ball

A student throws a soft ball high into the air and calls out a classmate's name, who must run in to catch it before or after one bounce. Students practice reading the ball's flight, reacting to a signal, and catching on the move.

How to play

1. Make three groups of eight students, each in a circle about 6 m (20 ft) across, with one soft ball per group (2 min).
2. The thrower stands in the middle, tosses the ball high and straight up, and while it rises calls out the name of someone in the circle.
3. The named student runs to the middle and tries to catch the ball. A catch with no bounce earns 2 points; a catch after one bounce earns 1 point.
4. Whoever catches it becomes the new thrower. On a miss, the thrower goes again with another name. Practice for 5 min.
5. Phase two (4 min): the thrower calls the name once the ball is already coming down, so the reaction must be quicker.
6. Phase three (4 min): students waiting in the circle sit or lie face down and must get up and run when they hear their name.

Rules

• Only the named student runs; everyone else stays on the circle.
• Throw the ball straight up, never at a classmate.
• Call everyone: don't repeat a name until everyone has had a turn.
• If two students go for the same ball, stop and redo the throw.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student stands closer to the middle and may catch after several bounces.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: the thrower points to the student as well as calling their name.
• Higher-skilled students: they catch with one hand only or after a clap.

Learning goals

• Judge the flight of a high ball to get there in time.
• React quickly to a sound signal.
• Learn and use every classmate's name.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft ball: 3

Teacher tip

Make sure throws go straight up; when they drift, collisions happen. It's ideal for the first days of school because it helps everyone learn names.

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