Comet Ball Throw and Catch

With a tennis ball knotted inside a long sock, students throw the "comet" by its tail and their partner catches it by the tail, first in pairs and then at targets. It works on throwing with a swing, reading the flight path, and catching.

How to play

1. Before class, push a tennis ball into the toe of each long sock and tie a knot: the ball is the comet's head and the rest is its tail.
2. Partners stand 13 feet (4 m) apart, all facing the same way, 10 feet from the next pair. The thrower holds the end of the tail, swings it back underhand, and releases it up and forward (2 minutes).
3. The receiver tries to catch it by the tail, never by the ball. Each partner throws 10 times (5 minutes).
4. Second throw: the side throw, swinging the comet forward in a circle beside the body, like a windmill, and releasing high. Ten more each (4 minutes).
5. Target game: set hoops at 16, 26, and 33 feet (5, 8, and 10 m). The pair scores 1, 2, or 3 points if the comet lands inside or its tail touches the hoop (6 minutes).
6. Final challenge: throw as high as possible and have your partner catch it by the tail before it hits the ground; each catch is one point (3 minutes).

Rules

• All pairs throw in the same direction, 10 feet from the pair next to them.
• Nobody retrieves while others are throwing; wait for the teacher's signal.
• Catch by the tail, not the ball.
• Never spin the comet more than one circle before letting go.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: students using a wheelchair throw from the side of the body, and the partner hands the comet back.
• Visual impairment: use brightly colored socks and throw toward a partner who claps.
• Skill level: each pair chooses the target distance based on its success.

Learning goals

• Throw an object along a curved path while controlling the release point.
• Catch an object in the air by tracking its flight.
• Choose a distance that matches your own skill level.

Equipment for a class of 25

• tennis balls: 13
• long socks: 13
• hoops: 6
• cones: 12

Teacher tip

The tail slows the comet down and makes it easy to track, so it's a great lead-up to other throwing skills. Check every knot before starting so no ball slips out.

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