Circle Chase Ball

In a circle with players from two teams standing in alternating order, each team passes its ball to teammates only, skipping opponents, to try to catch up with the other team's ball. It builds quick passing and catching, focus, and teamwork.

How to play

1. Make 3 circles of 8 or 9 students, about 3 feet apart and facing in. Alternate pinnie colors: red, blue, red, blue, and so on (2 minutes).
2. Each team gets a foam ball of a different color. The two balls start on opposite sides of the circle.
3. On the signal, each team passes its ball clockwise, always to the next teammate of the same color, skipping the player from the other team.
4. The goal is for your ball to catch the other team's ball: when it touches it or reaches the hands of the player next to it, the chasing team scores a point and you start again.
5. If a ball drops, whoever dropped it picks it up, returns to their spot, and keeps going; nobody is ever out.
6. Each round lasts about 1 minute. Every 3 rounds, switch direction and pass type: chest pass, bounce pass, or overhead pass.
7. In the last 3 minutes, mix up the circles so everyone plays with different classmates.

Rules

• Pass softly and never at someone's face.
• You may not skip a teammate.
• Stay in your spot and only move to get a dropped ball.
• The teacher keeps score to avoid arguments.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair holds a fixed spot and receives chest or bounce passes at chest height.
• Visual impairment: use a bright ball or one with a bell inside, and the passer calls the receiver's name before passing.
• Skill level: place students who struggle to catch closer together and spread out those who need more challenge.

Learning goals

• Catch with two hands and pass quickly.
• Adjust the pass to a teammate at medium distance.
• Work with your team quickly and in an organized way.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 6
• pinnies: 25

Teacher tip

At first, students forget to skip opponents: walk through it slowly for a minute while everyone calls out the receiver's color. Soft balls take away the fear of catching.

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