Crab Throws

Children stand with their backs to a big box, like crabs, and throw the ball backward between their legs or over their heads to get it in. It works on throwing in unusual directions and spatial awareness.

How to play

1. Set out five big boxes with a mark one step in front of each; children crab-walk sideways to their box (2 min).
2. First, throw facing the box with two hands underhand to warm up the arm (3 min).
3. Turn around: back to the box, bend over and throw the ball backward between your legs (3 min).
4. Now, with your back to the box, throw with both hands over your head, looking up at the sky (4 min).
5. Each crab picks a favorite throw and crab-walks back to the basket to drop off the ball (2 min).

Rules

• Throw when no one is behind you by the box.
• Whoever collects walks around the side, never in front.
• If it misses, laugh and try again.
• Crabs walk sideways without bumping.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the child throws facing the box from their chair; for the backward part, they toss one-handed back over their shoulder.
• Visual impairment: a classmate claps inside the box to guide the backward throw.
• Less balance: the child sits on the floor with their back to the box and throws overhead from sitting.

Learning goals

• Throw backward between the legs and over the head.
• Orient yourself toward a target you can't see.
• Have fun trying new ways to throw.

Equipment for a class of 25

• soft balls: 25
• large cardboard boxes: 5

Teacher tip

Boxes need to be big and wide open: backward throws aren't accurate and making it in is the fun part. Make sure no one stands behind the thrower.

More main activities for Elementary