Datchball: Full Game Where a Catch Brings a Teammate Back

An introduction to datchball, a dodge-and-catch sport created in Spain, played with soft balls, where catching is worth more than hitting. Short games on two courts teach students when to throw, when to catch and when to dodge.

How to play

1. Explanation with the group seated: court split in two halves, throw to eliminate, catch to eliminate the thrower and bring a teammate back, and an out zone behind the other team's court (4 min).
2. Trial round on two volleyball courts, 6 vs 6 or 7 vs 7, three balls per court, no score (5 min).
3. Three 4-minute games; the team with more players on the court at the end wins. Between games, 1 minute for each team to agree on one tactical change (15 min).
4. Crossover final: winners against winners and the rest against the rest (4 min).
5. Debrief: is it worth risking a catch, or is dodging better? Each team gives one reason with an example from the game (2 min).

Rules

• Only hits below the shoulders count; a head hit doesn't eliminate anyone and the thrower goes to the out zone.
• If you catch a thrown ball, the thrower is out and one of your teammates comes back.
• No one steps on the center line or into the other court.
• A ball that bounces off the floor, the wall or a teammate before hitting you doesn't count.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with limited mobility: play from a protected zone along the sideline; they can only be put out when they throw, and their catches count the same.
• Students with visual impairments: get a guide who calls out incoming balls, and they throw toward the guide's voice.
• Students afraid of getting hit start as the scorekeeper and join the second round allowed to catch two-handed.

Learning goals

• Learn the basic rules of datchball and apply them in real play.
• Choose between throwing, catching or dodging based on the situation.
• Respect calls and own up to being hit.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 12
• cones: 16
• pinnies: 15
• stopwatch: 2

Teacher tip

Set the two courts on top of the volleyball courts to save time. Official datchball rules set the number of players and balls; here they're simplified for a class. Typical mistake: everyone throws at once and the team runs out of balls; point it out during the tactical break.

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