Cross the Rolling Ball Alley
Students must cross an 8 m wide alley while two side teams roll foam balls along the ground to tag their feet. Students practice reading ball paths, dodging with jumps and pace changes, and making quick decisions.
How to play
- Use cones to mark an alley 20 m (65 ft) long and 8 m (26 ft) wide. On each side stands a team of four rollers in pinnies with four foam balls per side. The rest of the class starts at one end of the alley (2 min).
- On the signal, runners cross the alley to the other end. Rollers may only roll the ball along the ground to tag runners below the knee (2 min practice).
- A tagged runner isn't out: they become a roller on one side and a roller becomes a runner. This way everyone switches roles.
- Play back-and-forth rounds. The teacher signals a new start every 20 seconds so rollers can collect balls (5 min).
- Change after 3 min: runners cross in pairs holding hands, deciding together when to jump or stop (3 min).
- At the end (3 min), play a round where runners must cross in slow motion to the halfway point and at full speed for the second half.
Rules
- Balls must be rolled; a ball in the air doesn't count.
- Only tags below the knee count.
- Rollers don't enter the alley to get balls while runners are crossing.
- When jumping a ball, land on both feet looking forward.
Variations
Easier
Use a 6 m (20 ft) wide alley, only two rollers per side, and slow rolls.
Standard
Use an 8 m alley with four rollers per side and a role swap when tagged.
Harder
Rollers may roll two balls at once and the alley stretches to 30 m (100 ft).
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is a permanent roller on one side, from a wheelchair or seated, and may roll by hand or with a hockey stick.
- Blind or low vision: the student crosses holding a guide's hand, who calls "jump!"
- Higher-skilled students: they cross while dribbling a ball by hand, forcing them to look up and watch the rolling balls at the same time.
Learning goals
- Anticipate the path of balls coming from both sides.
- Dodge with jumps, stops, and changes of pace.
- Decide the right moment to cross.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam balls: 8
- cones: 8
- pinnies: 8
Teacher tip
Use only foam balls and remind rollers to roll gently at first. Rotate rollers on a timer too so no one goes too long without running.
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