Colpbol 5v5 (Middle School)

5v5 colpbol: a European team sport in which the ball is struck with the hands or any part of the body above the knee but never held. Students work on striking, cooperation and equal participation on coed teams.

How to play

1. Make 4 coed teams of 6 with pinnies and set up two courts about 65 x 50 ft with goals and a 20-ft goal area (2 min).
2. Explain: you can't catch the ball, only strike it with your palm or body above the knee, and no one hits it twice in a row (3 min).
3. Partner passes striking with the palm from 10–13 ft, then in threes on the move (5 min).
4. 5v5 games (4 field players and 1 goalkeeper), 7 minutes each; score by striking the ball into the goal.
5. After each game, switch opponents and goalkeepers; the resting player subs in for the next game (14 min).
6. Wrap-up: what was harder, not holding the ball or getting open? (1 min).

Rules

• The ball is never held: if you catch it, the other team gets it.
• No contact: win the ball by intercepting passes.
• Nobody hits the ball twice in a row.
• The goalkeeper can use the whole body inside the goal area but can't hold the ball either.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: protected zone where the student receives with no defender and strikes with the hand.
• Fear of the ball: soft, light ball.
• Lower skill level: allowed to stop the ball for one second before striking.

Learning goals

• Learn about a coed, inclusive sport from another country.
• Improve striking and passing with the hands.
• Cooperate so the whole team takes part.

Equipment for a class of 25

• colpbol balls: 2
• goals: 4
• pinnies: 24

Teacher tip

Students will catch the ball out of habit at first; blow the whistle on every catch in the first game and the play speeds up fast.

More main activities for Middle School