Everybody-Kicks Kickball
A kickball variation where an inning doesn't end after three outs but once the whole team has kicked, and the defense scores a point for every out. Nobody misses a turn, and defense counts as much as offense. Students practice kicking, teamwork, and tactics.
How to play
- Mark a diamond with bases 50 ft apart and a pitching line 33 ft from home. Form two teams of 12-13 with a set kicking order (3 min).
- The pitcher rolls the ball to home; the kicker kicks it and runs to first. Three missed kicks or three fouls count as an out.
- Outs: a caught fly, a force out by stepping on the base with the ball, or hitting a runner below the waist with the ball between bases.
- An out goes to the end of the line, but the inning continues until the last kicker in the order has kicked; runners left on base return home without scoring.
- The offense scores 1 run for each runner reaching home, and the defense scores 1 point for each out it makes.
- Play 2 innings per team; the highest total of runs plus outs wins (20 min).
Rules
- Safety: runners may only be hit below the waist and never from closer than 10 ft.
- No bunting: the kick must pass a line 10 ft from home.
- Only one runner per base.
Variations
Easier
Bases move in to 40 ft and there are no outs by hitting runners.
Standard
Bases at 50 ft, everyone kicks, and the defense scores for outs.
Harder
The defense earns 2 points for every double play.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student kicks a stationary ball and a teammate runs for them.
- Autism: post the kicking order on a whiteboard and cross off each turn.
- Fitness level: tired students can play a base close to home.
Learning goals
- Kick a rolling ball toward open space.
- Work together on defense to get outs.
- Appreciate that offense and defense count equally for the team.
Equipment for a class of 25
- soft balls: 2
- bases: 4
- cones: 6
Teacher tip
This format makes sure less-skilled students always get to kick. Track runs and outs separately on the whiteboard so students see good defense wins games too.
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