Court-Line Tag: Dribble Only on the Lines

A tag game where everyone dribbles and can only move along the painted court lines. It works dribbling on the move, changes of direction and quick decisions.

How to play

1. Everyone dribbles at a walk along the court lines to learn the routes, with no taggers (2 min).
2. Three taggers in pinnies, also dribbling, tag by touching backs; whoever is tagged takes the pinnie and becomes a tagger (3 min).
3. Same game, but everyone dribbles only with their weak hand (2 min).
4. Go up to five taggers, and every time you reach a line intersection you must switch hands (3 min).

Rules

• You may only step on lines; stepping off counts as being tagged.
• Tag with a light touch on the back, never a push.
• No running head-on into someone on the same line: wait or turn around.
• If you lose the ball, get it and return to the nearest line.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: act as a fixed tagger at a line intersection, where touching a passing ball counts.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: signal phase changes by raising a colored pinnie.
• Students with a recent sprain: serve as line judge and call out anyone who steps off.

Learning goals

• Dribble on the move while changing direction.
• Make quick escape decisions in a tight space.
• Raise heart rate through play.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 30
• pinnies: 5

Teacher tip

Use a court with clear lines; if several sports' lines overlap, pick one color. The usual mistake is running while watching the ball and colliding at intersections, so stress the no head-on rule.

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